November 19, 2017

Luxembourg 'Second But Smarter' Than US on Space Mining Law (Source: Wort)
In his address as the guest of honour, Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Étienne Schneider talked about Luxembourg's space mining endeavour and the government's vision to diversify the economy. "Yes, President Trump was right. The US is first, but Luxembourg is also right because we are second," joked Schneider before an audience of business leaders and members of the diplomatic corps.

"And we were smarter," he added, refering to Luxembourg's space mining law which entered into force on August 1. Unlike the US, where companies active in space mining must have US capital, in Luxembourg there is no such requirement. "We don't care where the money comes from," said Schneider, arguing that this aspect makes the Grand-Duchy particularly attractive. "That's why so many companies want to come and have a foot in Luxembourg," he added. (11/18)

Ukraine Parlays SES Telecom Deal Into Closer Ties with Luxembourg (Source: Space News)
On his way to Canada to attend the Halifax International Security Forum, Pavlo Klimkin, minister for foreign affairs of Ukraine, made a stop in Luxembourg. There he met with the leadership of the global satellite communications operator SES.

Klimkin said his country’s telecommunications services market is growing, and SES satellites now carry 65 percent of all media broadcasts in Ukraine. SES signed a multi-year agreement in December with Ukraine’s 1+1 Media Group for the lease of one transponder on the Astra 4A satellite.

The Luxembourg visit also was an opportunity for Klimkin to talk to his counterpart Jean Asselborn and other officials about “European integration” and tax issues, and to discuss future business deals in Luxembourg for Ukrainian companies, Klimkin said. (11/18)

Lobbying to Get Africa's Space Agency HQ in Ghana (Source: Ghana Web)
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said his administration is lobbying for the headquarters of a yet to be established space agency by the African Union (AU) to be situated in Ghana. The president said, "The African Union is in the process of setting up a space agency for the whole of Africa. This is a very ambitious and laudable project.

That is why I have directed the Ministry of Environment, Science Technology and Innovation under the leadership of the world acclaimed Ghanaian scientist, Professor Frimpong Kwabena Boateng to express strongly Ghana’s readiness to host the agency and mobilize support to that end. (11/18)

Please Stop Annoying this NASA Scientist with Your Ridiculous Planet X Doomsday Theories (Source: Washington Post)
David Morrison is a real NASA scientist who studies real planets and makes real discoveries about the real universe. Unfortunately for him, Morrison’s duties also include debunking perennial Internet theories that a fake planet is about to destroy the Earth, which was supposed to happen in 2003, then 2012, then Sept. 23, then October — and now the world is supposed to end again some time Sunday.

And the astronomer sounds like he’s just about had it. “You’re asking me for a logical explanation of a totally illogical idea,” Morrison said after being asked about the third scheduled apocalypse in three months. “There is no such planet, there never has been, and presumably there never will be — but it keeps popping up over and over.”

We can understand his frustration. Based on just enough pseudoscience to capture the popular imagination, the theory claims that a planet (or “black star”) called Nibiru (or Planet X) is orbiting the outer fringes of our solar system. It’s just far enough out there that no one can prove it exists, of course, but also happens to be on a path that will soon send it careening toward Earth — either to smash into us or get close enough to cause a gravitational doomsday. (11/18)

Arrested ARCA Space CEO Maintains Innocence (Source: Parabolic Arc)
A statement from ARCA Space: "ARCA Space Corporation will continue the development of its aerospace technology as scheduled.  The company has full confidence in CEO Dumitru Popescu and expects him to lead the efforts. Mr. Popescu was charged in New Mexico state courts with alleged embezzlement and securities issues. However, Mr. Popescu maintains his innocence and expects to prevail in court proceedings. Meanwhile the work of the company will proceed with a goal of presenting a successful aerospike rocket engine." (11/18)

Rubio's Reservations Put Trump's NASA Nominee in Jeopardy (Source: News-Press)
Florida GOP Sen. Marco Rubio continues to harbor deep reservations about Rep. Jim Bridenstine’s nomination to be NASA’s next administrator, dimming the Oklahoma Republican’s chances of running the space agency. “I remain very concerned about the politicization of NASA, not even because he would do it on purpose but just given some of the resistance he’s already engendered,” Rubio said. “I don’t think NASA at this critical stage of its history can afford that ... As of this moment, I can’t assure anyone that I would support his nomination if it came to a vote.”

Rubio’s comments are his strongest yet and suggest that his initial misgivings when President Donald Trump announced Bridenstine’s nomination in early September have only grown. A broad swath of Democrats from Washington Sen. Patty Murray to Florida Sen. Bill Nelson have already announced their opposition to Bridenstine over a range of his past statements, including ones skeptical of climate science and opposing same-sex marriage. (11/18)

UAE's Mars City to be Ready in 30 Months (Source: Zawya)
The UAE's Mars project, Hope, is on track and the work on the Dh500-million Mars City in Dubai will be completed in 30 months, said a senior official with the UAE Space Agency. Mohammed Nasser Al Ahbabi, director-general, UAE Space Agency, said budget and area have been allocated for the project and it will be completed in two-and-a-half years.

The Mars City is the largest space simulation city ever built in the world and a realistic model to simulate living on the surface of the Mars. It will consist of several domes, with innovative construction techniques providing support for the structures. The project encompasses laboratories for food, energy and water, as well as agricultural testing and studies about food security in the future. (11/16)

SpaceX Zuma Launch Slips Again (Source: Florida Today)
SpaceX's planned Friday launch of a secretive government payload from Kennedy Space Center has been delayed to an unspecified date as teams continue to investigate a possible hardware issue. The company had been tentatively planning to launch the "Zuma" mission from pad 39A during a two-hour window that opened at 8 p.m. Friday, but delayed a third time after a review of testing data indicated that there could be fairing issues. (11/18)