A NASA safety panel warned Thursday of increasing risks to the operations of the International Space Station. At a meeting of the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel, members said they were "deeply concerned" as the ISS enters what they called the "riskiest period of its existence." They cited long-running concerns, such as small cracks in part of a Russian station module, as well as uncertainties about deorbit plans for the station and budget shortfalls in ISS operations. The panel did not make specific recommendations about addressing those concerns other than to ensure the station has "adequate budget and resources" through the end of the program. (4/18)
International Coordination Likely for Commercial Space Stations (Source: Space News)
As NASA and its partners shift from the ISS to commercial space stations, some degree of multilateral coordination may be needed. At an event this week, former NASA deputy administrator Pam Melroy said the ISS showed the benefits of high-level multilateral coordination bodies, suggesting something similar may be needed for the commercial stations that will succeed the ISS. She also emphasized the need for "harmonization" of space law among the countries participating in those stations. (4/18)
Rare Eastern Range Conflict Causes Atlas 5 Delay (Source: Ars Technica)
An Atlas 5 launch has been delayed by more than a week because of unidentified, and possibly classified, activities on the Eastern Range. United Launch Alliance scrubbed the Atlas 5 launch of Kuiper satellites last Wednesday because of weather and the launch has not been rescheduled. There are no issues with the rocket or spacecraft, and ULA said it is waiting for the range to approve a new launch date. That delay, along with a lack of SpaceX launch activity at Cape Canaveral this week, has led to speculation there are classified activities on the Eastern Range this week delaying launches. (4/18)
Lockheed Martin Gets New CFO (Source: Breaking Defense)
Lockheed Martin has named a new chief financial officer. The company announced Thursday that Jesus "Jay" Malave was stepping down as CFO, effective immediately, because he is "pursuing other opportunities," according to a company statement. The new CFO is Evan Scott, who has been at Lockheed for 26 years and most recently was CFO of the company's missiles and fire control business unit. (4/18)
Mars' Missing Carbon Found (Source: Science News)
Scientists have found the "missing carbon" on Mars. Researchers had speculated that the planet should have large amounts of carbonate minerals created by taking carbon dioxide out of the planet's thick early atmosphere, but had struggled to find those minerals. In a paper published Thursday, scientists said they had finally detected those carbonates, in the form of a mineral known as siderite, thanks to data from the Curiosity rover inside of Gale Crater. The siderite, mixed in layers of sulfate materials, is in high enough concentrations to account for much of the carbon dioxide believed to be in the planet's atmosphere when Mars was warmer and wetter. (4/18)
Armstrong's Omega Watch Sold for $2.2 Million (Source: CollectSpace)
An Omega watch once owned by Neil Armstrong sold for $2.2 million. The 18-karat gold Omega Speedmaster was given to Armstrong after the Apollo 11 mission as a commemorative replacement for the NASA-issued Speedmaster he and other Apollo astronauts wore on their missions. The identity of the winning bidder at an auction Thursday was not disclosed. The $2.2 million is the third-highest price for a space-related artifact, after a Soviet Vostok capsule that sold for nearly $2.9 million in 2011 and Buzz Aldrin's flight jacket from Apollo 11 that sold for nearly $2.8 million in 2022. (4/18)
China’s SpaceSail is Expanding Where Elon Musk is Stumbling (Source: Rest Of World)
China’s satellite internet upstart seems to be taking aim at Starlink. SpaceSail, a Chinese space company backed by the Shanghai municipal government, has been entering markets where Elon Musk has faced friction. SpaceSail has launched around 90 satellites since last year. It is in talks with over 30 countries, with plans to have 648 satellites launched by the end of 2025, and 15,000 by 2030. Currently, Musk’s Starlink has more than 7,000 satellites in orbit. (3/31)
DalBello on TraCSS' Privatization Under Trump (Source: Richard DalBello)
It’s hard to focus on orbital mechanics when everything on the ground is shifting—but one proposed change deserves careful Congressional scrutiny: the Administration’s suggestion to transfer the Traffic Coordination System for Space (TraCSS) from the Department of Commerce to an unspecified non-governmental entity. This is both premature and strategically short-sighted. TraCSS--launched during the first Trump administration and shaped by his Space Council--has made significant progress thanks to bipartisan support and focused Congressional funding.
In many ways, TraCSS stands as proof that government can move quickly and effectively when mission and mandate align. The case for keeping TraCSS in government hands rests on four clear points: First, it is a matter of national security. The U.S. must lead in space traffic coordination. Our ability to track and manage orbital activity underpins both civilian and military operations. Ceding that leadership sends the wrong signal in an increasingly contested domain.
Second, the U.S. has more to lose than any other nation. We operate the largest, most valuable satellite fleet. An orbital collision threatens not only hardware but also communications, weather forecasting, financial systems, and national defense. Third, there is no commercial business model for SSA or STM, it will still require public funding. Finally, the U.S. has a strong interest in shaping global norms. TraCSS is not just a technical platform—it’s a policy instrument. Retreating now would weaken our diplomatic voice precisely when international standards are beginning to form. (4/14)
Sidus Space Enables Satellite-Based Maritime Vessel Detection Solution (Source: Sidus Space)
Sidus Space unveiled a near real-time vessel detection and classification capability to be enabled by its hybrid 3D printed LizzieSat satellite platform. Processing data directly onboard LizzieSat through Sidus' Orlaith AI Ecosystem, and the OrbitfyEdge software from Little Place Labs, represents a significant advancement in space-based maritime intelligence. (4/17)
Manufacturing Nanomaterials in Space to Treat Disease on Earth (Source: CASIS)
Researchers are producing innovative nanomaterials in space to improve treatments for osteoarthritis and cancer in patients on Earth. The team’s latest groundbreaking research is launching to the orbiting outpost on SpaceX’s 32nd resupply mission for NASA.
Janus base nanomaterials (JBNs) are composed of synthetic molecules that self-assemble into structures resembling human DNA. JBNs could provide life-changing treatment for the nearly 33 million Americans with osteoarthritis, a condition in which joint cartilage breaks down over time, causing painful inflammation. The injectable nanomaterials help regenerate lost cartilage, allowing patients to avoid painful and costly joint replacement surgery. (4/17)
Army Corps of Engineers to Dig in "Cancer Cluster" Yards Near Patrick Space Force Base (Source: Click Orlando)
This week, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will start digging in the yards of a neighborhood that’s been at the center of a possible cancer cluster. For decades, some have blamed military chemicals and waste for a higher than average number of people getting cancer. Two years ago, the Corps scanned yards with radars. Then, at last week’s county commission meeting, the Corps said it will now dig in yards where its ground-penetrating radars may have detected old junk.
During World War II, before homes were built, South Patrick Shores was an ‘uncontrolled dump’ for the old Navy airfield where Patrick Space Force Base is today. “Are you aware that there are residents who have dug in their own yards and that they have had massive side effects from the things that they have dug up in their yards?” Commissioner Katie Delaney asked him. The county commissioner was talking about neighbors like Sandra Sullivan. In 2018, Sullivan found her yard was full of junk like lead, bullets, and even an oil barrel she said still had oil in it. (4/15)
GSA Pressing Harder for Consulting Firm Cuts (Source: FNN)
The General Services Administration is running out of patience with the top government consulting firms. In a strongly worded letter sent to the top 10 firms, GSA warned them to provide better data and more specifics for cost savings and contract terminations — or risk the consequences. “The efforts to propose meaningful cost savings were wholly insufficient to the point of being insulting," GSA wrote.
GSA is giving the top 10 firms until Friday to resubmit suggestions to terminate contracts, particularly those at agencies that aren’t GSA. It is also offering ideas for possible approaches to restructure contracts to be share-in-savings, outcome based and to include a proposal for “windfall credits.”
Editor's Note: This effort likely includes space-related consulting. The firms include Booz Allen, Accenture Deloitte, General Dynamics, Leidos, and SAIC, all with space-focused work in their portfolios. (4/17)
Northrop Grumman Rocket Motor Facility in Utah a Total Loss After Explosion (Source: KSLTV)
Authorities are investigating an explosion at Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems that happened Wednesday morning. Chief Deputy Sheriff Cade Palmer confirmed that a building at the Northrop Grumman facility at Promontory Point is a total loss. Employees working in or near the building were accounted for and there are no significant injuries reported, according to a Northrop statement.
A Northrop spokesman declined to characterize the function of the building. Northrop has used its Promontory facility, sometimes called “Rocket Ranch,” to conduct test fires of rocket motors. (4/16)
Ecuador Unveiled an Ambitious Space Plan That Could Revolutionize the Region by 2030 (Source: Canal26)
Although space has historically been the exclusive domain of the great powers, a South American nation could be about to change the rules of the game. Ecuador has taken a decisive step forward with an ambitious project that could redefine its place on the global technological stage. By 2030, it plans to open a spaceport in a strategic location on the continent, an initiative that not only promises to boost its economy but also position it as an emerging player in the aerospace industry.
Ecuador is planning the construction of a spaceport that aims to be operational in less than five years, with facilities capable of handling both vertical and horizontal launches, reentry operations, and a specialized spacecraft runway. The initiative is led by Leviathan Space and Blackstar Orbital, two emerging players in the private space sector. The project envisions the creation of South America's first private spaceport. The goal is not only to send satellites or commercial cargo, but also to become a base for point-to-point spaceflights, such as those proposed by Starship.
The construction of the spaceport in Ecuador is expected to spur a new wave of foreign direct investment, attracting international companies interested in taking advantage of a strategically located base that saves fuel and resources. Furthermore, the project could generate thousands of jobs in key sectors such as technology, engineering, and applied science, strengthening the region's economic development. The facility would also serve as an engine for education. (4/12)
New Quantum-Based Navigation Tech Beats GPS Precision by 50 Times (Source: Interesting Engineering)
Australia’s Q-CTRL has announced the first real-world demonstration of its commercially viable quantum navigation system. The system works without Global Positioning Systems (GPS), cannot be jammed, and is already proving to be drastically more accurate than anything else. This is a big deal as many vehicles worldwide (including planes and cars) rely heavily on GPS for navigation.
GPS can be jammed, spoofed, or even denied, especially during military conflicts or cyberattacks. This is a growing concern for national security and autonomous vehicles, which need constant, accurate location data. In fact, according to a press release by Q-CTRL, GPS jamming has been shown to disrupt around 1,000 flights every day. An outage on this scale is estimated to cost the global economy around $1 billion daily. Therefore, finding a reliable backup to GPS is critical, especially for defense and autonomous systems.
To this end, Q-CTRL developed a new system called “Ironstone Opal,” which uses quantum sensors to navigate without GPS. It’s passive (meaning it doesn’t emit signals that could be detected or jammed) and highly accurate. Instead of relying on satellites, Q-CTRL’s system can read the Earth’s magnetic field, which varies slightly depending on location (like a magnetic fingerprint or map). The system can determine where you are by measuring these variations using magnetometers. This is made possible using the company’s proprietary quantum sensors, which are incredibly sensitive and stable. (4/15)
Earth’s Water May Not Have Originated From Asteroids After All (Source: Washington Post)
With water covering the majority of our planet, scientists have been wading through ideas to answer a fundamental question: Where did it all come from? A popular theory suggests asteroids or comets helped bring the precious resource to Earth in chance encounters, but new evidence may be sinking this idea.
A study published in the journal Icarus showed the ingredients for water may have been present as early Earth was developing, indicating that the creation of water may be a more common process on planets than previously thought. “We always kind of assumed that Earth was unique,” said Tom Barrett, the lead author of the study and a doctoral candidate at the University of Oxford. “We have massive oceans on our surface that are crucial to the way that we live our lives.”
Contrary to previous notions, the materials that made our planet seem to have contained the ingredients for water, he said. “Earth may have had more than enough ingredients to form water from the beginning,” said planetary scientist Patrick Shober, who was not involved in the research. He added that the research shows that “water abundance on Earth is not a freak accident; it’s what was expected.” (4/16)
The Future of Space: Innovation, Defense, and Industry Growth (Source: Smart Brief)
While attending this year’s 40th Space Symposium, Steven Jordan Tomaszewski, vice president for space systems at AIA, highlights key trends shaping the future of national security and commercial space. From the ambitious Golden Dome missile defense initiative to challenges in the space supply chain and workforce development, Tomaszewski discusses how emerging technologies, shifting policies, and global competition are driving innovation. Click here. (4/15)
How the ESA’s Biomass Mission Will Work (Source: Indian Express)
The European Space Agency (ESA) is set to launch its ambitious Biomass mission later this month. The mission will map the world’s forests to provide the very first comprehensive measurements of forest biomass at a global scale. It will find out how forests are changing, and further our understanding about their role in the carbon cycle.
The satellite is scheduled to lift off on April 29 aboard a Vega C rocket from the ESA’s Korou spaceport in French Guiana. It will be placed in a sun-synchronous orbit — meaning that it will always appear in the same position relative to our star — at an altitude of around 666 km. The mission will allow scientists to more accurately measure how the distribution of carbon in the planet is changing, as humans continue to cut down trees, and increase CO2 levels in the atmosphere. (4/14)
Florida Simulation Summit Returns to Central Florida on May 9 (Source: Team Orlando)
The National Center for Simulation (NCS) and Orange County are collaborating to host the 11th annual Florida Simulation Summit at the DoubleTree Hotel in Orlando, Florida, May 9, from7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The summit brings together leaders, innovators and experts while providing vendors an opportunity to showcase their latest cutting-edge advances. Beverly Seay, Southeast Regional Director of the Defense Innovation Unit, U.S. Department of Defense, will deliver the keynote address.
Editor's Note: Central Florida's cluster of simulation and training programs, within DoD, industry and academia, were one reason that the Space Force's STARCOM training command selected Patrick Space Force Base as its headquarters. STARCOM has recently stressed that simulation tech will be a vital component of its programs. (4/17)
AI Revolutionizes Gravitational Wave Detector Design (Source: Space Daily)
Gravitational waves, the faint tremors in spacetime triggered by cataclysmic cosmic phenomena like black hole collisions and stellar explosions, have opened a groundbreaking observational frontier in astrophysics. But detecting these elusive signals demands precision instruments whose design complexity has long challenged scientists. Now, researchers at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light (MPL) have harnessed artificial intelligence to revolutionize this process, unveiling a host of novel detector architectures that may transform gravitational wave astronomy. (4/10)
No comments:
Post a Comment