Oxford Space Lab Sends First Human
Tissue Samples to ISS for Ageing Study (Source: Space Daily)
The first human tissue samples from Oxford's Space Innovation Lab (SIL)
are now en route to the International Space Station (ISS) to support a
study examining how space microgravity influences human ageing. "Our
project seeks to uncover how ageing progresses under microgravity
conditions, and to test if these conditions could speed up the study of
ageing processes that take much longer to observe on Earth." (11/5)
Trump Win Gives Musk Greater Influence
(Source: Washington Post)
Donald Trump will return to the White House, potentially giving SpaceX
CEO Elon Musk greater influence. Most media outlets declared Trump the
winner early Wednesday after he won enough swing states to secure a
majority in the Electoral College. Musk threw his support behind Trump
in July and both contributed and campaigned extensively for the
Republican nominee. Trump said little about space during the campaign
but did, on several occasions, appear to endorse a SpaceX-led
accelerated human Mars program.
Trump mentioned Musk during a victory speech in the early morning
hours, describing watching the recent Starship Super Heavy landing and
claiming he asked Musk to offer free Starlink services in areas of
North Carolina hit by Hurricane Helene. Republicans also secured a
majority in the Senate, but control of the House remains up for grabs.
(11/6)
Japan and Poland to Join DoD's WGS
Network (Source: Space News)
Japan and Poland will join a U.S. military communications satellite
system. The two countries are set to join the Wideband Global Satcom
(WGS) satellite network used by the U.S. military and those of several
allies. WGS provides high-capacity communication services for military
operations. With 10 satellites in geostationary Earth orbit, WGS has
been the backbone of U.S. military communications. WGS allows
participating nations to share the costs of satellite development and
upkeep, alleviating the financial burden for the United States. (11/6)
Anuvo Plans HEO Satellite Constellation
(Source: Space News)
Anuvu is proposing to develop a constellation of satellites in highly
elliptical orbit (HEO) to offer broadband services to aircraft. Anuvu
announced a partnership with D-Orbit USA, a newly founded subsidiary of
Italian space logistics company D-Orbit, to study the design of a HEO
network using 16 satellites. Anuvu has been working on a system of
eight GEO satellites, but the first two, scheduled to launch last year,
have been delayed by manufacturer Astranis. Anuvu said that using
satellites in HEO will provide higher data rates because the spacecraft
will be at lower altitudes when in service and can also handle polar
routes out of the reach of GEO satellites. (11/6)
China Plans Lunar Crew Rocket (Long
March 10A) Debut in 2026 (Source: Space News)
China is planning a first launch in 2026 of a rocket it plans to use in
its human lunar exploration program. A model of the Long March 10A, a
single-core rocket for launching crew, is set to be unveiled at the
Zhuhai Airshow in southern China later this month. The rocket is set to
have its debut launch in 2026, according to a report Tuesday in Science
and Technology Daily, an official Chinese ministry newspaper.
Long March 10A will be used to launch a new generation crew spacecraft
to the Tiangong space station in low Earth orbit, while a three-core
version of the rocket will be used to launch a crewed lunar spacecraft
and, separately, a lunar lander. Also on display at the Zhuhai Airshow
will be a new model of the Long March 9 heavy-lift rocket that now more
closely resembles SpaceX's Starship with reusable upper and lower
stages. (11/6)
Franch Launcher Latitude Hires New CEO
(Source: Space News)
French launch vehicle startup Latitude has hired a new CEO. The company
announced Tuesday that it hired Aurélie Bressollette as CEO, succeeding
co-founder Stanislas Maximin, who now takes the role of executive
chairman. Bressollette previously worked at Rivada Space Networks,
Redwire, OHB and Airbus. Maximin said he will focus on strategic issues
at the company, including fundraising, while Bressollette handles
day-to-day operations. Latitude is working on a small launch vehicle
called Zephyr, with a first launch projected towards the end of next
year. (11/6)
SSTL to Develop Imaging Satellite for
UK Military (Source: SSTL)
Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (SSTL) has won a contract to build an
imaging satellite for the U.K. military. The Juno satellite will
provide imagery for British forces, building upon the capabilities
demonstrated on the Tyche satellite launched in August. Juno, with an
estimated cost of £40 million ($51 million), is scheduled to launch in
2027. (11/6)
South Korea to Develop Lunar Rovers
(Source: Yonhap)
The South Korean government plans to support the development of lunar
rovers. The country's industry ministry announced Wednesday
partnerships with 13 companies and institutions, including automaker
Hyundai, to develop key components for future lunar rovers. The
ministry said it is spending about $16.5 million on the effort. (11/6)
MAGA Goes to Mars (Source: The
Atlantic)
If NASA’s current schedule sticks, the next American president will
oversee the first moon landing since the Apollo era and preside over
the agency’s plans for sending astronauts deeper into the solar system.
Elon Musk, the CEO of the world’s most successful private-spaceflight
company, has made clear who he thinks that president should be. This
fall, he declared that Kamala Harris would doom humankind to an
earthbound existence, whereas Donald Trump would fulfill SpaceX’s
founding dream of putting people on Mars. Trump seems equally
enthusiastic about Musk’s space plans. “Elon, get those rocket ships
going, because we want to reach Mars before the end of my term,” he
said on the campaign trail. (11/5)
Russian Rocket Takes Iranian
Satellites Into Orbit as Ties Grow Closer (Source: Al Jazeera)
A Russian rocket carrying a payload of satellites into orbit –
including two from Iran – blasted off successfully, Russia’s Roscosmos
space agency said, in a move seen as reflecting the growing cooperation
between Moscow and Tehran. The two Iranian satellites were identified
as the Kowsar, a high-resolution imaging satellite, and Hodhod, a small
communications satellite. A Russian-Chinese student satellite, Druzhba
ATURK, was also placed into orbit. (11/5)
When Was Mars Habitable? Much More
Recently than We Thought (Source: Earth.com)
Researchers are particularly interested in understanding whether Mars
was habitable, and if so, during what period. A research team at
Harvard’s Paleomagnetics Lab has been at the forefront of exploring
this timeline. Their strongest evidence yet is that Mars‘
life-protecting magnetic field, or “dynamo,” could have lasted until
about 3.9 billion years ago. This contrasts with older estimates that
placed its demise around 4.1 billion years ago, suggesting the dynamo
persisted for hundreds of millions of years longer than previously
thought. (11/4)
China Reveals a New Heavy Lift Rocket
That is a Clone of SpaceX’s Starship (Source: Ars Technica)
When Chinese space officials unveiled the design for the country's
first super heavy lift rocket nearly a decade ago, it looked like a
fairly conventional booster. The rocket was fully expendable, with
three stages and solid motors strapped onto its sides. Since then, the
Asian country has been revising the design of this rocket, named Long
March 9, in response to the development of reusable rockets by SpaceX.
As of two years ago, China had recalibrated the design to have a
reusable first stage.
Now, based on information released at a major airshow in Zhuhai, China,
the design has morphed again. And this time, the plan for the Long
March 9 rocket looks almost exactly like a clone of SpaceX's Starship
rocket. Based on its latest specifications, the Long March 9 rocket
will have a fully reusable first stage powered by 30 YF-215 engines,
which are full-flow staged combustion engines fueled by methane and
liquid oxygen, each with a thrust of approximately 200 tons. By way of
comparison, Starship's first stage is powered by 33 Raptor engines,
also fueled with methane and liquid oxygen, each with a thrust of about
280 tons. (11/4)
November 5, 2024
'Interstellar' Fireballs Likely Came
From Within Our Solar System (Source: Space.com)
An "interstellar fireball" claimed by some scientists may not be from out of this solar system after all. The 2014 fireball had a measured velocity of 44.8 kilometers per second, higher than the sun's escape velocity, suggesting that the object was from out of the solar system. A reanalysis of that data shows that the errors on the velocity are large enough to make it unlikely that the object came from outside the solar system. Researchers added that even if the object was traveling that fast, it would have burned up completely upon entering the Earth's atmosphere, contrary to claims by scientists like Harvard's Avi Loeb who said they scooped up fragments of that object from the ocean floor. (11/5)
Satellite Reconnaissance and the Falklands War (Source: Space Review)
Only in the last decade has the extent of US support for Great Britain in the Falklands War of 1982 emerged. Dwayne Day examines new evidence of that support in the form of reconnaissance satellite imagery of the Falklands as the war neared its conclusion. Click here. (11/4)
NASA’s Infrastructure Crossroads (Source: Space Review)
Regardless of the outcome of the election, the next administration will have to deal with a NASA whose ability to carry out various missions is being degraded by aging infrastructure. Jeff Foust reports on a recent study on those problems and an ongoing effort by the agency to deal with that among other challenges. Click here. (11/4)
Comparing Harris and Trump on Space Policy (Source: Space Review)
Some have argued that Vice President Kamala Harris has not done enough in space policy in her role as chair of the National Space Council. Jonathan Coopersmith argues that Harris sets herself apart from Trump on the topic in several ways. Click here. (11/4)
The Case for Space Policy Stability in the Next Administration (Source: Space Review)
There may be vast differences in policies in the next administration in many areas depending on who wins Tuesday’s presidential election. Thomas G. Roberts explains why, in the area of space, one should expect stability and continuity regardless of who wins. Click here. (11/4)
Russia Launches 50 Satellites on Soyuz From Vostochny (Source: TASS)
A Soyuz rocket launched more than 50 satellites Monday. A Soyuz-2.1b rocket launched from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia's Far East at 6:18 p.m. Eastern. The primary payload for the launch was a pair of Ionosfera-M heliophysics satellites. The rocket also carried 53 secondary payloads, including 28 smallsats by Russian company Sputnix for ship tracking and other applications and two satellites from Iran. (11/5)
NASA VIPER Decision in Early 2025 (Source: Space News)
NASA expects to determine next steps for the canceled VIPER rover mission by early next year. At a conference last week, officials said they received 11 responses to a request for information about potential partnerships through which a company or organization would take over the lunar rover mission, and is currently evaluating them to see which may be worth pursuing. NASA announced in July it was canceling VIPER because of cost and schedule overruns, even though the rover is now complete. VIPER has since completed environmental testing with flying colors. (11/5)
Rocket Lab to Offer Neutron in Upcoming Space Force On-Ramp (Source: Space News)
Rocket Lab plans to offer its Neutron rocket to the Space Force in an upcoming contract on-ramp. Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck said in an interview that the company will respond to a request for proposals released last week by the Space Force for the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 Lane 1 program, which currently has contracts with Blue Origin, SpaceX and United Launch Alliance.
The Space Force offers annual on-ramps for new providers, and the current call for proposals is open to companies that will be ready for a first launch by December 2025. Beck said he expects Rocket Lab to have Neutron ready by that deadline. Lane 1 is designed for missions that can accept higher risks and is intended to facilitate faster launches of less sensitive payloads. (11/5)
Rocket Lab Launches Electron Mission From New Zealand (Source: Space News)
Rocket Lab carried out an Electron launch this morning for a confidential customer. The Electron lifted off at 5:54 a.m. Eastern from the company's Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand, and Rocket Lab declared success about an hour later. The "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes" carried a payload for an undisclosed commercial customer, with Rocket Lab adding the mission to the manifest just last month. Rocket Lab did not disclose any details about the payload or customer. One potential customer for the mission is E-Space, which filed for an authorization to launch a payload in September according to New Zealand government documents. (11/5)
SpaceX Launches ISS Cargo Mission at Cape Canaveral Spaceport (Source: Space News)
SpaceX launched a Dragon cargo spacecraft Monday night. A Falcon 9 lifted off from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39A at 9:29 p.m. Eastern and deployed the Dragon into orbit nine and a half minutes later. The Dragon, flying the CRS-31 cargo mission, is scheduled to dock with the International Space Station at about 10:15 a.m. Eastern this morning and deliver 2,762 kilograms of supplies and experiments.
Later this week NASA will use the Dragon to conduct a reboost maneuver for the station, the first time a Dragon has been used for that purpose. NASA and SpaceX said that maneuver is a test to expand the capabilities of visiting vehicles like Dragon and give SpaceX experience for the Dragon-derived U.S. Deorbit Vehicle it is building for NASA to deorbit the ISS at the end of its life. (11/5)
Is There a Hidden Planet in Our Solar System? Astronomers Say the Moment of Truth is Near (Source: CNN)
Because objects in the Kuiper Belt are so far away from the sun, however, they are difficult to spot. For more than a decade, astronomers have been searching that area for a hidden planet that has never been observed, but its presence is inferred by the behavior of other nearby objects. It’s often called Planet X or Planet Nine. Soon, the debate could be settled, once a new telescope capable of surveying the entire available sky every few nights comes online in late 2025. Until then, a team of researchers believes it has found the most compelling evidence yet that the hidden planet is real.
Amid controversies and diverging opinions, all of the researchers agree on one thing. A new wide-angle telescope currently under construction could soon put the debate to rest, once the US National Science Foundation and Stanford University researchers start scientific operations in late 2025. Called the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, it has the largest digital camera ever built and sits atop an 8,800-foot mountain in northern Chile. (11/5)
Boeing Workers OK Offer, Ending Costly Strike (Source: CNN)
Boeing workers represented by the International Association of Machinists have voted to accept a contract offer, ending a strike that began in September and has been the costliest in the US in more than 25 years at a time when the aircraft manufacturer also faces other challenges. The agreement includes a 13% immediate raise, a 9% raise in the next two years, a 7% raise in the fourth year, and a $12,000 ratification bonus. (11/5)
Niger Inks Deal with Russia for Three Satellites (Source: Space Daily)
Niger signed a deal Friday with Glavkosmos, a subsidiary of Russia's Roscosmos space agency, to buy three satellites to boost security in the Sahel nation and its neighbors, all battling jihadist attacks. Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, all under military rule following a string of coups since 2020, joined together in September 2023 under the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), after severing ties with former colonial ruler France and pivoting towards Russia. The neighbors are all battling jihadist violence that erupted in northern Mali in 2012 and spread to Niger and Burkina Faso in 2015. (11/1)
Japan's Wooden Satellite Launches From Florida (Source: New York Times)
A SpaceX rocket launched Monday night in Florida carried the world’s first satellite model with wooden components, marking a potential shift in space engineering that marries cutting-edge technology with traditional craftsmanship. It was delivered to the ISS carrying an array of electronics. The plan is to put it into orbit in early December, according to Koji Murata, a professor of forest and biomaterials science at Kyoto University in Japan who worked on the satellite.
If successful, the invention, named LignoSat after the Latin word for wood, lignum, could open the door to other uses for wood in space. The idea originated in 2017 from a question posed by Takao Doi, a Japanese engineer and former NASA astronaut: Could a human society living in space grow trees as renewable building material?
“We were trying to think about how to build something on the moon with wood,” Mr. Murata said in an interview. But they needed to verify whether wood could be used in space. The following year, Mr. Doi began talking about how, about a hundred years ago, airplanes had been built with wood. “So why not make a satellite with wood, too?” Mr. Murata said. (11/5)
How Superman Helped Launch the Hubble Space Telescope (Source: Scientific American)
Action Comics No. 419, the issue published in 1972 with an iconic cover showing the Man of Steel hurtling into the sky, has another claim to fame. Within its pages, Superman became involved in one of the most significant chapters in the history of space science. “I’m in orbit with NASA’s Large Space Telescope, the LST. Here, well above the haze of our atmosphere, astronomers will get a crystal-clear view of the stars and planets,” Clark Kent says in the comic.
Right there on the page was a dead ringer for the real-life Hubble Space Telescope. I was baffled: How did the cartoon version of a space telescope that launched in 1990 get into a comic published in 1972? There was a clue in the story’s credits. Pete Simmons, then director of space astronomy at Grumman Aerospace Corporation (now Northrop Grumman), is credited with “technical assistance.” This was enough information for a Google search, which turned up a documentary clip from 1997.
What I learned amazed me. The Large Space Telescope was Hubble. While the project was named after astronomer Edwin Hubble in 1983, NASA had been developing plans for what it called a Large Space Telescope since the late 1960s. The agency had successfully launched its first successful space telescope, the Orbiting Astronomical Observatory 2 (OAO-2), in 1968, and by 1971 it had begun to conduct feasibility studies for a larger instrument to peer deeper into the cosmos. (11/1)
An "interstellar fireball" claimed by some scientists may not be from out of this solar system after all. The 2014 fireball had a measured velocity of 44.8 kilometers per second, higher than the sun's escape velocity, suggesting that the object was from out of the solar system. A reanalysis of that data shows that the errors on the velocity are large enough to make it unlikely that the object came from outside the solar system. Researchers added that even if the object was traveling that fast, it would have burned up completely upon entering the Earth's atmosphere, contrary to claims by scientists like Harvard's Avi Loeb who said they scooped up fragments of that object from the ocean floor. (11/5)
Satellite Reconnaissance and the Falklands War (Source: Space Review)
Only in the last decade has the extent of US support for Great Britain in the Falklands War of 1982 emerged. Dwayne Day examines new evidence of that support in the form of reconnaissance satellite imagery of the Falklands as the war neared its conclusion. Click here. (11/4)
NASA’s Infrastructure Crossroads (Source: Space Review)
Regardless of the outcome of the election, the next administration will have to deal with a NASA whose ability to carry out various missions is being degraded by aging infrastructure. Jeff Foust reports on a recent study on those problems and an ongoing effort by the agency to deal with that among other challenges. Click here. (11/4)
Comparing Harris and Trump on Space Policy (Source: Space Review)
Some have argued that Vice President Kamala Harris has not done enough in space policy in her role as chair of the National Space Council. Jonathan Coopersmith argues that Harris sets herself apart from Trump on the topic in several ways. Click here. (11/4)
The Case for Space Policy Stability in the Next Administration (Source: Space Review)
There may be vast differences in policies in the next administration in many areas depending on who wins Tuesday’s presidential election. Thomas G. Roberts explains why, in the area of space, one should expect stability and continuity regardless of who wins. Click here. (11/4)
Russia Launches 50 Satellites on Soyuz From Vostochny (Source: TASS)
A Soyuz rocket launched more than 50 satellites Monday. A Soyuz-2.1b rocket launched from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia's Far East at 6:18 p.m. Eastern. The primary payload for the launch was a pair of Ionosfera-M heliophysics satellites. The rocket also carried 53 secondary payloads, including 28 smallsats by Russian company Sputnix for ship tracking and other applications and two satellites from Iran. (11/5)
NASA VIPER Decision in Early 2025 (Source: Space News)
NASA expects to determine next steps for the canceled VIPER rover mission by early next year. At a conference last week, officials said they received 11 responses to a request for information about potential partnerships through which a company or organization would take over the lunar rover mission, and is currently evaluating them to see which may be worth pursuing. NASA announced in July it was canceling VIPER because of cost and schedule overruns, even though the rover is now complete. VIPER has since completed environmental testing with flying colors. (11/5)
Rocket Lab to Offer Neutron in Upcoming Space Force On-Ramp (Source: Space News)
Rocket Lab plans to offer its Neutron rocket to the Space Force in an upcoming contract on-ramp. Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck said in an interview that the company will respond to a request for proposals released last week by the Space Force for the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 Lane 1 program, which currently has contracts with Blue Origin, SpaceX and United Launch Alliance.
The Space Force offers annual on-ramps for new providers, and the current call for proposals is open to companies that will be ready for a first launch by December 2025. Beck said he expects Rocket Lab to have Neutron ready by that deadline. Lane 1 is designed for missions that can accept higher risks and is intended to facilitate faster launches of less sensitive payloads. (11/5)
Rocket Lab Launches Electron Mission From New Zealand (Source: Space News)
Rocket Lab carried out an Electron launch this morning for a confidential customer. The Electron lifted off at 5:54 a.m. Eastern from the company's Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand, and Rocket Lab declared success about an hour later. The "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes" carried a payload for an undisclosed commercial customer, with Rocket Lab adding the mission to the manifest just last month. Rocket Lab did not disclose any details about the payload or customer. One potential customer for the mission is E-Space, which filed for an authorization to launch a payload in September according to New Zealand government documents. (11/5)
SpaceX Launches ISS Cargo Mission at Cape Canaveral Spaceport (Source: Space News)
SpaceX launched a Dragon cargo spacecraft Monday night. A Falcon 9 lifted off from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39A at 9:29 p.m. Eastern and deployed the Dragon into orbit nine and a half minutes later. The Dragon, flying the CRS-31 cargo mission, is scheduled to dock with the International Space Station at about 10:15 a.m. Eastern this morning and deliver 2,762 kilograms of supplies and experiments.
Later this week NASA will use the Dragon to conduct a reboost maneuver for the station, the first time a Dragon has been used for that purpose. NASA and SpaceX said that maneuver is a test to expand the capabilities of visiting vehicles like Dragon and give SpaceX experience for the Dragon-derived U.S. Deorbit Vehicle it is building for NASA to deorbit the ISS at the end of its life. (11/5)
Is There a Hidden Planet in Our Solar System? Astronomers Say the Moment of Truth is Near (Source: CNN)
Because objects in the Kuiper Belt are so far away from the sun, however, they are difficult to spot. For more than a decade, astronomers have been searching that area for a hidden planet that has never been observed, but its presence is inferred by the behavior of other nearby objects. It’s often called Planet X or Planet Nine. Soon, the debate could be settled, once a new telescope capable of surveying the entire available sky every few nights comes online in late 2025. Until then, a team of researchers believes it has found the most compelling evidence yet that the hidden planet is real.
Amid controversies and diverging opinions, all of the researchers agree on one thing. A new wide-angle telescope currently under construction could soon put the debate to rest, once the US National Science Foundation and Stanford University researchers start scientific operations in late 2025. Called the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, it has the largest digital camera ever built and sits atop an 8,800-foot mountain in northern Chile. (11/5)
Boeing Workers OK Offer, Ending Costly Strike (Source: CNN)
Boeing workers represented by the International Association of Machinists have voted to accept a contract offer, ending a strike that began in September and has been the costliest in the US in more than 25 years at a time when the aircraft manufacturer also faces other challenges. The agreement includes a 13% immediate raise, a 9% raise in the next two years, a 7% raise in the fourth year, and a $12,000 ratification bonus. (11/5)
Niger Inks Deal with Russia for Three Satellites (Source: Space Daily)
Niger signed a deal Friday with Glavkosmos, a subsidiary of Russia's Roscosmos space agency, to buy three satellites to boost security in the Sahel nation and its neighbors, all battling jihadist attacks. Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, all under military rule following a string of coups since 2020, joined together in September 2023 under the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), after severing ties with former colonial ruler France and pivoting towards Russia. The neighbors are all battling jihadist violence that erupted in northern Mali in 2012 and spread to Niger and Burkina Faso in 2015. (11/1)
Japan's Wooden Satellite Launches From Florida (Source: New York Times)
A SpaceX rocket launched Monday night in Florida carried the world’s first satellite model with wooden components, marking a potential shift in space engineering that marries cutting-edge technology with traditional craftsmanship. It was delivered to the ISS carrying an array of electronics. The plan is to put it into orbit in early December, according to Koji Murata, a professor of forest and biomaterials science at Kyoto University in Japan who worked on the satellite.
If successful, the invention, named LignoSat after the Latin word for wood, lignum, could open the door to other uses for wood in space. The idea originated in 2017 from a question posed by Takao Doi, a Japanese engineer and former NASA astronaut: Could a human society living in space grow trees as renewable building material?
“We were trying to think about how to build something on the moon with wood,” Mr. Murata said in an interview. But they needed to verify whether wood could be used in space. The following year, Mr. Doi began talking about how, about a hundred years ago, airplanes had been built with wood. “So why not make a satellite with wood, too?” Mr. Murata said. (11/5)
How Superman Helped Launch the Hubble Space Telescope (Source: Scientific American)
Action Comics No. 419, the issue published in 1972 with an iconic cover showing the Man of Steel hurtling into the sky, has another claim to fame. Within its pages, Superman became involved in one of the most significant chapters in the history of space science. “I’m in orbit with NASA’s Large Space Telescope, the LST. Here, well above the haze of our atmosphere, astronomers will get a crystal-clear view of the stars and planets,” Clark Kent says in the comic.
Right there on the page was a dead ringer for the real-life Hubble Space Telescope. I was baffled: How did the cartoon version of a space telescope that launched in 1990 get into a comic published in 1972? There was a clue in the story’s credits. Pete Simmons, then director of space astronomy at Grumman Aerospace Corporation (now Northrop Grumman), is credited with “technical assistance.” This was enough information for a Google search, which turned up a documentary clip from 1997.
What I learned amazed me. The Large Space Telescope was Hubble. While the project was named after astronomer Edwin Hubble in 1983, NASA had been developing plans for what it called a Large Space Telescope since the late 1960s. The agency had successfully launched its first successful space telescope, the Orbiting Astronomical Observatory 2 (OAO-2), in 1968, and by 1971 it had begun to conduct feasibility studies for a larger instrument to peer deeper into the cosmos. (11/1)
November 4, 2024
$7 Billion Project to Create
Australian Military Satellites Axed Amid Defense Spending Review (Source:
ABC.net)
A $7 billion program to create an Australian military-grade satellite communications system has been cancelled, with the prime minister insisting the government is busy "prioritizing" all defense purchases. Eighteen months ago, US defense giant Lockheed Martin was selected to deliver a hardened network of three to five satellites to provide high-level protection against cyber and electronic warfare attacks in what would have been Australia's largest-ever defense space contract. (11/3)
UK Intel-Gathering Boosted as Space Command Gets Second Surveillance Satellite (Source: BFBS Forces News)
Armed Forces personnel are to be given access to the latest surveillance data after a deal was signed to launch a new satellite. The Juno satellite will have advanced imagery sensors to capture daytime images of the Earth's surface. It is expected to launch in 2027 and will build on the capabilities of Tyche, UK Space Command's first satellite, which successfully launched in August this year.
Both satellites form part of the MOD's space-based Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance program, which will deliver a constellation of satellites and supporting ground systems by 2031. (11/4)
Would Donald Trump Bring Space Command to Huntsville? What His Presidency Would Mean for Alabama (Source: AL.com)
Alabama can count on one specific benefit if Donald Trump wins Tuesday’s election - moving the headquarters of the Space Command headquarters to Huntsville, Republicans say. Trump supported the Air Force’s decision in January 2021 to pick Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville for the headquarters. But Biden overturned that decision last year and said the headquarters should be in Colorado Springs. Winning the base will mean at least 1,600 new jobs for Alabama and more as the command and its missions grow. (11/3)
Spaceport Approved for Southern Australia (Source: ABC.net)
South Australia's planning minister has granted the final government approval required for a proposed rocket launching complex on the Eyre Peninsula. The Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex has been in the making for the past five years and has drawn significant opposition from environmental groups and some local residents, with a number of protests taking place. Approval from Planning Minister Nick Champion was the final hurdle for the Adelaide-based space launch provider Southern Launch project. The company's chief executive Lloyd Damp said he wanted to be launching rockets out of Whalers Way by the end of next year. (11/3)
Gilmour Space Technologies Given Green Light to Launch Australia's First Commercial Orbital Rocket (Source: ABC.net)
A Queensland space company is set to make history after being given the green light to launch Australia's first commercial orbital rocket. Adam Gilmour, CEO of Gilmour Space Technologies, said he was notified by the Australian Space Agency (ASA) earlier on Monday that the permit to launch their 25-meter rocket from Bowen, a small north Queensland town, into low Earth orbit had been granted.
"I got a call from the head of the regulatory department of the space agency, and then about five minutes later, I got an email from the space agency saying that Minister [Ed] Husic had approved the permit today," Mr Gilmour said. (11/4)
Space Resources Challenge Seeks Innovators for Lunar Technologies (Source: Space Daily)
The European Space Agency (ESA) has launched the latest Space Resources Challenge, inviting participants to help develop technologies that will enable humanity to establish a sustainable presence on the Moon. The competition is open to a wide range of innovators, from students to space technology start-ups, and is organized in collaboration with the Luxembourg Space Agency and the European Space Resources Innovation Centre (ESRIC), with Exotopic providing support as a Team Partner.
The challenge aims to advance in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) technologies, enabling the extraction and use of resources directly from the lunar surface. These technologies are crucial to reduce reliance on Earth-supplied resources and foster sustainability in space exploration. Lunar regolith, the Moon's surface soil, can be processed to extract oxygen and metals such as silicon, iron, and aluminum, which could be used for construction. (11/3)
How Space Helps Us Approach Problems Differently (Source; TEDx Talks)
In this talk, Erika Wagner explores how breaking down barriers to space can unlock unprecedented opportunities for innovation and creativity across diverse fields. From pioneering initiatives to collaborations, looking towards her dream of going to space, Erika will share her vision of a future where space is not only a frontier for exploration but also a platform for advancing knowledge, fostering creativity, and driving entrepreneurial success.
Dr. Erika Wagner, serves as Senior Director of Emerging Market Development for Blue Origin. Previously, Dr. Wagner worked with the XPRIZE Foundation as Senior Director of Exploration Prize Development and founding Executive Director of the XPRIZE Lab at MIT. She is a trustee of the Museum of Flight, an honoree of the Space Camp Hall of Fame. Click here. (10/7)
Vega Star System Discovery Forces Us to Rethink Planet Formation (Source: Earth.com)
It appears the Vega disk is phenomenally smooth. The characteristic churning and plowing seen in other stellar disks, usually caused by planets, is absent here. In fact, the Vega disk seems almost as flat as a pancake, showing no evidence of any planets. This challenges our previous understanding and calls for a reassessment of the variety of planetary systems. “Our observations of Vega surprise us at every turn, and force us to rethink our understanding of exoplanetary systems,” said study lead author Kate Su. (11/2)
SpaceX Wants to Test Refueling Starships in Space Early Next Year (Source: Tech Crunch)
SpaceX will attempt to transfer propellant from one orbiting Starship to another as early as next March, a technical milestone that will pave the way for an uncrewed landing demonstration of a Starship on the moon, a NASA official said this week.
Much has been made of Starship’s potential to transform the commercial space industry, but NASA is also hanging its hopes that the vehicle will return humans to the moon under the Artemis program. The space agency awarded the company a $4.05 billion contract for two human-rated Starship vehicles, with the upper stage (also called Starship) landing astronauts on the surface of the moon for the first time since the Apollo era. The crewed landing is currently scheduled for September 2026. (11/1)
SpaceX’s $2.9 Billion NASA Ship To Land Astronauts On Moon Revealed (Source: WCCF Tech)
SpaceX's multi billion dollar Starship Human Landing System (HLS) rocket for NASA's Artemis program to land the first humans on the Moon since the Apollo program will have at least two floors and be capable of carrying a crew of 20 astronauts suggest fresh details on X. While SpaceX has been busy testing the full Starship test in Boca Chica, Texas, the firm has shared little details about the $2.9 billion contract that NASA awarded it in 2021 to build the HLS.
Now, according to an educator who recently visited SpaceX's Texas facilities, Starship HLS' early design mock ups include two floors and space sufficient to support 20 astronauts in a space with a 40 feet high ceiling. The Starship prototype Tom Blackmore viewed during his visit to SpaceX's Boca Chica, Texas facilities, is a subscale variant of the final HLS ship. Since HLS is in the early stages of design and SpaceX has yet to manufacture the ship, the firm is working with NASA and astronauts to fine-tune its design.
According to Blackmore, the prototype he visited had two floors. The first floor is on top of the ship's tanks and has a curved floor. This floor houses the life support equipment for the crew housing on the floor above, and the curve is big enough to be barely noticeable, according to the educator. At the center of the room is a four feet wide ladder that goes up to the second floor of the Starship HLS prototype. (11/2)
NASA Urges Continuity in Space Programs in Transition to New Administration (Source: Space News)
NASA is urging continuity in its human spaceflight plans in the next administration. In a talk last week, NASA Associate Administrator Jim Free said the agency needed "consistency in purpose" in its human spaceflight efforts, currently focused on the Artemis campaign to return humans to the moon, warning that a change in destinations could result in a loss of U.S. leadership.
He did not discuss any specific concerns about changes in Artemis, and both the Harris and Trump campaigns, in formal documents like party platforms, have endorsed a human return to the moon. However, in recent campaign speeches Trump has suggested an accelerated program of human missions to Mars using SpaceX, after Elon Musk said his company could be ready for crewed Starship missions to Mars as soon as the 2028 launch window. Most in industry are highly skeptical of that timeline. (11/4)
Airbus Keeping Options Open for Consolidation (Source: Space News)
The CEO of Airbus said he is keeping his options open about consolidating part or all of his company's space business with other European firms. In an earnings call last week, Guillaume Faury said improving the space business at Airbus Defence and Space "starts with ourselves" through internal changes.
He acknowledged, though, that there is "potential for consolidation in Europe" that could involve merging the entire Airbus space business with another company, like Thales Alenia Space, or only parts of it. Airbus, which took a charge against earnings of nearly $1 billion earlier this year on space programs, said it is still auditing one unnamed space program in the company, a process that should be completed by the end of the year. (11/4)
China's TSS Crew Returns to Earth (Source: Xinhua)
Three Chinese astronauts returned to Earth Sunday after six months on the Tiangong space station. The Shenzhou-18 spacecraft landed in Inner Mongolia at 12:24 p.m. Eastern, several hours after undocking from Tiangong. The spacecraft returned Chinese astronauts Ye Guangfu, Li Cong and Li Guangsu after 192 days in space. A new crew for Tiangong arrived last week on the Shenzhou-19 mission. (11/4)
Japan Launches Military Satellite (Source: Space News)
Japan launched a military communications satellite early Monday. An H3 rocket lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center at 1:48 a.m. Eastern and deployed the Kirameki 3 satellite into a geostationary transfer orbit nearly a half-hour later. The satellite will provide military communications services. The launch was the fourth for the H3 and the third successful one after a failure on its inaugural flight in 2023. (11/4)
SpaceX Scrubs Florida Starlink Launch for Helium Pressurization Issue (Source: Florida Today)
SpaceX scrubbed a Falcon 9 launch Sunday because of a technical problem. The company called off the launch from Cape Canaveral because of an issue with the helium pressurization system on the rocket's first stage identified about two and a half minutes before the scheduled 4:57 p.m. Eastern liftoff. SpaceX said both the rocket and its payload of Starlink satellites are healthy but did immediately not announce a new launch date but is expected to slip to at least Tuesday. (11/4)
Dragon Capsule Relocated on ISS by Starliner Astronauts (Source: Space.com)
A Crew Dragon spacecraft moved from one docking port to another on the International Space Station Sunday. The Crew-9 Crew Dragon spacecraft undocked from the forward port on the Harmony module at 6:35 a.m. Eastern, docking with the zenith port of the module 50 minutes later. The relocation frees up the forward port for the next cargo Dragon spacecraft, scheduled to launch Monday night and dock with the station Tuesday morning. (11/4)
NEOWISE Science Satellite Reenters (Source: AsteroidWatch)
NASA's NEOWISE spacecraft has reentered. NASA said Saturday that the spacecraft reentered at 8:49 p.m. Eastern Friday, three months after its mission formally ended. NASA launched the spacecraft in 2009 as WISE, for Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, and repurposed it in 2013 as NEOWISE, a space telescope to look for near Earth objects. NASA used the experience from NEOWISE to guide the development of a larger mission, NEO Surveyor, that will launch by mid-2028 to continue space-based searchers of potentially hazardous asteroids. (11/4)
A $7 billion program to create an Australian military-grade satellite communications system has been cancelled, with the prime minister insisting the government is busy "prioritizing" all defense purchases. Eighteen months ago, US defense giant Lockheed Martin was selected to deliver a hardened network of three to five satellites to provide high-level protection against cyber and electronic warfare attacks in what would have been Australia's largest-ever defense space contract. (11/3)
UK Intel-Gathering Boosted as Space Command Gets Second Surveillance Satellite (Source: BFBS Forces News)
Armed Forces personnel are to be given access to the latest surveillance data after a deal was signed to launch a new satellite. The Juno satellite will have advanced imagery sensors to capture daytime images of the Earth's surface. It is expected to launch in 2027 and will build on the capabilities of Tyche, UK Space Command's first satellite, which successfully launched in August this year.
Both satellites form part of the MOD's space-based Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance program, which will deliver a constellation of satellites and supporting ground systems by 2031. (11/4)
Would Donald Trump Bring Space Command to Huntsville? What His Presidency Would Mean for Alabama (Source: AL.com)
Alabama can count on one specific benefit if Donald Trump wins Tuesday’s election - moving the headquarters of the Space Command headquarters to Huntsville, Republicans say. Trump supported the Air Force’s decision in January 2021 to pick Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville for the headquarters. But Biden overturned that decision last year and said the headquarters should be in Colorado Springs. Winning the base will mean at least 1,600 new jobs for Alabama and more as the command and its missions grow. (11/3)
Spaceport Approved for Southern Australia (Source: ABC.net)
South Australia's planning minister has granted the final government approval required for a proposed rocket launching complex on the Eyre Peninsula. The Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex has been in the making for the past five years and has drawn significant opposition from environmental groups and some local residents, with a number of protests taking place. Approval from Planning Minister Nick Champion was the final hurdle for the Adelaide-based space launch provider Southern Launch project. The company's chief executive Lloyd Damp said he wanted to be launching rockets out of Whalers Way by the end of next year. (11/3)
Gilmour Space Technologies Given Green Light to Launch Australia's First Commercial Orbital Rocket (Source: ABC.net)
A Queensland space company is set to make history after being given the green light to launch Australia's first commercial orbital rocket. Adam Gilmour, CEO of Gilmour Space Technologies, said he was notified by the Australian Space Agency (ASA) earlier on Monday that the permit to launch their 25-meter rocket from Bowen, a small north Queensland town, into low Earth orbit had been granted.
"I got a call from the head of the regulatory department of the space agency, and then about five minutes later, I got an email from the space agency saying that Minister [Ed] Husic had approved the permit today," Mr Gilmour said. (11/4)
Space Resources Challenge Seeks Innovators for Lunar Technologies (Source: Space Daily)
The European Space Agency (ESA) has launched the latest Space Resources Challenge, inviting participants to help develop technologies that will enable humanity to establish a sustainable presence on the Moon. The competition is open to a wide range of innovators, from students to space technology start-ups, and is organized in collaboration with the Luxembourg Space Agency and the European Space Resources Innovation Centre (ESRIC), with Exotopic providing support as a Team Partner.
The challenge aims to advance in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) technologies, enabling the extraction and use of resources directly from the lunar surface. These technologies are crucial to reduce reliance on Earth-supplied resources and foster sustainability in space exploration. Lunar regolith, the Moon's surface soil, can be processed to extract oxygen and metals such as silicon, iron, and aluminum, which could be used for construction. (11/3)
How Space Helps Us Approach Problems Differently (Source; TEDx Talks)
In this talk, Erika Wagner explores how breaking down barriers to space can unlock unprecedented opportunities for innovation and creativity across diverse fields. From pioneering initiatives to collaborations, looking towards her dream of going to space, Erika will share her vision of a future where space is not only a frontier for exploration but also a platform for advancing knowledge, fostering creativity, and driving entrepreneurial success.
Dr. Erika Wagner, serves as Senior Director of Emerging Market Development for Blue Origin. Previously, Dr. Wagner worked with the XPRIZE Foundation as Senior Director of Exploration Prize Development and founding Executive Director of the XPRIZE Lab at MIT. She is a trustee of the Museum of Flight, an honoree of the Space Camp Hall of Fame. Click here. (10/7)
Vega Star System Discovery Forces Us to Rethink Planet Formation (Source: Earth.com)
It appears the Vega disk is phenomenally smooth. The characteristic churning and plowing seen in other stellar disks, usually caused by planets, is absent here. In fact, the Vega disk seems almost as flat as a pancake, showing no evidence of any planets. This challenges our previous understanding and calls for a reassessment of the variety of planetary systems. “Our observations of Vega surprise us at every turn, and force us to rethink our understanding of exoplanetary systems,” said study lead author Kate Su. (11/2)
SpaceX Wants to Test Refueling Starships in Space Early Next Year (Source: Tech Crunch)
SpaceX will attempt to transfer propellant from one orbiting Starship to another as early as next March, a technical milestone that will pave the way for an uncrewed landing demonstration of a Starship on the moon, a NASA official said this week.
Much has been made of Starship’s potential to transform the commercial space industry, but NASA is also hanging its hopes that the vehicle will return humans to the moon under the Artemis program. The space agency awarded the company a $4.05 billion contract for two human-rated Starship vehicles, with the upper stage (also called Starship) landing astronauts on the surface of the moon for the first time since the Apollo era. The crewed landing is currently scheduled for September 2026. (11/1)
SpaceX’s $2.9 Billion NASA Ship To Land Astronauts On Moon Revealed (Source: WCCF Tech)
SpaceX's multi billion dollar Starship Human Landing System (HLS) rocket for NASA's Artemis program to land the first humans on the Moon since the Apollo program will have at least two floors and be capable of carrying a crew of 20 astronauts suggest fresh details on X. While SpaceX has been busy testing the full Starship test in Boca Chica, Texas, the firm has shared little details about the $2.9 billion contract that NASA awarded it in 2021 to build the HLS.
Now, according to an educator who recently visited SpaceX's Texas facilities, Starship HLS' early design mock ups include two floors and space sufficient to support 20 astronauts in a space with a 40 feet high ceiling. The Starship prototype Tom Blackmore viewed during his visit to SpaceX's Boca Chica, Texas facilities, is a subscale variant of the final HLS ship. Since HLS is in the early stages of design and SpaceX has yet to manufacture the ship, the firm is working with NASA and astronauts to fine-tune its design.
According to Blackmore, the prototype he visited had two floors. The first floor is on top of the ship's tanks and has a curved floor. This floor houses the life support equipment for the crew housing on the floor above, and the curve is big enough to be barely noticeable, according to the educator. At the center of the room is a four feet wide ladder that goes up to the second floor of the Starship HLS prototype. (11/2)
NASA Urges Continuity in Space Programs in Transition to New Administration (Source: Space News)
NASA is urging continuity in its human spaceflight plans in the next administration. In a talk last week, NASA Associate Administrator Jim Free said the agency needed "consistency in purpose" in its human spaceflight efforts, currently focused on the Artemis campaign to return humans to the moon, warning that a change in destinations could result in a loss of U.S. leadership.
He did not discuss any specific concerns about changes in Artemis, and both the Harris and Trump campaigns, in formal documents like party platforms, have endorsed a human return to the moon. However, in recent campaign speeches Trump has suggested an accelerated program of human missions to Mars using SpaceX, after Elon Musk said his company could be ready for crewed Starship missions to Mars as soon as the 2028 launch window. Most in industry are highly skeptical of that timeline. (11/4)
Airbus Keeping Options Open for Consolidation (Source: Space News)
The CEO of Airbus said he is keeping his options open about consolidating part or all of his company's space business with other European firms. In an earnings call last week, Guillaume Faury said improving the space business at Airbus Defence and Space "starts with ourselves" through internal changes.
He acknowledged, though, that there is "potential for consolidation in Europe" that could involve merging the entire Airbus space business with another company, like Thales Alenia Space, or only parts of it. Airbus, which took a charge against earnings of nearly $1 billion earlier this year on space programs, said it is still auditing one unnamed space program in the company, a process that should be completed by the end of the year. (11/4)
China's TSS Crew Returns to Earth (Source: Xinhua)
Three Chinese astronauts returned to Earth Sunday after six months on the Tiangong space station. The Shenzhou-18 spacecraft landed in Inner Mongolia at 12:24 p.m. Eastern, several hours after undocking from Tiangong. The spacecraft returned Chinese astronauts Ye Guangfu, Li Cong and Li Guangsu after 192 days in space. A new crew for Tiangong arrived last week on the Shenzhou-19 mission. (11/4)
Japan Launches Military Satellite (Source: Space News)
Japan launched a military communications satellite early Monday. An H3 rocket lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center at 1:48 a.m. Eastern and deployed the Kirameki 3 satellite into a geostationary transfer orbit nearly a half-hour later. The satellite will provide military communications services. The launch was the fourth for the H3 and the third successful one after a failure on its inaugural flight in 2023. (11/4)
SpaceX Scrubs Florida Starlink Launch for Helium Pressurization Issue (Source: Florida Today)
SpaceX scrubbed a Falcon 9 launch Sunday because of a technical problem. The company called off the launch from Cape Canaveral because of an issue with the helium pressurization system on the rocket's first stage identified about two and a half minutes before the scheduled 4:57 p.m. Eastern liftoff. SpaceX said both the rocket and its payload of Starlink satellites are healthy but did immediately not announce a new launch date but is expected to slip to at least Tuesday. (11/4)
Dragon Capsule Relocated on ISS by Starliner Astronauts (Source: Space.com)
A Crew Dragon spacecraft moved from one docking port to another on the International Space Station Sunday. The Crew-9 Crew Dragon spacecraft undocked from the forward port on the Harmony module at 6:35 a.m. Eastern, docking with the zenith port of the module 50 minutes later. The relocation frees up the forward port for the next cargo Dragon spacecraft, scheduled to launch Monday night and dock with the station Tuesday morning. (11/4)
NEOWISE Science Satellite Reenters (Source: AsteroidWatch)
NASA's NEOWISE spacecraft has reentered. NASA said Saturday that the spacecraft reentered at 8:49 p.m. Eastern Friday, three months after its mission formally ended. NASA launched the spacecraft in 2009 as WISE, for Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, and repurposed it in 2013 as NEOWISE, a space telescope to look for near Earth objects. NASA used the experience from NEOWISE to guide the development of a larger mission, NEO Surveyor, that will launch by mid-2028 to continue space-based searchers of potentially hazardous asteroids. (11/4)
November 3, 2024
UF Space Institute Aims to Boost
University Space Collaborations (Source: UF)
Just as Astraeus guided the celestial bodies across the heavens in Greek mythology, the Astraeus Space Institute gathers a constellation of academic stars at UF for collaborative research that supports humanity’s ability to explore the universe and curates new partnerships essential to space exploration.
The UF Astraeus Space Institute is a front door for people who have shared curiosity and skills to help humans thrive as we explore our vast universe. With funding from the UF President’s Strategic Funding Initiative and UF Research, the institute is supporting interdisciplinary seed projects, recruiting world-class leaders in space science and technology, and promoting its capabilities in space mission innovation. (11/1)
Uruguay Plans Spaceport (Source: ATRIA)
After over 18 months of dedicated and strategic work, ATRIA Spaceport has emerged as a strong, highly technical with experienced executive team focused on the development of private and commercial spaceports and spaceport solutions, that are ready to meet the aerospace and growing global spaceport demand for space launch and launch expertise. We aim to establish a cutting-edge spaceport that harnesses Uruguay’s unique strategic location and favorable conditions to deliver an unmatched launch site for commercial missions. (10/30)
Just as Astraeus guided the celestial bodies across the heavens in Greek mythology, the Astraeus Space Institute gathers a constellation of academic stars at UF for collaborative research that supports humanity’s ability to explore the universe and curates new partnerships essential to space exploration.
The UF Astraeus Space Institute is a front door for people who have shared curiosity and skills to help humans thrive as we explore our vast universe. With funding from the UF President’s Strategic Funding Initiative and UF Research, the institute is supporting interdisciplinary seed projects, recruiting world-class leaders in space science and technology, and promoting its capabilities in space mission innovation. (11/1)
Uruguay Plans Spaceport (Source: ATRIA)
After over 18 months of dedicated and strategic work, ATRIA Spaceport has emerged as a strong, highly technical with experienced executive team focused on the development of private and commercial spaceports and spaceport solutions, that are ready to meet the aerospace and growing global spaceport demand for space launch and launch expertise. We aim to establish a cutting-edge spaceport that harnesses Uruguay’s unique strategic location and favorable conditions to deliver an unmatched launch site for commercial missions. (10/30)
November 2, 2024
Relativity Space Faces Cash Drain,
Exploring Options (Source: Bloomberg)
Relativity Space Inc., the privately held US maker of 3D-printed rockets that once soared to a $4.2 billion valuation, is running low on cash, raising questions about the future of its launch business, people familiar with the matter said. The company has faced challenges raising additional capital, said the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the matter is confidential. Relativity, which last launched a rocket in March 2023 and has plans to launch its larger Terran R in 2026, hasn’t reached a decision on a path forward.
In 2021, Relativity received a valuation of $4.2 billion after closing a Series E funding round of $650 million. The company then went on to launch its first rocket, the Terran 1, in March 2023. The rocket, which Relativity said was roughly 85% 3D printed, successfully launched and made it to space, but failed to reach orbit. Weeks after that flight, Relativity announced that it was abandoning further test launches of Terran 1 to focus solely on development of a larger rocket called Terran R that would compete more directly with SpaceX’s Falcon 9.
The company also announced plans to incorporate more traditional manufacturing methods with Terran R, moving away from using 3D printing. Relativity claimed that Terran R would be ready to start launching in 2026. However, the company has been relatively quiet about its progress throughout 2024. Relativity also “debuted” a picture of Terran R’s nose cone in August, but later confirmed the image was of one made for Europe’s Ariane 6 rocket, indicating that the company would be outsourcing the manufacturing of its nose cone to an outside company. (11/1)
The Uber-Optimistic History and Prolonged Future of Space Tourism (Source; Popular Science)
The space tourism industry may still suffer from a supernova-sized helping of hype, as it did twenty-five years ago, but today there are many more companies with more resources, and a growing track record of successful commercial flights.
If there’s a silver lining to the excessive hype, Americans have no expectation that they’ll be shuttling off to space resorts anytime soon, or taking luxury tours of the Moon. Besides Space Adventures, travel companies are just not clamoring to enter the space tourism business. And while a 2023 Pew Research Center poll found that 55 percent of Americans do expect space tourism to become routine, they don’t expect it to be available to the masses for another half century. Unless you have a $100 million or so to spare, off-world vacations still seem, well, a long way off. (11/1)
What is Happening with Boeing’s Starliner Spacecraft? (Source: Ars Technica)
Boeing has been steadfastly silent about the fate of Starliner. In lieu of speaking publicly, Boeing issued a terse statement early on the morning of September 8, attributing it to Mark Nappi, vice president and program manager of Boeing's commercial crew program. "We will review the data and determine the next steps for the program," Nappi said, in part. And since then? Nothing. Requests for comment from Boeing have gone unanswered.
The simple explanation is that the storied aviation company, which has a new chief executive named Kelly Ortberg, remains in the midst of evaluating Boeing's various lines of business. NASA will also have a say in what happens to Starliner. In particular, if the space agency wants to have a second crew transportation system, it probably will need to find a way to help Boeing defray some of the costs of certification of Starliner for operational crew missions to the station.
One way of doing this may be to pay Boeing to fly a cargo mission to the International Space Station. That is, the space agency and Boeing could test the company's repairs to its propulsion system and the leaks in its helium pressurization system by flying food, water, science experiments, and other cargo to the station. Success on an uncrewed mission would help pave the way toward certification. (11/1)
Launch: The Fundamental Prerequisite for Space Superiority (Source: Bloomberg)
Despite having three providers in NSSL and 12 in OSP-4, more launch providers are needed. Because the Vulcan and New Glenn are new boosters, challenges will likely emerge through continued testing and operations. Reliance on the same rocket engine for both raises concerns that problems with one could ground both; the fact that only six of 12 OSP-4 providers have conducted successful launches is also a concern.
By continuing to pursue multiple launch providers, the Space Force can increase confidence and cadence to meet the resulting demand. Alternate providers should also expand supply chains and diversify manufacturing processes, reducing the risk that one failure grounds all or most space launches. Click here. (11/1)
Flyover Video at Cape Canaveral Spaceport Reveals Hints at Starship's Move to Florida (Source: NSF)
In this month’s KSC Flyover, we explore the Space Coast’s bustling activity! SpaceX is stirring excitement with new hardware that hints at upcoming Starship plans in Florida, and Blue Origin is closing in on the debut launch of New Glenn. We’ll also take a look at the damage from Hurricane Milton and how it’s affected facilities across Kennedy Space Center. Click here. (10/29)
Tactically Responsive Space Bolsters US Defense (Source: Center for Strategic and International Studies)
The Tactically Responsive Space program is a promising initiative aimed at enhancing the Defense Department's ability to quickly respond to on-orbit threats, such as potential antisatellite weapons from adversaries. The program has demonstrated success with the Victus Nox mission and plans to conduct a more complex mission, Victus Haze, in 2025, writes expert John Plumb. (10/31)
Starship Preparations to Return to Cape Canaveral Spaceport Facility (Source: NSF)
SpaceX is laying the groundwork for expansion at its Roberts Road facility in Florida. These developments include new buildings, property expansions, and Starship’s production in Florida. SpaceX has already made two attempts to bring Starship to Cape Canaveral but both have stalled out. In the area already acquired by HangarX, where Falcon 9’s boosters are refurbished, a second larger building, originally planned to be a Starfactory, was created with the belief that it would be used for Starship production.
Space was also cleared around what became HangarX2 for the first mega bay in Florida to stack starship parts from the facility. However, only the foundation of the mega bay was completed. A new tent is beginning to be raised on the ground of the Roberts Road facility in place of where the SLC-40 tower was built, stretching the whole way to what was the intended mega bay foundation. This tent is roughly 40 meters wide and 140 meters long — this is longer than the old tents at the Starbase build site, which were 35 meters wide and 114 meters long.
This new tent could be used for various reasons, like building the new tower sections or orbital launch mount components in a controlled environment, or it could be the beginning of bringing Starship production back to Florida. If Starship is to return, SpaceX would likely first bring the most essential parts of the process to KSC. This tent has around 40% more ground space than the old tents at Starbase, and it has the benefit of being taller on the edges, which could make building nosecones or beginning stacking ring sections much more manageable. (11/1)
Multimode Propulsion Could Revolutionize How We Launch Things to Space (Source: Universe Today)
In a recent NASA-supported study, a team of researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign investigated a new method of sending spacecraft to the Moon. It is known as “multimode propulsion,” a method that integrates a high-thrust chemical mode and a low-thrust electric mode – while using the same propellant. This system has several advantages over other forms of propulsion, not the least of which include being lighter and more cost-effective. With a little luck, NASA could rely on multimode propulsion-equipped spacecraft to achieve many of its Artemis objectives. (11/1)
Hypersonic Program At Risk After Reaction Engines Goes Belly Up (Sources: New Atlas, Breaking Defense)
A major player in aerospace innovation has bitten the dust. Reaction Engines, a developer of hypersonic engine technology since 1989, has gone into administration and its closure is having a major impact on the hypersonic weapons program of Britain and others. Reaction Engines focused on developing advanced space propulsion systems. Its primary goal was to one day build the company's Skylon spaceplane, though it also farmed out its key technologies to other projects and conducted tests for customers, including the US Air Force.
The company's Synergetic Air Breathing Rocket Engine (SABRE), with its regenerative cooling system that could protect a hypersonic jet engine by instantly cooling the incoming air using liquid hydrogen, attracted investors such as BAE Systems, which purchased 20% of Reaction Engines stock in 2015, and led to funds coming from Boeing, Rolls-Royce, and others. However, this year, the company found itself in major financial difficulties due to unexpectedly slow growth and the inability to secure an additional £150 million (US$193 million) in funding, followed by BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce being unwilling to put up bail-out capital.
The UK Ministry of Defense said it will continue to “closely monitor all our supply chains” as it reels from the collapse of Reaction Engines, the high speed propulsion manufacturer and industry lead on London’s quest to develop a reusable Mach 5 and beyond aircraft under the Hypersonic Air Vehicle Experimental (HVX) program. (10/31)
Apple Commits $1.5 Billion to Globalstar for Expanded iPhone Satellite Services (Source: CNBC)
Apple committed about $1.5 billion to satellite communications company Globalstar to fund the expansion of iPhone services, the companies disclosed in a securities filing on Friday. The tech giant’s deal with Globalstar includes $1.1 billion in cash, of which $232 million will go toward the satellite company’s current debt, and a 20% equity stake. The deal is expected to close on Tuesday.
Apple has already been spending hundreds of millions for Globlastar services, which enabled the 2022 rollout of iPhone emergency satellite texting. It is one of several efforts in the direct-to-device, or D2D, satellite connectivity market. (11/1)
Father-Daughter Team Decodes 'Alien Signal' from Mars (Source: Live Science)
A father-daughter team has decoded a mock "alien" message after a year of trying. Now, citizen scientists are trying to figure out what the decoded missive truly means for Earth. According to the European Space Agency (ESA), Ken and Keli Chaffin from the U.S. were the first to crack the code, which was sent from ESA's ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter as part of a citizen science project in May 2023. Three radio observatories on Earth heard the message, and the data were made available to the public. The first step was to extract the signal from the raw data, and the second was to decode it.
The message is part of "A Sign in Space," a science/art project that explores how humanity might react after receiving a real alien message. It took only 10 days for an online community to extract the message from the raw data, but decoding it was more difficult: That wasn't achieved until June 7, 2024, when the Chaffins messaged Daniela de Paulis, the founder and artistic director of the project, with the solution. ESA publicly announced their success on Oct. 22. (10/31)
Join the Commercial Space Reserve: Get Longer Contracts, In-Depth Threat Briefs; Play Wargames (Source: Breaking Defense)
When the Space Force contracts commercial companies to provide “reserve” capabilities that could be “surged” in times of conflict — and possibly denied to non-US customers for a period of time — those joining can expect a number of peacetime benefits in exchange for their willingness to serve, according to the head of the Space Force’s Commercial Space Office (COMSO).
Speaking to reporters on Thursday during Space Systems Command’s annual Space Industry Days conference, Col. Rich Kniseley said these benefits could include: longer funding periods; in-depth threat briefings based on a firm’s security clearance status; and opportunities to participate in Pentagon wargames. (11/25)
Blue Origin’s 2024 Lobbying Figures Lag Behind Competitors as Space Race Heats Up (Source: Open Secrets)
Blue Origin, Jeff Bezos’s rocket company aiming to make space travel accessible, spent $1.23 million on lobbying in the first nine months of 2024 — a year marked by the unveiling of an upgraded New Shepard suborbital vehicle and a historic flight for America’s first Black candidate for NASA’s early astronaut corps.
Despite those milestones, Blue Origin’s lobbying spending for the first nine months of 2024 has dropped to its lowest level since 2019, marking a five-year low. The company’s lobbying efforts peaked in 2022, with a record $2.1 million spent on 11 bills and issues related to defense, aerospace and federal budget appropriations. (10/31)
Can Axions Save the Universe? (Source: New York Times)
The hunt for dark matter is shifting from particles to waves named after a laundry detergent. The search is on for some of the flimsiest lumps of matter and energy ever dreamed up by physicists. They are darker than night, barely more substantial than a thought, and named after a laundry detergent. But axions, as they are called, could constitute most of the matter in our universe, forming the unseen skeletons of galaxies and chains of light that adorn the skies of astronomers. Confirmation of their existence would upset some of the deepest theories of nature.
The Axion Dark Matter eXperiment, or ADMX, in Seattle, is trying to conjure axions with powerful magnetic fields. Astronomers, too, are hunting for hints that axions exist, by analyzing how black holes spin and the shapes of infant galaxies that the James Webb Space Telescope has brought to light. But so far, nobody has found them. Success would provide a big clue to one of the grandest mysteries in the cosmos: What is the universe made of? (11/1)
ULA Closing Production of Atlas V in Alabama (Source: NSF)
United Launch Alliance (ULA) will soon close out production of its Atlas V rocket, completing a stock of 15 boosters set to fly on contracted missions. With ULA’s future focus on the Vulcan rocket, Atlas V will aim to end on a high, adding to over one hundred successful launches. The last Atlas V Common Core Booster will shortly be completed in Decatur, Alabama, at the United Launch Alliance (ULA) manufacturing plant.
The final booster will be tested and then held in readiness for its eventual mission. ULA will then have fifteen complete Atlas V boosters in stock—all of which are already sold and assigned to a mission. The remaining missions are mostly allocated to Amazon for Project Kuiper and Boeing’s Starliner. It is conceivable that the ISS could be decommissioned before Boeing has had time to fly all of its expected missions to the Station. This situation could find ULA with several spare Atlas Vs. (10/31)
Calls for Further Regulation as Space Becomes Increasingly Commercialized (Source: Ibanet)
In September, two civilians took part in the world’s first commercial spacewalk. The trip – which featured four crew in total – was funded by American entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, who became the first non-professional astronaut to walk in space. With the voyage seen as helping to usher in a new era of stellar tourism, commentators have called for greater regulation to ensure space and its visitors are protected.
Space has so far been governed by international treaties, established in the 1960s and designed to mitigate against conflict as countries such as Russia and the US began exploring space. ‘It was more about keeping space from becoming a battlefield,’ says Souichirou Kozuka, Member of the IBA Space Law Committee’s Advisory Board and a professor of law at Gakushuin University, Tokyo. ‘[The treaties] regulate only the interstate relationship, so are not directly applicable to private activities.’
Yet increasingly, private sector companies are entering the spaceflight business. As such, there’s an emerging need for domestic laws to cover the activities of private companies in space, says P J Blount, Assistant Professor of Space Law at Durham University in the UK and Executive Secretary of the International Institute of Space Law. (10/31)
Recruiting the World’s First Disabled Astronaut Doesn’t Mean Space Travel is Inclusive – Here’s How to Change That (Source: The Conversation)
Designing effective systems for the inclusion of disabled people is a longstanding challenge on Earth – and space presents a whole new paradigm. The very specific demands of spaceflight mean we can’t assume that traditional adjustments and assistive technology will work beyond Earth’s atmosphere. So, making spaceflight more inclusive requires looking at each step of going into space.
Astronaut training is a complex process, designed to simulate the space environment and enable candidates to perform well under a variety of conditions they may encounter in orbit. But in many cases, the training facilities are not well designed for individuals with physical or sensory impairments. Spacecraft and space suit design will be another key focus. The space suits onboard the ISS were originally designed with male astronauts in mind, meaning that female astronauts have to “make do” with what is there. This has caused challenges as the number of female astronauts has risen. Click here. (10/31)
Asia’s Space Ambitions and Canada (Source: SpaceQ)
The Asia Policy journal October 2024 issue is available and it includes a roundtable discussion titled Asia’s Space Ambitions: Driving the Next Chapter in Global Space Competition. Within this 90 page roundtable is a contribution by Brian Gallant and Jordan Miller on Canada. The issue is timely as the Canadian government has been putting more emphasis on the Asian Pacific region including releasing its Indo-Pacific Strategy on Sep. 3, 2024 and its Indo-Pacific engagement and priorities on Oct. 10, 2024.
The Asian Pacific region includes “four major space powers,” those being the United States, China, Japan and India. Canada is considered a “middle power” along with South Korea, Australia, and Singapore. Brian Galant, the CEO of Space Canada and the former premier of New Brunswick, is also a board member of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. Galant and Jordan Miller write:
“Missing from Canada’s vision is a meaningful role for the commercial space sector. Most of the innovation for space is currently being driven by companies providing commercial capabilities. This is not an argument for less civil or defense investment. Instead, the salient point is how Canada’s current strategic vision and policies could be bolstered by finding a meaningful role for the commercial space sector, including in supporting civil and defense programs with dual-use and dual-purpose technologies.” (10/31)
NASA Technologies Named Among TIME Inventions of 2024 (Source: NASA)
As NASA continues to innovate for the benefit of humanity, agency inventions that use new structures to harness sunlight for space travel, enable communications with spacecraft at record-breaking distances, and determine the habitability of a moon of Jupiter, were named Wednesday among TIME’s Inventions of 2024. Click here. (10/30)
University of Hawai'i Preparing Next Generation Space Workforce (Source: Hawaii.edu)
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa students have more space workforce opportunities with two new undergraduate minors, one in Earth and Planetary Exploration and Technology (EPET) and the other in Human Space Flight Technology. Located in one of the most geographically isolated locations on Earth, UH Mānoa has established itself as a world-renowned leader in space-related programs.
The two minors will be administered by the Hawaiʻi Institute of Geophysics and Planetology (HIGP) in the UH Mānoa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology. The objective of these programs is to provide professional education in the expanding field of human space flight and broaden access to space system science and technology education for UH Mānoa students, with special emphasis on including historically underrepresented groups. (10/31)
China’s ‘Mind-Boggling’ Space Capabilities Worry US, Says Space Force Chief (Source: Politico)
China's rapid development of space-based military systems is more concerning to Washington than possible Russian space nuclear weapons, U.S. Space Force chief General B. Chance Saltzman said. He said attention has often focused on Russia and its development of a kind of space nuclear weapon as the "closest alligator to the boat" when it comes to European security, but the bigger challenge is posed by China.
"The pace with which they put counterspace capabilities into play is mind-boggling," Saltzman said in an interview, referring to systems deployed against satellites and spacecraft. He added it is "concerning" that Beijing is launching "hundreds of satellites" as part of a targeting system that can be used to aid missions on Earth. (10/31)
Starship Booster Catch Brings NASA, SpaceX Closer to Artemis 3 Moon Landing (Source: Spaceflight Now)
NASA’s plan to return humans to the surface of the Moon needs several puzzle pieces to come together in time, one of which is the lunar lander itself. For the first two planned crewed landings, that capability is coming from SpaceX and its Starship rocket. A variant of the rocket’s upper stage, referred to as Starship or just Ship, will be used on the Artemis 3 mission. The lander will dock with the Lockheed Martin-built Orion spacecraft and bring two astronauts down to the surface of the Moon and back up again.
or the architecture that SpaceX has proposed and is implementing, they’re going to have to do several launches in order to aggregate propellant in low Earth orbit prior to going to the Moon,” Dr. Kent Chojancki explained. “Being able to rapidly reuse the boosters allows demonstrates that cadence.” Chojancki was referring to SpaceX’s plan to first launch a tanker version of Starship into orbit and then over multiple successive flights, send other Starships to dock with it and offload its fuel to build up a reservoir.
Before either of those events happen though, there will be an uncrewed Starship landing demonstration on the Moon. “One of the requirements that NASA has prior to putting astronauts on the Starship is that they (SpaceX) have to demonstrate an uncrewed demo with a landing and then being able to leave the surface of the Moon,” Chojancki said. “We’re not asking for a full return, but they’re going to get off of the surface, demonstrate that they can start the engine.” (11/1)
Losing GPS Could Cost Billions, so the Space Force is Looking to Build a Backup Network (Source: CNBC)
The importance of the existing 31 GPS satellites in orbit, as well as the potential threat in space from U.S. adversaries like Russia and China, has led the Pentagon to prioritize building the alternative R-GPS network — and the Space Force has turned to the commercial space industry to do so. Last month, the branch awarded four companies with contracts for R-GPS design concepts: Astranis, Axient, L3 Harris and Sierra Space. (11/1)
New Aerospace Facility in Santa Rosa County to Bring Hundreds of Jobs, Boost Local Economy (Source: WEAR)
Northwest Florida's Santa Rosa County is on its way to becoming what commissioners call a cornerstone in the aerospace industry in the Gulf region. Leonardo Helicopters USA -- a manufacturer based in Philadelphia and global leader in the production of military and commercial rotorcraft -- is laying down roots in Santa Rosa County. The vision? Creating a customer support center adjacent to the largest air wing in the U.S. Navy -- NAS Whiting Field. (10/31)
Chinese Launch Startup Cosmoleap Secures Funding for Rocket Featuring Chopstick Recovery System (Source: Space News)
Chinese launch firm Cosmoleap has secured more than 100 million yuan for the development of its Yueqian reusable rocket and a recovery system inspired by SpaceX. Cosmoleap announced more than $14 million in funding Nov. 1. Shenergy Chengyi, a Shanghai-based state-owned enterprise focusing on innovative investments, Tiangchuang Capital, an investment firm with a focus on emerging technologies, venture capital firm Baiyan Fund, Legend Capital, a venture capital firm supporting technological advancements, and investor Zhang Chao participated in the funding round. (11/1)
Relativity Space Inc., the privately held US maker of 3D-printed rockets that once soared to a $4.2 billion valuation, is running low on cash, raising questions about the future of its launch business, people familiar with the matter said. The company has faced challenges raising additional capital, said the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the matter is confidential. Relativity, which last launched a rocket in March 2023 and has plans to launch its larger Terran R in 2026, hasn’t reached a decision on a path forward.
In 2021, Relativity received a valuation of $4.2 billion after closing a Series E funding round of $650 million. The company then went on to launch its first rocket, the Terran 1, in March 2023. The rocket, which Relativity said was roughly 85% 3D printed, successfully launched and made it to space, but failed to reach orbit. Weeks after that flight, Relativity announced that it was abandoning further test launches of Terran 1 to focus solely on development of a larger rocket called Terran R that would compete more directly with SpaceX’s Falcon 9.
The company also announced plans to incorporate more traditional manufacturing methods with Terran R, moving away from using 3D printing. Relativity claimed that Terran R would be ready to start launching in 2026. However, the company has been relatively quiet about its progress throughout 2024. Relativity also “debuted” a picture of Terran R’s nose cone in August, but later confirmed the image was of one made for Europe’s Ariane 6 rocket, indicating that the company would be outsourcing the manufacturing of its nose cone to an outside company. (11/1)
The Uber-Optimistic History and Prolonged Future of Space Tourism (Source; Popular Science)
The space tourism industry may still suffer from a supernova-sized helping of hype, as it did twenty-five years ago, but today there are many more companies with more resources, and a growing track record of successful commercial flights.
If there’s a silver lining to the excessive hype, Americans have no expectation that they’ll be shuttling off to space resorts anytime soon, or taking luxury tours of the Moon. Besides Space Adventures, travel companies are just not clamoring to enter the space tourism business. And while a 2023 Pew Research Center poll found that 55 percent of Americans do expect space tourism to become routine, they don’t expect it to be available to the masses for another half century. Unless you have a $100 million or so to spare, off-world vacations still seem, well, a long way off. (11/1)
What is Happening with Boeing’s Starliner Spacecraft? (Source: Ars Technica)
Boeing has been steadfastly silent about the fate of Starliner. In lieu of speaking publicly, Boeing issued a terse statement early on the morning of September 8, attributing it to Mark Nappi, vice president and program manager of Boeing's commercial crew program. "We will review the data and determine the next steps for the program," Nappi said, in part. And since then? Nothing. Requests for comment from Boeing have gone unanswered.
The simple explanation is that the storied aviation company, which has a new chief executive named Kelly Ortberg, remains in the midst of evaluating Boeing's various lines of business. NASA will also have a say in what happens to Starliner. In particular, if the space agency wants to have a second crew transportation system, it probably will need to find a way to help Boeing defray some of the costs of certification of Starliner for operational crew missions to the station.
One way of doing this may be to pay Boeing to fly a cargo mission to the International Space Station. That is, the space agency and Boeing could test the company's repairs to its propulsion system and the leaks in its helium pressurization system by flying food, water, science experiments, and other cargo to the station. Success on an uncrewed mission would help pave the way toward certification. (11/1)
Launch: The Fundamental Prerequisite for Space Superiority (Source: Bloomberg)
Despite having three providers in NSSL and 12 in OSP-4, more launch providers are needed. Because the Vulcan and New Glenn are new boosters, challenges will likely emerge through continued testing and operations. Reliance on the same rocket engine for both raises concerns that problems with one could ground both; the fact that only six of 12 OSP-4 providers have conducted successful launches is also a concern.
By continuing to pursue multiple launch providers, the Space Force can increase confidence and cadence to meet the resulting demand. Alternate providers should also expand supply chains and diversify manufacturing processes, reducing the risk that one failure grounds all or most space launches. Click here. (11/1)
Flyover Video at Cape Canaveral Spaceport Reveals Hints at Starship's Move to Florida (Source: NSF)
In this month’s KSC Flyover, we explore the Space Coast’s bustling activity! SpaceX is stirring excitement with new hardware that hints at upcoming Starship plans in Florida, and Blue Origin is closing in on the debut launch of New Glenn. We’ll also take a look at the damage from Hurricane Milton and how it’s affected facilities across Kennedy Space Center. Click here. (10/29)
Tactically Responsive Space Bolsters US Defense (Source: Center for Strategic and International Studies)
The Tactically Responsive Space program is a promising initiative aimed at enhancing the Defense Department's ability to quickly respond to on-orbit threats, such as potential antisatellite weapons from adversaries. The program has demonstrated success with the Victus Nox mission and plans to conduct a more complex mission, Victus Haze, in 2025, writes expert John Plumb. (10/31)
Starship Preparations to Return to Cape Canaveral Spaceport Facility (Source: NSF)
SpaceX is laying the groundwork for expansion at its Roberts Road facility in Florida. These developments include new buildings, property expansions, and Starship’s production in Florida. SpaceX has already made two attempts to bring Starship to Cape Canaveral but both have stalled out. In the area already acquired by HangarX, where Falcon 9’s boosters are refurbished, a second larger building, originally planned to be a Starfactory, was created with the belief that it would be used for Starship production.
Space was also cleared around what became HangarX2 for the first mega bay in Florida to stack starship parts from the facility. However, only the foundation of the mega bay was completed. A new tent is beginning to be raised on the ground of the Roberts Road facility in place of where the SLC-40 tower was built, stretching the whole way to what was the intended mega bay foundation. This tent is roughly 40 meters wide and 140 meters long — this is longer than the old tents at the Starbase build site, which were 35 meters wide and 114 meters long.
This new tent could be used for various reasons, like building the new tower sections or orbital launch mount components in a controlled environment, or it could be the beginning of bringing Starship production back to Florida. If Starship is to return, SpaceX would likely first bring the most essential parts of the process to KSC. This tent has around 40% more ground space than the old tents at Starbase, and it has the benefit of being taller on the edges, which could make building nosecones or beginning stacking ring sections much more manageable. (11/1)
Multimode Propulsion Could Revolutionize How We Launch Things to Space (Source: Universe Today)
In a recent NASA-supported study, a team of researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign investigated a new method of sending spacecraft to the Moon. It is known as “multimode propulsion,” a method that integrates a high-thrust chemical mode and a low-thrust electric mode – while using the same propellant. This system has several advantages over other forms of propulsion, not the least of which include being lighter and more cost-effective. With a little luck, NASA could rely on multimode propulsion-equipped spacecraft to achieve many of its Artemis objectives. (11/1)
Hypersonic Program At Risk After Reaction Engines Goes Belly Up (Sources: New Atlas, Breaking Defense)
A major player in aerospace innovation has bitten the dust. Reaction Engines, a developer of hypersonic engine technology since 1989, has gone into administration and its closure is having a major impact on the hypersonic weapons program of Britain and others. Reaction Engines focused on developing advanced space propulsion systems. Its primary goal was to one day build the company's Skylon spaceplane, though it also farmed out its key technologies to other projects and conducted tests for customers, including the US Air Force.
The company's Synergetic Air Breathing Rocket Engine (SABRE), with its regenerative cooling system that could protect a hypersonic jet engine by instantly cooling the incoming air using liquid hydrogen, attracted investors such as BAE Systems, which purchased 20% of Reaction Engines stock in 2015, and led to funds coming from Boeing, Rolls-Royce, and others. However, this year, the company found itself in major financial difficulties due to unexpectedly slow growth and the inability to secure an additional £150 million (US$193 million) in funding, followed by BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce being unwilling to put up bail-out capital.
The UK Ministry of Defense said it will continue to “closely monitor all our supply chains” as it reels from the collapse of Reaction Engines, the high speed propulsion manufacturer and industry lead on London’s quest to develop a reusable Mach 5 and beyond aircraft under the Hypersonic Air Vehicle Experimental (HVX) program. (10/31)
Apple Commits $1.5 Billion to Globalstar for Expanded iPhone Satellite Services (Source: CNBC)
Apple committed about $1.5 billion to satellite communications company Globalstar to fund the expansion of iPhone services, the companies disclosed in a securities filing on Friday. The tech giant’s deal with Globalstar includes $1.1 billion in cash, of which $232 million will go toward the satellite company’s current debt, and a 20% equity stake. The deal is expected to close on Tuesday.
Apple has already been spending hundreds of millions for Globlastar services, which enabled the 2022 rollout of iPhone emergency satellite texting. It is one of several efforts in the direct-to-device, or D2D, satellite connectivity market. (11/1)
Father-Daughter Team Decodes 'Alien Signal' from Mars (Source: Live Science)
A father-daughter team has decoded a mock "alien" message after a year of trying. Now, citizen scientists are trying to figure out what the decoded missive truly means for Earth. According to the European Space Agency (ESA), Ken and Keli Chaffin from the U.S. were the first to crack the code, which was sent from ESA's ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter as part of a citizen science project in May 2023. Three radio observatories on Earth heard the message, and the data were made available to the public. The first step was to extract the signal from the raw data, and the second was to decode it.
The message is part of "A Sign in Space," a science/art project that explores how humanity might react after receiving a real alien message. It took only 10 days for an online community to extract the message from the raw data, but decoding it was more difficult: That wasn't achieved until June 7, 2024, when the Chaffins messaged Daniela de Paulis, the founder and artistic director of the project, with the solution. ESA publicly announced their success on Oct. 22. (10/31)
Join the Commercial Space Reserve: Get Longer Contracts, In-Depth Threat Briefs; Play Wargames (Source: Breaking Defense)
When the Space Force contracts commercial companies to provide “reserve” capabilities that could be “surged” in times of conflict — and possibly denied to non-US customers for a period of time — those joining can expect a number of peacetime benefits in exchange for their willingness to serve, according to the head of the Space Force’s Commercial Space Office (COMSO).
Speaking to reporters on Thursday during Space Systems Command’s annual Space Industry Days conference, Col. Rich Kniseley said these benefits could include: longer funding periods; in-depth threat briefings based on a firm’s security clearance status; and opportunities to participate in Pentagon wargames. (11/25)
Blue Origin’s 2024 Lobbying Figures Lag Behind Competitors as Space Race Heats Up (Source: Open Secrets)
Blue Origin, Jeff Bezos’s rocket company aiming to make space travel accessible, spent $1.23 million on lobbying in the first nine months of 2024 — a year marked by the unveiling of an upgraded New Shepard suborbital vehicle and a historic flight for America’s first Black candidate for NASA’s early astronaut corps.
Despite those milestones, Blue Origin’s lobbying spending for the first nine months of 2024 has dropped to its lowest level since 2019, marking a five-year low. The company’s lobbying efforts peaked in 2022, with a record $2.1 million spent on 11 bills and issues related to defense, aerospace and federal budget appropriations. (10/31)
Can Axions Save the Universe? (Source: New York Times)
The hunt for dark matter is shifting from particles to waves named after a laundry detergent. The search is on for some of the flimsiest lumps of matter and energy ever dreamed up by physicists. They are darker than night, barely more substantial than a thought, and named after a laundry detergent. But axions, as they are called, could constitute most of the matter in our universe, forming the unseen skeletons of galaxies and chains of light that adorn the skies of astronomers. Confirmation of their existence would upset some of the deepest theories of nature.
The Axion Dark Matter eXperiment, or ADMX, in Seattle, is trying to conjure axions with powerful magnetic fields. Astronomers, too, are hunting for hints that axions exist, by analyzing how black holes spin and the shapes of infant galaxies that the James Webb Space Telescope has brought to light. But so far, nobody has found them. Success would provide a big clue to one of the grandest mysteries in the cosmos: What is the universe made of? (11/1)
ULA Closing Production of Atlas V in Alabama (Source: NSF)
United Launch Alliance (ULA) will soon close out production of its Atlas V rocket, completing a stock of 15 boosters set to fly on contracted missions. With ULA’s future focus on the Vulcan rocket, Atlas V will aim to end on a high, adding to over one hundred successful launches. The last Atlas V Common Core Booster will shortly be completed in Decatur, Alabama, at the United Launch Alliance (ULA) manufacturing plant.
The final booster will be tested and then held in readiness for its eventual mission. ULA will then have fifteen complete Atlas V boosters in stock—all of which are already sold and assigned to a mission. The remaining missions are mostly allocated to Amazon for Project Kuiper and Boeing’s Starliner. It is conceivable that the ISS could be decommissioned before Boeing has had time to fly all of its expected missions to the Station. This situation could find ULA with several spare Atlas Vs. (10/31)
Calls for Further Regulation as Space Becomes Increasingly Commercialized (Source: Ibanet)
In September, two civilians took part in the world’s first commercial spacewalk. The trip – which featured four crew in total – was funded by American entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, who became the first non-professional astronaut to walk in space. With the voyage seen as helping to usher in a new era of stellar tourism, commentators have called for greater regulation to ensure space and its visitors are protected.
Space has so far been governed by international treaties, established in the 1960s and designed to mitigate against conflict as countries such as Russia and the US began exploring space. ‘It was more about keeping space from becoming a battlefield,’ says Souichirou Kozuka, Member of the IBA Space Law Committee’s Advisory Board and a professor of law at Gakushuin University, Tokyo. ‘[The treaties] regulate only the interstate relationship, so are not directly applicable to private activities.’
Yet increasingly, private sector companies are entering the spaceflight business. As such, there’s an emerging need for domestic laws to cover the activities of private companies in space, says P J Blount, Assistant Professor of Space Law at Durham University in the UK and Executive Secretary of the International Institute of Space Law. (10/31)
Recruiting the World’s First Disabled Astronaut Doesn’t Mean Space Travel is Inclusive – Here’s How to Change That (Source: The Conversation)
Designing effective systems for the inclusion of disabled people is a longstanding challenge on Earth – and space presents a whole new paradigm. The very specific demands of spaceflight mean we can’t assume that traditional adjustments and assistive technology will work beyond Earth’s atmosphere. So, making spaceflight more inclusive requires looking at each step of going into space.
Astronaut training is a complex process, designed to simulate the space environment and enable candidates to perform well under a variety of conditions they may encounter in orbit. But in many cases, the training facilities are not well designed for individuals with physical or sensory impairments. Spacecraft and space suit design will be another key focus. The space suits onboard the ISS were originally designed with male astronauts in mind, meaning that female astronauts have to “make do” with what is there. This has caused challenges as the number of female astronauts has risen. Click here. (10/31)
Asia’s Space Ambitions and Canada (Source: SpaceQ)
The Asia Policy journal October 2024 issue is available and it includes a roundtable discussion titled Asia’s Space Ambitions: Driving the Next Chapter in Global Space Competition. Within this 90 page roundtable is a contribution by Brian Gallant and Jordan Miller on Canada. The issue is timely as the Canadian government has been putting more emphasis on the Asian Pacific region including releasing its Indo-Pacific Strategy on Sep. 3, 2024 and its Indo-Pacific engagement and priorities on Oct. 10, 2024.
The Asian Pacific region includes “four major space powers,” those being the United States, China, Japan and India. Canada is considered a “middle power” along with South Korea, Australia, and Singapore. Brian Galant, the CEO of Space Canada and the former premier of New Brunswick, is also a board member of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. Galant and Jordan Miller write:
“Missing from Canada’s vision is a meaningful role for the commercial space sector. Most of the innovation for space is currently being driven by companies providing commercial capabilities. This is not an argument for less civil or defense investment. Instead, the salient point is how Canada’s current strategic vision and policies could be bolstered by finding a meaningful role for the commercial space sector, including in supporting civil and defense programs with dual-use and dual-purpose technologies.” (10/31)
NASA Technologies Named Among TIME Inventions of 2024 (Source: NASA)
As NASA continues to innovate for the benefit of humanity, agency inventions that use new structures to harness sunlight for space travel, enable communications with spacecraft at record-breaking distances, and determine the habitability of a moon of Jupiter, were named Wednesday among TIME’s Inventions of 2024. Click here. (10/30)
University of Hawai'i Preparing Next Generation Space Workforce (Source: Hawaii.edu)
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa students have more space workforce opportunities with two new undergraduate minors, one in Earth and Planetary Exploration and Technology (EPET) and the other in Human Space Flight Technology. Located in one of the most geographically isolated locations on Earth, UH Mānoa has established itself as a world-renowned leader in space-related programs.
The two minors will be administered by the Hawaiʻi Institute of Geophysics and Planetology (HIGP) in the UH Mānoa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology. The objective of these programs is to provide professional education in the expanding field of human space flight and broaden access to space system science and technology education for UH Mānoa students, with special emphasis on including historically underrepresented groups. (10/31)
China’s ‘Mind-Boggling’ Space Capabilities Worry US, Says Space Force Chief (Source: Politico)
China's rapid development of space-based military systems is more concerning to Washington than possible Russian space nuclear weapons, U.S. Space Force chief General B. Chance Saltzman said. He said attention has often focused on Russia and its development of a kind of space nuclear weapon as the "closest alligator to the boat" when it comes to European security, but the bigger challenge is posed by China.
"The pace with which they put counterspace capabilities into play is mind-boggling," Saltzman said in an interview, referring to systems deployed against satellites and spacecraft. He added it is "concerning" that Beijing is launching "hundreds of satellites" as part of a targeting system that can be used to aid missions on Earth. (10/31)
Starship Booster Catch Brings NASA, SpaceX Closer to Artemis 3 Moon Landing (Source: Spaceflight Now)
NASA’s plan to return humans to the surface of the Moon needs several puzzle pieces to come together in time, one of which is the lunar lander itself. For the first two planned crewed landings, that capability is coming from SpaceX and its Starship rocket. A variant of the rocket’s upper stage, referred to as Starship or just Ship, will be used on the Artemis 3 mission. The lander will dock with the Lockheed Martin-built Orion spacecraft and bring two astronauts down to the surface of the Moon and back up again.
or the architecture that SpaceX has proposed and is implementing, they’re going to have to do several launches in order to aggregate propellant in low Earth orbit prior to going to the Moon,” Dr. Kent Chojancki explained. “Being able to rapidly reuse the boosters allows demonstrates that cadence.” Chojancki was referring to SpaceX’s plan to first launch a tanker version of Starship into orbit and then over multiple successive flights, send other Starships to dock with it and offload its fuel to build up a reservoir.
Before either of those events happen though, there will be an uncrewed Starship landing demonstration on the Moon. “One of the requirements that NASA has prior to putting astronauts on the Starship is that they (SpaceX) have to demonstrate an uncrewed demo with a landing and then being able to leave the surface of the Moon,” Chojancki said. “We’re not asking for a full return, but they’re going to get off of the surface, demonstrate that they can start the engine.” (11/1)
Losing GPS Could Cost Billions, so the Space Force is Looking to Build a Backup Network (Source: CNBC)
The importance of the existing 31 GPS satellites in orbit, as well as the potential threat in space from U.S. adversaries like Russia and China, has led the Pentagon to prioritize building the alternative R-GPS network — and the Space Force has turned to the commercial space industry to do so. Last month, the branch awarded four companies with contracts for R-GPS design concepts: Astranis, Axient, L3 Harris and Sierra Space. (11/1)
New Aerospace Facility in Santa Rosa County to Bring Hundreds of Jobs, Boost Local Economy (Source: WEAR)
Northwest Florida's Santa Rosa County is on its way to becoming what commissioners call a cornerstone in the aerospace industry in the Gulf region. Leonardo Helicopters USA -- a manufacturer based in Philadelphia and global leader in the production of military and commercial rotorcraft -- is laying down roots in Santa Rosa County. The vision? Creating a customer support center adjacent to the largest air wing in the U.S. Navy -- NAS Whiting Field. (10/31)
Chinese Launch Startup Cosmoleap Secures Funding for Rocket Featuring Chopstick Recovery System (Source: Space News)
Chinese launch firm Cosmoleap has secured more than 100 million yuan for the development of its Yueqian reusable rocket and a recovery system inspired by SpaceX. Cosmoleap announced more than $14 million in funding Nov. 1. Shenergy Chengyi, a Shanghai-based state-owned enterprise focusing on innovative investments, Tiangchuang Capital, an investment firm with a focus on emerging technologies, venture capital firm Baiyan Fund, Legend Capital, a venture capital firm supporting technological advancements, and investor Zhang Chao participated in the funding round. (11/1)
November 1, 2024
Concerns About Elon Musk, Russia's
Putin Not Fading Yet (Source; VOA)
Some of SpaceX's work is so sensitive that the United States has given Musk high-level security clearances due to his knowledge of the programs, raising concerns among some that top secret U.S. information and capabilities could be at risk. During one conversation, those officials said, Putin allegedly asked Musk not to activate Starlink, a SpaceX subsidiary that provides satellite internet services, over Taiwan as a favor to China.
Musk has previously denied frequent calls with Putin. In 2022, Musk said he had spoken to the Russian leader just once, but The Journal said there have been repeated conversations since then. Musk has not commented or responded to the Journal article on X. Russia has also denied there have been frequent conversations between Putin and Musk. The Pentagon has so far declined to refute or confirm the allegations.
“There is no doubt that Russia is cultivating many possible channels of influence in the United States and other Western countries,” said Paul Pillar, a former senior CIA officer. “Russia would regard a wealthy and influential business mogul such as Musk as potentially a highly useful channel and thus a relationship worth nurturing,” he said. Editor's Note: Russia's approach is to gather 'kompromat' on influential foreigners so they can be exploited later." (10/30)
Europe Accepts SpaceRISE Consortium's Broadband Constellation Plan (Source: Space News)
The European Commission has approved a long-delayed plan to develop a satellite broadband constellation. The commission announced Thursday it accepted a best-and-final offer submitted by the SpaceRISE consortium, led by satellite operators SES, Eutelsat and Hispasat, for the Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite (IRIS²) constellation. A contract for designing and operating more than 290 satellites by 2030 to support government communications remains subject to final negotiations, which are slated to conclude before the end of this year. The total cost of IRIS² remains uncertain, but may significantly exceed original projections of six billion euros ($6.5 billion). (11/1)
NASA Safety Panel Urges Safety Focus at SpaceX (Source: Space News)
A NASA safety panel called on the agency and SpaceX to "maintain focus" on safety after a series of recent anomalies. At a meeting Thursday, members of the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel noted recent anomalies involving the Falcon 9 rocket, including one that led to the loss of a set of Starlink satellites in July. Those incidents, while unrelated to one another, demonstrate that NASA and SpaceX "need to maintain focus on safe Crew Dragon operations and not take any 'normal' operations for granted," one panel member stated, particularly as SpaceX increases its flight rate. The panel also praised NASA for its handling of the problems with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft on its crewed test flight this summer, saying the agency's processes demonstrated "a healthy safety culture." (11/1)
Congress Members Hope to Save Chandra (Source: Space News)
Several members of Congress are continuing their push to save the Chandra X-ray Observatory from proposed budget cuts. In a letter this week to the Chandra X-ray Center, which operates the space telescope, six members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation sought details on the operations of Chandra, its scientific productivity and implications to the astronomical community if the mission was prematurely ended. NASA proposed a 40% cut in Chandra's budget for fiscal year 2025, but had since stated it will maintain the telescope's budget for 2025 and defer decisions on any reductions in its operations until after a final 2025 appropriations bill is passed. Astronomers had warned the proposed cut could effectively end Chandra. (11/1)
Voyager Space Hires Magana (Source: Space News)
Voyager Space has hired a longtime industry executive to lead its national security work. The company said Thursday it hired Matt Magaña as executive vice president of national security for the company, which has steadily acquired subsidiaries to build a vertically integrated operation focused on advancing space exploration. Magaña was previously a senior leader at Raytheon Intelligence & Space. He said Voyager's strategy is to leverage its specialized technologies and multinational partnerships in support of defense programs that face growing demands for advanced subsystems. (11/1)
Russia Launches Military Satellite at Plesetsk Spaceport (Source: TASS)
Russia launched a military satellite Thursday. A Soyuz-2.1a rocket lifted off from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome at 3:51 a.m. Eastern and placed the unidentified satellite into orbit successfully, Russia's Defense Ministry stated. The government did not disclose details about the satellite but its orbit is the same as those used by Bars-M imaging satellites. (11/1)
China's Cosmoleap Developing Reusable Launcher (Source: Space News)
A Chinese startup has raised money to develop a launch vehicle whose recovery system emulates the one that SpaceX uses for Starship. Cosmoleap announced more than 100 million yuan ($14 million) in funding on Friday to advance development of a reusable rocket called "Yueqian" or "Leap". The medium-class rocket features a reusable first stage that will fly back to the launch site and be caught by "chopsticks" on the launch tower, the same approach SpaceX uses for the Super Heavy booster on its much larger Starship vehicle. Cosmoleap is projecting an initial test launch of its rocket in 2025 or 2026. (11/1)
China's CAS Space to Enter Launch Market (Source: Space News)
Chinese commercial launch provider CAS Space is looking to enter international markets. The company operates the Kinetica-1 or Lijian-1 solid-fuel rocket, which has launched four times since 2022, and is developing the larger Kinetica-2 rocket. A company executive said at the recent International Astronautical Congress that it is looking to attract customers outside of China given the strong competition within China for launch services. One challenge, the company acknowledges, is export control restrictions that make it nearly impossible for CAS Space to work with American or European customers. (11/1)
Astrobotic and Bridgestone Developing Lunar Tires (Source: Astrobotic)
Lunar lander developer Astrobotic is working with Bridgestone to develop a tire for use on the moon. The companies announced the partnership Thursday to work on a tire that would be used on CubeRover, a lunar rover the size of a kitchen stove that Astrobotic is developing. The metallic tire has an elastic structure to provide better handling and shock absorption when traversing the lunar terrain. The companies didn't disclose when they expected the CubeRover equipped with those tires to be driving on the moon. (11/1)
Even Uranus Might Be Hiding An Ocean World (Source: IFL Science)
Ocean worlds, such as Europa around Jupiter and Enceladus around Saturn, are recent and fascinating discoveries. These moons hide, far beneath their icy crusts, a deep liquid ocean. Other moons and dwarf planets also hide liquid oceans underneath, and the latest candidate is Miranda – the smallest of Uranus's five round moons.
Miranda might be the smallest round object in the Solar System. It has a diameter of just 470 kilometers (290 miles). Its surface area is just about the area of Texas. Still, it is a complex world. Its surface is among the most extreme we have observed anywhere and features the tallest cliff in the Solar System: Verona Rupes, which has a drop of about 20 kilometers (12 miles). An equivalent cliff on Earth would have to be over 270 kilometers tall. (10/31)
Black Holes Could be Driving the Expansion of the Universe, New Study Suggests (Source: Live Science)
A radical hypothesis suggesting black holes could be behind the accelerating expansion of our universe has been stirring up controversy among astronomers. A new study may contain the first tantalizing hints it could be real. Astronomers may have found tantalizing evidence that dark energy — the mysterious energy driving the accelerating expansion of our universe — could be connected with black holes. (10/31)
NanoAvionics Microsatellite Struck by Micro Object in LEO (Source: Gizmodo)
This week, satellite company NanoAvionics revealed that its MP42 microsatellite bus survived a hit in low Earth orbit, which left behind a 0.2-inch-hole (6 millimeters) on one of its solar arrays. The company discovered the impact thanks to the satellite’s selfie-taking skills, with the chickpea-sized crater appearing in an image taken by the satellite’s onboard camera this month. (10/31)
Hera's HyperScout Captures Spectral View of Earth from Deep Space (Source: Space Daily)
In the spirit of Halloween, Hera's HyperScout H imager has captured a series of spectral views of Earth, offering a haunting yet fascinating depiction. These images, taken through multiple spectral bands, highlight Earth in a spectral palette ranging from blue to red, showcasing the capabilities of Hera's advanced imaging instrument. (11/1)
Colt and Rivada Collaborate to Launch High-Speed, Secure Global Connectivity (Source: Space Daily)
Colt Technology Services, an international digital infrastructure provider, has announced a strategic partnership with Rivada Space Networks to establish an advanced connectivity network designed for high-speed, secure data transfer. Rivada Space Networks revealed that the first satellite launch is set for 2025, with service deployment expected in 2026. (10/31)
SpaceX, Already a Leader in Satellites, Gets Into the Spy Game (Source: New York Times)
SpaceX over the last year started to move in a big way into the business of building military and spy satellites, an industry that has long been dominated by major contractors like Raytheon and Northrop Grumman as well as smaller players like York Space Systems. This shift comes as the Pentagon and U.S. spy agencies are preparing to spend billions of dollars to build a series of new constellations of low-earth-orbit satellites, much of it in response to recent moves by China to build its own space-based military systems.
SpaceX is poised to capitalize on that, generating a new wave of questions inside the federal government about the company’s growing dominance as a military space contractor and Mr. Musk’s extensive business operations in China and his relations with foreign government leaders, possibly including President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia. (10/31)
Blue Origin Enters Presidential Endorsement Controversy (Source: Kent Reporter)
Blue Origin became part of a pulled presidential endorsement controversy the past several days involving owner Jeff Bezos and the Washington Post newspaper, also owned by Bezos. The Post announced Oct. 25 it would not endorse a presidential candidate in the Nov. 5 election after its editorial board had already drafted its endorsement of Democrat Kamala Harris over Republican Donald Trump, according to several media reports.
Within hours of that announcement, Blue Origin’s David Limp, chief executive officer, and Megan Mitchell, vice-president of government relations, briefly met with Trump after an Austin, Texas campaign speech, according to the Associated Press. “Some critics suggested Bezos ordered the non-endorsement to protect his business interests, acting out of fear of retaliation if Donald Trump were elected,” according to an Oct. 29 CBS News report. (10/29)
‘Stop Messing With Texas Waters’: Residents Blast State Regulators at SpaceX Permit Hearing (Source: San Antonio Express-News)
South Texas residents aren’t buying SpaceX’s reassurances that its Starship operation near Boca Chica Beach doesn’t pollute area waters. Nearly four dozen people gave Texas environmental regulators an earful at a recent public meeting in Brownsville over the company’s request for a permit that would allow it to dump hundreds of thousands of gallons of industrial wastewater into the sensitive wetlands surrounding its launch site. Hundreds more submitted written comments. (10/31)
India's DoT Asks Starlink, Amazon to Furnish Security-Related Compliances (Source: Economic Times)
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has asked both Elon Musk-owned Starlink and Jeff Bezos’s Amazon to provide compliances regarding certain security parameters as it looks to process their applications for offering satellite communications services in the country. “Their applications can be processed only after they submit the compliance. The firms have so far not replied.” (10/31)
Russian Threats To Elon Musk And Strikes On SpaceX Dishes Skyrocket (Source: Forbes)
While The Wall Street Journal has been blasting out its bombshell story that Elon Musk has had “secret conversations” with Vladimir Putin for the last two years, this same timeline has been marked by the Kremlin’s unending barrage of threats against SpaceX’s founder, and military assaults on his Starlink satellite terminals crisscrossing Ukraine.
These threats have ranged from dark hints of assassinating Musk - from the same Kremlin clique that has despatched henchmen armed with radioactive polonium, or the Soviet chemical weapon Novichok, to deal with political enemies - to cascading warnings that Russian missiles could be fired at SpaceX satellites circling the globe. (10/31)
Musk Explains Why Trump White House would Benefit SpaceX (Source: Teslarati)
Elon Musk said a Trump White House would benefit SpaceX’s Starship program and the optimistic goals it has to bring uncrewed launches to Mars within two years. A month ago, Musk said 2026 would be the ideal year to attempt the first launches with the intention of landing on Mars. 2028 would be the first year SpaceX could attempt to take humans to Mars. Musk said during the conference yesterday that he believes a Trump White House would be more beneficial for SpaceX’s Starship plans because of “overregulation.” (10/30)
Political Unity Is Rare But We Agree America’s Future Lies In Space (Source: Forbes)
What many of the country’s top policy makers are saying about our country’s space budget behind closed doors needs to be shouted from rooftops. A few rebels have even begun doing something verboten for decades: publicly contradicting the official President’s Budget Request. “The budget is going to need to double or triple over time” Frank Kendall, the sitting Secretary of the Air Force, recently said while discussing the challenge of securing space assets against an ascendent axis of autocracies on a flat-line Air Force budget.
The simple truth is that both NASA and the US Space Force are woefully underfunded, the Space Force cataclysmically so. It’s no single administration or person’s fault, certainly no Space Force Guardian. Rather, it is the unprecedented confluence of both humanity’s unceasing ambition to explore and exploit coupled with a menacing adversary’s organized challenge to our vision of promoting and governing it. Space may be infinite, but no government’s budget can be for very long — even that of the United States. (10/30)
Space May Be Worse for Humans Than Thought (Source: The Economist)
Space is not a very hospitable place. There is no air. Depending on whether you are in sunlight or not, it is either freezing cold or roasting hot. There are subtler hazards, too. Even when provided with oxygen and a stable temperature by their spacecraft, astronauts seem to sicken the longer they spend away from Earth. (10/30)
Ukrainian Astronomers Propose to Travel on Asteroids Between Planets (Source: ITC)
Ukrainian scientists have come up with an interesting solution to one of the most pressing problems of space exploration: how to safely transport people to Mars. Their research proposes to use natural space travelers — asteroids — as interplanetary vehicles. Their analysis of more than 35,000 near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) identified 120 promising candidates that could serve as natural spacecraft between Earth, Mars, and Venus.
These «space ferries» could potentially reduce travel time by up to 180 days, which would significantly reduce the health risks to astronauts. Asteroids could also provide additional benefits: their natural caverns and surfaces could serve as shields against cosmic radiation, and the asteroids themselves could become a source of resources for space travelers. (10/31)
AI-Enhanced Satellites to Track “Dark Ships” (Source: Space News)
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ AIRIS system aims to improve the detection of “dark ships” that disable AIS tracking to avoid detection. Using AI-driven Earth-observation cameras, AIRIS will monitor and selectively relay data on suspicious vessels in real-time, potentially aiding in efforts against illegal fishing and piracy. (10/31)
Instead of Going Boldly on Space, Harris Has Taken a Steady Approach (Source: New York Times)
For America’s direction in space, the course set by Vice President Kamala Harris during the Biden administration has been less to boldly go where no one has gone before and more like when on “Star Trek” Captain Kirk gave the command “Steady as she goes.” One sign of continuity in space policy is that Mr. Biden even set up a space council. Over the past 50 years, only three presidents — George H.W. Bush, Donald J. Trump and Mr. Biden — thought that space issues were weighty enough to warrant setting up a White House-level body to handle them.
While Ms. Harris has not made major shifts, she has added personal touches to U.S. space policy, including placing a greater emphasis on international diplomacy and highlighting how space technology can be employed to improve life on Earth. (10/30)
Airbus and Telesat to Work Together on Airline Satellite Internet (Source: SpaceQ)
Telesat announced on Monday at the APEX expo in Long Beach, California that they and Airbus would be working together on providing high speed internet connectivity to airline passengers. They’ve signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Airbus on enabling Telesat’s Lightspeed constellation of Low Earth orbit (LEO) communication satellites to work with Airbus’s upcoming Airspace Link HBCplus platform. (10/29)
From Apollo to the Polls, Poppy Northcutt Now 'Helping Democracy Survive' (Source: KTRK)
Frances "Poppy" Northcutt is a woman of many talents. An engineer, attorney, and during election season she holds the title of election judge. Northcutt says the idea of helping during an election came years ago during the 1970s. She's not an actual judge but her responsibility as an election judge means she's in charge of her polling location. According to the Texas Division of Elections, there are nearly 18.6 million registered voters across the state for this election. (10/30)
Mars Likely Never Had Any Sort Of Life, Says Renowned Geologist (Source: Forbes)
A feature of life is that it changes its surroundings, but from everything that we can see so far for Mars, the planet looks like it is dead, Mojzsis, an American-born Hungarian, told me at Konkoly Observatory. Mars may have once hosted organic prebiotic chemical networks which represented the first "steps" towards life. But Mojzsis thinks that's as far as the red planet got on the road to producing biochemistry that would have led to actual biological organisms.
There is no chemistry there of any sort that is really out of equilibrium with the environment, Mojzsis, a professor at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, told me. Mars has always been outside of the habitable zone of our solar system, he says. If life really got started there, my opinion is that it should still be there affecting its environment, says Mojzsis. (10/30)
GAO Sides with Space Force on Inmarsat Protest Over $114 Million Contract (Source: Law360)
The U.S. Government Accountability Office has denied a protest from satellite communications contractor Inmarsat over the U.S. Space Force's award of a $114.6 million contract for Ku-band satellite bandwidth and equipment to Global Enterprise Solutions, Inc. (GES), ruling that the government was justified in its selection. (10/31)
Some of SpaceX's work is so sensitive that the United States has given Musk high-level security clearances due to his knowledge of the programs, raising concerns among some that top secret U.S. information and capabilities could be at risk. During one conversation, those officials said, Putin allegedly asked Musk not to activate Starlink, a SpaceX subsidiary that provides satellite internet services, over Taiwan as a favor to China.
Musk has previously denied frequent calls with Putin. In 2022, Musk said he had spoken to the Russian leader just once, but The Journal said there have been repeated conversations since then. Musk has not commented or responded to the Journal article on X. Russia has also denied there have been frequent conversations between Putin and Musk. The Pentagon has so far declined to refute or confirm the allegations.
“There is no doubt that Russia is cultivating many possible channels of influence in the United States and other Western countries,” said Paul Pillar, a former senior CIA officer. “Russia would regard a wealthy and influential business mogul such as Musk as potentially a highly useful channel and thus a relationship worth nurturing,” he said. Editor's Note: Russia's approach is to gather 'kompromat' on influential foreigners so they can be exploited later." (10/30)
Europe Accepts SpaceRISE Consortium's Broadband Constellation Plan (Source: Space News)
The European Commission has approved a long-delayed plan to develop a satellite broadband constellation. The commission announced Thursday it accepted a best-and-final offer submitted by the SpaceRISE consortium, led by satellite operators SES, Eutelsat and Hispasat, for the Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite (IRIS²) constellation. A contract for designing and operating more than 290 satellites by 2030 to support government communications remains subject to final negotiations, which are slated to conclude before the end of this year. The total cost of IRIS² remains uncertain, but may significantly exceed original projections of six billion euros ($6.5 billion). (11/1)
NASA Safety Panel Urges Safety Focus at SpaceX (Source: Space News)
A NASA safety panel called on the agency and SpaceX to "maintain focus" on safety after a series of recent anomalies. At a meeting Thursday, members of the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel noted recent anomalies involving the Falcon 9 rocket, including one that led to the loss of a set of Starlink satellites in July. Those incidents, while unrelated to one another, demonstrate that NASA and SpaceX "need to maintain focus on safe Crew Dragon operations and not take any 'normal' operations for granted," one panel member stated, particularly as SpaceX increases its flight rate. The panel also praised NASA for its handling of the problems with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft on its crewed test flight this summer, saying the agency's processes demonstrated "a healthy safety culture." (11/1)
Congress Members Hope to Save Chandra (Source: Space News)
Several members of Congress are continuing their push to save the Chandra X-ray Observatory from proposed budget cuts. In a letter this week to the Chandra X-ray Center, which operates the space telescope, six members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation sought details on the operations of Chandra, its scientific productivity and implications to the astronomical community if the mission was prematurely ended. NASA proposed a 40% cut in Chandra's budget for fiscal year 2025, but had since stated it will maintain the telescope's budget for 2025 and defer decisions on any reductions in its operations until after a final 2025 appropriations bill is passed. Astronomers had warned the proposed cut could effectively end Chandra. (11/1)
Voyager Space Hires Magana (Source: Space News)
Voyager Space has hired a longtime industry executive to lead its national security work. The company said Thursday it hired Matt Magaña as executive vice president of national security for the company, which has steadily acquired subsidiaries to build a vertically integrated operation focused on advancing space exploration. Magaña was previously a senior leader at Raytheon Intelligence & Space. He said Voyager's strategy is to leverage its specialized technologies and multinational partnerships in support of defense programs that face growing demands for advanced subsystems. (11/1)
Russia Launches Military Satellite at Plesetsk Spaceport (Source: TASS)
Russia launched a military satellite Thursday. A Soyuz-2.1a rocket lifted off from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome at 3:51 a.m. Eastern and placed the unidentified satellite into orbit successfully, Russia's Defense Ministry stated. The government did not disclose details about the satellite but its orbit is the same as those used by Bars-M imaging satellites. (11/1)
China's Cosmoleap Developing Reusable Launcher (Source: Space News)
A Chinese startup has raised money to develop a launch vehicle whose recovery system emulates the one that SpaceX uses for Starship. Cosmoleap announced more than 100 million yuan ($14 million) in funding on Friday to advance development of a reusable rocket called "Yueqian" or "Leap". The medium-class rocket features a reusable first stage that will fly back to the launch site and be caught by "chopsticks" on the launch tower, the same approach SpaceX uses for the Super Heavy booster on its much larger Starship vehicle. Cosmoleap is projecting an initial test launch of its rocket in 2025 or 2026. (11/1)
China's CAS Space to Enter Launch Market (Source: Space News)
Chinese commercial launch provider CAS Space is looking to enter international markets. The company operates the Kinetica-1 or Lijian-1 solid-fuel rocket, which has launched four times since 2022, and is developing the larger Kinetica-2 rocket. A company executive said at the recent International Astronautical Congress that it is looking to attract customers outside of China given the strong competition within China for launch services. One challenge, the company acknowledges, is export control restrictions that make it nearly impossible for CAS Space to work with American or European customers. (11/1)
Astrobotic and Bridgestone Developing Lunar Tires (Source: Astrobotic)
Lunar lander developer Astrobotic is working with Bridgestone to develop a tire for use on the moon. The companies announced the partnership Thursday to work on a tire that would be used on CubeRover, a lunar rover the size of a kitchen stove that Astrobotic is developing. The metallic tire has an elastic structure to provide better handling and shock absorption when traversing the lunar terrain. The companies didn't disclose when they expected the CubeRover equipped with those tires to be driving on the moon. (11/1)
Even Uranus Might Be Hiding An Ocean World (Source: IFL Science)
Ocean worlds, such as Europa around Jupiter and Enceladus around Saturn, are recent and fascinating discoveries. These moons hide, far beneath their icy crusts, a deep liquid ocean. Other moons and dwarf planets also hide liquid oceans underneath, and the latest candidate is Miranda – the smallest of Uranus's five round moons.
Miranda might be the smallest round object in the Solar System. It has a diameter of just 470 kilometers (290 miles). Its surface area is just about the area of Texas. Still, it is a complex world. Its surface is among the most extreme we have observed anywhere and features the tallest cliff in the Solar System: Verona Rupes, which has a drop of about 20 kilometers (12 miles). An equivalent cliff on Earth would have to be over 270 kilometers tall. (10/31)
Black Holes Could be Driving the Expansion of the Universe, New Study Suggests (Source: Live Science)
A radical hypothesis suggesting black holes could be behind the accelerating expansion of our universe has been stirring up controversy among astronomers. A new study may contain the first tantalizing hints it could be real. Astronomers may have found tantalizing evidence that dark energy — the mysterious energy driving the accelerating expansion of our universe — could be connected with black holes. (10/31)
NanoAvionics Microsatellite Struck by Micro Object in LEO (Source: Gizmodo)
This week, satellite company NanoAvionics revealed that its MP42 microsatellite bus survived a hit in low Earth orbit, which left behind a 0.2-inch-hole (6 millimeters) on one of its solar arrays. The company discovered the impact thanks to the satellite’s selfie-taking skills, with the chickpea-sized crater appearing in an image taken by the satellite’s onboard camera this month. (10/31)
Hera's HyperScout Captures Spectral View of Earth from Deep Space (Source: Space Daily)
In the spirit of Halloween, Hera's HyperScout H imager has captured a series of spectral views of Earth, offering a haunting yet fascinating depiction. These images, taken through multiple spectral bands, highlight Earth in a spectral palette ranging from blue to red, showcasing the capabilities of Hera's advanced imaging instrument. (11/1)
Colt and Rivada Collaborate to Launch High-Speed, Secure Global Connectivity (Source: Space Daily)
Colt Technology Services, an international digital infrastructure provider, has announced a strategic partnership with Rivada Space Networks to establish an advanced connectivity network designed for high-speed, secure data transfer. Rivada Space Networks revealed that the first satellite launch is set for 2025, with service deployment expected in 2026. (10/31)
SpaceX, Already a Leader in Satellites, Gets Into the Spy Game (Source: New York Times)
SpaceX over the last year started to move in a big way into the business of building military and spy satellites, an industry that has long been dominated by major contractors like Raytheon and Northrop Grumman as well as smaller players like York Space Systems. This shift comes as the Pentagon and U.S. spy agencies are preparing to spend billions of dollars to build a series of new constellations of low-earth-orbit satellites, much of it in response to recent moves by China to build its own space-based military systems.
SpaceX is poised to capitalize on that, generating a new wave of questions inside the federal government about the company’s growing dominance as a military space contractor and Mr. Musk’s extensive business operations in China and his relations with foreign government leaders, possibly including President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia. (10/31)
Blue Origin Enters Presidential Endorsement Controversy (Source: Kent Reporter)
Blue Origin became part of a pulled presidential endorsement controversy the past several days involving owner Jeff Bezos and the Washington Post newspaper, also owned by Bezos. The Post announced Oct. 25 it would not endorse a presidential candidate in the Nov. 5 election after its editorial board had already drafted its endorsement of Democrat Kamala Harris over Republican Donald Trump, according to several media reports.
Within hours of that announcement, Blue Origin’s David Limp, chief executive officer, and Megan Mitchell, vice-president of government relations, briefly met with Trump after an Austin, Texas campaign speech, according to the Associated Press. “Some critics suggested Bezos ordered the non-endorsement to protect his business interests, acting out of fear of retaliation if Donald Trump were elected,” according to an Oct. 29 CBS News report. (10/29)
‘Stop Messing With Texas Waters’: Residents Blast State Regulators at SpaceX Permit Hearing (Source: San Antonio Express-News)
South Texas residents aren’t buying SpaceX’s reassurances that its Starship operation near Boca Chica Beach doesn’t pollute area waters. Nearly four dozen people gave Texas environmental regulators an earful at a recent public meeting in Brownsville over the company’s request for a permit that would allow it to dump hundreds of thousands of gallons of industrial wastewater into the sensitive wetlands surrounding its launch site. Hundreds more submitted written comments. (10/31)
India's DoT Asks Starlink, Amazon to Furnish Security-Related Compliances (Source: Economic Times)
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has asked both Elon Musk-owned Starlink and Jeff Bezos’s Amazon to provide compliances regarding certain security parameters as it looks to process their applications for offering satellite communications services in the country. “Their applications can be processed only after they submit the compliance. The firms have so far not replied.” (10/31)
Russian Threats To Elon Musk And Strikes On SpaceX Dishes Skyrocket (Source: Forbes)
While The Wall Street Journal has been blasting out its bombshell story that Elon Musk has had “secret conversations” with Vladimir Putin for the last two years, this same timeline has been marked by the Kremlin’s unending barrage of threats against SpaceX’s founder, and military assaults on his Starlink satellite terminals crisscrossing Ukraine.
These threats have ranged from dark hints of assassinating Musk - from the same Kremlin clique that has despatched henchmen armed with radioactive polonium, or the Soviet chemical weapon Novichok, to deal with political enemies - to cascading warnings that Russian missiles could be fired at SpaceX satellites circling the globe. (10/31)
Musk Explains Why Trump White House would Benefit SpaceX (Source: Teslarati)
Elon Musk said a Trump White House would benefit SpaceX’s Starship program and the optimistic goals it has to bring uncrewed launches to Mars within two years. A month ago, Musk said 2026 would be the ideal year to attempt the first launches with the intention of landing on Mars. 2028 would be the first year SpaceX could attempt to take humans to Mars. Musk said during the conference yesterday that he believes a Trump White House would be more beneficial for SpaceX’s Starship plans because of “overregulation.” (10/30)
Political Unity Is Rare But We Agree America’s Future Lies In Space (Source: Forbes)
What many of the country’s top policy makers are saying about our country’s space budget behind closed doors needs to be shouted from rooftops. A few rebels have even begun doing something verboten for decades: publicly contradicting the official President’s Budget Request. “The budget is going to need to double or triple over time” Frank Kendall, the sitting Secretary of the Air Force, recently said while discussing the challenge of securing space assets against an ascendent axis of autocracies on a flat-line Air Force budget.
The simple truth is that both NASA and the US Space Force are woefully underfunded, the Space Force cataclysmically so. It’s no single administration or person’s fault, certainly no Space Force Guardian. Rather, it is the unprecedented confluence of both humanity’s unceasing ambition to explore and exploit coupled with a menacing adversary’s organized challenge to our vision of promoting and governing it. Space may be infinite, but no government’s budget can be for very long — even that of the United States. (10/30)
Space May Be Worse for Humans Than Thought (Source: The Economist)
Space is not a very hospitable place. There is no air. Depending on whether you are in sunlight or not, it is either freezing cold or roasting hot. There are subtler hazards, too. Even when provided with oxygen and a stable temperature by their spacecraft, astronauts seem to sicken the longer they spend away from Earth. (10/30)
Ukrainian Astronomers Propose to Travel on Asteroids Between Planets (Source: ITC)
Ukrainian scientists have come up with an interesting solution to one of the most pressing problems of space exploration: how to safely transport people to Mars. Their research proposes to use natural space travelers — asteroids — as interplanetary vehicles. Their analysis of more than 35,000 near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) identified 120 promising candidates that could serve as natural spacecraft between Earth, Mars, and Venus.
These «space ferries» could potentially reduce travel time by up to 180 days, which would significantly reduce the health risks to astronauts. Asteroids could also provide additional benefits: their natural caverns and surfaces could serve as shields against cosmic radiation, and the asteroids themselves could become a source of resources for space travelers. (10/31)
AI-Enhanced Satellites to Track “Dark Ships” (Source: Space News)
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ AIRIS system aims to improve the detection of “dark ships” that disable AIS tracking to avoid detection. Using AI-driven Earth-observation cameras, AIRIS will monitor and selectively relay data on suspicious vessels in real-time, potentially aiding in efforts against illegal fishing and piracy. (10/31)
Instead of Going Boldly on Space, Harris Has Taken a Steady Approach (Source: New York Times)
For America’s direction in space, the course set by Vice President Kamala Harris during the Biden administration has been less to boldly go where no one has gone before and more like when on “Star Trek” Captain Kirk gave the command “Steady as she goes.” One sign of continuity in space policy is that Mr. Biden even set up a space council. Over the past 50 years, only three presidents — George H.W. Bush, Donald J. Trump and Mr. Biden — thought that space issues were weighty enough to warrant setting up a White House-level body to handle them.
While Ms. Harris has not made major shifts, she has added personal touches to U.S. space policy, including placing a greater emphasis on international diplomacy and highlighting how space technology can be employed to improve life on Earth. (10/30)
Airbus and Telesat to Work Together on Airline Satellite Internet (Source: SpaceQ)
Telesat announced on Monday at the APEX expo in Long Beach, California that they and Airbus would be working together on providing high speed internet connectivity to airline passengers. They’ve signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Airbus on enabling Telesat’s Lightspeed constellation of Low Earth orbit (LEO) communication satellites to work with Airbus’s upcoming Airspace Link HBCplus platform. (10/29)
From Apollo to the Polls, Poppy Northcutt Now 'Helping Democracy Survive' (Source: KTRK)
Frances "Poppy" Northcutt is a woman of many talents. An engineer, attorney, and during election season she holds the title of election judge. Northcutt says the idea of helping during an election came years ago during the 1970s. She's not an actual judge but her responsibility as an election judge means she's in charge of her polling location. According to the Texas Division of Elections, there are nearly 18.6 million registered voters across the state for this election. (10/30)
Mars Likely Never Had Any Sort Of Life, Says Renowned Geologist (Source: Forbes)
A feature of life is that it changes its surroundings, but from everything that we can see so far for Mars, the planet looks like it is dead, Mojzsis, an American-born Hungarian, told me at Konkoly Observatory. Mars may have once hosted organic prebiotic chemical networks which represented the first "steps" towards life. But Mojzsis thinks that's as far as the red planet got on the road to producing biochemistry that would have led to actual biological organisms.
There is no chemistry there of any sort that is really out of equilibrium with the environment, Mojzsis, a professor at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, told me. Mars has always been outside of the habitable zone of our solar system, he says. If life really got started there, my opinion is that it should still be there affecting its environment, says Mojzsis. (10/30)
GAO Sides with Space Force on Inmarsat Protest Over $114 Million Contract (Source: Law360)
The U.S. Government Accountability Office has denied a protest from satellite communications contractor Inmarsat over the U.S. Space Force's award of a $114.6 million contract for Ku-band satellite bandwidth and equipment to Global Enterprise Solutions, Inc. (GES), ruling that the government was justified in its selection. (10/31)
October 31, 2024
Sidus Space Announces Iridium-Powered
Communication Upgrade for LizzieSat Platform (Source: Sidus
Space)
Sidus Space announced a strategic communication upgrade for its LizzieSat platform, integrating Iridium-enabled technology into future satellites to deliver low-latency data capabilities from space. This upgrade leverages the Iridium satellite constellation to provide real-time, direct-to-satellite phone messaging for a range of time-sensitive applications, including environmental monitoring, disaster response and maritime security. (10/31)
North Korea's Solid-Fuel ICBMs (Source: Space Daily)
North Korea said Thursday it had test-fired one of its newest and most powerful weapons to boost its nuclear deterrent, with Seoul warning it could be a solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile. Solid-fuel missiles are powered by a chemical mixture which is cast into the missile's airframe when it is built -- like a firecracker rocket, ready to go. In contrast, liquid-fueled missiles typically require that the fuel and an oxidizer be inserted before they can be fired -- a slower and more cumbersome process.
For leader Kim Jong Un's purposes, this creates "a time period for South Korea to detect and target preemptively before the launch," said Han Kwon-hee of the Korea Association of Defence Industry Studies. This is the whole premise of South Korea's so-called "Kill Chain" defence system, Han said. That is why Kim wants solid fuel missiles. "It allows for rapid launches with minimal preparation," Han said, adding that they can be deployed "almost instantly". (10/31)
NASA's Lunar Trailblazer Will Map and Analyze Moon Water (Source: Space Daily)
NASA's Lunar Trailblazer mission is poised to answer longstanding questions about the distribution and composition of water on the Moon. While scientists have long suspected the presence of lunar water, the details of where it resides, its forms, and its movement across the Moon's surface remain unknown. Launching next year, Lunar Trailblazer will circle the Moon to create a high-resolution map of its surface water, determining water's exact abundance, location, forms, and changes over time. Managed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and led by Caltech, this small satellite mission will provide critical insights to help advance lunar science and support future lunar exploration efforts. (10/30)
Axient Secures Contract for Resilient GPS Constellation Under USSF Initiative (Source: Space Daily)
Axient, now operating under Astrion following its recent acquisition, has received a Performer Agreement through an Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) established between the Space Enterprise Consortium (SpEC) and Space Systems Command. This contract supports the U.S. Space Force's mission by advancing a next-generation Resilient GPS (R-GPS) satellite constellation, designed to enhance space infrastructure security. The initial contract includes a six-month preliminary design phase, with potential expansions leading to a capability demonstration and the delivery of eight R-GPS satellites by 2028. (10/30)
AXIS Mission Selected as NASA Astrophysics Probe Competition Finalist (Source: Space Daily)
The MIT Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research (MKI) is a project lead for one of two finalist missions recently selected for NASA's new Probe Explorers program. Working with collaborators at the University of Maryland and Goddard Space Flight Research Center, the team will produce a one-year concept study to launch the Advanced X-ray Imaging Satellite (AXIS) in 2032. (10/30)
Gateway HALO Unit to Support Vital Space Science on Lunar Missions (Source: Space Daily)
Set to serve as humanity's first space station orbiting the Moon, Gateway will offer a platform for astronauts to live, perform experiments, and prepare for extended missions, particularly targeting the lunar South Pole region. Gateway's HALO (Habitation and Logistics Outpost) module will be equipped to host essential experiments, including NASA's Heliophysics Environmental and Radiation Measurement Experiment Suite and ESA's and JAXA's Internal Dosimeter Array.
The heliophysics experiment will be mounted on HALO's exterior to analyze solar activity, while the dosimeter will be stationed inside, providing critical insights into radiation levels within Gateway. These studies are expected to inform long-term strategies for astronaut protection during deep-space missions, particularly for future journeys to Mars. (10/30)
Water Extraction From Moon Rocks Advances for Astronaut Support (Source: Space Daily)
Water extraction in space is critical for expanding human exploration of the Solar System. Led by the German Aerospace Center (DLR), a new technique is being validated to harvest water from the Moon. Through the LUWEX research project, dedicated to testing lunar water extraction and purification for in-situ resource use, researchers at the Technical University (TU) Braunschweig have conducted large-scale experiments over several months. The trials aim to produce at least half a liter of water per run.
The LUWEX project's primary objective is to develop and test a method for extracting and purifying water from lunar regolith containing ice. This process could supply both drinking water and rocket fuel for future Moon missions. Recently, the technique has shown promising results in experimental conditions. (10/30)
Space Force Reopens On-Ramp for New Launchers (Source: Space News)
The U.S. Space Force is reopening a launch contract for new providers. The service announced Wednesday the first "on-ramp" for the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 Lane 1 program to allow new entrants to offer their vehicles. Lane 1 currently includes Blue Origin, SpaceX and ULA, with the first awards made earlier this month to SpaceX. For the current on-ramp, prospective providers must demonstrate readiness for a first launch by December 2025. Among the potential new entrants, Rocket Lab stands out with its Neutron launch vehicle, anticipated to be ready for its first flight by mid-2025. (10/31)
NRO Picks Three Companies for In-Space Servicing and Logistics (Source: Space News)
The NRO has selected three companies for technology agreements regarding new in-space capabilities. As part of the Agile Launch Innovation and Strategic Technology Advancement program, the NRO signed agreements with Cognitive Space, Impulse Space and Starfish Space to assess the companies' capabilities. Cognitive Space is developing AI-driven satellite operations while Impulse Space is working on orbital transfer vehicles and Starfish Space on satellite servicing and logistics technologies. (10/31)
Startup Matter Intelligence Developing Earth Observation Sensors (Source: Space News)
Matter Intelligence has emerged from stealth with $12 million to develop a unique Earth observation sensor suite. The company says it has developed a combination of a high-resolution camera, thermal sensor and spectrometer that can be used on satellites as well as aircraft and drones. The company says the seed round will allow it to demonstrate that sensor system and line up customers, although it has provided few details about the sensor suite's capabilities or when it will be first flown in space. Lowercarbon Capital led Matter's seed round with participation from several other funds as well as billionaire Mark Cuban. (10/31)
Lockheed Martin Completes Terran Orbital Acquisition (Source: Space News)
Lockheed Martin has completed its acquisition of smallsat manufacturer Terran Orbital. Lockheed said Wednesday it closed the deal, announced in mid-August and valued at about $450 million. Terran Orbital, now formally known as "Terran Orbital, a Lockheed Martin Company," will continue to serve as a merchant supplier of smallsats for customers beyond Lockheed, which had been a key customer and partner. Terran Orbital was among the space companies that went public through SPAC mergers but which then struggled in the public market. (10/31)
Tamarack Global Seeks Space Startups for New Investment (Source: Space News)
Early-stage investor Tamarack Global is hunting for more space opportunities after announcing the close of a $72 million fund. About a third of that fund has been allocated so far, including an investment in Impulse Space's $150 million Series B round. The fund is looking for investments from seed to Series B rounds. Support for the fund came from a broad mix of investors, including high-profile venture capitalists such as Marc Andreessen and Chris Dixon of Andreessen Horowitz. (10/31)
NASA Refines Artemis 3 Landing Sites (Source: Space News)
NASA has refined the list of potential lunar landing sites for Artemis 3. The agency released this week a new list of nine areas near the south pole of the moon it is considering for that mission, the first crewed landing of the Artemis effort. Officials said they took into account a wide range of factors, from the capabilities of the Starship lander that will be used on Artemis 3 to lighting conditions and the ability to communicate directly with Earth. NASA will consider other sites for future Artemis missions, but expects to stay in the vicinity of the south pole of the moon. (10/31)
SpaceX Launches Wednesday Starlink Mission From Cape Canaveral Spaceport (Source: Florida Today)
SpaceX launched another set of Starlink satellites Wednesday afternoon. A Falcon 9 lifted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, at 5:10 p.m. Eastern and deployed 23 Starlink satellites. The launch took place about nine hours after another Falcon 9 launched 20 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. (10/31)
ULA Investigating Payload Fairing Issue (Source: Ars Technica)
United Launch Alliance is investigating potential issues with payload fairings. On an Atlas 5 launch last year, debris came off the fairings as they separated from the upper stage. That debris may be insulation from the interior of the fairings. That loss of debris apparently did not affect the satellites inside but is being investigated by ULA and the Space Force. That could impact plans to certify ULA's Vulcan rocket for national security missions because the Vulcan fairing is made by the same company, Beyond Gravity, using similar processes. (10/31)
Viridian Developing Propulsion for VLEO Smallsats (Source: Space News)
A startup is developing an electric propulsion system for spacecraft in very low Earth orbit (VLEO) that scoops up air for plasma thrusters. The thrusters, being developed by Viridian Space Corp., would use the tenuous atmosphere in very low orbits as propellant for electric thrusters. That could significantly increase the lifetime of spacecraft in VLEO, which require propulsion to maintain their orbits against atmospheric drag. Viridian plans to test its technology in space in the next three years. (10/31)
Aldrin Endorses Trump (Source: Politico)
Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin has endorsed Donald Trump for president. In a statement Wednesday, Aldrin said he was "impressed" by the support Trump gave space during his first term, but didn't cite any specific space policy plans he would expect Trump to pursue in a second term. Aldrin has previously supported Republican candidates for office and served on the National Space Council's Users' Advisory Group in the Trump administration. (10/31)
Voyager 1 Activates Backup Transmitter (Source: Space.com)
The distant Voyager 1 spacecraft has switched to a backup radio transmitter. NASA said this week that the spacecraft is back in contact with Earth after a brief outage apparently triggered by the spacecraft's fault protection system. Voyager 1 resumed communications using a backup S-band transmitter that had not been used since 1981. NASA said it is investigating the issue and studying ways to resume normal operations. (10/31)
The New Glenn Rocket’s First Stage is Real, and it’s Spectacular (Source: Ars Technica)
Blue Origin took another significant step toward the launch of its large New Glenn rocket on Tuesday night by rolling the first stage of the vehicle to a launch site at the Cape Canaveral Spaceport. Although the company's rocket factory in Florida is only a few miles from Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, because of the rocket and transporter's size, the procession had to follow a more circuitous route. In a post on LinkedIn, Blue Origin's chief executive, Dave Limp, said the route taken by the rocket to the pad is 23 miles long.
Moving the rocket to the launch site is a key sign that the first stage is almost ready for its much-anticipated debut. Development of the New Glenn rocket would bring a third commercial heavy-lift rocket into the US market, after SpaceX's Falcon Heavy and Starship vehicles. It would send another clear signal that the future of rocketry in the United States is commercially driven rather than government-led. Critically, New Glenn is also designed to have a fully reusable first stage, which will attempt a droneship landing on its first flight.
The rocket must still undergo two key milestones, completing a wet dress rehearsal in which the vehicle will be fully fueled and its ground systems tested. This will be followed by a hot-fire test during which the first stage's seven BE-4 rocket engines will be ignited for several seconds. (10/30)
Firefly’s New CEO is Working ‘Maniacally’ to Scale Launches, Spacecraft and Moon Missions (Source: CNBC)
Jason Kim just nabbed one of the most coveted yet high-pressure C-suite gigs in the space industry. As the new CEO of rocket and spacecraft builder Firefly Aerospace, he’s no longer under the Boeing umbrella after leaving his previous role leading their satellite-making subsidiary Millennium. And he’s joined an operation that’s in rarefied air — as one of only four companies in the U.S. with an operational orbital rocket — with growing spacecraft and lunar lander product lines.
But now he’s taking on a launch market dominated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX. Legacy player ULA and rising challenger Rocket Lab are also ramping up their efforts in the market — with Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin hot on their heels. But Kim is unfazed. He sees gaps in the launch market for Firefly’s Alpha and coming MLV rockets, which slot into the middle of the small-to-heavy class of vehicles.
“In the history of the world, we started with the sea and then we went to rail, roads and then airplanes. I think space is the next big transportation play. It’s a new category that Firefly is going to help create,” Kim told CNBC, speaking in his first interview since joining the company at the start of this month. (10/29)
Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck Is Most Excited About a ‘Completely Unfunded’ Mission (Source: Observer)
What excites its founder and CEO Peter Beck the most is a “completely unfunded,” “nights and weekends” project aimed at finding life on Venus, the entrepreneur revealed. The New Zealand-born space founder has long been fascinated by Venus, our nearest neighbor planet in the solar system, because of how similar it is to Earth.
Rocket Lab is working to send a life-hunting probe into the clouds of Venus. “There’s a very interesting, sweet zone about 50 kilometers off the surface of Venus. The conditions are just good enough that there could be life there,” Beck said. Because the destination is essentially air above a planet, the mission will be a lot trickier than landing a rover on a hard surface. Beck said, if the probe gets to Venus successfully, it will have only about 250 seconds to interfere with the planet’s atmosphere and deploy a nephelometer instrument there to look for life. (10/29)
How to Free Elon Musk’s SpaceX From Federal Red Tape: a "Space Coast Compact" (Source: Wall Street Journal)
Tensions between SpaceX and its federal regulators have spilled into public view. The FAA is seeking $633,009 in civil fines, alleging that the company neglected necessary paperwork for two 2023 launches. CEO Elon Musk has vowed to sue the FAA for “regulatory overreach.” The issue underscores a larger problem: The FAA’s issuing a launch license to SpaceX constitutes a “major federal action” under the National Environmental Policy Act, requiring a full environmental review and often subsequent mitigation measures.
The earliest the Space Force anticipates finishing its environmental review for Florida-based Starship Super Heavy operations is next autumn. A growing bipartisan "Abundance Agenda" has seen recent successes in creating new categories of NEPA exemptions. And there's a powerful alternative rooted in America's tradition of federalism: the interstate compact. The Constitution's Compact Clause permits states to create legally binding agreements among themselves. Its only limitation is that Congress must authorize any compact that encroaches on federal power or implicates federal concerns.
Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida might consider banding together to create a Space Coast Compact. The terms could establish the authorities, structure, and governance of a Space Coast Launch Authority with the right to review plans and issue launch [and landing] permits for operating in the signatory states. The new authority, an alternate to the FAA, would be accountable to the states' governments. The authority could still retain a relationship with the FAA, but the compact would break the chokehold of federal bureaucracy. (10/29)
UCF Fuels America’s Space Program with Innovative Education, Medicine and Tech (Source: UCF)
As America’s Space University, the University of Central Florida continues to drive advancements in space technology, medicine and workforce development, preparing students to lead in the evolving space industry. This commitment to the space sector will be celebrated at UCF football’s annual Space Game on Saturday, Nov. 2, as the Knights take on the University of Arizona Wildcats, honoring UCF’s roots in supporting the U.S. space program.
Founded in 1963 with the mission to provide talent for Central Florida and the growing U.S. space program, the university’s extensive involvement in space research and education not only drives innovations in space technology but also prepares the next generation of leaders in the field. With more than 40 active NASA projects totaling more than $67 million in funding, UCF continues to push the frontiers of space research, and its contributions promise to help shape the future of humanity’s presence in the cosmos. (10/29)
Insuring the Rise of Space Tourism (Source: Insurance Times)
Despite the high prospects for growth in this niche area, many challenges remain – including for the insurance industry. The main challenge is that space tourism is very different to the more established space risks that insurers are used to dealing with. Whereas traditional space insurance focuses almost exclusively on satellites – valuable but fundamentally non-human assets – insuring space tourists brings the human element much more to the fore.
“When you see [NASA] sending people to the ISS, or people launching on SpaceX, it’s normally government or company funded,” explained Ben Spain, a senior partner at broker Gallagher. “So, they’re either government employees or private company employees, not paying commercial customers. And that’s the biggest difference from a risk management point of view.
“[With space tourism], it’s an individual with families and commitments and a very different way of viewing a claim situation – from a piece of hardware that’s worth X amount to an individual with kids and a legacy behind them. So, it is a bit of a step change for us because we really haven’t seen that type of cover in the market.” Spain explained that with the typical actuarial driven insurance process, industry professionals would use a dataset with hundreds of thousands of records to base policies on. But when it comes to space tourism, insurers might only have three launches of one type of spacecraft on which to base their risk analysis. (10/30)
Spaceport is the Prize for Scotland (Source: John O'Groat Journal)
Sutherland Spaceport is set to be “a real prize” for the far north when satellite launches get under way next year, the chief executive of Highlands and Enterprise has said. He also reported that Orbex, the company behind the development and operation of the project on the A’Mhoine peninsula on the north coast, has a “very, very positive” order book.
Mr. Black was speaking after visiting the spaceport site as part of a two-day tour of businesses and community ventures along with other senior figures from the region’s economic and community development agency. Orbex will use the site to launch up to 12 orbital rockets a year. It is hoped the spaceport will eventually support around 250 jobs, including 40 jobs in Sutherland and Caithness. (10/30)
Sidus Space announced a strategic communication upgrade for its LizzieSat platform, integrating Iridium-enabled technology into future satellites to deliver low-latency data capabilities from space. This upgrade leverages the Iridium satellite constellation to provide real-time, direct-to-satellite phone messaging for a range of time-sensitive applications, including environmental monitoring, disaster response and maritime security. (10/31)
North Korea's Solid-Fuel ICBMs (Source: Space Daily)
North Korea said Thursday it had test-fired one of its newest and most powerful weapons to boost its nuclear deterrent, with Seoul warning it could be a solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile. Solid-fuel missiles are powered by a chemical mixture which is cast into the missile's airframe when it is built -- like a firecracker rocket, ready to go. In contrast, liquid-fueled missiles typically require that the fuel and an oxidizer be inserted before they can be fired -- a slower and more cumbersome process.
For leader Kim Jong Un's purposes, this creates "a time period for South Korea to detect and target preemptively before the launch," said Han Kwon-hee of the Korea Association of Defence Industry Studies. This is the whole premise of South Korea's so-called "Kill Chain" defence system, Han said. That is why Kim wants solid fuel missiles. "It allows for rapid launches with minimal preparation," Han said, adding that they can be deployed "almost instantly". (10/31)
NASA's Lunar Trailblazer Will Map and Analyze Moon Water (Source: Space Daily)
NASA's Lunar Trailblazer mission is poised to answer longstanding questions about the distribution and composition of water on the Moon. While scientists have long suspected the presence of lunar water, the details of where it resides, its forms, and its movement across the Moon's surface remain unknown. Launching next year, Lunar Trailblazer will circle the Moon to create a high-resolution map of its surface water, determining water's exact abundance, location, forms, and changes over time. Managed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and led by Caltech, this small satellite mission will provide critical insights to help advance lunar science and support future lunar exploration efforts. (10/30)
Axient Secures Contract for Resilient GPS Constellation Under USSF Initiative (Source: Space Daily)
Axient, now operating under Astrion following its recent acquisition, has received a Performer Agreement through an Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) established between the Space Enterprise Consortium (SpEC) and Space Systems Command. This contract supports the U.S. Space Force's mission by advancing a next-generation Resilient GPS (R-GPS) satellite constellation, designed to enhance space infrastructure security. The initial contract includes a six-month preliminary design phase, with potential expansions leading to a capability demonstration and the delivery of eight R-GPS satellites by 2028. (10/30)
AXIS Mission Selected as NASA Astrophysics Probe Competition Finalist (Source: Space Daily)
The MIT Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research (MKI) is a project lead for one of two finalist missions recently selected for NASA's new Probe Explorers program. Working with collaborators at the University of Maryland and Goddard Space Flight Research Center, the team will produce a one-year concept study to launch the Advanced X-ray Imaging Satellite (AXIS) in 2032. (10/30)
Gateway HALO Unit to Support Vital Space Science on Lunar Missions (Source: Space Daily)
Set to serve as humanity's first space station orbiting the Moon, Gateway will offer a platform for astronauts to live, perform experiments, and prepare for extended missions, particularly targeting the lunar South Pole region. Gateway's HALO (Habitation and Logistics Outpost) module will be equipped to host essential experiments, including NASA's Heliophysics Environmental and Radiation Measurement Experiment Suite and ESA's and JAXA's Internal Dosimeter Array.
The heliophysics experiment will be mounted on HALO's exterior to analyze solar activity, while the dosimeter will be stationed inside, providing critical insights into radiation levels within Gateway. These studies are expected to inform long-term strategies for astronaut protection during deep-space missions, particularly for future journeys to Mars. (10/30)
Water Extraction From Moon Rocks Advances for Astronaut Support (Source: Space Daily)
Water extraction in space is critical for expanding human exploration of the Solar System. Led by the German Aerospace Center (DLR), a new technique is being validated to harvest water from the Moon. Through the LUWEX research project, dedicated to testing lunar water extraction and purification for in-situ resource use, researchers at the Technical University (TU) Braunschweig have conducted large-scale experiments over several months. The trials aim to produce at least half a liter of water per run.
The LUWEX project's primary objective is to develop and test a method for extracting and purifying water from lunar regolith containing ice. This process could supply both drinking water and rocket fuel for future Moon missions. Recently, the technique has shown promising results in experimental conditions. (10/30)
Space Force Reopens On-Ramp for New Launchers (Source: Space News)
The U.S. Space Force is reopening a launch contract for new providers. The service announced Wednesday the first "on-ramp" for the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 Lane 1 program to allow new entrants to offer their vehicles. Lane 1 currently includes Blue Origin, SpaceX and ULA, with the first awards made earlier this month to SpaceX. For the current on-ramp, prospective providers must demonstrate readiness for a first launch by December 2025. Among the potential new entrants, Rocket Lab stands out with its Neutron launch vehicle, anticipated to be ready for its first flight by mid-2025. (10/31)
NRO Picks Three Companies for In-Space Servicing and Logistics (Source: Space News)
The NRO has selected three companies for technology agreements regarding new in-space capabilities. As part of the Agile Launch Innovation and Strategic Technology Advancement program, the NRO signed agreements with Cognitive Space, Impulse Space and Starfish Space to assess the companies' capabilities. Cognitive Space is developing AI-driven satellite operations while Impulse Space is working on orbital transfer vehicles and Starfish Space on satellite servicing and logistics technologies. (10/31)
Startup Matter Intelligence Developing Earth Observation Sensors (Source: Space News)
Matter Intelligence has emerged from stealth with $12 million to develop a unique Earth observation sensor suite. The company says it has developed a combination of a high-resolution camera, thermal sensor and spectrometer that can be used on satellites as well as aircraft and drones. The company says the seed round will allow it to demonstrate that sensor system and line up customers, although it has provided few details about the sensor suite's capabilities or when it will be first flown in space. Lowercarbon Capital led Matter's seed round with participation from several other funds as well as billionaire Mark Cuban. (10/31)
Lockheed Martin Completes Terran Orbital Acquisition (Source: Space News)
Lockheed Martin has completed its acquisition of smallsat manufacturer Terran Orbital. Lockheed said Wednesday it closed the deal, announced in mid-August and valued at about $450 million. Terran Orbital, now formally known as "Terran Orbital, a Lockheed Martin Company," will continue to serve as a merchant supplier of smallsats for customers beyond Lockheed, which had been a key customer and partner. Terran Orbital was among the space companies that went public through SPAC mergers but which then struggled in the public market. (10/31)
Tamarack Global Seeks Space Startups for New Investment (Source: Space News)
Early-stage investor Tamarack Global is hunting for more space opportunities after announcing the close of a $72 million fund. About a third of that fund has been allocated so far, including an investment in Impulse Space's $150 million Series B round. The fund is looking for investments from seed to Series B rounds. Support for the fund came from a broad mix of investors, including high-profile venture capitalists such as Marc Andreessen and Chris Dixon of Andreessen Horowitz. (10/31)
NASA Refines Artemis 3 Landing Sites (Source: Space News)
NASA has refined the list of potential lunar landing sites for Artemis 3. The agency released this week a new list of nine areas near the south pole of the moon it is considering for that mission, the first crewed landing of the Artemis effort. Officials said they took into account a wide range of factors, from the capabilities of the Starship lander that will be used on Artemis 3 to lighting conditions and the ability to communicate directly with Earth. NASA will consider other sites for future Artemis missions, but expects to stay in the vicinity of the south pole of the moon. (10/31)
SpaceX Launches Wednesday Starlink Mission From Cape Canaveral Spaceport (Source: Florida Today)
SpaceX launched another set of Starlink satellites Wednesday afternoon. A Falcon 9 lifted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, at 5:10 p.m. Eastern and deployed 23 Starlink satellites. The launch took place about nine hours after another Falcon 9 launched 20 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. (10/31)
ULA Investigating Payload Fairing Issue (Source: Ars Technica)
United Launch Alliance is investigating potential issues with payload fairings. On an Atlas 5 launch last year, debris came off the fairings as they separated from the upper stage. That debris may be insulation from the interior of the fairings. That loss of debris apparently did not affect the satellites inside but is being investigated by ULA and the Space Force. That could impact plans to certify ULA's Vulcan rocket for national security missions because the Vulcan fairing is made by the same company, Beyond Gravity, using similar processes. (10/31)
Viridian Developing Propulsion for VLEO Smallsats (Source: Space News)
A startup is developing an electric propulsion system for spacecraft in very low Earth orbit (VLEO) that scoops up air for plasma thrusters. The thrusters, being developed by Viridian Space Corp., would use the tenuous atmosphere in very low orbits as propellant for electric thrusters. That could significantly increase the lifetime of spacecraft in VLEO, which require propulsion to maintain their orbits against atmospheric drag. Viridian plans to test its technology in space in the next three years. (10/31)
Aldrin Endorses Trump (Source: Politico)
Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin has endorsed Donald Trump for president. In a statement Wednesday, Aldrin said he was "impressed" by the support Trump gave space during his first term, but didn't cite any specific space policy plans he would expect Trump to pursue in a second term. Aldrin has previously supported Republican candidates for office and served on the National Space Council's Users' Advisory Group in the Trump administration. (10/31)
Voyager 1 Activates Backup Transmitter (Source: Space.com)
The distant Voyager 1 spacecraft has switched to a backup radio transmitter. NASA said this week that the spacecraft is back in contact with Earth after a brief outage apparently triggered by the spacecraft's fault protection system. Voyager 1 resumed communications using a backup S-band transmitter that had not been used since 1981. NASA said it is investigating the issue and studying ways to resume normal operations. (10/31)
The New Glenn Rocket’s First Stage is Real, and it’s Spectacular (Source: Ars Technica)
Blue Origin took another significant step toward the launch of its large New Glenn rocket on Tuesday night by rolling the first stage of the vehicle to a launch site at the Cape Canaveral Spaceport. Although the company's rocket factory in Florida is only a few miles from Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, because of the rocket and transporter's size, the procession had to follow a more circuitous route. In a post on LinkedIn, Blue Origin's chief executive, Dave Limp, said the route taken by the rocket to the pad is 23 miles long.
Moving the rocket to the launch site is a key sign that the first stage is almost ready for its much-anticipated debut. Development of the New Glenn rocket would bring a third commercial heavy-lift rocket into the US market, after SpaceX's Falcon Heavy and Starship vehicles. It would send another clear signal that the future of rocketry in the United States is commercially driven rather than government-led. Critically, New Glenn is also designed to have a fully reusable first stage, which will attempt a droneship landing on its first flight.
The rocket must still undergo two key milestones, completing a wet dress rehearsal in which the vehicle will be fully fueled and its ground systems tested. This will be followed by a hot-fire test during which the first stage's seven BE-4 rocket engines will be ignited for several seconds. (10/30)
Firefly’s New CEO is Working ‘Maniacally’ to Scale Launches, Spacecraft and Moon Missions (Source: CNBC)
Jason Kim just nabbed one of the most coveted yet high-pressure C-suite gigs in the space industry. As the new CEO of rocket and spacecraft builder Firefly Aerospace, he’s no longer under the Boeing umbrella after leaving his previous role leading their satellite-making subsidiary Millennium. And he’s joined an operation that’s in rarefied air — as one of only four companies in the U.S. with an operational orbital rocket — with growing spacecraft and lunar lander product lines.
But now he’s taking on a launch market dominated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX. Legacy player ULA and rising challenger Rocket Lab are also ramping up their efforts in the market — with Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin hot on their heels. But Kim is unfazed. He sees gaps in the launch market for Firefly’s Alpha and coming MLV rockets, which slot into the middle of the small-to-heavy class of vehicles.
“In the history of the world, we started with the sea and then we went to rail, roads and then airplanes. I think space is the next big transportation play. It’s a new category that Firefly is going to help create,” Kim told CNBC, speaking in his first interview since joining the company at the start of this month. (10/29)
Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck Is Most Excited About a ‘Completely Unfunded’ Mission (Source: Observer)
What excites its founder and CEO Peter Beck the most is a “completely unfunded,” “nights and weekends” project aimed at finding life on Venus, the entrepreneur revealed. The New Zealand-born space founder has long been fascinated by Venus, our nearest neighbor planet in the solar system, because of how similar it is to Earth.
Rocket Lab is working to send a life-hunting probe into the clouds of Venus. “There’s a very interesting, sweet zone about 50 kilometers off the surface of Venus. The conditions are just good enough that there could be life there,” Beck said. Because the destination is essentially air above a planet, the mission will be a lot trickier than landing a rover on a hard surface. Beck said, if the probe gets to Venus successfully, it will have only about 250 seconds to interfere with the planet’s atmosphere and deploy a nephelometer instrument there to look for life. (10/29)
How to Free Elon Musk’s SpaceX From Federal Red Tape: a "Space Coast Compact" (Source: Wall Street Journal)
Tensions between SpaceX and its federal regulators have spilled into public view. The FAA is seeking $633,009 in civil fines, alleging that the company neglected necessary paperwork for two 2023 launches. CEO Elon Musk has vowed to sue the FAA for “regulatory overreach.” The issue underscores a larger problem: The FAA’s issuing a launch license to SpaceX constitutes a “major federal action” under the National Environmental Policy Act, requiring a full environmental review and often subsequent mitigation measures.
The earliest the Space Force anticipates finishing its environmental review for Florida-based Starship Super Heavy operations is next autumn. A growing bipartisan "Abundance Agenda" has seen recent successes in creating new categories of NEPA exemptions. And there's a powerful alternative rooted in America's tradition of federalism: the interstate compact. The Constitution's Compact Clause permits states to create legally binding agreements among themselves. Its only limitation is that Congress must authorize any compact that encroaches on federal power or implicates federal concerns.
Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida might consider banding together to create a Space Coast Compact. The terms could establish the authorities, structure, and governance of a Space Coast Launch Authority with the right to review plans and issue launch [and landing] permits for operating in the signatory states. The new authority, an alternate to the FAA, would be accountable to the states' governments. The authority could still retain a relationship with the FAA, but the compact would break the chokehold of federal bureaucracy. (10/29)
UCF Fuels America’s Space Program with Innovative Education, Medicine and Tech (Source: UCF)
As America’s Space University, the University of Central Florida continues to drive advancements in space technology, medicine and workforce development, preparing students to lead in the evolving space industry. This commitment to the space sector will be celebrated at UCF football’s annual Space Game on Saturday, Nov. 2, as the Knights take on the University of Arizona Wildcats, honoring UCF’s roots in supporting the U.S. space program.
Founded in 1963 with the mission to provide talent for Central Florida and the growing U.S. space program, the university’s extensive involvement in space research and education not only drives innovations in space technology but also prepares the next generation of leaders in the field. With more than 40 active NASA projects totaling more than $67 million in funding, UCF continues to push the frontiers of space research, and its contributions promise to help shape the future of humanity’s presence in the cosmos. (10/29)
Insuring the Rise of Space Tourism (Source: Insurance Times)
Despite the high prospects for growth in this niche area, many challenges remain – including for the insurance industry. The main challenge is that space tourism is very different to the more established space risks that insurers are used to dealing with. Whereas traditional space insurance focuses almost exclusively on satellites – valuable but fundamentally non-human assets – insuring space tourists brings the human element much more to the fore.
“When you see [NASA] sending people to the ISS, or people launching on SpaceX, it’s normally government or company funded,” explained Ben Spain, a senior partner at broker Gallagher. “So, they’re either government employees or private company employees, not paying commercial customers. And that’s the biggest difference from a risk management point of view.
“[With space tourism], it’s an individual with families and commitments and a very different way of viewing a claim situation – from a piece of hardware that’s worth X amount to an individual with kids and a legacy behind them. So, it is a bit of a step change for us because we really haven’t seen that type of cover in the market.” Spain explained that with the typical actuarial driven insurance process, industry professionals would use a dataset with hundreds of thousands of records to base policies on. But when it comes to space tourism, insurers might only have three launches of one type of spacecraft on which to base their risk analysis. (10/30)
Spaceport is the Prize for Scotland (Source: John O'Groat Journal)
Sutherland Spaceport is set to be “a real prize” for the far north when satellite launches get under way next year, the chief executive of Highlands and Enterprise has said. He also reported that Orbex, the company behind the development and operation of the project on the A’Mhoine peninsula on the north coast, has a “very, very positive” order book.
Mr. Black was speaking after visiting the spaceport site as part of a two-day tour of businesses and community ventures along with other senior figures from the region’s economic and community development agency. Orbex will use the site to launch up to 12 orbital rockets a year. It is hoped the spaceport will eventually support around 250 jobs, including 40 jobs in Sutherland and Caithness. (10/30)
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