May 7, 2019

Claimed Signs of Life in Another Martian Meteorite (Source: Air & Space)
In the search for life on Mars, certain rare meteorites found on Earth—rocks blown off the Martian surface by past impacts—play a unique role. Because they represent our only samples of Mars (at least so far), meteorites allow scientists to assess whether habitable conditions might once have existed on the planet and whether microbial life might still be found there today.

The most famous of all Martian meteorites, ALH84001 (ALH stands for Allan Hills in Antarctica, where the rock was found), was the subject of a 1996 announcement that researchers had found evidence of past Martian life. The claim was taken seriously enough that former president Bill Clinton held a press conference, NASA stepped up its Mars exploration program, and the agency established the NASA Astrobiology Institute. Ultimately, though, most scientists found the evidence inconclusive.

Minerals can have shapes very similar to those of bacteria, and the presence of organic material alone does not guarantee a biological origin. This is true even for rocks that originated on Earth. And the bar for establishing life on Mars is, justifiably, set very high. In the case of the famous 1996 paper by David McKay and colleagues about Martian meteorite ALH84001, most scientists concluded it did not provide evidence for biology, but simply interesting chemistry. (5/6)

NASA Needs Your Help to Improve its Space Laser (Source: The Verge)
NASA recently launched a new satellite with an ambitious goal: it will measure the height of every forest on the planet. It’s part of an effort to figure out how much carbon is locked up in trees across the Earth. But, NASA’s not totally sure how accurate their space-laser measurement system really is. So, we headed off into the woods to help them check their work. Click here. (5/7)

Debris From Indian ASAT Test Still In Orbit (Source: Aviation Week)
Contrary to India’s predictions, debris from the country’s intentional destruction of its 1,630-lb. (740 kg) Microsat-R spacecraft six weeks ago has not re-entered, with more than 6,400 fragments at least 0.4 in. in diameter still in orbit, Robert Hall, director of operations for AGI’s Commercial Space Operations Center (ComSpOC), said May 6.

ComSpOC’s number is based on fragmentation modeling analysis, but the U.S. Air Force’s 18th Space Control Squadron, which tracks objects in Earth orbit, said it was monitoring  hundreds of pieces of debris from the March 27 anti-satellite (ASAT) missile test, including 94 pieces at least 2-4 in. in diameter that have been added to the public catalog. “That’s just a fraction of the debris that was generated, but it gives you a sense of the number of objects the 18th is tracking,” Hall said.

After the test, India said it had targeted a satellite in low Earth orbit (LEO) so the debris would encounter more friction from the planet’s atmosphere and fall out of orbit within 45 days. That milestone comes May 11, with no sign the debris situation is improving, Hall said. Further stressing the situation is that not all the debris was contained in LEO, including one large fragment that will be in orbit for nearly three years, data analysis shows. The reason why the debris spread upward is because of the speed and angle of the missile strike, which was not a head-on hit as India claimed, Hall said. (5/6)

Grading System Could Deter Satellite Operators from Junking Up Space (Source: The Verge)
As aerospace companies vow to fill Earth’s orbit with thousands of new satellites over the next decade, industry experts say it’s time to grade these operators on their efforts to keep space a safe and sustainable place. A rating system could keep companies honest, and ensure that Earth orbit remains open for business and doesn’t become bogged down with excess satellites and debris.

Satellite operators can take certain measures when building and launching spacecraft that will reduce the likelihood of collisions. Changes to a satellite’s design, position above Earth, or its mission plan can affect its chances of threatening other spacecraft and creating more debris in orbit. Now, two teams of experts, led by MIT and ESA, plan to put together an independent process that evaluates the decisions that operators make when creating their constellations. The concept, known as the Space Sustainability Rating or the SSR, is meant to provide an extra layer of accountability for companies that send vehicles into space.

“It’s actually encouraging companies to try to beat each other in how good they behave, so they can build their brand,” said MIT's Danielle Wood. In the 1990s, the US government developed guidelines and best practices for operators to follow that are meant to lower the risk of space debris. The United Nations adopted similar standards, while other countries have developed their own guidelines. But the World Economic Forum thought there needed to be a parallel system that is driven by the industry and requires voluntary action. They selected the teams at MIT and ESA to develop the SSR. (5/7)

San Jacinto College Takes Step to Open Aerospace Training Center at Houston Spaceport (Source: Houston Chronicle)
San Jacinto College is taking steps to open an aerospace workforce training center at the Houston Spaceport, providing a talent pipeline that could help attract companies to Houston. Last week, the college received City Council approval to annex 154 acres of the Houston Spaceport. Moving this land into its taxing district will allow the school to collect money on future spaceport developments.

"That was the need that San Jacinto had in order to be able to invest in our spaceport," said Arturo Machuca, general manager of Ellington Airport and the Houston Spaceport. San Jacinto will receive 18 cents for each $100 of valuation for companies located on that land in fiscal 2019. The 154 acres is where the Houston Spaceport is hoping to develop a cluster of aerospace companies.

The Houston Airport System has been working on this training center for the past year and a half, Machuca said. Called the Edge Center, it could be open as early as June. "The constant need has been the ability to have a pipeline of workforce professionals," Machuca said. "This establishment of the Edge Center at the Houston Spaceport will facilitate a constant pipeline." (5/6)

Space Coast Groups Plan Workshop to Address Growing Aerospace Workforce Challenges (Source: CareerSource Brevard)
Companies and agencies on Florida's Space Coast are placing growing importance on filling a talent pipeline to support aerospace industry growth. CareerSource Brevard, in partnership with Space Florida, FloridaMakes and the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast, will host an Aerospace Industry Workforce Workshop on June 13 to highlight innovative industry-focused approaches to meeting the industry's needs. Click here to register.

In preparation for this workshop and to better understand the industry's evolving training, skills, and certification requirements, an industry survey is now online here. Results from this survey will be held in strict confidence and will be aggregated to produce a comprehensive view of the challenges we face. Survey participants will receive a copy of the results. (5/7)

Hisdesat Buys Satellites from Airbus and Thales Alenia (Source: Space News)
Spanish satellite operator Hisdesat announced Monday an agreement to buy two satellites from Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space. SpainSAT NG 1 and SpainSAT NG 2 will replace the existing SpainSAT and Xtar-EUR satellites that have been in service for more than 12 years, serving the Spanish military and NATO. The satellites will be based on a new geostationary telecommunications satellite product from Airbus called Eurostar Neo. Airbus in Spain will be responsible for the X-band payload, while Thales Alenia Space in Spain will provide the UHF and military Ka-band payloads. The new spacecraft must be launched no later than 2023 to ensure continuity of services to the Spanish Ministry of Defense. (5/7)

Measat Buys Satellite from Airbus (Source: Space News)
Airbus also won an order from Measat for one satellite that will replace two existing spacecraft. Airbus will build Measat-3d, a new communications satellite that will "progressively replace" the 13-year-old Measat-3 and the 10-year-old Measat-3a satellites. Its design calls for C- and Ku-band payloads for direct-to-home television broadcasting and other telecom services, as well as a high-throughput Ka-band payload for internet connectivity. Measat plans to have Measat-3d in orbit in 2021 at the 91.5 degrees east orbital slot. (5/7)

Airbus May Build Military Satellites at OneWeb Factory at Cape Canaveral Spaceport (Source: Space News)
Airbus wants to use a factory in Florida built for OneWeb to make military satellites as well. Airbus is preparing to start cranking out 32 satellites every three weeks for the broadband venture OneWeb from the factory at the Cape Canaveral Spaceport. That factory, a joint venture of Airbus and OneWeb, could also be used for U.S. military spacecraft, according to Airbus. The company won a contract last year from DARPA for the Blackjack program, which seeks to examine the use of commercial satellite buses for military applications. Former DARPA official Fred Kennedy, who conceived the Blackjack project, is now head of the Space Development Agency, which plans to pursue similar systems. (5/7)

Commercial Satellite Operators Hoping to Integrate Military Needs (Source: Space News)
The U.S. military and satellite operators are pursuing the holy grail of military communications: a seamless network of commercial and government satellites. Executives of several satellite companies met with Air Force Space Command last December to discuss how such hybrid architectures could be developed. Satellite operators are interested in supporting such networks, but are still waiting for the Air Force to shed light on important details, such as how the architecture would be set up and how services could be contracted and funded. The Air Force, they said, has yet to provide that level of detail. (5/7)

Investors Say Small Launcher Market is Overcrowded (Source: Space News)
Investors are encouraging startups to move away from overcrowded parts of the market, like small launch vehicles, in favor of more disruptive approaches. In a conference panel Monday, representatives of VC funds said there are too many companies pursuing small launch vehicles and Earth observation systems that are little different from one another. "Find something new and disruptive that gives you a massive advantage," advised one investor. (5/7)

"Software Defined" Satellites Present Cybersecurity Challenges (Source: Space News)
Reprogrammable satellites provide operators with flexibility, but could also be a cybersecurity threat. Satellite operators are increasingly interested in software-defined satellites that can be reprogrammed on orbit, allowing them to take on different missions and serve different customers. However, industry officials said such satellites require very secure operations to keep nefarious actors from exploiting their new capabilities. Commercial satellites could take advantage of security capabilities already developed for military spacecraft. (5/7)

Ariane 6 Production Begins (Source: ArianeGroup)
ArianeGroup announced Monday it has formally started production of the first batch of Ariane 6 rockets. The set of 14 launchers will be used for missions from 2021 to 2023, after the rocket's inaugural launch in 2020. The announcement came after an agreement reached by the European Space Agency last month to provide guarantees to ArianeGroup after orders for institutional missions were weaker than planned. (5/7)