February 26, 2018

Ancient Moon Had Atmosphere Made of Volcano Smoke (Source: Edgology)
Roughly 3.5 billion years ago huge volcanoes released enough gas to cover the Moon with a thin atmosphere that was visible from Earth. We are used to picturing the Moon as a quiet place of “magnificent desolation,” its otherworldly peace disturbed only by the occasional meteorite impact or rare terrestrial spacecraft landing. But 3 or 4 billion years ago, it might have looked very different.

After forming around 4.5 billion years ago, the ancient Moon was still cooling and geologically active. Large-scale volcanic eruptions spewed lava, filling huge basins to form maria (Latin for seas), the darker regions we can see with the naked eye. (2/16)

Making Space Regulations Great Again (Source: Space Review)
Improving the regulatory environment for commercial space activities was a theme of the National Space Council’s meeting last week. Jeff Foust reports that while the Council made a number of recommendations for reform, those ideas are not necessarily that novel. Click here. (2/26) 
 
Shadow Dancing: the Satellite Data System (Source: Space Review)
Starting in the late 1960s, the NRO and the US Air Force developed of a series of data relay satellites designed primarily to support the NRO’s reconnaissance satellites. Dwayne Day examines the early history of the development of that Satellite Data System, including management conflicts that jeopardized the program in its early years. Click here. (2/26)
 
Launch Failures: Payload Separation (Source: Space Review)
The launch of the classified Zuma payload on a Falcon 9 in January reportedly failed because of a problem with the payload adapter. Wayne Eleazer notes that payload separation issues, while not common, are also not unheard of as a root cause of launch failures. Click here. (2/26)
 
Why Technological Innovation and Increased Cooperation Regarding Space Debris are Vital (Source: Space Review)
Few would disagree that orbital debris is a major issue for space operations, but there’s less concurrence on how to address the problem. Nayef Al-Rodhan argues that there’s a need for both new technologies to deal with the issue and international cooperation to enable the use of those technologies. Click here. (2/26)

Moon Express Reveals Launch Plans, Other Milestones (Source: Orlando Business Journal)
Since last summer, we have been stating that late 2018 was plausible for our first expedition to the Moon. Given the changing landscape ... the most likely timeframe is 2019. We are now working toward our rocket engine vacuum testing with NASA support. When governments reach too far too fast, the private sector only can be contractors to its requirements. When government partners with the private sector for economic opportunity, it unleashes the power of entrepreneurship, innovation and competition. (2/23)

For All Moonkind, To Preserve Outer Space Artifacts (Source: SpaceQ)
Imagine what happens when an exploring spacecraft spots the Tesla? But who does it belong to now? The United States? Elon Musk’s estate? Finder’s keepers? Should the materials be salvaged to the extent possible? Or should the vehicle be sold to the highest bidder for private use or display? What if it belongs to all of us — all humankind? After all, it is an object of immense scientific and cultural value. And just as we revere and protect the pyramids of Egypt – erected by kings as monuments to themselves – shouldn’t we venerate this Tesla, launched by a technology leader as a monument to his own achievement? Click here. (2/26)

Georgia Spaceport Environmental Impact Study Nearing Public Review (Source: FAA)
"We have been working to complete the Draft EIS for public review. We have coordinated the preliminary draft with the cooperating agencies: National Park Service and National Aeronautics and Space Administration. We are working to release the Draft EIS for public review by March 9th. The public hearings will be held the week of April 9th in Camden County, Georgia. When the Draft EIS is ready, we will post it on the Spaceport Camden project website." (2/23)

Kentucky Governor Declares Recurring Aerospace Day (Source: LinkedIn)
"Thanks to everyone for an incredible Aerospace Day in the Capitol on Feb. 22! We had 34 companies represented in booths, and over 100 other individuals, companies, and government officials walk through. In addition a special thank you to Lt. Governor Hampton for her inspirational speech and to Governor Bevin for issuing an Aerospace Day Proclamation for the last Thursday of every February! We look forward to seeing everyone again next year!" (2/25)

Meet the Metalhead Sending NASA Spacecraft to Mars (Source: Revolver)
No metalhead has gone deeper into the void than Paul F. Thompson. As a navigator for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), he's soared past Jupiter with the Juno probe, helped guide the Mars Science Laboratory to its final destination and skipped past far- flung Pluto via the New Horizons spacecraft — much of it while sitting at his desk in Southern California, blasting Slayer and Lamb of God into his headphones.

"People think NASA is pocket protectors and button-up collars and maybe it was in the Apollo days," says Thompson, who spent some college years playing in a metal band and now can usually be found at his post wearing a favorite metal T-shirt, while wrestling with computer code and planetary itineraries. Last year, the space scientist gave Slayer's Kerry King and his wife, Ayesha, a tour of Mission Control. (2/25)

China is Going to the Moon - the Reason Why NASA is Worried (Source: Humans Are Free)
According to a recent PolicyMic story, "China is in the 'final stages' of preparation for its Chang'e 3 moon lander, which will lift off via a Long March 3B rocket in early December. The ambitious probe will orbit the moon before propelling down to the surface and unleashing a solar-powered moon rover to explore the lunar surface." This news has worried NASA and the awakened communities are wondering why. Click here. (2/25)

Within 24 Months SpaceX Could Begin Providing Gigabit Internet to the USA (Source: Next Big Future)
Elon Musk’s SpaceX won an endorsement on Wednesday from Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai to build a broadband network using satellites. SpaceX told the FCC in a Feb. 1 letter that it plans to launch a pair of experimental satellites on one of its Falcon 9 rockets. That launch, already approved by the FCC, is set for Saturday in California.

In 2017, SpaceX had submitted regulatory filings to launch a total of nearly 12,000 satellites to orbit by the mid-2020s. The internet communication satellites are expected to be in the smallsat-class of 100-to-500 kg (220-to-1,100 lb)-mass, which are intended to be orbiting at an altitude of approximately 1,100 kilometers (680 mi). Initial plans as of January 2015 were for the constellation to be made up of approximately 4000 cross-linked satellites, more than twice as many operational satellites as were in orbit in January 2015.

The satellites would be mass-produced, at much lower cost per unit of capability than existing satellites. SpaceX is going to try and do for satellites what we’ve done for rockets. In order to revolutionize space, they have to address both satellites and rockets. Smaller satellites are crucial to lowering the cost of space-based Internet and communications. The SpaceX system will consist of 4,425 satellites operating in 83 orbital planes (at altitudes ranging from 1,110 km to 1,325 km). (2/15)

ULA's 'Genius' Plan to Cut Its Rocket Launch Costs More Than 70% (Source: Business Insider)
ULA's Delta IV Heavy costs $350 million per launch, according CEO Tory Bruno. Delta IV Heavy is far more expensive that SpaceX's $90 million Falcon Heavy in part because it isn't reusable. ULA plans to retire that launcher after about seven more missions, and is currently developing its own reusable rocket, dubbed Vulcan, to compete with SpaceX and Blue Origin. "Vulcan will first fly in mid-2020," Bruno said. It is priced at "sub-$100-million" — 70% less than Delta IV Heavy.

Here's what Vulcan will be capable of, why one ULA engineer described its recovery system as "genius," and how the rocket may earn its keep in an increasingly crowded and challenging industry. ULA is also evolving its upper-stage system into what it calls ACES: the Advanced Cryogenic Evolved Stage. After deploying a spacecraft, ACES can be left in orbit for months or years and be refueled instead of being discarded as "dead flying hulks in space," Bruno said. "That makes it practical to refuel them in space, and use them for other purposes"

Vulcan will also have detachable first-stage booster engines, called SMART (sensible, modular, autonomous return technology). Once the SMART engine package detaches, it will inflate an aeroshell to help orient it for a high-speed reentry. A slender parachute will then float SMART toward the ground. But it will get some help: Using a technique pioneered in the 1960s, it will be snagged from above by a large helicopter. (2/24)

MEI Wins Air Force Launch System Certification Support Order (Source: Executive Biz)
Millennium Engineering and Integration has won a one-year, $9.9 million task order to support the U.S. Air Force‘s certification process for two proposed launch vehicles. MEI will provide systems engineering and integration services as the government evaluates United Launch Alliance‘s Vulcan rocket and Orbital ATK‘s Next Generation Launcher system, the Defense Department said Thursday.

Work under the order will occur through Feb. 21, 2019 at various locations such as  the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Los Angeles Air Force Base and Vandenberg Air Force Base. (2/23)

Exclusive: Trump Privately Pushing Personal Pilot to Run FAA (Source: Axios)
The president’s personal pilot is on the administration's short list to head the Federal Aviation Administration. Trump has told a host of administration officials and associates that he wants John Dunkin — his longtime personal pilot, who flew him around the country on Trump Force One during the campaign — to helm the agency, which has a budget in the billions and which oversees all civil aviation in the United States.

What I'm hearing: One industry insider equated this to the Seinfeld episode when Cosmo Kramer used his golf caddy as a jury consultant. A senior administration official told me that comparison is completely unfair. The source confirmed Trump recommended Dunkin and that he’s sat for an interview for the post. That source said he was impressive. (2/25)

Wilbur Ross Wants to Turn the Moon Into an Outer Space "Gas Station" (Source: Axios)
The Trump administration's outer space vision is a commercial paradise, where private innovators colonize the low Earth orbit and help the government send Americans to Mars. What's new: Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross told CNBC Thursday morning that the next big step in commercializing space is to turn the moon into "a kind of gas station for outer space." (2/22)

Trump Set to Promote Trade Hawk Peter Navarro (Sources: Wall Street Journal, Space Policy Online)
The White House plans to promote an adviser known for his hawkish views on trade policy, giving economic nationalists a stronger voice in internal debates as the Trump administration nears decisions on high-profile trade issues. Peter Navarro, an economist who helped shape Donald Trump’s 2016 protectionist campaign platform, will be named an assistant to the president, according to a person familiar with the matter. Navarro co-authored (with Bob Walker) two op-eds during the campaign on Trump's views on the space program. (2/25)