March 22, 2024

Starship Could Threaten Small Launch Providers (Source: Ars Technica)
Officials from several companies operating or developing small satellite launch vehicles are worried that SpaceX's giant Starship rocket could have a big impact on their marketability. Starship's ability to haul more than 100 metric tons of payload mass into low-Earth orbit will be attractive not just for customers with heavy satellites but also for those with smaller spacecraft. Aggregating numerous smallsats on Starship will mean lower prices than dedicated small satellite launch companies can offer and could encourage customers to build larger satellites with cheaper parts, further eroding business opportunities for small launch providers. (3/22)

Night Flight for Astrobotic's Xodiac (Source: Ars Technica)
The Xodiac rocket, a small terrestrial vertical takeoff and vertical landing technology testbed, made its first night flight. The liquid-fueled Xodiac is designed for vertical hops and can host prototype sensors and other payloads, particularly instruments in development to assist in precision landings on other worlds. This first tethered night flight of Xodiac in Mojave, California, was in preparation for upcoming flight testing with the NASA TechLeap Prize’s Nighttime Precision Landing Challenge. These flights will begin in April, allowing NASA to test the ability of sensors to map a landing field designed to simulate the Moon's surface in near-total darkness. (3/22)

Xodiac has completed more than 160 successful flights, dating back to the vehicle's original owner, Masten Space Systems. Masten filed for bankruptcy in 2022, and the company was acquired by Astrobotic a couple of months later. Astrobotic's primary business area is in developing and flying robotic Moon landers, so it has a keen interest in mastering automated landing and navigation technologies like those it is testing with NASA on Xodiac. David Masten, founder of Masten Space Systems, is now chief engineer for Astrobotic's propulsion and test department. "The teams will demonstrate their systems over the LSPG (Lunar Surface Proving Ground) at night to simulate landing on the Moon during the lunar night or in shadowed craters." (3/22)

A Rare Countdown Abort for Soyuz (Source: Ars Technica)
On Thursday, a crew of three people was due to launch on a Soyuz rocket bound for the International Space Station. However, the launch scrubbed at about 20 seconds before the planned liftoff time, just before the sequence to ignite the rocket's engines was initiated, due to unspecified issues, Ars reports. The three people inside the Soyuz spacecraft, on top of the rocket, were NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson, Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Novitskiy, and spaceflight participant Marina Vasilevskaya of Belarus. (3/22)

GITAI's Robotic System Triumphs in ISS Demo (Source: Space Daily)
GITAI USA Inc. reports the completion of its technological demonstration, which involved a 1.5-meter-long autonomous dual robotic arm system (S2) performing tasks outside the International Space Station (ISS). This demonstration represents a critical advancement in on-orbit satellite servicing, demonstrating capabilities critical for satellite maintenance, repair, and assembly in space. (3/20)

NASA Industry Team Advances Lidar Technology for Earth and Lunar Missions (Source: Space Daily)
This summer, NASA engineers will embark on airborne tests of innovative laser technologies designed for Earth science and potentially enhancing lunar exploration models. These instruments, based on light detection and ranging (lidar) technology, promise to refine the accuracy of models depicting the Moon's topography and identify suitable landing areas for the Artemis missions. (3/22)

Study Shows Bed Rest Simulating Space Affects Human Gene Rhythms (Source: Space Daily)
A study has revealed that simulated microgravity conditions, akin to those experienced by astronauts, cause disruptions in the natural rhythms of gene expression in humans. This simulation was achieved through 60 days of bed rest, providing insights into the molecular changes that occur in space. The study underscores the effects of microgravity on human physiology, which includes immune system weakening, inflammation escalation, and the decline of muscle mass and bone density. (3/20)

Antaris and SpeQtral Unveil Quantum Encryption Satellite Collaboration (Source: Space Daily)
Antaris, a supplier of military space mission software, has teamed up with SpeQtral, specialists in quantum key distribution (QKD), to manufacture and deploy satellites equipped with quantum-safe key distribution technology for both government and commercial use. The collaboration includes merging SpeQtral's cutting-edge quantum payloads with Antaris's SatOS space vehicle software and partner bus platforms, setting a new standard in the field. (3/19)

General Atomics Partners with Lockheed Martin for Next-Gen Missile Tracking Satellites (Source: Space Daily)
General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) has been selected by Lockheed Martin Space to supply missile warning, tracking, and defense payloads. These systems are essential components of Lockheed Martin's project under the Space Development Agency's (SDA) Tranche 2 Tracking Layer Program, which involves deploying 18 satellites. (3/19)

Congress Scrambles to Pass $1.2T Spending Bill (Source: New York Times)
Congressional leaders have unveiled a $1.2 trillion spending bill to fund the government until September, amid uncertainty about avoiding a partial shutdown over the weekend. Facing a Friday midnight deadline to prevent funding lapses for significant agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and the Pentagon, lawmakers are hastening to pass the bill. (3/21)

A SpaceX Cargo Dragon Launched to the ISS (Source: Space News)
A Falcon 9 lifted off from the Cape Canaveral Spaceport Thursday and placed the CRS-30 Dragon into orbit. The Dragon, carrying more than 2,800 kilograms of cargo, is scheduled to dock with the ISS Saturday morning. The launch was the first to use a new crew tower at Space Launch Complex 40, which SpaceX built to provide a backup to Launch Complex 39A. (3/22)

Final FY-24 Spending Bill Would Reduce Space Force Budget (Source: Space News)
A final fiscal year 2024 spending bill would reduce the Space Force's budget by $1 billion relative to what it requested. The bill, released early Thursday, would provide the service with $29 billion, about $1 billion less than what the Biden administration had requested but still some $2.7 billion more than Space Force received for 2023. The bill cuts the Space Force's procurement account request by $600 million and its research, development, testing and engineering account by $400 million.

The bill, though, does increase funding for National Security Space Launch research and development as well as Tactically Responsive Space. A big winner in the 2024 defense bill is the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), which gets a an $842 million increase. The House and Senate are expected to take up the bill today to avert a partial government shutdown. (3/22)

Space Command to Improve GEO Object Tracking (Source: Space News)
The head of U.S. Space Command says the military plans to improve its abilities to track objects in geosynchronous orbit. With a growing need for better space domain awareness, the Pentagon wants additional satellites acting as eyes and ears in the GEO belt, Gen. Stephen Whiting said Thursday. The U.S. Space Force is modernizing ground-based sensors, such as a deep space radar, that are critical to monitoring the GEO belt. The Space Force and the intelligence community are also working on new surveillance satellites to keep a closer eye on potential threats such as anti-satellite weapons. (3/22)

NRO to Support Agile Launch Innovation (Source: Space News)
The National Reconnaissance Office is seeking new technologies to support its launch operations. The NRO's Office of Space Launch recently issued a Broad Area Announcement (BAA) seeking proposals for its "Agile Launch Innovation and Strategic Technology Advancement" program. The BAA covers topics such as in-space mobility and refueling as well as artificial intelligence for ground operations. The BAA comes as the NRO performed the final launch under a five-launch contract with Rocket Lab early Thursday under a Rapid Acquisition of a Small Rocket (RASR) contract. (3/22)

Undersea Cable Cuts Bolster Interest in Rivada's Constellation (Source: Space News)
Rivada Space Networks says a recent series of undersea internet cable cuts has bolstered interest in its satellite constellation .Rivada CEO Declan Ganley claimed that enterprises have been flocking to the company to learn how its proposed constellation of up to 600 satellites could provide redundancy for their networks. While he said Rivada had MOUs worth more than $7 billion from potential customers, he provided few specifics on financing for that constellation. That constellation would be built by Terran Orbital, and Terran CEO Marc Bell said Rivada remains current on all invoices ahead of plans to deploy two or four prototype spacecraft before the end of the year. (3/22)

Hanwha Phasor Adds Product to Burgeoning Broadband Terminal Market (Source: Space News)
Hanwha Phasor plans to release its first flat panel antenna this summer to join a wave of multi-orbit broadband terminals coming to the market. The company's Phasor L3300B is designed to connect land vehicles for government and commercial users seeking connectivity from Ku-band satellites in GEO or LEO.

Hybrid antennas promise customers greater network redundancy and the flexibility to access the strengths of various orbital regimes without the need for multiple terminals, making them particularly suitable for vehicles on the move. The company says it is talking with potential military customers across the United States, Europe and South Korea, and expects to start taking orders in the next three months. (3/22)

Amid Mixed Mixed Financial Results, Intuitive Machines Plans Second Lunar Lander Mission (Source: Space News)
Intuitive Machines is looking ahead to its next lunar lander mission and other contracts. The company reported Thursday an operating loss of $56.2 million in 2023, but said its cash balance grew since the start of the year from $4.5 million to $54.6 million after the exercise of stock warrants and other investments. The company is continuing to review data from the IM-1 lunar lander mission and says it still expects to launch IM-2 by the end of the year. Intuitive Machines is also looking to win additional business, such as upcoming NASA contracts for an Artemis lunar rover and cislunar communications services. (3/22)

India Performs Launcher Landing Test (Source: PTI)
India performed another landing test of a reusable launch vehicle prototype. The RLV-LEX-02 vehicle, an unpowered winged vehicle, was dropped from a helicopter Friday from an altitude of 4,500 meters and glided to a runway landing. The vehicle is intended to test landing technologies that could be used on a future reusable launcher. (3/22)

India's Angikul Cosmos Postpones Suborbital Launch Demo (Source: Express News)
An Indian startup has postponed the launch of a suborbital vehicle. Agnikul Cosmos has planned to launch its Sub Orbital Technology Demonstrator (SOrTeD) mission Friday from a launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, but called off the launch after "certain minor observations" in the vehicle during launch preparations, details of which the company did not disclose. Agnikul Cosmos did not disclose a new launch date. The SOrTeD mission is intended to test systems the company plans to use in the Agnibaan small launch vehicle it is developing. (3/22)

Caltech to Develop Space Exploration Center (Source: LA Times)
A $100 million donation to Caltech will fund a new center to develop exploration technologies with a "SpaceX vibe." Caltech said Thursday that the donation from financier Gary Brinson will allow it establish the Brinson Exploration Hub, which will focus on development of technologies for space and Earth applications. The center will take on a more iterative approach to technology development with a higher tolerance for risk. (3/22)

Astronomers Seek to Preserve Lunar Farside Shielding (Source: Space.com)
Astronomers are meeting this week to find ways to preserve the far side of the moon for radio astronomy. The meeting in Italy by the International Academy of Astronautics is intended to study how to keep the lunar farside, shielded from terrestrial radio emissions, radio-quiet as exploration of the moon increases. Astronomers want to preserve that environment to support future radio telescopes there that could better observe the universe. (3/22)

ISS National Lab-Sponsored Optical Glass Fabrication Moves the Future of In-Space Manufacturing (Source: CASIS)      
New fiber optics experiments sponsored by the ISS National Laboratory launched on Northrop Grumman’s 20th Commercial Resupply Services (NG-20) mission. These experiments will test Flawless Photonics, Inc.'s unique approach to solving the issue of gravity-induced defects in optical glass products manufactured on Earth. (3/21)

DoD Innovation Unit to Assess Firefly Vehicle for Missions Beyond Earth Orbit (Source: Space News)
The Defense Innovation Unit announced March 21 it has signed an agreement with Firefly Aerospace to study the potential use of the company’s Elytra orbital vehicle for missions beyond geosynchronous Earth orbit. The Pentagon’s commercial technology arm, DIU awarded Firefly a study contract that, once complete, could lead to as many as two flight demonstration missions in the region between GEO orbit and the moon, known as cislunar space. (3/21)

SpaceX Retaliated Against Employees Who Discussed Pay, Labor Board Says (Source: Quartz)
SpaceX is facing new labor-related allegations. Officials at the National Labor Relations Board say SpaceX engaged in unfair labor practices after it retaliated against its employees in December of 2022. SpaceX “interfered with, restrained and coerced its employees” from discussing “wages, hours, or conditions of employment,” the NLRB said in its filing. Employees that came together to discuss salaries and employment terms were then fired, the agency said.

NLRB also alleged that SpaceX maintained a hostile work environment that discouraged workers from contacting NLRB. The space company has an estimated 9500 employees, NLRB says. (3/21)

High School Students Contribute to Exoplanet Discovery (Source: SETI Institute)
In a project aimed at democratizing science and fostering educational enrichment, a group of high school students from the Galaxy Explorer program at the Chabot Space & Science Center in Oakland, California, made contributions to the field of exoplanet research. Researchers from the SETI Institute worked with the students to use backpack-sized digital smart telescopes provided by Unistellar; these young citizen scientists played a role in observing and confirming the nature of a warm and dense sub-Saturn planet, known as TIC 139270665 b, orbiting a metal-rich G2 star. (3/21)

Life’s Building Blocks are Surprisingly Stable in Venus-Like Conditions (Source: MIT News)
If there is life in the solar system beyond Earth, it might be found in the clouds of Venus. In contrast to the planet’s blisteringly inhospitable surface, Venus’ cloud layer, which extends from 30 to 40 miles above the surface, hosts milder temperatures that could support some extreme forms of life. A new study reports that, in fact, some key building blocks of life can persist in solutions of concentrated sulfuric acid.

The study’s authors have found that 19 amino acids that are essential to life on Earth are stable for up to four weeks when placed in vials of sulfuric acid at concentrations similar to those in Venus’ clouds. In particular, they found that the molecular “backbone” of all 19 amino acids remained intact in sulfuric acid solutions ranging in concentration from 81 to 98 percent. (3/20)

Pioneering Muscle Monitoring in Space to Help Astronauts Stay Strong in Low-Gravity (Source: University of Southampton)
Astronauts have been able to track their muscle health in spaceflight for the first time using a handheld device, revealing which muscles are most at risk of weakening in low gravity conditions. An international research team monitored the muscle health of twelve astronauts before, during and after a stay on the ISS. Findings indicate that the astronauts’ daily exercise regime was effective in preserving most muscle groups, but crucial lower leg muscles showed signs of deterioration. (3/20)

MDA Space CEO Mike Greenley Wins Satellite Executive of the Year Award (Source: SpaceQ)
At the Satellite 2024 conference in Washington, MDA Space CEO Mike Greenley was announced as the winner of the 2023 Satellite Executive of the Year Award. Greenley was up against some very tough competition that included Chris Kubasik, CEO of L3Harris, Eva Berneke, CEO of Eutelsat Group, Kathy Warden, CEO of Northrop Grumman, Peter Beck, CEO of Rocket Lab, and Stuart Daughtridge, Chairman of the DIFI Consortium. (3/20)

Two Dozen CA Congressional Reps Urge NASA to Commit Funds to Mars Sample Mission (Source: MyNews LA)
Roughly two dozen California congressional representatives sent a letter to NASA Administrator Bill Nelson Wednesday calling on him to commit at least $650 million to an ambitious Jet Propulsion Laboratory-led mission to collect rock and soil samples from Mars and return them to Earth. The Mars Sample Return mission has fallen victim to budget cutbacks, contributing to the layoffs of more than 500 people at JPL in Pasadena earlier this year. (3/20)

Sierra Space Solar Panels Providing Power for LizzieSat in Low Earth Orbit (Source: Sierra Space)
Sierra Space, a leading commercial space company and emerging defense tech prime building a platform in space to benefit and protect life on Earth, has achieved yet another milestone in space technology by providing the cutting-edge solar technology that powers Sidus Space’s first LizzieSat satellite, which successfully launched and deployed to Low Earth Orbit on March 4. Sierra Space provided a full shipset of eight deployable solar panels and one top plate to Sidus Space. (3/20)

Agnikul's Two-Minute-Long Mission Could Give India a New Launch Vehicle (Source: India Today)
Agnikul Cosmos, a private aerospace company, is all set to conduct the maiden test of its under-development launch vehicle to demonstrate the reliability of a homegrown system. The Sub-Obital Technology Demonstrator (SOrTeD) mission will last just over two minutes, from launch to splashdown, and yet it could pave the way for the next generation of satellite launchers from the country. (3/21)

Starship Could Have a Big Impact on Small Launch Vehicle (Source: Space News)
A large launch vehicle could end up having a big effect on the small launch vehicle market through low prices and encouraging customers to build larger satellites. The emergence of SpaceX’s Starship vehicle, which is designed to place 100 metric tons or more into low Earth orbit, has captured the attention of companies developing vehicles that can place one metric ton or less into orbit because of Starship’s potential to further reshape a market already affected by the company’s Falcon 9.

“Starship for sure will disrupt further the launch business and the space business in general,” said Marino Fragnito, senior vice president and head of the Vega business unit at Arianespace, during a panel at the Satellite 2024 conference March 20. “One scenario is that Musk could really monopolize everything." Starship would seem to be ill-suited for launching smallsats given its massive size. “I think Starship will open new business, like exploration, human spaceflight and commercial space stations,” he said. “I don’t think Starship can launch small satellites or will be used to launch small satellites.” (3/21)