March 18, 2023

Florida Space Grant Consortium Offers Research Grants and Fellowships (Source: FSGC)
The NASA Florida Space Grant Consortium (FSGC) is now accepting proposals for four 2023-2024 Research and Fellowship programs. They include: a Dissertation and Thesis Improvement Fellowship; a Masters Fellowship Program; the Florida Space Research Program; and the FSGC/Space Florida-Kennedy Space Center Technology Development Program. FSGC leverages annual NASA funding to support space-focused projects for students and faculty from Florida unversities and colleges. Their programs typically align with the research and technology priorities of NASA, Space Florida, and other stakeholders Click here. (3/17)

SpaceX Launches SES Commercial Satellites From Florida, Recovers Booster on Droneship (Source: SpaceFlight Now)
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the SES 18 and SES 19 communications satellites for SES of Luxembourg. SES 18 and 19, built by Northrop Grumman, will provide C-band television and data services over the United States. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster landed on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. (3/17)

Gen. Chance Saltzman Talks 3 Priorities for Space Force at Senate Subcommittee Hearing (Source: ExecutiveGov)
In his prepared remarks before the Senate Armed Services Committee’s strategic forces subpanel, Gen. Saltzman said that the service branch is launching initiatives to advance the first line of effort, which is to build up combat-credible space forces.

These initiatives include accelerating the transition to resilient satellite constellations, networks, ground stations and data links; experimenting with organizational constructs that seek to improve readiness by strengthening connections between operations and acquisition activities; developing Operational Test and Training Infrastructure; and creating strategies, tactics and concepts that will allow space agencies to carry out full spectrum operations against adversaries in the emerging threat environment. (3/16)

Spirit AeroSystems, Astraius Join Forces to Boost UK launch Ambitions (Source: AstroAgency)
Spirit AeroSystems, Inc., and Astraius Ltd. announced today a collaboration to enhance future satellite launch capabilities from Prestwick Spaceport. During a visit to the Spaceport by Scottish Government Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism, and Enterprise Ivan McKee, the companies commemorated the announcement with a signing ceremony.

Spirit and Astraius - both located within Prestwick’s developing space cluster - are working to advance and accelerate the system components and key processes required for the Astraius horizontal launch platform. The U.K. government has made orbital launch a key priority, with the National Space Strategy outlining plans to secure an increased portion of a global space economy expected to be worth £490bn by 2030. The space sector in the U.K. already employs over 45,000 people, with Scotland accounting for one-fifth of that figure. (3/17)

Space Florida Could Fall Under DeSantis’ Control (Source: Orlando Sentinel)
Space Florida’s board of directors would come under the control of Ron DeSantis and future governors under a bill approved by a House committee on Thursday. The House Regulatory Reform & Economic Development Subcommittee on Thursday backed a plan (PCB RRS 23-01) that would separate the Space Florida Board of Directors from the public-private Enterprise Florida.

The bill comes after House Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, called for eliminating Enterprise Florida, with many of its business-recruitment programs placed under the Department of Economic Opportunity. Under the bill, the governor would appoint the chair and five members representing the aerospace industry, Florida seaports, the aviation industry and the bond-financing industry and an academic experienced in aerospace or aviation.

The state transportation secretary, who is appointed by the governor, would also be a member of the board, while the Jacksonville Aviation Authority and the Titusville-Cocoa Airport Authority would have non-voting members. The proposal also would require Space Florida to work with the Department of Economic Opportunity, instead of Enterprise Florida, on economic planning. As the current fiscal year began, Space Florida was working on 85 projects with an estimated value of $2.4 billion, according to a House analysis of the proposal. (3/16)

How Spaceports Will Facilitate Point-to-Point Space Transportation (Source: FINN)
A global network of spaceports will enable the roll-out of point-to-point transportation for cargo followed by other payloads including potentially humans in the near future, according to Dr George C Nield, Chairman of the Global Spaceport Alliance. Speaking to FINN, Nield said that whether it was for exploration, research, or just traveling the world to see the sights or visit relatives, the use of a high-speed civilian transportation system in space was “going to happen much faster than people are expecting”.

“These next couple of years are going to be very busy,” Nield said, but added: “It is possible that they might need a little more time to demonstrate system safety and reliability before the rest of us are ready to take a ride.” The Global Spaceport Alliance (GSA) was established in 2015 with the goal of creating a global network of spaceports that will allow increased access to space, and that can serve as focal points and technology hubs in growing the space economy.

The group currently has 26 Member Spaceports from nine different countries, plus 15 Associate Members, and 11 Government, Academic, or Nonprofit organisations. Click here. (3/15)