SSL Selected to Help U.S.
Air Force Test and Validate Scenarios for Hosting Payloads
(Source: SSL)
SSL was selected by Innoflight, Inc., a veteran-owned business
specializing in electronics systems for Defense & Aerospace, to
provide a high fidelity simulation environment for testing the security
of hosted payloads on commercial satellites. The capability,
which is being developed for the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile
Systems Center (SMC) as part of its Secure IP Payload Accommodation
Demonstration Project, will enable SMC to demonstrate cybersecure
payload hosting scenarios, concepts of operation, and cybersecurity
controls.
The capability will also demonstrate advanced, secure internet protocol
connections between a government payload operations center and the
hosted payload using the existing satellite operator’s networking
infrastructure, eliminating the high cost of specialized space to
ground communication systems. (9/20)
NASA Needs Better
Leadership (Source: Daily Texan)
Back on the campaign trail, then-candidate Donald Trump bemoaned the
state of the American space program: “Look what’s happened with our
whole history of space and leadership,” he told a crowd in Florida.
“Look what’s going on folks. We’re like a third-world nation.”
This was back in August 2016, when the odds of a Trump victory still
seemed, well, astronomical. But a funny thing happened on the way to a
permanent Democratic majority and now, one year later, President Donald
Trump has the chance to make NASA great again.
To that end, after nine months in office, Trump has nominated Oklahoma
Congressman Jim Bridenstine to serve as NASA administrator, pending
confirmation by the Senate. But if Trump wants to improve the agency
and restore American leadership in outer space, Bridenstine is the
wrong choice. (9/20)
A Swimming Pool For
Spacefarers (Source: Air & Space)
John Vickers spent his childhood dreaming about both undersea life and
outer space. If he can execute his vision, Blue Abyss will open in 2019
in Bedfordshire, England, on the grounds of Royal Air Force Henlow
station, which last year was listed for closure in 2020. Most of the
base will be transformed into housing, but the Bedfordshire city
council wants part of it earmarked for a science and technology park
and hopes Blue Abyss will fill that space.
The multi-level facility will house the world’s largest and deepest
pool—at 11 million gallons, it will be the equivalent of about 16
Olympic-size swimming pools. The natatorium will be devoted to both
recreation and research and training for space and deep-sea missions.
UKSpace, a trade association representing most of the country’s space
industry, announced its intention earlier this year to capture 10
percent of the global space market by 2030. Vickers sees Blue Abyss as
an essential component of this goal. Although the company does not yet
have formal agreements with ESA or NASA, Simon Evetts of Blue Abyss
says they’ve recruited NASA astronaut Scott Parazynski to get the
facility certified at the level that government agencies require to
conduct neutral buoyancy training. (9/19)
White House Nominates
Additional Directors for Ex-Im Bank (Source: Space News)
The White House has nominated three additional people to serve as
directors of the Export-Import Bank, including one with experience in
the satellite industry. The White House announced the nominations of
Kimberly Reed to serve as first vice president of the bank, as well as
Claudia Slacik and Judith Delzoppo Pryor to serve as members of the
board. They join Spencer Bachus and Scott Garrett, two former members
of Congress, who were nominated to the board earlier this year.
If all are confirmed by the Senate, they would fill out the five-member
board, which currently has only two positions filled. Of the newest
nominees, Pryor is the most familiar with the space industry. Most
recently a vice president at the Overseas Private Investment
Corporation, she previously worked as senior vice president for
corporate affairs at Worldspace, a company that offered a satellite
radio service in parts of Asia and Africa. (9/19)
Stratolaunch Fires Up Its
Engines – All Six of ’Em (Source: Geekwire)
The world’s biggest airplane hit another milestone this week with the
completion of the first phase of engine testing at California’s Mojave
Air and Space Port, according to Stratolaunch, the space venture backed
by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen.
Stratolaunch’s CEO, Jean Floyd, reported today that all six of the
plane’s Pratt & Whitney turbofan engines were started up for
the first time. “Our aircraft is one step closer to providing
convenient, reliable and routine access to low Earth orbit,” Floyd
said. (9/19)
SpaceX Files 'Starlink'
Trademark for Satellite Internet Constellation, Revealing Details
(Source: Florida Today)
SpaceX's plans to enter the communications industry through an
internet-beaming satellite constellation could finally have a name,
according to recent trademark filings that also reveal more about its
capabilities, including Earth observation and remote sensing.
Representatives filed documents with the US Patent and Trademark Office
for "Starlink," a potential name for its proposed network of nearly
12,000 satellites that would transmit high-speed internet connectivity
to users on the ground as soon as 2024.
SpaceX filed two trademarks for Starlink on the same day – one with a
focus on satellite communications and research into the field, and the
other on hardware related to the undertaking. The filings lack full
statements and descriptors, but lists of products, such as "satellite
communication and transmission services; wireless broadband
communication services; transmission of data, voice and video via
satellite," are included in the documents. (9/19)
Cubesats Removed From
Florida Minotaur Launch Amid Policy Confusion (Source:
Space News)
The Air Force and other government agencies are considering policy
changes after several commercial cubesats were removed from a Minotaur
launch last month. Eight cubesats from Spire were originally planned to
fly as secondary payloads on the Minotaur 4 launch, conducted by
Orbital ATK for the Air Force, but were removed because of interagency
policy disputes linked to the use of excess ICBM assets.
An Air Force spokesperson said the service is working with other
agencies "to ensure there is clear guidance for other potential
commercial rideshare opportunities should they arise." Spire argued
that the launch was not competing with other commercial vehicles given
the unusual low-inclination orbit for the Minotaur launch that is
otherwise not available on commercial missions. (9/19)
Air Force Plans Yearlong
S&T Review (Source: Space News)
The Air Force is planning a year-long review of its science and
technology research, including space. Secretary Heather Wilson
announced the review Monday, which will be lead by the Air Force
Research Laboratory. Wilson said a "rethink" of Air Force research is
needed so that the service can back the work needed "to retain American
dominance in air and space power." (9/19)
Poll Finds Mixed Interest
in Commercial Human Spaceflight (Source: Morning Consult)
A poll finds that nearly half of Americans would not be interested in
flying in space even if they could afford it. The poll, carried out
earlier this month, found that 48 percent of Americans said they were
not too likely, or likely at all, to fly in space, versus 41 percent
who were very or somewhat likely.
Among those with incomes of more than $100,000 a year, the difference
was greater: 40 percent were very or somewhat likely, but 55 percent
were not likely to go. The poll question didn't specify what kind of
"space travel" experience, or what price, would be offered, and the
question was just one of a much larger questionnaire on broader policy
issues. (9/19)
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