November 22, 2023

North Korea Launches Reconnaissance Satellite (Source: New York Times)
North Korea appears to have successfully placed a reconnaissance satellite into orbit after two failed attempts earlier this year. A Chollima-1 rocket lifted off from the Tongchang-ri launch site at 8:42 a.m. Eastern Tuesday and placed into orbit a reconnaissance satellite called Malligyong-1, according to North Korea's state-run news service. South Korean and U.S. officials later confirmed that the launch was successful, but had no information about the health of the satellite.

North Korea attempted two launches in May and August, also carrying spysats, but both failed to reach orbit. South Korean officials believe this launch was successful because of technical assistance from Russia after North Korea agreed to sell it munitions. Japan, South Korea and the U.S. all condemned the launch for violating United Nations resolutions banning space launches by North Korea because they could be used to advance development of long-range missiles. (11/22)

NASA Foresees Gap Between ISS Retirement and Commercial Stations (Source: Space News)
NASA acknowledged a short-term gap between the retirement of the International Space Station and introduction of commercial space stations is a possibility. At an advisory committee meeting this week, officials said they continue to work towards a continuous human presence in low Earth orbit, with an overlap of up to two years between the start of commercial space station operations and the retirement of the ISS in 2030.

There are several contingencies for dealing with a delay, they said, including shortening the transition period or extending the ISS beyond 2030. If that is not possible, a gap could result, but they said it would not be "the end of the world" provided it was not a long gap. Any gap could also be mitigated, NASA said, by flying commercial crew vehicles on short-duration flights to perform some research in LEO. (11/22)

Military Turns to NOAA for Weather Support (Source: Space News)
The U.S. military is turning to civil weather satellites for data that aging military weather satellites can no longer provide. At a Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies event this week, the director of weather at the U.S. Air Force said the remaining two Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) satellites are aging and provide data insufficient for modern military missions. The service is using data from the most part from NOAA weather satellites as well as those from Europe and Japan. The Space Force is on track to launch at least two weather monitoring satellites next year while determining a long-term replacement strategy. (11/22)

Uruguay's Satellogic Gets NOAA License for 36-Satellite Constellation (Source: Space News)
Satellogic has received a NOAA commercial remote sensing license for its constellation as part of its plans to move to the United States. The license, announced Tuesday, covers the 36 satellites the company currently has in orbit and future satellites. Satellogic did not previously need a NOAA license because the company is headquartered in Uruguay, but it recently outlined plans to relocate to the United States to sell high-resolution multispectral imagery directly to the U.S. government instead of through third parties. (11/22)

SpaceX Launches Starlink Satellites From Cape Canaveral Spaceport (Source: Spaceflight Now)
SpaceX launched another set of Starlink satellites overnight. A Falcon 9 lifted off from Cape Canaveral at 2:47 a.m. Eastern Wednesday and placed 23 Starlink satellites into orbit. The launch was delayed by nearly four hours, but SpaceX did not disclose a reason for the delay. (11/22)

Despite Musk's Controversies, Biden Administration Doesn't Foresee Scaling Back SpaceX Relationship (Source: CNBC)
A White House official says there are no plans by the Defense Department or NASA to scale back its use of SpaceX launches and services despite the latest controversy surrounding Elon Musk. At a briefing Monday, John Kirby of the National Security Council said it would be "foolish" for the government to walk away from private sector innovation provided by SpaceX, but that "doesn't mean that we accept or agree with or condone in any way that antisemitic rhetoric that he pushed."

He was referring to a post that Musk made on his social media network, X, last week that appeared to endorse one such conspiracy theory, part of a chain of events that caused a number of major companies to stop advertising on X. The Pentagon and NASA would, in many cases, have few alternatives if they decided to scale back their use of SpaceX. (11/22)

Astrolab Adds Customers for Commercial Lunar Rover (Source: Space News)
Astrolab has signed up eight customers for its first commercial lunar rover mission. The company announced Tuesday those customers signed contracts with a combined value of more than $160 million for the first FLEX rover, which Astrolab plans to send to the moon on a commercial Starship lunar lander as soon as 2026. The company disclosed the names of five of the customers, all early-stage companies working on lunar development technologies. The other three will be announced closer to the launch, Astrolab said. (11/22)

ESA Plans Long-Duration Ariane-6 Static Fire Test (Source: ESA)
ESA is planning a long-duration static-fire test for the Ariane 6 on Thursday. The test will fire the Vulcain 2.1 engine in the core stage of an Ariane 6 test article on the launch pad at Kourou, French Guiana, for 470 seconds, starting at 3:10 p.m. Eastern. ESA officials previously said that, if the test is successful, they would soon be able to announce a schedule for the first Ariane 6 launch, now projected to be sometime in 2024. (11/22)

Local Board Blocks Proposed Michigan Spaceport (Source: WLUC)
A proposed Michigan spaceport may be dead after a decision by a local board. The Powell Township Board concluded Tuesday that zoning laws prohibit the construction of a launch site on the shores of Lake Superior on Michigan's Upper Peninsula proposed several years ago by the Michigan Aerospace Manufacturers Association (MAMA). Many local residents opposed the spaceport proposal because of its perceived environmental impact and petitioned the township board to block the proposal. There had been few updates in recent months on the development of the spaceport by MAMA or serious interest by launch vehicle developers in using the vertical launch site. (11/22)

Olimp and Yenisei-2: Russia’s Secretive Eavesdropping Satellites (Source: Space Review)
A Russian satellite known as Luch has been drifting in the GEO belt for nearly a decade, eavesdropping on commercial communications satellites. Bart Hendrickx discusses what is known about that spacecraft and a similar satellite launched earlier this year. Click here. (11/20)
 
Starship Flies Again (Source: Space Review)
On Saturday, SpaceX launched its Starship/Super Heavy vehicle for a second time. Jeff Foust reports on the progress the company demonstrated with that launch and NASA’s concerns about the rate of that progress towards returning humans to the Moon. Click here. (11/20)

Why You Should Care About Life Beyond Earth (Source: Space Review)
One argument for space settlement has been to make life multiplanetary. Tyler Bender examines the threats to life on Earth that make it necessary to expand life beyond Earth to ensure its survival. Click here. (11/20)

UK Space Agency Backs Orbit Fab's Innovative Refueling Interface, GRASP (Source: Space Daily)
Orbit Fab, a frontrunner in on-orbit refueling services, has announced a pivotal partnership with the UK Space Agency to develop the GRASP (Grasping and Resupply Active Solution for Propellants) active refueling interface in the UK. This strategic collaboration aims to establish the necessary components for in-space refueling, a transformative concept set to redefine space mission operations.

The partnership leverages Orbit Fab's proven success in the UK, focusing on their innovative, cost-effective refueling architecture. This technology is vital for enhancing space sustainability, particularly in extending the mission life of existing national programme missions, including the UK ADR. The development of these technologies is not only a boost for current missions but also a significant stride towards more environmentally friendly space operations. (11/22)

CubeSat Launch Platform by Vector Space Biosciences Will Boost space Biotech (Source: Space Daily)
In a new collaboration, Vector Space Biosciences, Inc. has joined forces with Oracle and NVIDIA to introduce a novel small satellite launch platform for CubeSat and NanoSats, that have been specifically designed to cater to the needs of the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors. This innovative platform represents a combination of several cutting-edge technologies, including a biosciences lab, a CubeSat lab, and a language modeling/AI lab. It embodies a blend of highly targeted and large biological language modeling (LLMs), generative AI, protein sequence matching, vector databases, and advanced visualizations. (11/22)

EU Council Endorses New Space Strategy for Enhanced Security and Defence (Source: Space Daily)
In a landmark decision, the Council of the European Union has approved conclusions on the pioneering EU Space Strategy for Security and Defence. This strategy underscores the EU's commitment to fortifying its stance as a global space power amidst rising security challenges in the space domain. The Council, an influential body comprising national ministers from each EU country, emphasized the strategic importance of space, particularly in the context of increasing threats.

This move aligns with the EU's long-established dedication to international law and values framed within the United Nations system. One of the key components of this strategy is to amplify the EU's understanding of space threats. This enhancement will be achieved through annual classified analyses and bolstering military and civilian intelligence services focused on space security. Such initiatives are crucial in a landscape where space-related services and data are increasingly integral to economies, citizens, and public policies, including security and defence. (11/21)

Intelsat's MOTT Proves its Mettle in US Army's Annual NetModX (Source: Space Daily)
Intelsat showcased the robust capabilities of its Multi-Orbit Tactical Terminal (MOTT) in a significant field test conducted with the U.S. Army. This demonstration, part of the Army's annual Network Modernization Experiment (NetModX), highlighted the MOTT's ability to provide high-speed, uninterrupted satellite communications connectivity. During the two-week field exercise, which stands as one of the largest military field network tests since MOTT's initial launch, the terminal was subjected to conditions mimicking those encountered in combat scenarios. (11/21)

Space Force Pursues Orbital Nuclear Power Tech (Source: Military & Aerospace Electronics)
The US Space Force is advancing the development of nuclear power generation in orbit to provide electricity for a range of future space applications. These nuclear power systems, which are part of the Space Technology Advanced Research - Fast-tracking Innovative Software and Hardware initiative, aim to provide continuous power levels that could surpass current solar electric power capabilities. (11/20)

Local Organization Concerned Over Impact of Second Texas SpaceX Launch (Source: KRGV)
A representative with a Rio Grande Valley organization said they’re calling for more transparency from local officials on the recent SpaceX launch. On Saturday, SpaceX completed their second integrated test flight from their Boca Chica location. “My entire apartment started to shake,” Rebekah Hinojosa of Another Gulf Is Possible Collaborative said. “I’ve just been hearing a lot of people feel really disoriented and upset."

Shortly after Saturday’s launch, Another Gulf is Possible Collaborative joined other Valley nonprofits in releasing a joint statement condemning the launch. “We want to see an economy that keeps our wildlife thriving, and our communities healthy and safe,” Hinojosa said. (11/19)

Astronaut Shares the Profound 'Big Lie' He Realized After Seeing the Earth From Space (Source: Upworthy)
The overview effect makes man’s squabbles with one another seem incredibly petty and presents the planet as it truly is, one interconnected organism. In a compelling interview with Big Think, astronaut, author and humanitarian Ron Garan explains how if more of us developed this planetary perspective we could fix much of what ails humanity and the planet.

Garan has spent 178 days in space and traveled more than 71 million miles in 2,842 orbits. From high above, he realized that the planet is a lot more fragile than he thought. Garan says that we are paying a very “high price” as a civilization for our inability to develop a more planetary perspective and that it’s a big reason why we’re failing to solve many of our problems. Even though our economic activity may improve quality of life on one end, it’s also disasterous for the planet that sustains our lives. (11/18)

India Aims to Launch Moon Sample-Return Mission in the 2020s (Source: Space.com)
Building on the recent success of its first-ever moon landing, India aims to next pick up samples from the lunar south polar region and return them to Earth. Early reports suggest that the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the country's space agency, is planning a lunar sample-return mission known as Chandrayaan-4, which will send a total of four modules to the moon across two launches. (11/21)

Elon Musk Assesses New Launchpad Design for Starship (Source: Digital Trends)
SpaceX engineers were keen to see how the new launchpad design held up under the huge pressure and force unleashed by the Super Heavy booster as it lifted off from SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas. It turns out that it did pretty well, with Elon Musk saying on X on Sunday that the pad was in “great condition” and that no refurbishment was necessary for the next flight.

That’s a significant improvement over the first test flight in April, which saw the Super Heavy’s 33 Raptor engines destroy much of the launchpad, sending concrete and other debris over a large area. The launchpad design included what Musk has previously described as a new “mega-steel pancake” that combines with the water deluge system to offer protection against the 17 million pounds of thrust generated by the Super Heavy booster during liftoff. Editor's Note: Lessons learned for hardening the Starship pad at LC-39A on the Cape Canaveral Spaceport. (11/19)

Distant 'Teenage Galaxies' Surprise Astronomers with Unexpected Heavy Elements (Source: Space.com)
To understand the evolution of several "teenage" galaxies, a team of astrophysicists have inspected data from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), which gazed back to realms that formed just two-to-three billions years after the Big Bang. The observations have thrown up some intriguing surprises. Specifically, the team analyzed results from the Chemical Evolution Constrained using Ionized Lines in Interstellar Aurorae (CECILIA) Survey to find that, not only do these galaxies appear hotter than expected, but they also seem to host heavy elements, like nickel. (11/20)

ArianeGroup Begins Testing Prototype of Multirole Susie Upper Stage (Source: Space News)
ArianeGroup has started testing what it considers to be a versatile answer to numerous challenges facing European spaceflight. ArianeGroup quietly began testing a small demonstrator for its Smart Upper Stage for Innovative Exploration (SUSIE) in recent weeks. Testing of a two-meter-tall, 100-kilogram jet engine-powered demonstrator began in October with its first ignition at ArianeGroup’s site at Les Mureaux.

The project intends to enhance European independence in spaceflight by developing capabilities for both cargo and human transport. It also “aims to enable a competitive, innovative and resilient space logistic for Europe, in a context of very diverse and growing space applications.” The full sized Susie, measuring 12 meters tall, five meters wide and with a payload capacity of seven tons, is designed to launch atop of an Ariane 64 rocket. It could instead carry five astronauts. Susie is also intended to be fully reusable, potentially reducing long-term costs and increasing mission efficiency. (11/21)

FCC Chairwoman Proposes Ban On Satellite Early Termination Fees (Source: Deadline)
The fees that cable and satellite companies charge to subscribers for eliminating their service before the end of their contracts would be prohibited under a new proposal from the FCC. Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel today outlined a proposal that takes aim at video service “junk fees,” in line with President Joe Biden’s actions to curb such consumer levies across industries. (11/21)

Object Smacks Jupiter and Explodes (Source: Mashable)
Jupiter is a cosmic vacuum cleaner. Owing to its girth, Jupiter can pull many objects into its orbit (though it can fling some toward Earth's neighborhood, too). Astronomers have spotted asteroids or comets large and small impact Jupiter's swirling atmosphere in recent years, including an object a few dozen meters wide blowing up in the gas giant's clouds just this August. Now, it's happened again. On Nov. 15, a Japanese amateur astronomer spotted a short-lived flash on Jupiter. The object — either pieces of a comet or perhaps an asteroid — pummeled into molecules in Jupiter's atmosphere, rapidly causing friction and heating up. Then, it explodes. (11/18)

'Triple Star' Discovery Could Revolutionize Understanding of Stellar Evolution (Source: Phys.org)
A ground-breaking new discovery by University of Leeds scientists could transform the way astronomers understand some of the biggest and most common stars in the universe. The paper, "Gaia uncovers difference in B and Be star binarity at small scales: evidence for mass transfer causing the Be phenomenon," points to intriguing new evidence that massive Be stars—until now mainly thought to exist in double stars—could in fact be "triples."

The remarkable discovery could revolutionize our understanding of the objects—a subset of B stars—which are considered an important "test bed" for developing theories on how stars evolve more generally. (11/20)

Earth Just Received A Laser-Beamed Message From 16 Million Kilometers Away (Source: IFL Science)
Adeep space experiment traveling on NASA’s Psyche spacecraft has just beamed a message via laser to Earth from far beyond the Moon for the first time, an achievement that could transform how spacecraft communicate. In the farthest-ever demonstration of this type of optical communication, the Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) beamed a near-infrared laser encoded with test data from its position around 16 million kilometers away – which is around 40 times farther than the Moon is from Earth – to the Hale Telescope at Caltech’s Palomar Observatory in California. (11/20)