October 15, 2024

Musk Threatens to Sue California Coastal Commission (Source: Business Insider)
Elon Musk threatened to take legal action following reports that a California state commission cited his politics in a decision. The California Coastal Commission on Thursday rejected a request for more-frequent SpaceX launches. The request was filed by the US Space Force, seeking more launches from the state's Central Coast. It was rejected by six votes to four. The Space Force had asked the commission to allow SpaceX to carry out 50 launches a year of its Falcon 9 rocket at Vandenberg Space Force Base, up from 36. (10/15)

Europe Must Play to Win—Not Just Play Nice—in a New Space Race, Argues ESA’s Boss (Source: The Economist)
Seeing SpaceX’s super-heavy-lift Starship soar into the skies on Oct. 13, and then its reusable booster fly back to the launch pad in a world first, filled me with awe. NASA, America’s space agency, plans to use a human-rated version of the rapid-launch vehicle to return astronauts to the Moon in a couple of years. China—which has made astonishing strides—aims to put people on the lunar surface by 2030. India hopes to do the same by 2040. A new space race is under way. So says Josef Aschbacher, ESA's director-general. For Europe, keeping up is not enough. (10/14)

The Woman Who Helped Send a Spacecraft to Europa, Jupiter’s Icy Moon (Source: New Yorker)
Just after noon on Monday, a SpaceX rocket stood on the same launchpad that once sent men to the moon. Hurricane Milton had recently ripped across Florida, whipping up winds of a hundred miles per hour in Cape Canaveral, but now the skies were a featureless blue. From a restricted viewing area not far away, Louise Prockter, a graceful scientist with sandy hair, glanced at a countdown clock and then back at the rocket, which carried her lifework. "Surreal," she said softly. (10/15)

ViaSat-3 Supports Marine Corps Operations (Source: Naval Technology)
The ViaSat-3 F1 satellite is up and running for US government clients, specifically supporting the Marine Corps Marine Wing Communications Squadron 38 and the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment. These units are using multi-mission terminals to enhance expeditionary and reconnaissance communication capabilities. (10/11)

Space Force Taps Into Small Businesses for New Ground System (Source: Defense News)
The US Space Force is transitioning its space domain awareness satellite programs to a new cloud-based ground system in partnership with a consortium of 20 small commercial firms. "We honed in on this small business approach because they've got the right experts to team with us to deliver this satellite operations software that we need for dynamic space operations," said Col. Greg Hoffman. (10/12)

Global Spaceport Alliance and FAA Host Inaugural International Spaceport Meeting in Italy (Source: GSA)
On October 13, 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Office of Commercial Space Transportation, in collaboration with the Global Spaceport Alliance (GSA), hosted the inaugural International Spaceport Meeting, held on the eve of the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) 2024 in Milan, Italy. The meeting brought together spaceport operators and regulatory officials from over 20 countries, marking a pivotal moment for the global spaceport industry. (10/14)

Private Investments in Space are Essential, Head of Italian Space Agency Says (Source: Reuters)
Private investment in the space sector is essential for its growth and must not be demonized, but needs to be regulated, the chief of Italian Space Agency ASI said on Sunday ahead of a conference on the industry in Milan. "We must not demonize the arrival of private companies (in the sector)," ASI President Teodoro Valente said. "All the estimates about exponential growth of the space economy are hardly achievable if there was no substantial entry of private companies."

Valente added that "private input is essential because public resources (can then) be used as a multiplier". The global space economy is seen soaring to $1.8 trillion by 2035, up from $630 billion in 2023, growing at an average of 9% per year or almost twice the rate of projected growth in global GDP, a report by the World Economic Forum and McKinsey has estimated. (10/13)

Warped Starship Booster Engines After Flight 5 Landing Will Easily Be Fixed, Says Musk (Source: WCCF Tech)
After SpaceX made history and successfully caught the world's largest rocket mid air for the first time, fresh images from the company and remarks from Elon Musk highlight the stress that the rocket experienced during its historic return to the launch tower. Starship is the only rocket in the world and in history designed to be caught by the launch tower, and SpaceX's images show its outer ring engine nozzles glowing red hot as the rocket made its way back to the launch site. Musk's latest comments about the rocket made after inspections provide details, as they share that heating deformed some of the engine nozzles during return.

Soon after Flight 5, Musk had taken to X to share that "outer engine nozzles are a little warped from high heating & strong aero forces" and maintained that the damage was "easily fixable." These fixes are essential for Starship's reusability as catching the booster is only one part of SpaceX's plans to ensure that the rocket succeeds the Falcon 9 as the next workhorse launch vehicle. (10/14)

Dark Matter Does Not Exist and the Universe is 27 Billion Years Old, Study Claims (Source: Earth.com)
The universe has always held mysteries that spark our curiosity. As we currently understand it, the fabric of the universe comprises three primary components: ‘normal matter,’ ‘dark energy,’ and ‘dark matter.’ However, new research is turning this established model on its head. Enter Rajendra Gupta, a seasoned physics professor who isn’t afraid to question the status quo. With years of research under his belt, Gupta is shaking up our understanding of the universe.

Gupta suggests we might not need dark matter or dark energy to explain the workings of the universe. This bold claim is turning heads in the scientific community. At the core of Gupta’s research is a model that combines two theories: covarying coupling constants (CCC) and “tired light” (TL). We’ve always been taught that the fundamental constants of nature — like the speed of light or the charge of an electron — are unchanging. But what if they aren’t fixed after all?

The CCC theory suggests these constants might actually vary across the universe. If that’s the case, it could alter our understanding of everything from the tiniest particles to the largest galaxies. Then there’s the “Tired Light” idea. Normally, we think the redshift of light from distant galaxies — the way light stretches into longer, redder wavelengths — is because the universe is expanding. But the TL model offers a different take: maybe light loses energy over vast distances. This energy loss would cause the redshift without needing the universe to expand. (10/14)

Ronald Reagan and a Goal Far, Far Away: Star Wars and the Strategic Defense Initiative in Simi Valley (Source: Space Review)
A exhibit that recently closed at the Reagan Library and Museum linked Star Wars, the movie franchise, with “Star Wars,” the nickname associated with the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI). Dwayne Day explores the exhibit’s attempt to describe the legacy of SDI. Click here. (10/15)

The Trials and Tribulations of Hera (Source: Space Review)
ESA last week launched its Hera mission to the same asteroid that NASA’s DART spacecraft collided with two years ago. Jeff Foust reports on the struggles the Hera project faced getting the spacecraft launched, from funding challenges to a hurricane. Click here. (10/15)
 
Space Isn’t All About the “Race”: Rival Superpowers Must Work Together for a Better Future (Source: Space Review)
The rhetoric around a new “space race” between the US and China has only grown stronger in the last year. Art Cotterell argues that competition should be tempered with some degree of cooperation. Click here. (10/15)

Sidus Space Receives FCC Approval for Remote Sensing Satellite Micro Constellation License (Source: Sidus Space)
Sidus Space announced that the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted approval for the company to operate a micro constellation of remote sensing, multi-mission satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). This regulatory milestone marks a significant step in Sidus Space's on-orbit expansion plans. The FCC’s approval covers LizzieSat 2-5, beyond the successful LizzieSat-1 mission. (10/15)

Army Pilot Project Explored SatComm Outsourcing (Source: Space News)
The U.S. Army has wrapped up a one-year pilot project exploring outsourcing satellite communications services to private companies. Under the pilot, the Army selected satellite operators Intelsat and SES to provide "satcom as a managed service," a model where the provider handles all satellite communications functions through a services contract. Companies said the project demonstrated the effectiveness of a services approach, but it is unclear if the Army will fully embrace this model for future satellite communications procurement. (10/15)

Army Sharpening Space Focus (Source: Space News)
The Army is working to bolster its space warfare expertise. Army officials argue that ground forces must be better equipped to defend against and, if necessary, disrupt an adversary's space capabilities in any future conflict. The Army is taking steps to improve training and potentially establish a formal career field for space for enlisted Army personnel, allowing them to specialize on space issues. Some have argued that those efforts run the risk of duplicating capabilities offered by the Space Force, but Gen. Chance Saltzman, the Space Force's chief of space operations, said there was no competition with the Army: "We're all in this together." (10/15)

ULA Investigating SRB Anomaly During Vulcan Launch (Source: Space News)
ULA is still investigating a solid rocket booster that lost its nozzle on the second flight of the Vulcan Centaur. Speaking at the International Astronautical Conference (IAC) on Monday, ULA CEO Tory Bruno said that the core stage of the Vulcan compensated for the loss of performance from the SRB that lost the nozzle about 35 seconds after liftoff on the Oct. 4 flight. The rocket was still able to perform an orbital insertion that he said was likely more precise than any previous ULA launch. He added it will be up to the Space Force to determine any impacts of the incident on certification of the rocket for national security missions. (10/15)

D-Orbit Partners with ESA for GEO Satellite Servicing (Source: Space News)
D-Orbit is entering the GEO satellite servicing field through a partnership with ESA. D-Orbit signed a contract with ESA Monday at IAC valued at 119.6 million euros to help develop the General Expansion Architecture (GEA) spacecraft-servicing vehicle. Satellite life extension will be the first mission for GEA, which also will be designed to relocate and repair satellites. D-Orbit has not yet named the client satellite for the first mission, known as RISE, which is likely to occur in 2027 or 2028. (10/15)

EarthDaily Analytics Acquires Descartes Labs (Source: Space News)
Antarctica Capital has sold geospatial analytics provider Descartes Labs to EarthDaily Analytics (EDA). EDA said Oct. 15 it had bought Descartes Lab for an undisclosed sum to strengthen AI imagery analytics offerings in the insurance, energy, mining and U.S. defense markets. Antarctica formed EDA in 2021 after buying satellite designs, software, customer contracts and intellectual property during UrtheCast's restructuring process; Antarctica also owns Descartes Labs. The deal comes as EDA said a new satellite constellation it planned to launch last year will not be deployed until next year. (10/15)

SpaceX Launches Overnight Starlink Missions From Florida and California (Source: Spaceflight Now)
SpaceX performed a bicoastal launch doubleheader overnight. One Falcon 9 lifted off from Cape Canaveral at 2:10 a.m. Eastern, placing 23 Starlink satellites into orbit. A second Falcon 9 lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base at 4:21 a.m. Eastern, deploying 20 Starlink satellites, including 13 with direct-to-cell payloads. The launches were the first for the Falcon 9 since an anomaly during the upper stage deorbit burn on the Falcon 9 launch of the Crew-9 mission Sept. 28. The FAA allowed SpaceX to resume Falcon 9 launches last Friday after giving approval for a single Falcon 9 launch of ESA's Hera mission early last week. (10/15)

Commercial Pads Planned at China's Inland Xichang Spaceport (Source: Space News)
China's inland Xichang launch center is set to build a commercial spaceport. Liangshan Prefecture, where the launch site is located, signed a strategic cooperation agreement last week with a company to establish the Sichuan Development International Commercial Spaceport Co., Ltd. That venture will develop a commercial launch facility at Xinchang, although the number and types of launch pads were not disclosed. The new spaceport appears to align with central government policy to promote commercial space and provincial plans to deliver local high-quality growth. (10/15)

OroraTech Raises ~$27 Million for Wildfire Detection Constellation (Source: Space News)
OroraTech has raised ~$27 million to expand a network of satellites for wildfire detection. The company announced Tuesday the Series B round led by Korys, the European Circular Bioeconomy Fund (ECBF), and existing investor Bayern Kapital. The company plans to use a third of the funding for expansion of its satellite network from a current two satellites, with two sets of eight satellites set to launch in 2025. The rest of the funding will go to enhancing a data analytics platform for tracking wildfires and to expand into North America. (10/15)

Joint Space Defense Effort Gains Momentum, Despite Lack of Clarity on Roles (Source: Space News)
France and Germany have joined a U.S.-led initiative to improve international cooperation in space defense. The two countries joined Operation Olympic Defender, overseen by U.S. Space Command to coordinate efforts among partner nations to protect space assets from potential threats, including cyberattacks, satellite jamming and anti-satellite weapons. Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand had previously joined.

It's not clear in some countries which agencies are responsible for responding to a cyberattack on space assets. People working in the same institutions sometimes provided "completely different answers" about the roles of space and cyber commands in defending satellites, said a researcher discussing a study on the topic at IAC on Monday. It is clear, though, that a lack of defined roles and responsibilities could pose problems. (10/15)

Morrison Joins Australian Spaceport Project (Source: Sydney Morning Herald)
A former Australian prime minister is joining a controversial spaceport project. Scott Morrison is the new non-executive chairman of Space Centre Australia, a company proposing to build a spaceport in Australia's Cape York Peninsula. The company's CEO, James Palmer, had told employees that he had lined up $100 million from a government agency, the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility, but the agency says it never offered that funding. Space Centre Australia has also claimed to have had a "bunch of conversations" with SpaceX about launching there. (10/15)

October 14, 2024

NASA's Europa Clipper Blasts Off at Cape Canaveral Spaceport (Source: New York Times)
NASA’s first mission to Jupiter in more than a decade launched on Monday. This time, the object of investigation is not the giant planet itself, but one of its moons: Europa. This Jovian satellite possesses an ocean of liquid water beneath its icy shell, and many scientists think it is the most promising place to look for life elsewhere in the solar system.

A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 12:06 p.m. Eastern time, lifting the Europa Clipper spacecraft into orbit around Earth. About 47 minutes after launch, the rocket's upper stage will fire again to push the spacecraft away from Earth into orbit around the sun before deploying the spacecraft. (10/14)

Space-Made Aluminum Weld Analyzed at ESA Lab (Source: Space Daily)
ESA engineers have closely examined an aluminum weld produced in space, marking a historic achievement as the first autonomous welding conducted in orbit, and the first of its kind involving ESA. The weld, just one centimeter in size, was produced using electron beam welding during an experiment initiated by ThinkOrbital, a US startup. This weld, created aboard a spacecraft launched via a SpaceX Falcon 9 in May, is being scrutinized at ESA's Materials and Electrical Components Laboratory in the Netherlands, using various testing tools such as microscopes and X-ray tomography. The goal is to compare this space-made weld with identical samples produced on Earth. (10/11)

Parry Labs Wins Contract From US Space Force to Modernize Digital Spaceports (Source: Space Daily)
Parry Labs has secured a Direct to Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract from the U.S. Space Force (USSF) as part of its "Digital Spaceport of the Future" challenge. This initiative focuses on enhancing spaceport operations with cutting-edge digital solutions. Out of over 150 submitted proposals, Parry Labs was one of 12 companies chosen for this contract, issued through SpaceWERX, the USSF's innovation branch. This selection highlights the company's pivotal role in supporting the digital transformation of U.S. military space activities. (10/11)

Space Club's Destination Space Program Will Inspire Central Florida Students at KSC (Source: NSCFL)
The National Space Club, Florida Committee's annual Destination Space program will inspire and estimated 4369 Central Florida students to focus on STEM careers with local companies who are an integral part of space exploration. Students will study the rise of the Space Coast and learn about NASA's Artemis mission. There are pre-launch activities for students to complete in the classroom, hands-on space science projects, a student learning guide, and a daylong study trip to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

From the beginning, funding for this important program has come from outside Brevard Public School’s operating budget and is dependent on contributions from the community. The Brevard Schools Foundation serves as the fiscal agent for the program, and seeks support from the community at large, and through possible grants that match funding from private industry. The NSCFL will financially contribute to Destination Space based on contributions received from the aerospace community. Click here. (10/14)

France's Constellation Technologies Secures $10 Million for VLEO Project (Source: Space News)
French startup Constellation Technologies & Operations has secured a seed round of funding for a very low Earth orbit (VLEO) constellation. The two-year-old company said France's state-backed Expansion Ventures invested about $10 million, allowing the company to complete engineering studies for its first two satellites, slated to launch in 2026. the company is proposing a constellation of up to 1,500 VLEO satellites to provide 5G broadband services. (10/14)

Anduril Partners with Impulse for In-Space Maneuvering Tech (Source: Space News)
Defense tech firm Anduril Industries is partnering with Impulse Space to develop advanced in-space maneuvering capabilities. The companies plan to pursue military and defense contracts for space missions that involve complex orbital maneuvers, Anduril announced. Anduril will integrate its Lattice AI-enabled software platform to operate Impulse's Mira orbital trasfer vehicle, allowing a single operator to control and maneuver multiple spacecraft simultaneously. Anduril will equip those spacecraft with its own payloads as well as those from customers. (10/14)

GPS Issue Scrubs Blue Origin Suborbital Mission (Source: Space.com)
Blue Origin postponed a second attempt to launch a new suborbital vehicle Sunday. The company called off the New Shepard launch on the uncrewed NS-27 mission, citing a "GPS issue." The company postponed a launch attempt last Monday because of unspecified technical issues, and did not announce a new launch date after this latest scrub. The flight will be the first for a new model of New Shepard for crewed flights, which Blue Origin said it built to meet growing demand. (10/14)

Estonia Joins Artemis Accords (Source: NASA)
Estonia is the latest country to sign the Artemis Accords. NASA announced Sunday that Estonia signed the accords in Milan ahead of this week's International Astronautical Congress (IAC) there. Estonia is the 45th nation to sign the Accords and the second in less than a week. Nations who signed the Accords will meet at IAC this week to discuss topics related to safe and sustainable space exploration. (10/14)

October 13, 2024

When UAE Joined Artemis Accords That Will Bring the First Woman to the Moon (Source: Khaleej Times)
On October 13, 2020, the UAE Space Agency (UAESA) took a significant step by signing NASA’s Artemis Accords. This move aligned the UAE with seven other countries that were the original signatories, all committed to promoting safe and responsible international space cooperation. These accords are more than just a formal agreement; they also serve as the foundation of the Artemis program that will send the first woman and first person of colour to the surface of the Moon, “using innovative technologies to explore more of the lunar surface than ever before.” (10/13)

Russia’s Illicit Starlink Terminals Help Power its Advance in Ukraine (Source: Washington Post)
Russian forces have become deadlier and more agile with the help of illicit Starlink terminals, allowing them to use satellite internet to enhance coordination during assaults, fly more drone sorties and batter Ukrainian troops with accurate artillery fire despite U.S. efforts to stop the flow of technology.

The terminals, which give commanders live battlefield views with drones and secure communication between soldiers, are subject to prohibitions that outlaw many U.S. electronics from reaching Moscow. Yet there is a burgeoning black market of Starlinks bringing the terminals to Russians on the front, and their proliferation has been an important factor in Russia’s recent gains during its offensive, Ukrainian soldiers said. (10/12)

Gravity Can Exist Without Mass and Dark Matter Could be Myth (Source: Interesting Engineering)
According to the theory of general relativity, a galaxy must have a certain amount of mass to be held together by gravity. However, scientists don’t see enough visible mass in many galaxies in the universe, yet gravity keeps such galaxies intact. How’s this even possible? This is where the concept of dark matter comes into play. Scientists believe that galaxies have invisible mass in the form of matter that doesn’t interact with light. The gravity holding these galaxies exists because of this invisible mass.

For decades, this explanation has supported the existence of the hypothetical dark matter. However, a new study claims that gravity can exist even without mass, potentially eliminating the need for dark matter altogether. This unique theory “is in turn driven by my frustration with the status quo, namely the notion of dark matter’s existence despite the lack of any direct evidence for a whole century,” said Richard Lieu. According to Lieu, the gravity needed to hold some galaxies or clusters together might come from “shell-like topological defects.” Topological defects are unique compact structures in space that have a high density of matter. (10/12)

SpaceX Nails Chopstick Booster Catch in Latest Super-Heavy Test (Source: Florida Today)
Sunday morning, a scene that could easily have been mistaken for a science fiction movie played out in Boca Chica, Texas. And it's a scene that could be seen at Cape Canaveral in the coming years. The fully stacked, SpaceX Starship Super Heavy rocket — towering492-feet-tall — fired its 33 first stage engines before appearing to slowly rise off its Texas launch pad as it has successfully done four times before. But something else was coming.

As the first and second stages separated, SpaceX engineers worked quickly to assess if the first stage, the Super Heavy booster, had the all-clear to make a return back to the launch pad. Being able to recapture the booster is essential for the rocket to be reusable. The team decided to go for it.

Just over seven minutes into the flight, the first stage came back into view. It hovered over the launch pad in Boca Chica − as its controlled burns brought it slowly into the cradle of the launch tower's Mechazilla arms (referred to as "chopsticks"). Just over an hour later, the Starship spacecraft also returned, making a splashdown in the Indian Ocean. While it came down apparently in tact, it burst into flames upon landing. (10/13)

SpaceX's Crew-8 Astronauts to Depart ISS for Trip Home Soon Amid Weather Delays (Source: Space.com)
SpaceX's Crew-8 astronauts will have to wait a bit longer to begin their trip home to Earth after plans to depart the ISS Sunday morning were postponed by bad weather at their splashdown site. Crew-8's Dragon capsule, named Endeavour, was scheduled to undock from the ISS at 7:05 a.m. EDT on Sunday and splash down off the coast of Florida no earlier than 3:38 p.m. EDT on Monday (Oct. 14). That plan was thwarted by poor weather conditions at their splashdown zone. (10/13)

Alien Worlds Might Not Have a Night and Day. How Would That Change Evolution? (Source: BBC)
Do aliens sleep? You may take sleep for granted, but research suggests many planets that could evolve life don't have a day-night cycle. It's hard to imagine, but there are organisms living in Earth's lightless habitats, deep underground or at the bottom of the sea, that give us an idea what alien life without a circadian rhythm may be like. Click here. (10/13)

Starship Readies for Chopsticks Landing Attempt at Texas Launch Pad. Implications for Florida? (Source: Florida Today)
As early as Sunday, October13, the huge rocket could lift off on another orbital test flight, this time with plans to return the first stage, the Super Heavy booster, to the launch pad — being caught by arms referred to as "chopsticks." Should the landing not go correctly, SpaceX claims that the Super Heavy booster will automatically switch to a trajectory that will take it out to the Gulf of Mexico for a splashdown in the water. It may still sound like science fiction, but SpaceX is taking the chance. If this is successful, it raises the question of just when Starship will launch from Cape Canaveral.

Currently, there is no update on the FAA and Space Force environment impact surveys, which were conducted earlier this year, and are necessary before SpaceX can attempt a launch from Kennedy Space Center's Pad 39A. Open to the Brevard Country public, these environmental impact surveys looked closely at any potential environmental impacts to the Space Coast. Concerns ranged from the vibrations of the rocket on surrounding area structures to impacts to wildlife.

While there isn't an official timeline for Starship to launch from Kennedy Space Center, it is noteworthy that SpaceX has had a Starship launch tower standing at Pad 39A − where it will launch − for quite some time. There is currently no update on the progress. (10/12)

The Giant Sphere that China Hopes Will Track Elusive Neutrinos (Source: South China Morning Post)
China is a step closer in its quest to measure elusive particles called neutrinos with the installation of a massive subterranean sphere detector in the country’s south. The sphere is about 35 meters in diameter and is a central element of the $376 million Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory, or JUNO, project in Jiangmen, Guangdong province. It will be filled with 20,000 tonnes of a “liquid scintillator” and suspended in 35,000 tonnes of pure water 700 meters below ground to try to measure the mass of different types of neutrinos produced by two nearby nuclear power plants. (10/12)

Boeing Plans More Commercial Crew Charges (Source: Space News)
Boeing expects to take up to several hundred million dollars in additional charges against earnings for its CST-100 Starliner commercial crew program in the third quarter. Boeing said it expects to report pre-tax earnings charges of $2 billion on four programs, including Starliner, in its Defense, Space & Security (BDS) business when it reports its third quarter financial results Oct. 23. Of that $2 billion, $1.6 billion will be charged against two military aircraft programs, the T-7A and KC-46A. That leaves $400 million for Starliner and the MQ-25 drone, but the statement did not mention the charges for each of those programs. (10/12)

October 12, 2024

Satellite Communication Companies Allocated Spectrum in India (Source: New Indian Express)
India's Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on Friday said it has provisionally allocated spectrum to eligible satellite communication players for a period of six months. The DoT, in a notification, said the spectrum will be given to firms that have secured licenses from DoT as well as In-Space authorization certificates. Currently, there are two companies -- OneWeb and Jio-SES -- that have received licenses for satellite communication in the country. Elon Musk-led Starlink and Amazon have applied but yet to get approval from the government. (10/11)

FAA Approves Falcon 9 Return to Flight (Source: Space Policy Online)
The FAA approved the return to flight of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket late this afternoon. Space X suspended all Falcon 9 launches after a second stage anomaly on September 28 following the otherwise successful launch of Crew-9 to the International Space Station. The FAA allowed SpaceX to launch ESA’s Hera mission on Monday, but other flights have had to wait until now. (10/11)

Lichens on Mars (Source: EurekAlert)
Once you know where to look for them, lichens are everywhere! These composite organisms – fungal and photosynthetic partners joined into a greater whole, can survive on a vast array of surfaces, from rocks and trees to bare ground and buildings. They are known from every continent, and almost certainly every land mass on planet Earth; some species have even survived exposure to the exterior of the International Space Station.

This hardy nature has long interested researchers studying what life could survive on Mars, and the astrobiologists studying life on Earth as an analog of our planetary neighbor. In the deserts surrounding two Mars analog stations in North America, lichens comprise such an important part of the local ecosystems that they inspired a biodiversity assessment with a unique twist: this collections-based inventory took place during a simulated mission to Mars! (10/11)

Telescopes Can Help Bring Renewable Energy to Isolated Chilean Communities (Source: UU.NL)
Integrating renewable energy sources into the design of the AtLAST telescope would introduce the astronomical community on the Chajnantor plateau and the nearby residential areas to more sustainable energy systems. This integration would reduce local reliance on fossil fuels and provide renewable energy. The research shows that replicating similar energy systems at nearby telescopes could reduce fossil fuel-based energy generation by 30GWh annually, cutting emissions by 18-24 kilotonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent while contributing to access to affordable renewable energy for surrounding communities. (10/11)

Boeing’s Defense/Space Unit Logs Massive $2 Billion in Losses for Third Quarter (Source: Breaking Defense)
Boeing Defense Space and Security (BDS) will take $2 billion in losses on fixed-price contracts when it reports its third quarter results later this month, the company disclosed today, bringing total defense-related charges for the company up to $3.2 billion this year. The wider company also announced plans to slash 10 percent of its total workforce.

The charges to its defense arm come as the US planemaker hemorrhages money amid an ongoing strike by its Seattle-area machinists union and as it announced the conclusion of its 767 freighter production — both factors the company states contributed to losses on the T-7A trainer, MQ-25 tanker drone, KC-46 tanker and NASA’s Starliner in the most recent financial quarter. (10/11)

Momentus Chosen by NASA for Upcoming Launch Missions (Source: Space Daily)
Momentus has been selected by NASA to provide launch services for future missions through the VADR (Venture-Class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare) contract. This contract allows Momentus to support NASA's efforts to increase space access by launching satellites such as Class D, CubeSats, and other higher-risk payloads to various orbits. (10/11)

The Largest Storm in Our Solar System is Moving Unexpectedly, Scientists Say (Source: CNN)
New observations of Jupiter’s Great Red Spot captured by the Hubble Space Telescope show that the 190-year-old storm wiggles like gelatin and shape-shifts like a squeezed stress ball. The unexpected observations, which Hubble took over 90 days from December to March, show that the Great Red Spot isn’t as stable as it appears, according to astronomers. (10/11)

Space Force Finalizes $148M Professional Services Award (Source: Washington Technology)
Tecolote Research has secured a five-year, $148.1 million contract for acquisition, financial consulting support and other professional services to Space Force. The branch’s Space Systems Command sought help from industry to help manage its Assured Access to Space organization, which acquires launch services and other on-orbit activities for government agencies. SSC finalized the award on Wednesday as Tecolote was the lone company to submit a bid, according to the Pentagon’s contracts digest. (10/10)

What Trump’s Re-Election Would Mean for US Space Policy (Source: Space & Defense)
US space policy will likely get a jolt if voters re-elect Donald Trump next month. The former president won respect for his interest and work in space. In contrast, the current outgoing president is widely viewed as asleep at the wheel regarding space. During his first term, Trump initiated several substantive space policy reforms, including starting the Artemis program, reinstating the National Space Council, and creating the United States Space Force. In a speech in August, Trump said establishing the Space Force was “one of my proudest achievements in my first term.”

Trump’s second-term policy platform, released in July, says “the United States will create a robust manufacturing industry in near Earth orbit, send American astronauts back to the Moon, and onward to Mars, and enhance partnerships with the rapidly expanding commercial space sector to revolutionize our ability to access, live in, and develop assets in space.” If re-elected, Trump has said he intends to set up a 4,000-person-strong stand-alone Space National Guard, which would act as the primary US Space Force combat reserve. (10/11)

What Space Capabilities Do NATO Nations Have? The Alliance Wants to Know (Source: Air & Space Forces)
NATO is asking all 32 of its member nations to detail their space capabilities so it can better plan for future operations, the first U.S. Space Force general officer assigned to the alliance said Oct. 10. Additionally, NATO is also working on a commercial space strategy of its own after the Pentagon and Space Force released their versions earlier this year, and the alliance may even one day get space assets of its own, suggested Maj. Gen. Devin R. Pepper, deputy chief of staff for strategic plans and policy at NATO Allied Command Transformation, during a livestreamed discussion at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies. (10/10)

California Officials Cite Elon Musk’s Politics in Rejecting SpaceX Launches (Source: Politico)
Elon Musk’s tweets about the presidential election and spreading falsehoods about Hurricane Helene are endangering his ability to launch rockets off California’s central coast. The California Coastal Commission on Thursday rejected the Air Force’s plan to give SpaceX permission to launch up to 50 rockets a year from Vandenberg Air Force Base in Santa Barbara County.

“Elon Musk is hopping about the country, spewing and tweeting political falsehoods and attacking FEMA while claiming his desire to help the hurricane victims with free Starlink access to the internet,” Commissioner Gretchen Newsom said at the meeting in San Diego. The agency’s commissioners, appointed by the governor and legislative leaders, voted 6-4 to reject the Air Force’s plan over concerns that all SpaceX launches would be considered military activity, shielding the company from having to acquire its own permits, even if military payloads aren’t being carried.

The Coastal Commission, known for its sharp-elbowed defense of public access to the state’s 840-mile coastline, has been sparring with the Air Force’s Space Force branch since May 2023, when DOD asked to increase SpaceX’s satellite launches from Vandenberg from six to 36 per year. Things came to a head in August when commissioners unloaded on DOD for resisting their recommendations for reducing the impacts of the launches. (10/10)

Alaska's Kodiak Island Spaceport Relying on More Than Rocket Launches to Generate Revenue (Source: KMXT)
Many residents saw a failed rocket test at the Pacific Spaceport Complex-Alaska on Kodiak Island this summer and pointed to the facility’s shortcomings. But the Kodiak spaceport will sign an agreement later this week to support other spaceports across the country and the world by sharing one of its systems known as RSTS.

When a rocket is launched from any spaceport, the typical standard practices involve tracking the flight and remotely monitoring it through what’s known as a Range Safety and Telemetry System, or RSTS. John Oberst, CEO of the Alaska Aerospace Corporation, said the Kodiak spaceport has set up its own version of the RSTS in shipping containers to be mobile and deployable all over the world. When the system is shipped overseas teams from the island go, too. Oberst said the spaceport has enough staff to support two missions or launches simultaneously, one in Kodiak and one abroad. (10/10)

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson On The Agency’s Future (Source: Aviation Week)
All I know is there is only one [Moon-/Mars-class] rocket flying and that is the SLS. The others are not off the ground and haven’t orbited yet, so I’ve got to take it one step at a time... There are some things that are out of our control and in the private sector itself. For example, some of the [Human Landing System] delay is when Blue Origin loses the first round of competition and then sues. That delays everything for six months. There are delays with some of the environmental concerns and the fact that maybe the FAA doesn’t have enough people to process everything that’s on their plate. Click here. (10/10)

Anti-Dust Shield Progress in China's Lunar Exploration Quest (Source: Xinhua)
China has initiated the lunar landing phase of its manned lunar exploration program, with a plan to complete a manned lunar landing by 2030. Among all the challenges faced by scientists and engineers working on the program, lunar dust is very small in size, but potentially a big threat to lunar exploration missions. However, Chinese researchers have found a simple, fast and promising way to build an anti-dust shield by fabricating a lunar dust-repellent surface via nanosecond laser etching.

Wang's team opted for aluminum as their chosen material, as it is lightweight, high-strength and corrosion-resistant, and then used nanosecond laser etching to prepare multi-level and micro-structure surfaces with different structural parameters. During the process of using different parameters, the team found that the aluminum surface treated with a scanning spacing of 80 microns had the smallest contact area with dust particles, thus resulting in the best anti-dust effect. (10/9)

NATO Looks to Publish First Commercial Space Strategy in 2025 (Source: Defense Scoop)
As it looks to ensure access to critical capabilities during conflicts, NATO plans to release its own commercial space strategy next year that aims to expand the alliance’s ability to tap into advancements in the private sector. While the strategy’s development is still in nascent stages, it’s intended to provide guidance as to how member nations can take advantage of a range of commercial space technologies to increase resiliency in the domain, said Maj. Gen. Devin Pepper.

“There’s a lot of commercial capability out there that we can leverage to increase our own resiliency at NATO. We want to be able to capture that,” he said during a webinar hosted by the Mitchell Institute. “Right now we have contractors with several commercial companies today. We want to be able to expand that and make sure that we can rely upon that in a conflict if we need it.” (10/10)

October 11, 2024

Japan’s H3 to Launch Emirati Asteroid Mission (Source: Space News)
The UAE has selected Japan's H3 rocket to launch an asteroid mission. The UAE Space Agency announced Thursday it signed a contract with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) for the launch of the MBE Explorer spacecraft in the first quarter of 2028. That spacecraft will fly by six asteroids in the main belt from 2030 to 2033 before arriving at a seventh asteroid in 2034 and deploying a lander there. UAE previously selected MHI for the launch of its Emirates Mars Mission orbiter spacecraft on an H-2A in 2020. (10/11)

China Launches Third High Orbit Internet Satellite (Source: Space News)
China launched a new communications satellite towards geostationary orbit Thursday. A Long March 3B lifted off from Xichang Satellite Launch Center at 9:50 a.m. Eastern and placed into orbit the High orbit internet satellite-03 (Weixing Hulianwan Gaogui-03) spacecraft. The first two such satellites were launched in February and August, but Chinese officials have provided few details about their capabilities and applications. The lack of publicly available information raises speculation about their potential uses, which could include military applications. (10/11)

Falcon 9 Launches ESA’s Hera Asteroid Mission at Cape Canaveral Spaceport (Source: Space News)
A Falcon 9 successfully launched a European asteroid mission Oct. 7 in a partial return to flight for the rocket. The Falcon 9 lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 10:52 a.m. Eastern. The rocket deployed the Hera spacecraft for the European Space Agency about 76 minutes later, after two burns of the upper stage to place the spacecraft on an interplanetary trajectory. (10/11)

Chinese Orbital Free-Flyer Returns to Earth with Experiments (Source: Space News)
A Chinese capsule landed late Thursday after two weeks of on-orbit experiments. The Shijian-19 satellite touched down at 10:39 p.m. Eastern at the Dongfeng landing site near Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert. The spacecraft launched Sep. 27 carrying space science and biology payloads as well as experiments for technology verification. The mission also verified the performance of the spacecraft itself, which Chinese officials said was a next-generation "high-performance reusable returning space test platform." (10/11)

Space Force Used Commercial Satellite Imagery to Support Hurricane Recovery (Source: Space News)
The Space Force used a commercial satellite imagery program to support disaster relief after Hurricane Helene. The Tactical Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Tracking (TacSRT) program supplied U.S. Northern Command with detailed analyses of road closures, conditions and bridge statuses along key routes between Knoxville, Tennessee, and Asheville, North Carolina, the service said Thursday, as well as supported the rescue of four injured civilians in North Carolina. TacSRT operates as a marketplace where government organizations can request specific data, including both imagery and analysis, on disaster-affected regions from commercial satellite providers. (10/11)

ViaSat-3 Now Serving Marine Corps (Source: Space News)
The first ViaSat-3 satellite is now providing services for the U.S. Marine Corps. The ViaSat-3 F1 satellite, which covers the Americas, is supporting the Marine Wing Communications Squadron 38 and the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, utilizing existing military multi-mission terminals for access. The Marine Corps is the first U.S. government user of the new spacecraft, which experienced antenna deployment issues after its launch last year. (10/11)

Volta's LightGrid to Power Lunar Operations (Source: Space News)
A startup has unveiled plans to provide power services at the moon. Volta Space Technologies said it is developing a network of spacecraft called LightGrid that will collect solar power while orbiting the moon and transmit it to landers and rovers on the surface using lasers. That could allow those spacecraft on the surface to operate through the lunar night and travel into permanently shadowed craters at the lunar poles. Volta plans to demonstrate its technology in Earth orbit in 2026 and start deploying spacecraft around the moon in 2028. (10/11)

Europa Clipper Could Launch Sunday After Minor Hurricane Damage at Cape Canaveral Spaceport (Source: NASA)
NASA's Europa Clipper spacecraft could launch as soon as Sunday as the Kennedy Space Center cleans up from Hurricane Milton. The agency said late Thursday that KSC remains closed as post-storm assessments were underway, but initial checks showed only minor damage so far. NASA said it is protecting a launch opportunity as soon as Sunday for Europa Clipper, launching on Falcon Heavy from KSC's Launch Complex 39A, with additional opportunities daily through Nov. 6. (10/11)

Vega C Return Planned for December (Source: Arianespace)
The return to flight for Europe's Vega C rocket is now scheduled for early December. Arianespace said Thursday it is planning for a Dec. 3 launch of the rocket from French Guiana carrying the Sentinel-1C radar imaging satellite. The launch will be the first for the Vega C since launch failure in late December 2022 that was blamed on the nozzle in the second-stage Zefiro-40 motor of the solid-fuel rocket. The Zefiro-40 motor has been redesigned and passed two static-fire tests, including one last week. (10/11)

Group Sues SpaceX for Wastewater Discharge at Texas Starbase (Source: Bloomberg)
An environmental group is suing SpaceX regarding wastewater discharges from its Starbase launch site. The group SaveRGV filed suit in federal district court this week, asking the court to prevent SpaceX from using a launch pad deluge system until the company receives a federal permit for it, and to assess fines for previous unpermitted use of the system. SpaceX counters that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality concluded the deluge system does not pose an environmental risk and has allowed the company to use the deluge system while it gets an EPA permit. (10/11)

NASA Extends CAPSTONE Lunar Mission (Source: Advanced Space)
NASA is extending the mission of the CAPSTONE cubesat orbiting the moon. Advanced Space, the company that runs the mission, said this week that NASA granted an extension to continue mission operations and perform additional tests of its Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System, as well as analyze the feasibility of "high-priority experiments in support of NASA’s technology needs." CAPSTONE has been in a near-rectilinear halo orbit around the moon, the same orbit to be later used by the lunar Gateway, since November 2022. (10/11)

Hyperspectral Instrument Measures CO2 From Planet Satellite (Source: Carbon Mapper)
A hyperspectral instrument on a Planet satellite has made its first measurements of emissions. The instrument on the Tanager-1 satellite, launched in August, has provided measurements of carbon dioxide and methane emissions for Carbon Mapper, a nonprofit organization. The instrument is able to pinpoint "super-emitters" of those greenhouse gases, such as from power plants and oil fields. The effort is part of a partnership that also includes NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and other organizations. (10/11)

NASA's Hubble, New Horizons Team Up for a Simultaneous Look at Uranus (Source: NASA)
Uranus has been described as mysterious, strange, and fairly unknown to those of us here on Earth. However, in astronomy, these terms are pretty relative. Compared to the remote, dark stretches of the early universe or oddball exoplanets dozens of light-years from our solar system, researchers actually know a lot about Uranus. NASA's Hubble Space Telescope is among the observatories that can view the planet in high resolution, showing up-close details of the planet's atmospheric features.

Astronomers have now taken advantage of this viewpoint in a new way. They viewed Uranus in high resolution with Hubble, and at the same time, with the New Horizons spacecraft from 6.5 billion miles away, where the planet appears as just a splotch. This combined perspective can help teach them more about what to expect while imaging planets around other stars. (10/9)

Zaitra Raises €1.7M as AI-Enhanced Hyperspectral Smallsat Prepares for November Rideshare Launch (Source: Space News)
An AI-enhanced hyperspectral small satellite is set to launch on SpaceX’s Transporter-12 rideshare mission this November. The TROLL 6U satellite, developed by TRL Space, integrates Zaitra’s SKAIDOCK hardware with SKAISEN software, marking a key milestone for the Czech startup. This achievement has helped Zaitra raise €1.7 million ($1.9 million) in pre-seed funding, fueling its expansion into the U.S. space market.

SKAIDOCK is a hardware accelerator built around an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array)—a type of reprogrammable chip that can be customized for specific tasks, like processing data directly onboard a satellite. On the TROLL mission, SKAIDOCK will run SKAISEN, Zaitra's AI software for data filtering and cloud detection, reducing the amount of unnecessary data sent back to Earth. This capability is crucial for Earth observation missions, where hyperspectral imaging often faces bandwidth constraints. (10/10)

Stratolaunch Tests Recoverable Test Vehicle at Mojave Spaceport (Source: Stratolaunch)
Talon-A2 is Stratolaunch’s first recoverable autonomous hypersonic testbed designed to repeatedly air launch, fly a hypersonic trajectory, and land on a standard runway. It represents a new era of low-risk, affordable, and routine access to the hypersonic environment. Click here. (10/10)

Using AI and VR to Revolutionize Space Exploration (Source: Global Innovation Forum)
SpaceVerse stands out by utilizing AI in two forms: predictive systems and large language models (LLMs). These tools understand aerospace dynamics and human parameters such as body movements and facial expressions. “Our LLM allows users to interact with the system through voice commands, adding another layer of seamless engagement,” Moscatelli highlights. She emphasizes that the company’s use of Unity software integrates AI with virtual reality to offer high-quality simulations at reduced costs. Click here. (10/7)

VISIMO LLC to Test Autonomous AI Data System on ABOVE Mission (Source: Above Space)
VISIMO, a technology company in Pittsburgh, PA, will test its AI software system for decision support on an upcoming payload mission being flown by ABOVE Space Development Corporation. Deep-space missions will require spacecraft to overcome unknown problems and unexpected system failures in outer space without the support of Earth-based communication or resources.

Reliable decision support systems are necessary to assist crew with managing and executing missions, and responding to unanticipated failures and anomalies, thereby reducing cognitive burden of the ground crew and time spent on troubleshooting. VISIMO's NASA Phase II contract, Graceful Architecture for Mitigation of System failures (GRAMS), is engineered for managing spacecraft operations, primarily addressing autonomous systems management for long-duration space missions. (10/10)

X-37B Begins Novel Space Maneuver (Source: AFNS) 
The X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV-7) will begin executing a series of novel maneuvers, called aerobraking, to change its orbit around Earth and safely dispose of its service module components in accordance with recognized standards for space debris mitigation. Since December 28, 2023, the United States Space Force, supported by the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, has conducted radiation effect experiments and has been testing Space Domain Awareness technologies in a Highly Elliptical Orbit.

The use of the aerobraking maneuver- a series of passes using the drag of Earth's atmosphere- enables the spacecraft to change orbits while expending minimal fuel. Once the aerobrake maneuver is complete, the X-37B will resume its test and experimentation objectives until they are accomplished, at which time the vehicle will de-orbit and execute a safe return as it has during its six previous missions. (10/10)

Overview: New Blue (Source: Michael Sheetz)
The age-old writer’s wisdom of “show, don’t tell” also applies to the space industry. Many folks in PR have heard me over the years request videos and imagery of real people and their real space hardware. Not renderings, not graphics, not animations. Real. Last weekend we published my feature on Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp — unpacking why he took the job, what he’s focused on in the first nine months, and his goals for the company this year. One thing we didn’t really get into during that piece was the shift in how often both Limp and the company have been sharing updates about Blue’s programs.

Before Limp, I’d often go months without seeing significant updates on Blue Origin’s work until a New Shepard launch, where I’d look for short snippets on development of New Glenn, its rocket engines and more. But since Limp started, he’s taken to regularly posting updates on social media, with photos and videos of Blue Origin teams inside factories and at testing facilities, showing the hardware they’re building.

But I’d like to see even more, publicly. Take for example Monday’s New Shepard launch attempt. It was scrubbed due to “a vehicle issue” that needed troubleshooting. Not necessarily serious — the company had said during its webcast there was a telemetry issue it was diagnosing — but, in the three days since, the company hasn’t posted an update on whether the telemetry problem was the vehicle issue that caused the scrub or if it was something else. (10/10)

SpaceX Alums are Working to Raise a Hefty $550M First Deep Tech Fund (Source: Tech Crunch)
Interlagos, the venture capital firm started by former senior SpaceX leaders, is looking to raise $550 million for its first venture fund, according to regulatory filings and a confidential deck sent to prospective LPs. Almost nothing has been publicly disclosed about its prospective investment thesis — until now. El Segundo-based Interlagos is broadly targeting startups across “deep tech” sectors, someone familiar with the firm’s plans said. The firm will provide capital from inception through Series B, with the targeted $550 million to be deployed across 26-32 investments, the deck says. (10/10)

October 10, 2024

Industry ‘Hamstrung’ by Space Force-intel Community’s Turf War (Source: Defense One)
The space industry is waiting for the Space Force and intelligence community to come to an agreement over buying commercial satellite imagery and related analysis—a fight, some say, that is preventing troops from making the fullest use of orbital capabilities.

Currently, the National Reconnaissance Office is in charge of buying intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance imagery from commercial space providers, and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency in charge of purchasing analytic products. But in the five years since the Space Force was created, the young service has increasingly pushed for funds and leeway to work directly with commercial firms, arguing that it can more quickly get important information to combatant commands.

Earlier this year, Space Force launched a $40 million pilot program to show just how fast it could move information and insights from orbiting sensors to troops on ground. It began soliciting bids for “tactical surveillance, reconnaissance and tracking,” or TacSRT, through a “marketplace,” Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman told reporters last month. (10/9)

Five Reasons to Join the European Space Agency! (Source: ESA)
In 2023, ESA published more than 400 vacancies in engineering, science and business and administration and more positions continue to be published as we are always on the lookout for talented new colleagues to join us. So, what does it mean to join ESA? Here are five reasons why you should consider ESA as the next step in your career! Click here. (10/9)

Virgin, Blue Origin Maintain Vision for Space Tourism (Source: Financial Times)
The suborbital space tourism sector, led by Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic, is gaining momentum. Private astronauts who have flown with these companies attest to the experience as spaceflight for the masses moves closer to reality. (10/9)

Policymakers Should Acknowledge Importance of Space (Source: Space News)
Paragon Space Development Corporation CEO Grant Anderson underscores the space sector's rising importance for national security and the economy, arguing for the next administration to focus on space policies. "At the top, we must continue to support human spaceflight endeavors to low-Earth orbit, the moon and, yes, even Mars," he writes. (10/9)

No 'Doomsday' Asteroids Hide in Famous Broken Comet's Debris Stream (Source: Space.com)
A swarm of interplanetary dust, rocks, comets and asteroids thought to be responsible for two famous impacts here on Earth has been found to be not quite as menacing as astronomers had feared. "Our findings suggest that the risk of being hit by a large asteroid in the Taurid swarm is much lower than we believed, which is great news for planetary defense," said astronomer Quanzhi Ye. (10/10)

Amentum Wins $256M NASA Contract to Support Space Exploration (Source: Space Daily)
Amentum has secured the Fully Integrated Lifecycle Mission Support Services II (FILMSS II) contract, valued at up to $256 million, to advance NASA's space exploration and aeronautics initiatives at the Ames Research Center. Through this agreement, Amentum will implement cutting-edge technologies and project management tools to strengthen NASA's capabilities in both space science and aeronautics.

The contract will provide comprehensive support in program management, science, engineering, and project operations. High-priority projects include biosciences flight development, astrobiology research, and advanced aeronautics initiatives. The two-year base contract includes three one-year options, with most work conducted on-site at NASA's Ames Research Center in California. (10/8)

NASA Eyes Starship Testing as Key to Artemis (Source: Space News)
As SpaceX continues to prepare for its next Starship test flight, NASA is among those keeping a close eye on it. SpaceX is pressing ahead with a launch as soon as Sunday from Boca Chica, Texas, although the FAA has yet to issue an updated launch license for it. At a National Academies committee meeting Wednesday, a NASA official said the agency was "really looking forward" to the launch as part of efforts by SpaceX to accelerate its flight rate. NASA said key issues it is watching in Starship's development include tests next year of propellant transfer in orbit and bringing up its flight rate to a level that can fill a propellant depot in orbit required for Starship lunar lander missions for NASA's Artemis lunar exploration campaign.

 The upcoming Starship test flight will also attempt a "catch" of the Super Heavy booster by the launch tower, which NASA said SpaceX moved up from a later planned launch. At another committee meeting Wednesday, a SpaceX executive expressed confidence in the catch attempt, noting the high precision of an ocean booster landing on the previous flight. (10/10)

Hurricanes a Boost for Space National Guard? (Source: Space News)
The role of satellite services in disaster relief may provide a new argument for a Space National Guard. At an event Wednesday, some experts said they were rethinking previous opposition to a National Guard component to the Space Force. That is based on the increasing role satellites play in disaster relief, such as the recent Hurricane Helene. National Guard units are uniquely positioned to provide these services during domestic crises under legal authorities active-duty military do not have. Currently, about 700 members of the Air National Guard support space operations, including satellite communications. (10/10)

Hurricane Prompts FCC Approval for Florida Starlink Service (Source: Space News)
Starlink has expanded its emergency direct-to-device phone services to Florida as Hurricane Milton strikes the state. The FCC granted SpaceX a 15-day special temporary authority (STA) for the storm’s projected path across central Florida. SpaceX said it has enabled basic texting services on T-Mobile phones in areas affected by Hurricane Milton and Hurricane Helene, and will also deliver emergency alerts to all phones and carriers used by those affected by the hurricanes. (10/10)

SpaceX Spectrum Demands Prompt Complaint to DoJ (Source: Wall Street Journal)
SpaceX has reportedly required companies launching competitors to Starlink on its rockets to agree to share spectrum. These spectrum-sharing agreements, which allow Starlink to use spectrum allocated to those other companies, were signed with Kepler Communications and OneWeb before SpaceX launched their satellites, helping Starlink expand its service. The agreements prompted one law firm to meet with the Justice Department to discuss possible antitrust issues, but the department has taken no action so far. SpaceX argued that the spectrum-sharing agreements are equitable because they have to be ratified by governments. (10/10)

Scientists Worry About Deorbited ISS Damage to Ocean (Source: Space News)
Ocean scientists are concerned about the environmental impacts of deorbiting the International Space Station. Debris from the eventual deorbiting of the ISS is likely to splash down at a remote location in the South Pacific Ocean known as Point Nemo that is currently used as a target for many spacecraft reentries. Environmental groups say they are worried about potential deleterious effects, citing uncertainties about what is on the station and what will survive reentry. The EPA plans to evaluate NASA's plans but does not have a schedule for completing that work. (10/10)

NASA Report Raises Concerns About Russian ISS Segment (Source: Washington Post)
NASA has identified 50 "areas of concern" on the Russian segment of the station. Those areas of concern could be similar to cracks seen in one part of the Russian service module that have caused a persistent, but small, air leak there, but could also be "benign imperfections" like scratches. NASA has expressed its concerns to Roscosmos and a report last month by NASA's Office of Inspector General noted the leaks in the Russian service module to its highest level of risk. NASA noted last month, though, that the leak rate in the service module fell recently after some repair work by cosmonauts. (10/10)

Incoming Solar Storms Could Compound Hurricane Damage to Power Grids (Source: AP)
A solar storm could stress power grids damaged by recent hurricanes. NOAA issued a watch for a severe geomagnetic storm Thursday and Friday after a solar outburst earlier this week. The storm is not expected to be as strong as the one that hit in May, but the effects of it could cause disruptions on power grids damaged by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The storm could cause aurora displays visible as far south as the lower Midwest. (10/10)

NASA Seeks Logistics Designs for Artemis Moon Missions (Source: UPI)
Private industry in the United States will have an opportunity to provide NASA with designs for a lander and vehicle that will help supply future Artemis missions to the moon. NASA in September announced its request for proposals for lunar vehicle designs to overcome deficiencies in its lunar mobility and provide logistics that are needed to support planned missions to the moon's surface.

"NASA relies on collaborations from diverse partners to develop its exploration architecture" and "leverage the incredible expertise in the commercial aerospace community," NASA Deputy Associate Administrator Nujoud Merancy said. (10/8)

Astronomers Race to Capture Image of Exoplanet Near Star (Source: Phys.org)
Planet AF Lep b is a world of firsts. In 2023, it was the lowest-mass planet outside our solar system to be directly observed and have its mass measured using astrometry. This is a technique that charts the subtle movements of a host star over many years to gain insights about orbiting companions, including planets. Now, AF Lep b is the lowest-mass planet with the smallest angular separation—that is, how close it is to its host star as seen from Earth—that has been directly observed by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). (10/9)

Startup Trek: Blue Origin Vets Go to the Frontiers of Space and Tech with New Studio (Source: Geekwire)
Two former employees of Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin space company are striking out on their own with Actuate Ventures, a venture studio that specializes in supporting startups in the space industry and other deep-tech markets. Actuate’s founding partners, Chris Le and Andrew Woodfield, set up shop less than a year ago — but the studio is already building up connections with collaborators, investors and entrepreneurs.

This week, they’re participating in events at SF Tech Week, and they’re also in the midst of a campaign to create their first $25 million venture fund for investment. Le said it’s not just about the money. “We think of ourselves as ‘co-founders in a box,'” he told GeekWire. “The venture studio model in particular is a hybrid. It’s like if an incubator and a VC had a baby. We’re here to be in it with you and help grow your company, and not just be a check in the door.” (10/8)

Journey Through Stars with NASA in New Minecraft Game (Source: NASA)
NASA invites gamers, educators, and students to grab their pickaxe and check out its latest collaboration with Minecraft exploring a new world inspired by the agency’s James Webb Space Telescope. The partnership allows creators to experience NASA’s discoveries with interactive modules on star formation, planets, and galaxy types, modeled using real Webb images. (10/8)

Something Massive Is Shifting Deep Inside the Moon (Source: Futurism)
Something is moving inside of the Moon. Yes, you read that correctly. A recent study from scientists at NASA and the University of Arizona found that a layer of low-viscosity goo sits between the Moon's rugged mantle and its metal core. This goo is rising and falling beneath the lunar surface — not unlike, say, ocean tides — which they concluded is likely caused by the gravitational push and pull of the Sun and Earth. (10/7)

NASA Spacecraft Receives Laser Signal from 290 Million Miles Away (Source: Independent)
NASA has sent a laser signal about 290 million miles, smashing previous records and potentially transforming our exploration of the solar system. The milestone was reached by NASA’s Deep Space Optical Communications technology demonstration, which is exploring whether it is possible to use lasers to send messages deep into space. Lasers can send data at rates up to 100 times that of the radio frequencies used today, allowing for more complex and high-definition data, but they also require much greater precision to work.

It was sent to the Psyche spacecraft, which launched in October 2023. Its main mission is to study an asteroid with the same name, but it is also carrying the NASA experiment to test laser communication through space. The distance is roughly the same as that between the Earth and Mars when they are their most distant. NASA hopes that the laser technology can help empower future crewed missions to Mars, among other exploration of our solar system, and so the successful test marks a major breakthrough. (10/8)

Jared Isaacman, Commercial Spaceflight Pioneer, On His Recent Mission (Source: Forbes)
In the private space effort, there are the suborbital space tourism pioneers and the orbital commercial spaceflight pioneers. They are not the same. The former includes Jeff Bezos of Blue Origin, and Sir Richard Branson of Virgin Galactic. Both take wealthy folks to suborbital space on short rides. Little or no real research can be done on these flights, however, as the time spent in micro-gravity on each is only about five minutes.

Some participants on these flights like to call themselves astronauts. I’m not sure what the late John Glenn, first American to orbit Earth, or Neil Armstrong, first man on the moon, would say about that. The FAA had been giving these folks Commercial Space Astronaut Wings, but stopped at the end of 2021. Aviator Jared Isaacman represents the latter category - orbital commercial space flight pioneer - along, of course, with SpaceX founder Elon Musk. Musk’s company, in addition to regularly supplying the International Space Station, flies Isaacman orbitally on research missions. Click here. (10/10)

Tissue Chips Accurately Model Organs in Space (Source: NASA)
The International Space Station offers a unique microgravity environment where cells outside the human body behave similarly to how they do inside the human body. Tissue chips are small devices containing living cells that mimic complex functions of specific human tissues and organs. Researchers can run experiments using tissue chips aboard space station to understand disease progression and provide faster and safer alternatives for preparing medicine for clinical trials.

Researchers placed engineered heart tissues on tissue chips sent to study how microgravity impacts cardiac functions in space. Data collected by the chips showed these heart tissues experienced impaired contractions, subcellular structural changes, and increased stress, which can lead to tissue damage and disease. Previous studies conducted on human subjects have displayed similar outcomes. In the future, engineered heart tissues could accurately model the effects of spaceflight on cardiac function. (10/8)

4 Futuristic Space Technologies — and When They Might Happen (Source: Space.com)
World Space Week this year, which runs between Oct. 4-10,is celebrating how space technology is aiding us in our fight against climate change on Earth — but sometimes it pays to also look outward at what technology can offer us as we expand into space to harness the energy and the worlds that lie out there. Here we highlight four technologies, look at the challenges that they pose and give some indication of when they might come to fruition — if ever. The time estimates are not necessarily a prediction of when they might happen, but are intended to give a rough idea of how much work still needs to be done on them. Click here. (10/8)

NASA’s First Lunar Rover Since Apollo Is An Adorable Little Moon Tractor (Source: Jalopnik)
The last time anyone drove on the Moon was way back in 1972 when the astronauts of Apollo 17 took the Lunar Roving Vehicle for one last spin. Now, NASA is plotting a return to the Moon’s surface that will include taking an all-new lunar rover with it, and it’s just started testing out prototypes for its latest Moon buggy. Officially called the Lunar Terrain Vehicle this time around, the new craft could take one of three different forms after NASA recruited three different firms to submit designs. Click here. (10/7)

Space Command Working With Office of Space Commerce for Spaceflight Safety (Source: Space Daily)
US Space Force and the Department of Commerce, through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Office of Space Commerce, have commenced a dual-track approach for delivering space situational awareness (SSA) services to satellite operators. The two agencies are transitioning spaceflight safety services, currently offered through space-track.org, from US Space Command (USSPACECOM) to the Office of Space Commerce's (OSC) new Traffic Coordination System for Space (TraCSS). This system began operations on September 30 for a beta group of satellite owners and operators. (10/4)

Leicester Spinout Perpetual Atomics to Pioneer Space Nuclear Power Solutions (Source: Space Daily)
A new start-up, Perpetual Atomics, is poised to revolutionize space missions by leveraging nuclear technology to provide reliable power in the harsh conditions of deep space. The company, launched from the University of Leicester's Space Park Leicester, aims to commercialize over 20 years of research in space nuclear power, transforming the way space exploration is powered. Perpetual Atomics focuses on space nuclear power systems and is expected to provide innovative solutions for long-term, sustainable power for spacecraft. (10/10)

Volta Space Technologies Unveils Plans for Lunar Power Satellite Network (Source: Space News)
A startup has unveiled plans to develop a network of satellites around the moon to provide power to spacecraft on the lunar surface. Volta Space Technologies, headquartered in Montréal and with offices in the United States, revealed plans Oct. 10 for satellites that would collect power and transmit it via lasers to spacecraft on the lunar surface, helping them survive the two-week lunar night or operate in permanently shadowed craters at the lunar poles. (10/10)

Near-Earth Asteroid Data Offers Insights Into Possible Fifth Force in the Universe (Source: Space Daily)
In 2023, NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission returned a sample of dust and rocks from the near-Earth asteroid Bennu. Beyond the immediate scientific value of the samples, data from OSIRIS-REx has opened the door to investigating new physics. A study published in *Communications Physics*, a Nature journal, details how an international research team led by Los Alamos National Laboratory used Bennu's tracking data to explore the possible existence of a fifth fundamental force of the universe. (10/10)

Scientists Unveil Efficient Method for Detecting Atmospheres on Distant Planets (Source: Space Daily)
Finding planets that could support life is a critical objective in astronomy, with the presence of an atmosphere being a key factor in determining a planet's habitability. Though scientists have discovered Earth-like exoplanets, none have been confirmed to possess atmospheres. A new study led by Qiao Xue, a PhD student at the University of Chicago, introduces a simpler and more efficient method to determine if exoplanets have atmospheres. Working with Prof. Jacob Bean's team, the researchers showed how the method could identify atmospheres more effectively than prior techniques. Xue's study could accelerate the search for habitable planets by revealing patterns in atmosphere formation. (10/10)

NASA Selects Two Mission Proposals for New Astrophysics Program Studies (Source: Space Daily)
NASA has chosen two mission proposals to undergo further review as part of its new Probe Explorers class, a major step in its astrophysics research. The missions, focused on observing X-ray and far-infrared light from space, will each receive $5 million to conduct a 12-month study to refine their concepts. NASA expects to make a final selection in 2026, with the chosen mission slated for launch in 2032.

These missions will inaugurate a new class of astrophysics programs, falling under NASA's Explorers Program. Known as Probe Explorers, this class will bridge the gap between smaller, principal investigator-led missions and large flagship initiatives, helping NASA continue its exploration of the universe's hidden mysteries. (10/7)

Pentagon's Secret UFO Data Retrieval Program 'Immaculate Constellation' Revealed in Whistleblower Report (Source: Daily Mail)
A secretive Pentagon UFO data retrieval program has been hidden from Congressional oversight since 2017, a new report claims. Whistleblowers assert the program — codenamed 'Immaculate Constellation' — was established to 'detect' and 'quarantine' the military's best UFO imagery, as well as its best videos, eyewitness testimonies and electronic sensor evidence. This trove of high quality, multi-sensor UFO data is so tightly held that 'talking about it will put you in the danger zone,' according to a US official who confirmed the leak.

The quite literally 'above top secret' program allegedly sprang into action in the wake of the 2017 leak of three, still-as-yet unexplained US Navy infrared UFO videos. A Pentagon spokesperson denied the existence of the program Tuesday evening, telling reporters: 'The Department of Defense has no record, present or historical, of any type of SAP [Special Access Program] called 'IMMACULATE CONSTELLATION.'' (10/10)

A Massive Space Junk Disaster in Orbit Is Inevitable Now, Scientists Warn (Source: Futurism)
Researchers from the orbital mapping firm LeoLabs are raising alarm bells about the dangerous amount of space junk littering our planet's orbit that will inevitably create a catastrophe. In an interview with Forbes, LeoLabs senior technical fellow Darren McKnight described the issue as a "ticking time bomb" waiting in the wings.

With our planet veritably surrounded by almost 30,000 objects bigger than a softball hurtling through space at extremely fast speeds, McKnight and his colleagues are looking for solutions to head off tragedy — but they might not be able to make it in time. (10/9)

Vast Unveils Its Final Haven-1 Space Station Design (Source: Vast)
Vast, the US-based space habitation technology company pioneering the path to long-term living and thriving in space, today unveiled its interior design features aboard Haven-1, the world’s first commercial space station. Vast’s inaugural station combines the functionality of its state-of-the-art facilities for scientific research, technological advancement, and global collaboration in low-Earth orbit (LEO) with its remarkable dedication to sophisticated and human-centric design. (10/10)

October 9, 2024

Startup Takes New Approach to Space-Based Solar Power (Source: Space News)
A startup led by a founder of a financial services company is taking a new approach to space-based solar power intended to be more scalable and affordable than previous concepts. Aetherflux announced Oct. 9 plans to develop and ultimately deploy a constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit that will collect solar power and beam it to Earth using infrared lasers. The company is planning to demonstrate this technology with a small satellite launching by early 2026.

The concept is a departure from many previous concepts for space-based solar power (SBSP), which have involved large arrays in geostationary orbit. Those systems would transmit their power using microwaves to large rectennas on the ground. Such concepts have been studied for more than half a century but have not advanced beyond the drawing board. (10/9)

UTSA Leads DOE Project to Advance Nuclear Energy and Space Exploration (Source: Space Daily)
The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) has been chosen by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Nuclear Energy (NE) to lead a multimillion-dollar initiative aimed at driving nuclear energy research at the university. The funding is part of the DOE's Nuclear Energy University Program's Integrated Research Projects (IRPs), which are designed to provide research and development solutions relevant to DOE priorities. (10/8)

UTA Physicists Explore Possibility of Life Beyond Earth (Source: Space Daily)
Are there planets beyond Earth where humans can live? The answer is maybe, according to a new study from University of Texas at Arlington physicists examining F-type star systems. Stars fall into seven lettered categories according to their surface temperature. They also differ in other factors including mass, luminosity, and radius. F-types are in the middle of the scale, hotter and more massive than our sun. F-type stars are yellowish white in color and have surface temperatures of more than 10,000 degrees. (10/8)

China Satellite Completes AI Large-Model Tests in Orbit (Source: Space Daily)
ADA Space, a Chinese AI satellite internet technology company, has successfully completed in-orbit testing of its AI large-model technology aboard a recently launched satellite. Between Sep. 25 and Oct. 5, the satellite conducted 13 tests of its AI large model. These tests examined various inference questions under a range of operating and temperature conditions, ensuring the model's performance in space. The tests confirmed that the company's AI large model is well-suited for space environments. Additionally, the satellite demonstrated the reliability of its computing platform and the high-performance payloads' ability to operate effectively in space. (10/8)

TransAstra Using Sutter Technology for Space-Based Matched Filter Tracking (Source: Space Daily)
TransAstra, a leader in space technology, has successfully used its proprietary Theia tracking software in space for the first time. This marks a major advancement in Space Domain Awareness (SDA) by achieving the first-ever synthetic tracking or matched filter detection from a space-based telescope. Theia's use directly in space, rather than solely on the ground, significantly boosts detection capabilities of existing orbital assets and opens new possibilities for the future of space observation.

Collaborating with Terran Orbital, TransAstra integrated Theia onto the GEOStare 2 cubesat, launched to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) in 2021. After being uploaded to GEOStare's onboard system, Theia autonomously detected SDA targets in near real-time following image collection. Both the raw images and tracking data were then sent to Earth for further analysis. (10/8)

Curiosity Rover Finds Clues to How Mars Became a Lifeless Wasteland (Source: Gizmodo)
NASA’s Curiosity rover has added a new wrinkle to the theory that the surface of Mars was once hospitable to alien life. New chemical analysis of Martian dirt hints at eras in the planet’s past where the conditions necessary for life may have been met, but only for relatively short periods of time. The very processes that led to elements vital to life being present in Martian soil, may also have led to the waterless conditions currently present. Click here. (10/8)

Team Discovers Three New Magnetic and Helium-Enriched Hot Subdwarf Stars (Source: Phys.org)
An international team of astronomers reports the discovery of three new helium-enriched hot subdwarf stars with strong magnetic fields. The finding, made with the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT), is detailed in a research paper published Oct. 3 on the preprint server arXiv. Helium-rich subdwarf O stars (He-sdOs) are hot compact stars in a pre-white dwarf evolutionary state. They are the natural outcome of double helium white dwarf (WD) mergers. They are helium dominated, and most of them have effective temperatures between 40,000 and 50,000 K. (10/9)

SDA Outlines Plans for 200 Satellite Procurement (Source: Space News)
The Space Development Agency (SDA) is outlining plans to procure a new set of 200 satellites. Last week, satellite vendors were notified of an upcoming solicitation for about 200 satellites and associated ground services under Tranche 3 of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA).  SDA says it will look for "improved and more focused proposals" that will enhance the capabilities of the constellation while preparing for its long-term sustainment.

Tranche 3 will be the first procurement of replacement satellites as some Tranche 1 spacecraft reach the end of their operational life, projected at about five years. Tranche 3 will involve approximately 140 satellites for the Transport Layer, which provides low-latency communication, and 54 satellites for the Tracking Layer, which detects and tracks advanced missile threats. (10/9)

NASA Adds Rocket Lab to Mars Sample Return Study Group (Source: Space News)
NASA has added Rocket Lab to the group of companies studying alternative concepts for Mars Sample Return (MSR). The company said this week it received a contract to study a different approach to MSR that would reduce its costs and shorten its schedule. NASA picked seven companies in June for similar studies, and didn't elaborate on why it later added Rocket Lab to the group. Rocket Lab did not disclose details about its proposal, but a public abstract of its concept states that the company is proposing to launch a lander and return orbiter on two flights of its Neutron rocket, leveraging technologies from various spacecraft programs at the company. Rocket Lab claims it could complete MSR for as little as $2 billion and return samples as early as 2031. (10/9)

Hurricanes Highlight Value of Satcom Services (Source: Space News)
Hurricanes Helene and Milton are showing the value of satellite communications services. In the aftermath of Helene in North Carolina, SpaceX provided free Starlink services in affected regions, while other satellite operators like Intelsat also shipped terminals. Providing emergency connectivity is one of the near-term use cases highlighted by companies developing satellite constellations capable of directly connecting to existing smartphones. (10/9)

Starlink to the Rescue, With a Catch (Source: The Register)
The "free" service Starlink is offering people in regions affected by Helene comes with a catch. While SpaceX says customers in those areas can get one month of free service, they are still responsible for buying a Starlink terminal, which costs nearly $400 when including shipping and tax. Customers are automatically enrolled in a $120/month plan once the free month of service expires. (10/9)

Project Kuiper Investment Affecting Amazon's Bottom Line (Source: Wall Street Journal)
Some analysts are concerned that Amazon's investment in its Project Kuiper constellation is weighing down the company's finances. Amazon has committed to spending at least $10 billion on Kuiper, although some estimates suggest the actual figure could be far higher. One analyst noted that forecasts of Amazon's operating income could decrease by 6% in 2025 because of spending on the constellation as the company ramps up construction and launch of the satellites. (10/9)

UAE Creates Supreme Space Council (Source: The National)
The United Arab Emirates has established its own version of a national space council. The Supreme Space Council, announced this week, will oversee overall development of the country's space sector, including laws and policies. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, will chair the council, with several government ministers as members. (10/9)

JAXA Affected by Cyberattack (Source: Asahi Shimbun)
A cyberattack compromised the accounts of top officials with the Japanese space agency JAXA. In the cyberattack, hackers gained control of the accounts of five JAXA board members, including president Hiroshi Yamakawa. They used the compromised accounts to access thousands of files, such as confidential information provided by companies and international partners. JAXA has suffered four cyberattacks since June of last year. (10/9)

Starfighters' Expansion to Texas Spaceport Aims to Boost Hypersonic Research (Source: Starfighters Space)
Starfighters Space, operating the world's only commercial fleet of aircraft capable of flying at sustained MACH 2+ and able to air-launch payloads at altitude, announced the addition of its second launch facility in Midland, Texas. Starfighters Space sees Midland as the anchor of what Rick Svetkoff calls a "Hypersonic Test Corridor" with Starfighters providing an airborne testbed for hypersonic research. Midland's 'test range' allows for operations as far west as California's Mojave and Vandenberg spaceports.

Key to the partnership, Starfighters Space and MDC are working to secure FAA approval and certification for the corridor initiative. "As a strategic southwestern hub, Midland will enable our aircraft to reach these various military operating areas much quicker and in a more cost-effective manner," Svetkoff said. Midland also provides an alternate location for StarLaunch, an air-launch capability for small suborbital and orbital payloads now in development with GE Aeronautics. (10/8)

NASA Seeks Innovative Artemis Lunar Logistics, Mobility Solutions (Source: NASA)
NASA is asking U.S. industry to submit innovative architecture solutions that could help the agency land and move cargo on the lunar surfaced during future Artemis missions. Released in September, the agency’s request for proposal also supports NASA’s broader Moon to Mars Objectives. Previously, NASA published two white papers outlining lunar logistics and mobility gaps as part of its Moon to Mars architecture development effort that augmented an earlier white paper on logistics considerations. The current ask, Lunar Logistics and Mobility Studies, expects proposing companies to consider these publications, which describe NASA’s future needs for logistics and mobility. (10/8)

China to Launch New Quantum Communications Satellites in 2025 (Source: Space News)
China will launch new quantum satellites into low Earth orbit next year, according to a scientist leading the project. Two to three quantum communications satellites will be launched into low Earth orbit (LEO) next year according to Pan Jianwei, the scientist behind China’s 2016 Mozi/QUESS quantum experiments satellite, China Business News reported Oct. 3. (10/8)

Astronomers Just Found a Galaxy Way Too Advanced for its Time (Source: Mashable)
Imagine archaeologists excavating an old cave where they believed they'd see primitive ape-like ancestors and instead found a fossil almost indistinguishable from a modern human. That might be what astronomers felt when they discovered an evolved galaxy similar to the Milky Way, but lighting up space when the universe was merely 700 million years old. Given that most scientists believe the universe is 13.8 billion today, that period could still be considered the universe's toddler era, shortly after the Big Bang. (10/8)

SpaceX Breaks Silence On Starship Flight 5 – Sunday Launch & Catch Abort In-Play (Source: WCCF Tech)
SpaceX has picked up the pace with its Starship Flight 5 preparations in Texas, as after tank tests yesterday, the firm confirmed on social media that Starship Flight 5 could take place as soon as Monday. The announcement was the first for Starship after SpaceX's previous post confirmed that the launch could be delayed until November because of regulatory approvals. SpaceX's objectives for Flight 5 shared before today's announcement had included a tower catch for the Super Heavy booster as part of the firm's bid to build the world's first super heavy lift reusable rocket system. (10/8)