Eutelsat America Boss Exiting
(Source: Advanced Television)
Kevin Steen, President and CEO at Eutelsat America, as well as OneWeb
Technologies (EACOWT), is unexpectedly stepping down, effective
December 20th. He is being replaced by Ian Canning, currently COO as
CEO. Steen joined OneWeb Technologies (OWT) as CEO in 2022, and played
a pivotal role in driving OWT’s growth and expanding its presence in
the US government and commercial sectors. (12/3)
New Japan-Based Space Force Unit Will
Guard Troops From Above, Regional Commander Says (Source: Stars
and Stripes)
The Space Force is standing up a new unit at this airlift hub in
western Tokyo to address growing threats from China, Russia and North
Korea, according to the service’s regional commander. The activation of
U.S. Space Forces Japan on Wednesday will mark “a pivotal moment in
space operations within the Indo-Pacific region,” Brig. Gen. Anthony
Mastalir, head of the Hawaii-based U.S. Space Forces Indo-Pacific, told
reporters. (12/3)
Lockheed Martin: GPS Not So Vulnerable
(Source: Space News)
Lockheed Martin argues that GPS is not as vulnerable to disruption as
some claim. While GPS is widely viewed as an indispensable backbone of
the global economy, it is simultaneously seen as a fragile
technological system vulnerable to sophisticated electronic warfare
techniques and signal disruption. That narrative, the company claims,
overlooks security upgrades and technological innovations being
developed to enhance GPS, particularly for military users. That
includes the M-code signal that is "very difficult, if not impossible,
to spoof" and other advanced security features being incorporated on
the next generation of satellite to resist jamming. (12/4)
Spain's Sateliot Developing
Constellation for Connectivity (Source: Space News)
Sateliot, a Spanish company developing a satellite constellation for
remote connectivity, has received a loan from the European Investment
Bank (EIB). The loan, valued at 30 million euros, will help Sateliot
add 16 more smallsats to its constellation by the end of next year. The
company also has commitments for 45 million euros in a Series B funding
round with a target of 70 million euros. The company launched its first
four commercial satellites in August that use 5G protocols to
communicate with mass-market tracking and monitoring devices. (12/4)
X-Bow Wins $60 Million for Navy Solid
Rocket Motor Production (Source: Space News)
X-Bow Systems has won $60 million in Navy contracts to modernize solid
rocket production facilities. The contracts will support improvements
at a Naval Surface Warfare Center facility in Maryland to produce solid
rocket motors using additive manufacturing for use in missiles. The
contracts build on the company’s recent defense deals, including
selection to develop solid propulsion for hypersonic missiles and for
the Standard Missile program. (12/4)
Europe's Atmos and Space Cargo
Unlimited to Collaborate on Microgravity Payload Return (Source:
Space News)
Two European startups are partnering on a series of microgravity
missions. Atmos Space Cargo and Space Cargo Unlimited announced Tuesday
they will work together on a series of missions to fly microgravity
payloads into low Earth orbit and return them to Earth. Space Cargo
Unlimited has developed the microgravity research platform, called
BentoBox, which will first launch in late 2025 on a SpaceX rideshare
mission. Atmos Space Cargo is providing a capsule to return the
payloads to Earth. The companies argue this approach is better suited
for microgravity manufacturing than attempting to do it on the
International Space Station. (12/4)
Sierra Space to Collaborate with
Astral Materials and Space Forge on Semiconductor Manufacture in Space
(Source: Space News)
Sierra Space will work with two companies on semiconductor
manufacturing in orbit. Sierra Space said Wednesday it signed MOUs with
Astral Materials and Space Forge Inc. to study how Sierra Space's Dream
Chaser and future commercial space station technologies could be used
to support semiconductor manufacturing proposed by those companies. The
startups argue that the microgravity environment can lead to improved
production of semiconductor crystals. (12/4)
Germany's FibreCoat Raises 20 Million
Euros for Space Coatings (Source: Space News)
German materials technology startup FibreCoat has raised 20 million
euros to apply its technologies to the space industry. The company
announced the funding round Wednesday led by NewSpace Capital and Goose
Capital. FibreCoat has developed approaches for coating fibers with
metals and plastics that have been used in the automotive and
construction industries so far. The company now wants to expand into
the space and defense sectors, believing its technologies can provide
new ways for spacecraft and launch vehicles to handle harsh
environments. (12/4)
SpaceX Breaks Booster Record with
Florida Starlink Launch (Source: SpaceFlight Now)
SpaceX launched another set of Starlink satellites this morning,
setting another record in the process. A Falcon 9 lifted off at 5:13
a.m. Eastern Wednesday and placed 24 Starlink satellites into orbit.
The launch was the 24th flight of this Falcon 9 booster, designated
B1067, a new company record for the most flights by a single booster.
(12/4)
China Launches Radar Imaging Satellite
(Source: Xinhua)
China launched a radar imaging satellite late Tuesday. A Kuaizhou-1A
lifted off at 11:46 p.m. Eastern from the Xichang Satellite Launch
Center. Its payload was Haishao-1, a synthetic aperture radar
satellite. (12/4)
India Halts PSLV Proba-3 Launch for
Payload Issue (Source: ESA)
India's space agency ISRO called off the launch of a PSLV rocket early
Wednesday because of an issue with the payload. ISRO said an
unspecified anomaly was detected in ESA's Proba-3 spacecraft during the
final minutes of the countdown, scrubbing the launch. ESA said only
that a "technical issue" with the spacecraft caused the scrub. The
launch has been rescheduled for no earlier than Thursday at 5:42 a.m.
Eastern. (12/4)
Airbus, Leonardo, and Thales Alenia
May Combine Satellite Manufacturing (Source: Reuters)
A proposed combination of European satellite manufacturers has advanced
to the point where it has a code name. "Project Bromo," named after an
Indonesian volcano, is the internal name given to discussions among
Airbus Defence and Space, Leonardo and Thales Alenia Space about
combining their satellite manufacturing work into a joint venture. The
companies are modeling the plan, still in its early stages, on Europe's
MBDA, a joint venture of Airbus, BAE Systems and Leonardo that produces
missiles. Combining satellite manufacturing into a joint venture is
intended to make Europe more competitive as Airbus in particular deals
with financial problems with its space unit. (12/4)
Spire Changes CEO (Source:
Spire)
Spire Global is changing CEOs. The company announced Wednesday that
Theresa Condor, currently COO of the company, will become CEO on Jan.
1. She will succeed founder Peter Platzer, who will become executive
chairman. Spire described the change as part of a "planned leadership
transition" for the company, which operates a constellation of
satellites that provide weather data and tracking services. Celia
Pelaz, a former Airbus executive, will take over as COO when Condor
becomes CEO. (12/4)
Asteroid Becomes Meteor After Discovery
(Source: New Scientist)
A tiny asteroid burned up in the atmosphere over Siberia Tuesday just
hours after it was discovered. The object, given the provisional name
C0WEPC5, was detected by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert
System (ATLAS) observatory several hours before hitting the atmosphere
over the Yakutia region of Siberia. The asteroid, estimated to be only
0.7 meters across, burned up harmlessly in the atmosphere, but created
a bright fireball seen on the ground. This was the fourth small
asteroid found just before hitting the Earth this year. (12/4)
Eseye and Sateliot Partner for Global
IoT Across Satellite and Terrestrial Networks (Source: Space
Daily)
Eseye, a leader in global IoT connectivity solutions, has partnered
with Sateliot, a pioneer in satellite-based IoT networks, to deliver
seamless 5G IoT connectivity by integrating terrestrial and satellite
technologies. The collaboration leverages the latest 3GPP Release 17
(Rel.17) standard to provide uninterrupted connectivity through a
single SIM solution, extending IoT coverage to areas without
traditional cellular service.
Sateliot operates the first Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) 5G/NB-IoT satellite
constellation, which enhances existing cellular networks using the
Rel.17 protocol. This innovative technology ensures IoT devices
automatically switch to satellite connectivity when terrestrial
networks are unavailable, enabling uninterrupted global IoT operations.
(11/28)
ESA Awards Euro 34.6 Million
NanoMagSat Contract to Open Cosmos (Source: Space Daily)
The European Space Agency (ESA) has awarded a euro 34.6 million
contract to Open Cosmos for the development, launch, and commissioning
of the NanoMagSat Scout satellite constellation. This mission aims to
enhance Europe's capabilities in monitoring Earth's magnetic field and
advancing applications such as space weather assessment, navigation,
and directional drilling.
The NanoMagSat mission aligns with ESA's FutureEO program, which
focuses on leveraging small, agile satellites to deliver innovative
scientific value. NanoMagSat, a constellation of three small
satellites, is designed to complement ESA's Swarm mission by offering
enhanced insights into the magnetic field's dynamics and the Sun's
influence on Earth's atmospheric and ionospheric systems. (11/28)
Exolaunch to Deploy 22 Satellites on
SpaceX Bandwagon-2 Mission (Source: Space Daily)
Exolaunch, a global leader in satellite deployment and mission
integration, is gearing up for the Bandwagon-2 Rideshare mission with
SpaceX. Following the success of the first Bandwagon mission earlier
this year, the company will deploy 22 satellites into orbit for a
diverse roster of international clients. Scheduled for no earlier than
December 2024, the mission will launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base
in California.
The Bandwagon-2 mission offers a mid-inclination orbit, providing a
unique opportunity for satellite operators. Exolaunch's payload
includes 15 cubesats and 7 microsatellites from customers across seven
nations, including Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Djibouti, Finland,
Mongolia, and the United States. The mission marks Exolaunch's seventh
launch of 2024, building on a track record of 83 satellite deployments
earlier this year through collaborations with SpaceX, Rocket Lab, and
ESA's Ariane 6. (11/28)
CubeSatGPT Enables Communication with
Orbiting Satellites for Education and Research (Source: Space
Daily)
CubeSatGPT introduces a groundbreaking platform that allows users to
interact directly with satellites and payloads launched by Vector Space
Biosciences. Among the payloads, over 50 tardigrades (commonly known as
waterbears) will be sent into orbit on CubeSats (nanosatellites). These
experiments will generate valuable datasets on microgravity and space
radiation effects, transmitted back to Earth using Microsoft Orbital
ground stations. The data will be processed through AI-driven pipelines
incorporating advanced modeling, generative AI, and visualization
tools. (11/28)
December 3, 2024
Broken Water Pipe Knocks Out Data
Processing for NASA Sun-Studying Spacecraft (Source: Space.com)
Scientists won't be able to process much of the data gathered by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) and IRIS spacecraft for a while, thanks to a burst water pipe. That pipe — a 4-inch-wide (10 centimeters) cooling water line in a server room at Stanford University in California that's home to the SDO Joint Science Operations Center (JSOC) — burst on Nov. 26. "This caused major flooding in the building and extensive water damage in the lab that houses the machines that process and distribute data from the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) and Atmospheric Imaging Array (AIA) instruments and from the IRIS spacecraft," JSOC team members wrote. (12/2)
When a Telescope Is a National-Security Risk (Source: The Atlantic)
In the early months of 2023, the astronomer Željko Ivezić found himself taking part in a highly unusual negotiation. Ivezić is the 59-year-old director of the Vera Rubin Observatory, a $1 billion telescope that the United States has been developing in the Chilean high desert for more than 20 years. He was trying to reach an agreement that would keep his telescope from compromising America’s national security when it starts stargazing next year.
This task was odd enough for any scientist, and it was made more so by the fact that Ivezić had no idea with whom he was negotiating. “I didn’t even know which agency I was talking to,” he told me on a recent video call from his field office in Chile. Whoever it was would communicate with him only through intermediaries at the National Science Foundation. Ivezić didn’t even know whether one person or several people were on the other side of the exchange. All he knew was that they were very security-minded. Also, they seemed to know a great deal about astronomy. (12/2)
Trump May Cancel NASA's Powerful SLS Moon Rocket—What That Would Mean for Elon Musk and the Future of Space Travel (Source: Phys.org)
Space journalist Eric Berger recently posted on X: "To be clear, we are far from anything being settled, but based on what I'm hearing it seems at least 50-50 that NASA's Space Launch System rocket will be canceled." No official announcements have been made. However, such a move could be in line with previous speculation that the Trump administration could gut Nasa, forcing it to contract out much of its work to the private companies.
But could another rocket easily take the place of the SLS? This question goes to the heart of what America wants to achieve amid an emerging 21st-century space race. China has pledged to send its astronauts to the lunar surface by 2030. Unlike the US, China is usually conservative in its estimates, so we can assume deadline slippage is unlikely. Meanwhile, several elements of Artemis are holding up the schedule. (12/2)
Atmospheric Analysis Shows Venus Never Had Earth-Like Life (Source: The Guardian)
With a surface hot enough to melt lead and with clouds of sulphuric acid above it, it is a planet often called Earth’s “evil twin” – similar in size, yet worlds apart. Some scientists have long believed it was once much more hospitable, home to cooler temperatures and oceans of liquid water. But now researchers have dealt a blow to the idea that Venus ever hosted life as we know it.
Scientists say an analysis of the planet’s atmosphere has revealed the interior of Venus is dry, suggesting it has never had the oceans of liquid water traditionally thought necessary for life to begin. “This doesn’t completely rule out any life. It rules out Earth-like life,” said Tereza Constantinou. (12/2)
World's 2nd Fastest Supercomputer Runs Largest-Ever Simulation of the Universe (Source: Space.com)
The world's second fastest supercomputer — it used to be the fastest, before its rival machine came online earlier this month — has created the most complex computer simulation of the universe to date. The goal of this simulation is to test what researchers describe as "cosmological hydrodynamics." The supercomputer is known as Frontier, lives at Oak Ridge National Laboratory — and is a beast of a device. Built to be the first exascale supercomputer, it can perform up to 1.1 exaFLOPS, which is equal to 1.1 quintillion (10^18, or 1,100,000,000,000,000,000) floating-point operations per second. (12/2)
Europe Weighs its Future in Space (Source: Space Review)
The United States is not the only country wondering what the next administration will do in space policy. Jeff Foust reports that, in Europe, the prospect of changes in US-European space cooperation is fueling calls for the continent to invest more in space capabilities. Click here. (12/3)
Tollways in Space: From Sci-fi to Saving Grace (Source: Space Review)
The space industry has struggled to develop financial models for funding removal of orbital debris even as the problem of debris worsens. Polina Shtern offers an approach that treats orbits as tollways to pay for debris cleanup. Click here. (12/3)
Donald Trump’s Approach to US Space Policy Could Throw Up Some Surprises, Especially with Elon Musk on Board (Source: Space Review)
The impacts of the incoming Trump Administration on space policy are still to be determined nearly a month after the election. Bleddyn Bowen and P.J. Blount discuss what could change and what might remain the same in the next administration. Click here. (12/3)
NASA, Space Force Plans Will Lead to New Contracts (Source; ClearanceJobs)
NASA aims to complete a crewed mission to the moon in 2025 via Artemis 2, while the US Space Force plans to expand capabilities and award contracts through the Commercial Augmentation Space Reserve. The incoming Trump administration might accelerate these efforts, benefiting contractors such as Blue Origin and SpaceX. (12/2)
Varda Wins $48 Million for Reentry Vehicle Testing (Source: Space News)
Varda Space Industries won a $48 million contract to test military payloads on its reentry vehicles. The four-year contract from the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) leverages Varda's W-Series reentry capsules as platforms to test payloads at hypersonic speeds. Commercial reentry capsules would give the Air Force an operational environment to test vehicle subsystems under real flight conditions in a more cost-effective manner. Varda's next mission, scheduled for launch in early 2025, will showcase the Varda Hypersonic Testbed vehicle and carry an AFRL spectrometer to collect data during reentry. (12/3)
Inleqtion Wins $11 Million DoD Contract for Optical Atomic Clock (Source: Space News)
Quantum technology firm Infleqtion won a Defense Department contract to develop atomic timing technology with implications for satellite navigation. The $11 million contract, announced Monday, supports work on Tiqker, a compact optical atomic clock that can be integrated into standard server racks. The award underscores growing military interest in GPS-independent navigation tools amid concerns about potential weaknesses in GPS, whose signals can be jammed or spoofed. (12/3)
CSF Changes Name (Source: Space News)
An industry group is changing its name slightly to reflect an expanded focus. The Commercial Spaceflight Federation (CSF) announced Tuesday it has changed its name to the Commercial Space Federation. The name change reflects the fact that most of its members work in other parts of the space industry than launch, CSF said. The organization is establishing six "industry councils" in specific sectors, from launch to remote sensing, to allow members to focus on specific priorities. CSF is also creating a political action committee to support members of Congress advocating for commercial space. (12/3)
PLD Secures $11 Million Euro Loan for Rocket Development (Source: Space News)
PLD Space secured a loan to fund development of the launch facility for its Miura 5 rocket. The company announced Monday it obtained an 11 million euro loan from COFIDES, a Spanish financing agency. The loan will go towards development of facilities at the European spaceport in French Guiana for the company's Miura 5 small launch vehicle. That rocket is scheduled to make its first launch there as soon as the end of 2025. (12/3)
China Launches 100th Long March 3B (Source: Space News)
China launched a communications satellite on the 100th flight of the Long March 3B. The rocket lifted off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center at 12:56 a.m. Tuesday and placed into a geostationary transfer orbit the Tongxin Jishu Shiyan-13 (TJS-13) satellite. TJS-13 will be used for satellite communication, radio and television, data transmission and other services, Chinese state media reported, along with technology tests. The spacecraft, like previous TJS missions, likely also has military applications. The launch was the 100th for the Long March 3B, of which 96 have been successful. This was also China's 60th orbital launch of the year, with the country likely to fall far short of its goal of 100 launches for the year. (12/3)
SpaceX Valued at $35 Billion? (Source: Bloomberg)
SpaceX's valuation could soar in a new stock offering. The company is reportedly planning to offer insider shares to sell in a tender offer at a price that would value the company at about $350 billion. That would be far higher than the $210 billion valuation from the previous tender offer earlier this year and well above earlier reports the company was seeking a $255 billion valuation. SpaceX would be the most valuable private company if the deal goes through. (12/3)
Spaceport 1 Planned as Scotland's Third Spaceport (Source: STV)
A facility called Spaceport 1 will be Scotland's third spaceport. Work is underway on the site on North Uist in the Outer Hebrides. The facility, with an estimated cost of $3.3 million, will be completed by next spring and support suborbital launches, although spaceport officials have not disclosed what vehicles will operate from the site. More than 1,000 local residents signed a petition opposing the spaceport on environmental concerns. Spaceport 1 will join SaxaVord Spaceport and Sutherland Spaceport, both of which are designed for orbital launches. (12/3)
Scientists won't be able to process much of the data gathered by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) and IRIS spacecraft for a while, thanks to a burst water pipe. That pipe — a 4-inch-wide (10 centimeters) cooling water line in a server room at Stanford University in California that's home to the SDO Joint Science Operations Center (JSOC) — burst on Nov. 26. "This caused major flooding in the building and extensive water damage in the lab that houses the machines that process and distribute data from the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) and Atmospheric Imaging Array (AIA) instruments and from the IRIS spacecraft," JSOC team members wrote. (12/2)
When a Telescope Is a National-Security Risk (Source: The Atlantic)
In the early months of 2023, the astronomer Željko Ivezić found himself taking part in a highly unusual negotiation. Ivezić is the 59-year-old director of the Vera Rubin Observatory, a $1 billion telescope that the United States has been developing in the Chilean high desert for more than 20 years. He was trying to reach an agreement that would keep his telescope from compromising America’s national security when it starts stargazing next year.
This task was odd enough for any scientist, and it was made more so by the fact that Ivezić had no idea with whom he was negotiating. “I didn’t even know which agency I was talking to,” he told me on a recent video call from his field office in Chile. Whoever it was would communicate with him only through intermediaries at the National Science Foundation. Ivezić didn’t even know whether one person or several people were on the other side of the exchange. All he knew was that they were very security-minded. Also, they seemed to know a great deal about astronomy. (12/2)
Trump May Cancel NASA's Powerful SLS Moon Rocket—What That Would Mean for Elon Musk and the Future of Space Travel (Source: Phys.org)
Space journalist Eric Berger recently posted on X: "To be clear, we are far from anything being settled, but based on what I'm hearing it seems at least 50-50 that NASA's Space Launch System rocket will be canceled." No official announcements have been made. However, such a move could be in line with previous speculation that the Trump administration could gut Nasa, forcing it to contract out much of its work to the private companies.
But could another rocket easily take the place of the SLS? This question goes to the heart of what America wants to achieve amid an emerging 21st-century space race. China has pledged to send its astronauts to the lunar surface by 2030. Unlike the US, China is usually conservative in its estimates, so we can assume deadline slippage is unlikely. Meanwhile, several elements of Artemis are holding up the schedule. (12/2)
Atmospheric Analysis Shows Venus Never Had Earth-Like Life (Source: The Guardian)
With a surface hot enough to melt lead and with clouds of sulphuric acid above it, it is a planet often called Earth’s “evil twin” – similar in size, yet worlds apart. Some scientists have long believed it was once much more hospitable, home to cooler temperatures and oceans of liquid water. But now researchers have dealt a blow to the idea that Venus ever hosted life as we know it.
Scientists say an analysis of the planet’s atmosphere has revealed the interior of Venus is dry, suggesting it has never had the oceans of liquid water traditionally thought necessary for life to begin. “This doesn’t completely rule out any life. It rules out Earth-like life,” said Tereza Constantinou. (12/2)
World's 2nd Fastest Supercomputer Runs Largest-Ever Simulation of the Universe (Source: Space.com)
The world's second fastest supercomputer — it used to be the fastest, before its rival machine came online earlier this month — has created the most complex computer simulation of the universe to date. The goal of this simulation is to test what researchers describe as "cosmological hydrodynamics." The supercomputer is known as Frontier, lives at Oak Ridge National Laboratory — and is a beast of a device. Built to be the first exascale supercomputer, it can perform up to 1.1 exaFLOPS, which is equal to 1.1 quintillion (10^18, or 1,100,000,000,000,000,000) floating-point operations per second. (12/2)
Europe Weighs its Future in Space (Source: Space Review)
The United States is not the only country wondering what the next administration will do in space policy. Jeff Foust reports that, in Europe, the prospect of changes in US-European space cooperation is fueling calls for the continent to invest more in space capabilities. Click here. (12/3)
Tollways in Space: From Sci-fi to Saving Grace (Source: Space Review)
The space industry has struggled to develop financial models for funding removal of orbital debris even as the problem of debris worsens. Polina Shtern offers an approach that treats orbits as tollways to pay for debris cleanup. Click here. (12/3)
Donald Trump’s Approach to US Space Policy Could Throw Up Some Surprises, Especially with Elon Musk on Board (Source: Space Review)
The impacts of the incoming Trump Administration on space policy are still to be determined nearly a month after the election. Bleddyn Bowen and P.J. Blount discuss what could change and what might remain the same in the next administration. Click here. (12/3)
NASA, Space Force Plans Will Lead to New Contracts (Source; ClearanceJobs)
NASA aims to complete a crewed mission to the moon in 2025 via Artemis 2, while the US Space Force plans to expand capabilities and award contracts through the Commercial Augmentation Space Reserve. The incoming Trump administration might accelerate these efforts, benefiting contractors such as Blue Origin and SpaceX. (12/2)
Varda Wins $48 Million for Reentry Vehicle Testing (Source: Space News)
Varda Space Industries won a $48 million contract to test military payloads on its reentry vehicles. The four-year contract from the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) leverages Varda's W-Series reentry capsules as platforms to test payloads at hypersonic speeds. Commercial reentry capsules would give the Air Force an operational environment to test vehicle subsystems under real flight conditions in a more cost-effective manner. Varda's next mission, scheduled for launch in early 2025, will showcase the Varda Hypersonic Testbed vehicle and carry an AFRL spectrometer to collect data during reentry. (12/3)
Inleqtion Wins $11 Million DoD Contract for Optical Atomic Clock (Source: Space News)
Quantum technology firm Infleqtion won a Defense Department contract to develop atomic timing technology with implications for satellite navigation. The $11 million contract, announced Monday, supports work on Tiqker, a compact optical atomic clock that can be integrated into standard server racks. The award underscores growing military interest in GPS-independent navigation tools amid concerns about potential weaknesses in GPS, whose signals can be jammed or spoofed. (12/3)
CSF Changes Name (Source: Space News)
An industry group is changing its name slightly to reflect an expanded focus. The Commercial Spaceflight Federation (CSF) announced Tuesday it has changed its name to the Commercial Space Federation. The name change reflects the fact that most of its members work in other parts of the space industry than launch, CSF said. The organization is establishing six "industry councils" in specific sectors, from launch to remote sensing, to allow members to focus on specific priorities. CSF is also creating a political action committee to support members of Congress advocating for commercial space. (12/3)
PLD Secures $11 Million Euro Loan for Rocket Development (Source: Space News)
PLD Space secured a loan to fund development of the launch facility for its Miura 5 rocket. The company announced Monday it obtained an 11 million euro loan from COFIDES, a Spanish financing agency. The loan will go towards development of facilities at the European spaceport in French Guiana for the company's Miura 5 small launch vehicle. That rocket is scheduled to make its first launch there as soon as the end of 2025. (12/3)
China Launches 100th Long March 3B (Source: Space News)
China launched a communications satellite on the 100th flight of the Long March 3B. The rocket lifted off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center at 12:56 a.m. Tuesday and placed into a geostationary transfer orbit the Tongxin Jishu Shiyan-13 (TJS-13) satellite. TJS-13 will be used for satellite communication, radio and television, data transmission and other services, Chinese state media reported, along with technology tests. The spacecraft, like previous TJS missions, likely also has military applications. The launch was the 100th for the Long March 3B, of which 96 have been successful. This was also China's 60th orbital launch of the year, with the country likely to fall far short of its goal of 100 launches for the year. (12/3)
SpaceX Valued at $35 Billion? (Source: Bloomberg)
SpaceX's valuation could soar in a new stock offering. The company is reportedly planning to offer insider shares to sell in a tender offer at a price that would value the company at about $350 billion. That would be far higher than the $210 billion valuation from the previous tender offer earlier this year and well above earlier reports the company was seeking a $255 billion valuation. SpaceX would be the most valuable private company if the deal goes through. (12/3)
Spaceport 1 Planned as Scotland's Third Spaceport (Source: STV)
A facility called Spaceport 1 will be Scotland's third spaceport. Work is underway on the site on North Uist in the Outer Hebrides. The facility, with an estimated cost of $3.3 million, will be completed by next spring and support suborbital launches, although spaceport officials have not disclosed what vehicles will operate from the site. More than 1,000 local residents signed a petition opposing the spaceport on environmental concerns. Spaceport 1 will join SaxaVord Spaceport and Sutherland Spaceport, both of which are designed for orbital launches. (12/3)
December 2, 2024
Asteroid Mining: Are Asteroids Worth
Billions? The Potential Value of Space Resources (Source: Geo)
Asteroid mining is not just a futuristic concept but a potential goldmine for various industries. The actual value of these space resources depends on the type of metals they contain. The most valuable are platinum-group metals (PGMs), which are used in high-tech applications. Click here. (11/29)
Oman Ready for First Space Rocket Launch From Duqm (Source: Muscat Daily)
Oman is preparing for its first space rocket test launch, scheduled for Wednesday, from Duqm. The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT), in collaboration with the National Aerospace Services Company (NASCOM), is overseeing the launch, marking a significant step in the country’s space ambitions. MTCIT has also confirmed plans for three additional launches in 2025, with specific dates to be announced later.
The launch, named ‘Duqm-1,’ will take place from the launch pad in southern Duqm. The rocket, measuring 6.5m in length and weighing 80kg without fuel (123kg with fuel), is designed to reach an altitude of 140km above sea level at a speed of 1,530m/s. The flight is expected to last around 15 minutes. (12/1)
New EU Space Commissioner Outlines Priorities (Source: Space News)
Andrius Kubilius, a former prime minister of Lithuania, takes on a new portfolio that combines defense and space issues. Under the previous commission, space was handled by the commissioner for the internal market. “Europe must be part of this space revolution. However, we are confronted with a new set of challenges,” he said. Those challenges, he said, include a lack of funding, a “fragmented regulatory landscape” among European nations, and security risks.
He vowed at the hearing to maintain the EU’s flagship space programs: the Copernicus Earth observation constellation, Galileo navigation system and the new IRIS² secure broadband constellation that the European Commission announced Oct. 31 it would move forward with after reaching an agreement with a consortium of European satellite operators. He added he would support “enhancing their capabilities to provide special governmental services for our security needs.”
He also outlined five new European space initiatives. They include improving European access to space, passing a new European space law, supporting competitiveness of the European space industry in the global marketplace, planning for the next multiannual financial framework (MFF) for the EU “reflecting a new level of ambition” and responding to growing threats to space assets. (12/1)
Russia Launches Radar Imaging Satellite (Source: Russian Space Web)
Russia launched a radar imaging satellite Friday. A Soyuz-2.1a rocket lifted off from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia's Far East region at 4:50 p.m. Eastern and placed the Kondor-FKA No. 2 satellite into orbit. The radar imaging satellite is intended for civilian applications. (12/2)
Australia's Gilmour Delays Inaugural Launch of Eris Rocket (Source: Facebook)
Australian launch startup Gilmour Space Technologies has delayed its inaugural launch. The company announced last week that it pushed back the first orbital launch of its Eris small launch vehicle to no earlier than mid-January. The company received an Australian launch license last month that would have allowed a launch as soon as this month, but the company said that final testing work as well as airspace coordination led it to delay the launch until after the holidays. (12/2)
ESA Picks OpenCosmos to Develop Cubesat Trio for Earth Science (Source: Space News)
OpenCosmos has signed a contract with ESA for development of a trio of space science cubesats. The $36.5 million contract, signed during a conference last week, covers development and launch of NanoMagSat, part of ESA's Scout line of low-cost Earth observation missions. The three NanoMagSat cubesats will study the Earth's magnetic field and ionosphere. The first cubesat is scheduled to launch in late 2027 with the other two to follow in 2028. (12/2)
Astroscale UK Prepares for Satellite Servicer Review (Source: Space News)
Astroscale's British subsidiary is preparing for a critical design review early next year of a satellite servicer mission. The 500-kilogram servicer for the ELSA-M program, or End-of-Life Services by Astroscale-Multiple, is currently in a "flatsat" phase where its various components are laid out on a clean room table for testing and checkout. ELSA-M, scheduled for launch in 2026, will attempt to remove a defunct OneWeb satellite from orbit as a precursor to a commercial deorbit business Astroscale hopes to start offering toward the end of this decade. (12/2)
China Plans NextGen Beidou NavSats (Source: Space News)
China is planning to launch a new generation of Beidou navigation satellites in 2027. The country plans to complete key technology research for the next-generation Beidou system by 2025 and launch three test satellites around 2027, according to a plan released last week guiding development of the system through 2035. The upgraded Beidou system will use satellites in high (likely geosynchronous), medium and low Earth orbits, according to the report. Beidou is already widely considered to be superior to the GPS in some areas, and advanced capabilities in a next-generation system could see China far surpass the U.S. and others in positioning, navigation and timing capabilities. (12/2)
NASA Selects JHU for Development of NOAA Space Weather Sensors on SWFO-1 (Source: Space Daily)
NASA has awarded a $20.5 million cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Maryland, for the development of Suprathermal Ion Sensors as part of NOAA's Space Weather Next Program. These sensors will be critical for the Lagrange 1 Series project, providing real-time data to improve space weather forecasting. (11/27)
KSAT Teams with Starsite to Establish Lunar Support Site in Western Australia (Source: Space Daily)
Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) is partnering with Starsite Pty Ltd to build and operate a 20-meter antenna at a new site in Western Australia. Starsite, the Australian landowner, will manage and maintain the installation, which is designed to support key lunar missions. Starsite was chosen to host the facility based on its expertise and commitment to operational excellence. The collaboration between KSAT and Starsite ensured the site met stringent requirements for supporting lunar missions. (11/27)
SatVu Receives Major Funding to Advance Thermal Imaging Capabilities (Source: Space Daily)
SatVu, a prominent climate technology innovator, has secured Pounds 20 million in funding to propel its advanced high-resolution thermal imaging technology. The funding consists of a Pounds 10 million equity round led jointly by Adara Ventures and existing backer Molten Ventures, alongside an insurance payout. This investment marks the debut of Adara Ventures Energy Fund, dedicated to supporting transformative technologies that facilitate Europe's energy transition. (11/27)
Eclipse Maker Proba-3 to Revolutionize Solar Corona Observations (Source: Space Daily)
The elusive solar corona, a faint, ultra-hot layer of the Sun, has intrigued scientists for centuries. This region, responsible for solar winds and storms, is usually obscured by the Sun's intense light. While natural solar eclipses or specially designed instruments have provided glimpses, ESA's Proba-3 mission is poised to offer unprecedented access through advanced technology. Proba-3, consisting of two spacecraft operating as a single unit, will use a unique design to block the Sun's glare, enabling continuous observation of the corona. This mission will expand our understanding of solar dynamics, including the forces driving coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and the solar wind. (11/27)
Zenno Astronautics Gains Support From Japanese Space Leaders in Latest Funding Round (Source: Space Daily)
New Zealand-headquartered Zenno Astronautics has announced the initial close of its seed expansion funding round, marking a major milestone for the space-focused superconductor company. The round was led by New Zealand's Global From Day One (GD1), with notable contributions from Shasta Ventures and existing backers such as Nuance, K1W1, UniServices, NZVC, and New Zealand Growth Capital Partners (NZGCP)'s Aspire Seed Fund. (11/29)
Asteroid mining is not just a futuristic concept but a potential goldmine for various industries. The actual value of these space resources depends on the type of metals they contain. The most valuable are platinum-group metals (PGMs), which are used in high-tech applications. Click here. (11/29)
Oman Ready for First Space Rocket Launch From Duqm (Source: Muscat Daily)
Oman is preparing for its first space rocket test launch, scheduled for Wednesday, from Duqm. The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT), in collaboration with the National Aerospace Services Company (NASCOM), is overseeing the launch, marking a significant step in the country’s space ambitions. MTCIT has also confirmed plans for three additional launches in 2025, with specific dates to be announced later.
The launch, named ‘Duqm-1,’ will take place from the launch pad in southern Duqm. The rocket, measuring 6.5m in length and weighing 80kg without fuel (123kg with fuel), is designed to reach an altitude of 140km above sea level at a speed of 1,530m/s. The flight is expected to last around 15 minutes. (12/1)
New EU Space Commissioner Outlines Priorities (Source: Space News)
Andrius Kubilius, a former prime minister of Lithuania, takes on a new portfolio that combines defense and space issues. Under the previous commission, space was handled by the commissioner for the internal market. “Europe must be part of this space revolution. However, we are confronted with a new set of challenges,” he said. Those challenges, he said, include a lack of funding, a “fragmented regulatory landscape” among European nations, and security risks.
He vowed at the hearing to maintain the EU’s flagship space programs: the Copernicus Earth observation constellation, Galileo navigation system and the new IRIS² secure broadband constellation that the European Commission announced Oct. 31 it would move forward with after reaching an agreement with a consortium of European satellite operators. He added he would support “enhancing their capabilities to provide special governmental services for our security needs.”
He also outlined five new European space initiatives. They include improving European access to space, passing a new European space law, supporting competitiveness of the European space industry in the global marketplace, planning for the next multiannual financial framework (MFF) for the EU “reflecting a new level of ambition” and responding to growing threats to space assets. (12/1)
Russia Launches Radar Imaging Satellite (Source: Russian Space Web)
Russia launched a radar imaging satellite Friday. A Soyuz-2.1a rocket lifted off from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia's Far East region at 4:50 p.m. Eastern and placed the Kondor-FKA No. 2 satellite into orbit. The radar imaging satellite is intended for civilian applications. (12/2)
Australia's Gilmour Delays Inaugural Launch of Eris Rocket (Source: Facebook)
Australian launch startup Gilmour Space Technologies has delayed its inaugural launch. The company announced last week that it pushed back the first orbital launch of its Eris small launch vehicle to no earlier than mid-January. The company received an Australian launch license last month that would have allowed a launch as soon as this month, but the company said that final testing work as well as airspace coordination led it to delay the launch until after the holidays. (12/2)
ESA Picks OpenCosmos to Develop Cubesat Trio for Earth Science (Source: Space News)
OpenCosmos has signed a contract with ESA for development of a trio of space science cubesats. The $36.5 million contract, signed during a conference last week, covers development and launch of NanoMagSat, part of ESA's Scout line of low-cost Earth observation missions. The three NanoMagSat cubesats will study the Earth's magnetic field and ionosphere. The first cubesat is scheduled to launch in late 2027 with the other two to follow in 2028. (12/2)
Astroscale UK Prepares for Satellite Servicer Review (Source: Space News)
Astroscale's British subsidiary is preparing for a critical design review early next year of a satellite servicer mission. The 500-kilogram servicer for the ELSA-M program, or End-of-Life Services by Astroscale-Multiple, is currently in a "flatsat" phase where its various components are laid out on a clean room table for testing and checkout. ELSA-M, scheduled for launch in 2026, will attempt to remove a defunct OneWeb satellite from orbit as a precursor to a commercial deorbit business Astroscale hopes to start offering toward the end of this decade. (12/2)
China Plans NextGen Beidou NavSats (Source: Space News)
China is planning to launch a new generation of Beidou navigation satellites in 2027. The country plans to complete key technology research for the next-generation Beidou system by 2025 and launch three test satellites around 2027, according to a plan released last week guiding development of the system through 2035. The upgraded Beidou system will use satellites in high (likely geosynchronous), medium and low Earth orbits, according to the report. Beidou is already widely considered to be superior to the GPS in some areas, and advanced capabilities in a next-generation system could see China far surpass the U.S. and others in positioning, navigation and timing capabilities. (12/2)
NASA Selects JHU for Development of NOAA Space Weather Sensors on SWFO-1 (Source: Space Daily)
NASA has awarded a $20.5 million cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Maryland, for the development of Suprathermal Ion Sensors as part of NOAA's Space Weather Next Program. These sensors will be critical for the Lagrange 1 Series project, providing real-time data to improve space weather forecasting. (11/27)
KSAT Teams with Starsite to Establish Lunar Support Site in Western Australia (Source: Space Daily)
Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) is partnering with Starsite Pty Ltd to build and operate a 20-meter antenna at a new site in Western Australia. Starsite, the Australian landowner, will manage and maintain the installation, which is designed to support key lunar missions. Starsite was chosen to host the facility based on its expertise and commitment to operational excellence. The collaboration between KSAT and Starsite ensured the site met stringent requirements for supporting lunar missions. (11/27)
SatVu Receives Major Funding to Advance Thermal Imaging Capabilities (Source: Space Daily)
SatVu, a prominent climate technology innovator, has secured Pounds 20 million in funding to propel its advanced high-resolution thermal imaging technology. The funding consists of a Pounds 10 million equity round led jointly by Adara Ventures and existing backer Molten Ventures, alongside an insurance payout. This investment marks the debut of Adara Ventures Energy Fund, dedicated to supporting transformative technologies that facilitate Europe's energy transition. (11/27)
Eclipse Maker Proba-3 to Revolutionize Solar Corona Observations (Source: Space Daily)
The elusive solar corona, a faint, ultra-hot layer of the Sun, has intrigued scientists for centuries. This region, responsible for solar winds and storms, is usually obscured by the Sun's intense light. While natural solar eclipses or specially designed instruments have provided glimpses, ESA's Proba-3 mission is poised to offer unprecedented access through advanced technology. Proba-3, consisting of two spacecraft operating as a single unit, will use a unique design to block the Sun's glare, enabling continuous observation of the corona. This mission will expand our understanding of solar dynamics, including the forces driving coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and the solar wind. (11/27)
Zenno Astronautics Gains Support From Japanese Space Leaders in Latest Funding Round (Source: Space Daily)
New Zealand-headquartered Zenno Astronautics has announced the initial close of its seed expansion funding round, marking a major milestone for the space-focused superconductor company. The round was led by New Zealand's Global From Day One (GD1), with notable contributions from Shasta Ventures and existing backers such as Nuance, K1W1, UniServices, NZVC, and New Zealand Growth Capital Partners (NZGCP)'s Aspire Seed Fund. (11/29)
December 1, 2024
China Launches Enhanced Zhuque-2 Rocket
(Source: SpaceToday.net)
Zhuque-2E launch (Xinhua)Chinese launch startup Landspace put two satellites into orbit late Tuesday with the first launch of an improved version of its Zhuque-2 rocket. The Zhuque-2 enhanced version, or ZQ-2E, lifted off at 9:00 pm EST (0200 GMT Wednesday) Tuesday from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center and placed into orbit the Guangchuan 01 and 02 satellites. Few details about the satellites were disclosed. The launch is the fourth for the Zhuque-2 and third successful one after a failed inaugural launch in late 2022. The ZQ-2E features an upgraded engine in the second stage and use of fully supercooled propellant loading. (11/29)
Japanese Astronauts Complete Training in Canada (Source: CSA)
In September 2024, Makoto Suwa and Ayu Yoneda, then astronaut candidates from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), completed eight days of robotics training at the Canadian Space Agency's (CSA) Robotics Training Centre, in Longueuil, Quebec. The training focused on Canadarm2, which is one of the Canadian robotics on the International Space Station (ISS). (11/29)
Indian Astronauts Finish First Phase of Training for ISRO-NASA Joint Mission (Source: Gadgets 360)
The first phase of astronaut training for India's Gaganyaan mission, a collaborative effort between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and NASA, has been successfully completed. ISRO announced this milestone in an official statment, which confirmed that Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the primary crew member, and Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, the backup crew member, have concluded their initial training in the United States. The Gaganyaan mission, scheduled for late 2026, marks India's first human space flight. (11/30)
SpaceX Launches Could Cause More Environmental Damage Than Predicted, Study Says (Source: San Antonio Express-News)
Sonic booms from SpaceX launches could cause more structural and environmental damage than previously thought, according to a recently released study by Brigham Young University researchers. Data gathered from SpaceX’s Oct. 13 Starship Super Heavy launch showed these sonic booms, which produce sharp increases in atmospheric pressure, could have adverse impacts in Boca Chica and other South Texas coastal communities.
“It was the loudest thing I’ve ever heard, for sure. You can feel the sound whipping over your body; it feels like it’s almost pushing you back sometimes,” BYU student and researcher Noah Pulsipher said in a Nov. 18 university report. “And then, all around me, car alarms are going off and dogs barking — things like that. It’s a powerful experience.” (11/30)
SpaceX Carries Starshield, Starlink Satellites from Vandenberg SFB (Source: Noozhawk)
The fifth Falcon 9 rocket launch of November from Vandenberg Space Force Base early Saturday also marked the fifth delivery to expand the nation’s spy satellite agency’s largest constellation. The brand-new first-stage booster for this mission successfully made its first landing returning to the Of Course I Still Love You droneship positioned in the Pacific Ocean several hundred miles south of Santa Barbara County. On board the rocket were a payload for the National Reconnaissance Office plus 20 Starlink satellites, according to SpaceX. (11/30)
Lockheed Martin Unveils Solar Power Array for Artemis Program (Source: Space News)
Lockheed Martin announced it completed critical tests of a lunar solar array prototype, demonstrating the technology’s potential for operating in the harsh environment of the moon’s south pole.
The company developed one of three designs funded by NASA through approximately $20 million in contracts awarded in 2022 to Lockheed Martin, Blue Origin’s Honeybee Robotics and Astrobotic as part of the agency’s broader push to establish a sustainable presence on the moon. Under a program known as Lunar Vertical Solar Array Technology (LVSAT), the three companies developed vertical solar arrays designed to be deployable, relocatable and self-leveling — able to autonomously extend and retract to maximize sunlight exposure. (11/30)
China's Seaside Commercial Spacecraft Launch Site Completes First Mission (Source: Xinhua)
The mission was the maiden flight of the Long March-12 carrier rocket, and the first launch mission undertaken by the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site. The construction of the launch site, which is the first to be built for commercial missions in China, commenced in July 2022. With investment of over 4 billion yuan (about 553 million U.S. dollars), the launch site was built and is being operated by the Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Co., Ltd. (HICAL). It includes a launch area, a TT&C (telemetry, tracking and command) building, rocket assembly buildings, spacecraft testing facilities, fuel storage facilities and other structures. (12/1)
Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck Explains Why His Space Company Thinks Different (Source: Inc.)
Rocket Lab, one of the most interesting companies among the cluster of “new space” businesses upending the process of flying satellites to orbit, stands out from its rivals by being partly based on the other side of the planet in New Zealand. Its CEO Peter Beck also stands out from other space entrepreneurs for his sense of humor. In 2021 he famously ate a hat on camera because he’d once promised investors his company wouldn’t pursue making bigger rockets. Until it did, prompting his unusual meal. Click here. (12/1)
Explainer: China's Long March-12 Rocket (Source: Xinhua)
China launched a new carrier rocket into space on Saturday night from the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site on the southern island province of Hainan. The Long March 12 was developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. With a length of about 62 meters and a diameter of 3.8 meters, it features a two-stage design. It is currently the country's largest single-core carrier rocket in payload capacity.
The rocket is designed with a carrying capacity of no less than 12 tonnes in low Earth orbit and no less than 6 tonnes in 700-km sun-synchronous orbit, with its first stage using four liquid oxygen-kerosene engines. Its design allows the rocket to be transported by railway to various launch sites across the country. The rocket also uses a series of new technologies, including rocket health diagnostics management, cold helium pressurization, and aluminum-lithium alloy tanks. Its fairing has standard diameter configurations of 4.2 meters and 5.2 meters, which can be adapted to different mission requirements. (12/1)
Chinese Taikonauts Engage with Bulgarian Youth in Space Dialogue (Source: China Daily)
Three Chinese astronauts, or taikonauts, connected with Bulgarian youth via video link on Saturday, sharing their experiences in space exploration and answering questions about life aboard the Tiangong space station. (12/1)
Musk's Plans for a City on Mars Will Likely End in Horrifying Mass Death (Source: Futurism)
In the short-term, however, the Red Planet could prove a great place for "lots of research," according to Kelly Weinersmith. "Maybe in our lifetime, we’ll see people land on Mars, do some exploration and come home, that could happen, but I don’t think we’re going to have babies on Mars," she said. Reproduction in particular could be a major problem due to the planet's immense amount of space radiation exposure. The effects of microgravity in space — or just 38 percent of Earth's gravity on the surface of Mars — could also be a major complicating factor.
"We were just surprised by how many problems we thought we had a handle on," Kelly told CNN. "But it turns out that we have very little relevant data for how adults will do, let alone how having babies would work out." To Musk, it's about the "excitement and adventure," he said. And those willing to turn a blind eye to his deeply twisted worldview will have to literally put their lives on the line to see his vision for a Mars colony through. "Not for the faint of heart," he added at the time. "Good chance you’ll die. And it’s going to be tough, tough going, but it’ll be pretty glorious if it works out." (11/30)
Zhuque-2E launch (Xinhua)Chinese launch startup Landspace put two satellites into orbit late Tuesday with the first launch of an improved version of its Zhuque-2 rocket. The Zhuque-2 enhanced version, or ZQ-2E, lifted off at 9:00 pm EST (0200 GMT Wednesday) Tuesday from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center and placed into orbit the Guangchuan 01 and 02 satellites. Few details about the satellites were disclosed. The launch is the fourth for the Zhuque-2 and third successful one after a failed inaugural launch in late 2022. The ZQ-2E features an upgraded engine in the second stage and use of fully supercooled propellant loading. (11/29)
Japanese Astronauts Complete Training in Canada (Source: CSA)
In September 2024, Makoto Suwa and Ayu Yoneda, then astronaut candidates from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), completed eight days of robotics training at the Canadian Space Agency's (CSA) Robotics Training Centre, in Longueuil, Quebec. The training focused on Canadarm2, which is one of the Canadian robotics on the International Space Station (ISS). (11/29)
Indian Astronauts Finish First Phase of Training for ISRO-NASA Joint Mission (Source: Gadgets 360)
The first phase of astronaut training for India's Gaganyaan mission, a collaborative effort between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and NASA, has been successfully completed. ISRO announced this milestone in an official statment, which confirmed that Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the primary crew member, and Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, the backup crew member, have concluded their initial training in the United States. The Gaganyaan mission, scheduled for late 2026, marks India's first human space flight. (11/30)
SpaceX Launches Could Cause More Environmental Damage Than Predicted, Study Says (Source: San Antonio Express-News)
Sonic booms from SpaceX launches could cause more structural and environmental damage than previously thought, according to a recently released study by Brigham Young University researchers. Data gathered from SpaceX’s Oct. 13 Starship Super Heavy launch showed these sonic booms, which produce sharp increases in atmospheric pressure, could have adverse impacts in Boca Chica and other South Texas coastal communities.
“It was the loudest thing I’ve ever heard, for sure. You can feel the sound whipping over your body; it feels like it’s almost pushing you back sometimes,” BYU student and researcher Noah Pulsipher said in a Nov. 18 university report. “And then, all around me, car alarms are going off and dogs barking — things like that. It’s a powerful experience.” (11/30)
SpaceX Carries Starshield, Starlink Satellites from Vandenberg SFB (Source: Noozhawk)
The fifth Falcon 9 rocket launch of November from Vandenberg Space Force Base early Saturday also marked the fifth delivery to expand the nation’s spy satellite agency’s largest constellation. The brand-new first-stage booster for this mission successfully made its first landing returning to the Of Course I Still Love You droneship positioned in the Pacific Ocean several hundred miles south of Santa Barbara County. On board the rocket were a payload for the National Reconnaissance Office plus 20 Starlink satellites, according to SpaceX. (11/30)
Lockheed Martin Unveils Solar Power Array for Artemis Program (Source: Space News)
Lockheed Martin announced it completed critical tests of a lunar solar array prototype, demonstrating the technology’s potential for operating in the harsh environment of the moon’s south pole.
The company developed one of three designs funded by NASA through approximately $20 million in contracts awarded in 2022 to Lockheed Martin, Blue Origin’s Honeybee Robotics and Astrobotic as part of the agency’s broader push to establish a sustainable presence on the moon. Under a program known as Lunar Vertical Solar Array Technology (LVSAT), the three companies developed vertical solar arrays designed to be deployable, relocatable and self-leveling — able to autonomously extend and retract to maximize sunlight exposure. (11/30)
China's Seaside Commercial Spacecraft Launch Site Completes First Mission (Source: Xinhua)
The mission was the maiden flight of the Long March-12 carrier rocket, and the first launch mission undertaken by the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site. The construction of the launch site, which is the first to be built for commercial missions in China, commenced in July 2022. With investment of over 4 billion yuan (about 553 million U.S. dollars), the launch site was built and is being operated by the Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Co., Ltd. (HICAL). It includes a launch area, a TT&C (telemetry, tracking and command) building, rocket assembly buildings, spacecraft testing facilities, fuel storage facilities and other structures. (12/1)
Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck Explains Why His Space Company Thinks Different (Source: Inc.)
Rocket Lab, one of the most interesting companies among the cluster of “new space” businesses upending the process of flying satellites to orbit, stands out from its rivals by being partly based on the other side of the planet in New Zealand. Its CEO Peter Beck also stands out from other space entrepreneurs for his sense of humor. In 2021 he famously ate a hat on camera because he’d once promised investors his company wouldn’t pursue making bigger rockets. Until it did, prompting his unusual meal. Click here. (12/1)
Explainer: China's Long March-12 Rocket (Source: Xinhua)
China launched a new carrier rocket into space on Saturday night from the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site on the southern island province of Hainan. The Long March 12 was developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. With a length of about 62 meters and a diameter of 3.8 meters, it features a two-stage design. It is currently the country's largest single-core carrier rocket in payload capacity.
The rocket is designed with a carrying capacity of no less than 12 tonnes in low Earth orbit and no less than 6 tonnes in 700-km sun-synchronous orbit, with its first stage using four liquid oxygen-kerosene engines. Its design allows the rocket to be transported by railway to various launch sites across the country. The rocket also uses a series of new technologies, including rocket health diagnostics management, cold helium pressurization, and aluminum-lithium alloy tanks. Its fairing has standard diameter configurations of 4.2 meters and 5.2 meters, which can be adapted to different mission requirements. (12/1)
Chinese Taikonauts Engage with Bulgarian Youth in Space Dialogue (Source: China Daily)
Three Chinese astronauts, or taikonauts, connected with Bulgarian youth via video link on Saturday, sharing their experiences in space exploration and answering questions about life aboard the Tiangong space station. (12/1)
Musk's Plans for a City on Mars Will Likely End in Horrifying Mass Death (Source: Futurism)
In the short-term, however, the Red Planet could prove a great place for "lots of research," according to Kelly Weinersmith. "Maybe in our lifetime, we’ll see people land on Mars, do some exploration and come home, that could happen, but I don’t think we’re going to have babies on Mars," she said. Reproduction in particular could be a major problem due to the planet's immense amount of space radiation exposure. The effects of microgravity in space — or just 38 percent of Earth's gravity on the surface of Mars — could also be a major complicating factor.
"We were just surprised by how many problems we thought we had a handle on," Kelly told CNN. "But it turns out that we have very little relevant data for how adults will do, let alone how having babies would work out." To Musk, it's about the "excitement and adventure," he said. And those willing to turn a blind eye to his deeply twisted worldview will have to literally put their lives on the line to see his vision for a Mars colony through. "Not for the faint of heart," he added at the time. "Good chance you’ll die. And it’s going to be tough, tough going, but it’ll be pretty glorious if it works out." (11/30)
November 30, 2024
Space Force Awards Raytheon $196.7
Million for Additional Work on GPS Ground Control System
(Source: Space News)
The U.S. Space Force awarded Raytheon a $196.7 million contract extension for the Global Positioning System Next Generation Operational Control System (OCX), a critical upgrade to the GPS infrastructure that is years behind schedule. The contract, announced Nov. 27 by Space Systems Command, targets the next software upgrade to be delivered by November 2025. This latest award brings Raytheon’s total OCX contract value to nearly $4.5 billion since the program’s inception in 2010. (11/29)
You Can Take a Selfie With the Earth Using This YouTuber’s Satellite (Source: The Verge)
The stunt escalation on YouTube may have reached new heights with Mark Rober’s offer to snap anyone’s selfie with the planet Earth using a satellite he’s launching into orbit with the help of Google and T-Mobile. Rober is a former NASA engineer who made a name for himself on YouTube by glitter bombing porch pirates, creating the world’s largest Super Soaker, and building an obstacle course for squirrels. Now he’s merging his interests with the launch of a satellite that can take photos of anyone’s portrait displayed on a Google Pixel with the Earth — yes, Planet Earth — in the background. (11/29)
Starlink Mission Launched at Cape Canaveral Spaceport (Source: Florida Today)
SpaceX's Starlink internet constellation grew by another two dozen satellites with a 12 a.m. EST Saturday Falcon 9 rocket liftoff from the Cape Canaveral Spaceport. After ascending from Launch Complex 40 along a southeasterly trajectory, the Falcon 9's first-stage booster touched down aboard the SpaceX drone ship Just Read the Instructions in the Atlantic Ocean roughly eight minutes after liftoff, wrapping up its sixth flight. (11/30)
Russian Rocket Attack Targets Ukraine Rocket Factory (Source: Ars Technica)
Another grim first in Ukraine. For the first time in warfare, Russia launched an Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile against a target in Ukraine, Ars reports. This attack on November 21 followed an announcement from Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier the same week that the country would change its policy for employing nuclear weapons in conflict. The IRBM, named Oreshnik, is the longest-range weapon ever used in combat in Europe and could be refitted to carry nuclear warheads on future strikes.
Putin's rationale ... Putin says his ballistic missile attack on Ukraine is a warning to the West after the US and UK governments approved Ukraine's use of Western-supplied ATACMS and Storm Shadow tactical ballistic missiles against targets on Russian territory. The Russian leader said his forces could attack facilities in Western countries that supply weapons for Ukraine to use on Russian territory, continuing a troubling escalatory ladder in the bloody war in Eastern Europe. Interestingly, this attack has another rocket connection. The target was apparently a factory in Dnipro that not long ago produced booster stages for Northrop Grumman's Antares rocket. (11/29)
Record Turnaround for Falcon 9 Booster (Source: Ars Technica)
SpaceX flies same rocket twice in two weeks. Less than 14 days after its previous flight, a Falcon 9 booster took off again from Florida's Space Coast early Monday to haul 23 more Starlink internet satellites into orbit, Spaceflight Now reports. The booster, numbered B1080 in SpaceX's fleet of reusable rockets, made its 13th trip to space before landing on SpaceX's floating drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. The launch marked a turnaround of 13 days, 12 hours, and 44 minutes from this booster's previous launch November 11, also with a batch of Starlink satellites. The previous record turnaround time between flights of the same Falcon 9 booster was 21 days. (11/29)
Second Ariane 6 Incoming (Source: Ars Technica)
ArianeGroup has confirmed that the first and second stages for the second Ariane 6 flight have begun the transatlantic voyage from Europe to French Guiana aboard the sail-assisted transport ship Canopée, European Spaceflight reports. The second Ariane 6 launch, previously targeted before the end of this year, has now been delayed to no earlier than February 2025, according to Arianespace, the rocket's commercial operator. This follows a mostly successful debut launch in July. (11/29)
Reusable Rockets...in the 1960s? (Source: Space 3.0)
We tend to associate reusable rockets with SpaceX’s Falcon family and reusable space vehicles with the Space Shuttle. But a Creating Space blog post by Dave Ginsberg of Planet Pixel Pictures discusses “Retro Rocket Reusability,” which stretches back to the space program's earlier days. Ginsberg discusses the Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) version of Gemini that flew not once but twice (with an innovative heat shield hatch) and concepts for reusable Saturn rocket stages, such as the S-IC and S-IVB stages. It’s a fascinating look into what might’ve been while the U.S. space program ramped up its efforts to go to the Moon. Click here. (11/28)
Dead Stars Within Supernova Explosions Could Solve the Dark Matter Mystery in 10 Seconds (Source: Space.com)
Gamma rays emerging from neutron stars at the hearts of supernova explosions could solve the mystery of dark matter — in just 10 seconds. That is, if dark matter is composed of axions, which are hypothetical lightweight particles that are currently the leading candidates for dark matter. If this theory is true, a supernova erupting close enough to Earth would allow us to detect its emissions of high-energy light, confirm the mass of axions and therefore wrap up the whole dark matter puzzle.
The required supernova explosion would need to come from a massive star dying and exploding either within the Milky Way or one in of its satellite galaxies, like the Large Magellanic Cloud. These types of events happen every few decades, on average. A detection of telltale gamma rays would require humanity's only space-based gamma-ray telescope, the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, to point in the direction of the nearby supernova when it explodes. When factoring in Fermi's field of view, this has a 1 in 10 chance of happening.
The team thinks that just one detection of gamma rays from a neutron star at the center of supernova wreckage would be sufficient to determine the mass of the axion from a wide range of theoretical masses currently suggested for these hypothetical particles. The team is particularly interested in the detection of a type of axion called the QCD axion. Unlike other hypothesized axions, the QCD axion's mass is dependent on temperature. (11/29)
The U.S. Space Force awarded Raytheon a $196.7 million contract extension for the Global Positioning System Next Generation Operational Control System (OCX), a critical upgrade to the GPS infrastructure that is years behind schedule. The contract, announced Nov. 27 by Space Systems Command, targets the next software upgrade to be delivered by November 2025. This latest award brings Raytheon’s total OCX contract value to nearly $4.5 billion since the program’s inception in 2010. (11/29)
You Can Take a Selfie With the Earth Using This YouTuber’s Satellite (Source: The Verge)
The stunt escalation on YouTube may have reached new heights with Mark Rober’s offer to snap anyone’s selfie with the planet Earth using a satellite he’s launching into orbit with the help of Google and T-Mobile. Rober is a former NASA engineer who made a name for himself on YouTube by glitter bombing porch pirates, creating the world’s largest Super Soaker, and building an obstacle course for squirrels. Now he’s merging his interests with the launch of a satellite that can take photos of anyone’s portrait displayed on a Google Pixel with the Earth — yes, Planet Earth — in the background. (11/29)
Starlink Mission Launched at Cape Canaveral Spaceport (Source: Florida Today)
SpaceX's Starlink internet constellation grew by another two dozen satellites with a 12 a.m. EST Saturday Falcon 9 rocket liftoff from the Cape Canaveral Spaceport. After ascending from Launch Complex 40 along a southeasterly trajectory, the Falcon 9's first-stage booster touched down aboard the SpaceX drone ship Just Read the Instructions in the Atlantic Ocean roughly eight minutes after liftoff, wrapping up its sixth flight. (11/30)
Russian Rocket Attack Targets Ukraine Rocket Factory (Source: Ars Technica)
Another grim first in Ukraine. For the first time in warfare, Russia launched an Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile against a target in Ukraine, Ars reports. This attack on November 21 followed an announcement from Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier the same week that the country would change its policy for employing nuclear weapons in conflict. The IRBM, named Oreshnik, is the longest-range weapon ever used in combat in Europe and could be refitted to carry nuclear warheads on future strikes.
Putin's rationale ... Putin says his ballistic missile attack on Ukraine is a warning to the West after the US and UK governments approved Ukraine's use of Western-supplied ATACMS and Storm Shadow tactical ballistic missiles against targets on Russian territory. The Russian leader said his forces could attack facilities in Western countries that supply weapons for Ukraine to use on Russian territory, continuing a troubling escalatory ladder in the bloody war in Eastern Europe. Interestingly, this attack has another rocket connection. The target was apparently a factory in Dnipro that not long ago produced booster stages for Northrop Grumman's Antares rocket. (11/29)
Record Turnaround for Falcon 9 Booster (Source: Ars Technica)
SpaceX flies same rocket twice in two weeks. Less than 14 days after its previous flight, a Falcon 9 booster took off again from Florida's Space Coast early Monday to haul 23 more Starlink internet satellites into orbit, Spaceflight Now reports. The booster, numbered B1080 in SpaceX's fleet of reusable rockets, made its 13th trip to space before landing on SpaceX's floating drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. The launch marked a turnaround of 13 days, 12 hours, and 44 minutes from this booster's previous launch November 11, also with a batch of Starlink satellites. The previous record turnaround time between flights of the same Falcon 9 booster was 21 days. (11/29)
Second Ariane 6 Incoming (Source: Ars Technica)
ArianeGroup has confirmed that the first and second stages for the second Ariane 6 flight have begun the transatlantic voyage from Europe to French Guiana aboard the sail-assisted transport ship Canopée, European Spaceflight reports. The second Ariane 6 launch, previously targeted before the end of this year, has now been delayed to no earlier than February 2025, according to Arianespace, the rocket's commercial operator. This follows a mostly successful debut launch in July. (11/29)
Reusable Rockets...in the 1960s? (Source: Space 3.0)
We tend to associate reusable rockets with SpaceX’s Falcon family and reusable space vehicles with the Space Shuttle. But a Creating Space blog post by Dave Ginsberg of Planet Pixel Pictures discusses “Retro Rocket Reusability,” which stretches back to the space program's earlier days. Ginsberg discusses the Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) version of Gemini that flew not once but twice (with an innovative heat shield hatch) and concepts for reusable Saturn rocket stages, such as the S-IC and S-IVB stages. It’s a fascinating look into what might’ve been while the U.S. space program ramped up its efforts to go to the Moon. Click here. (11/28)
Dead Stars Within Supernova Explosions Could Solve the Dark Matter Mystery in 10 Seconds (Source: Space.com)
Gamma rays emerging from neutron stars at the hearts of supernova explosions could solve the mystery of dark matter — in just 10 seconds. That is, if dark matter is composed of axions, which are hypothetical lightweight particles that are currently the leading candidates for dark matter. If this theory is true, a supernova erupting close enough to Earth would allow us to detect its emissions of high-energy light, confirm the mass of axions and therefore wrap up the whole dark matter puzzle.
The required supernova explosion would need to come from a massive star dying and exploding either within the Milky Way or one in of its satellite galaxies, like the Large Magellanic Cloud. These types of events happen every few decades, on average. A detection of telltale gamma rays would require humanity's only space-based gamma-ray telescope, the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, to point in the direction of the nearby supernova when it explodes. When factoring in Fermi's field of view, this has a 1 in 10 chance of happening.
The team thinks that just one detection of gamma rays from a neutron star at the center of supernova wreckage would be sufficient to determine the mass of the axion from a wide range of theoretical masses currently suggested for these hypothetical particles. The team is particularly interested in the detection of a type of axion called the QCD axion. Unlike other hypothesized axions, the QCD axion's mass is dependent on temperature. (11/29)
November 29, 2024
NASA Mars Rover Exploring
Spiderweb-Like Patterns on Mars (Source: Futurism)
There's no shortage of cool features of mysterious origins to be found on the surface of Mars, but the next one that NASA scientists have in their crosshairs is definitely one to keep your eyes peeled for. Last week, the space agency announced that its seasoned Curiosity rover will embark on a lengthy journey to the foothills of Mount Sharp, where rising from the landscape is a sprawling, miles-long formation of spiderweb-like patterns, the likes of which has never been witnessed at such a scale on Earth. (11/26)
What Happens When a Gravitational Wave Meets a Black Hole? (Source: Big Think)
When black holes merge, the energetic signals that they generate primarily take the form of gravitational waves, or ripples in the fabric of space itself. Although these waves propagate at the speed of light, they’re compelled to propagate through space itself, which contains a huge variety of massive objects, including black holes themselves. Will a gravitational wave simply pass through a black hole, undisturbed? Will it be absorbed by the black hole, adding to its mass? Or will something else happen entirely?
Observationally, there isn’t that much direct evidence for the properties of gravitational waves, however. We can look at the orbits of binary pulsars, for example, and conclude how much energy is being radiated away in the form of gravitational waves, and get a prediction that matches up extremely well with the observed orbital changes of that binary pulsar system.
The ripples of the gravitational waves — just like anything else that falls into a black hole — must get imprinted onto the surface of the black hole, conserving information, while the energy and angular momentum get absorbed into the black hole, conserving those quantities as well. Every time one of these “ripples in spacetime” passes across a black hole, a small fraction of its energy gets absorbed. (11/28)
Namibia Orders Starlink to Cease all Operations in the Country (Source: Bloomberg)
Namibia ordered Starlink Inc. to immediately cease all operations in the south-west African country, saying the satellite-internet service owned by billionaire Elon Musk is operating without the required telecommunications license. “The public is hereby advised not to purchase Starlink terminal equipment or subscribe to its services, as such activities are illegal,” the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia said. “Investigators have already confiscated illegal terminals from consumers and have opened criminal cases with the Namibian police in this regard.” (11/28
Blue Origin Forced to Delete Female Astronaut's Footage After Online Trolls Attack (Source: Unilad)
A female astronaut has said she won’t back down to ‘small men’ after a video of her in space had to be taken down. Jeff Bezos’ company Blue Origin were happy to make history when they sent American engineer Emily Calandrelli into space, marking her as the 100th woman to do so. Calandrelli was among the six 'space tourists' who set out on the ninth human test flight for Blue Origin's New Shepherd spacecraft.
However, the company was forced to delete a social media post showing a video of the MIT engineer from its page due to comments. While there were plenty comments congratulating Calandrelli, it didn’t take long for the trolls to come out and for there to be very ‘sexualized’ replies making jokes and jabs at women in space. (11/29)
The Urgent Need for a National GPS Jamming Detection System (Source: Space News)
Escalating conflicts around the world are undermining GPS reliability as a surge of interference attacks continues to impact vast areas of Europe and the Middle East, causing significant disruptions for civilians. At the same time, more criminals increasingly use jammers for drug trafficking, cargo truck thefts and other criminal operations in North America. Sporadic GPS jamming and spoofing incidents have disrupted key American airports in recent years. Even everyday American citizens are now purchasing low-cost retail jammers as privacy fears and anti-government conspiracy theories spread.
America urgently needs an automated national detection system that can pinpoint GPS interference the moment it occurs and provide accurate real-time maps of where the impact is actually occurring. (11/27)
Space Command should stay in Colorado (Source: Washington Examiner)
Let’s be clear: the reason why Rogers wanted Space Command in Alabama is not because it’s the best operational location for Space Command. It’s because such a basing location will bring jobs and investment to Alabama. That’s a legitimate rationale to support a basing decision, of course. It’s also legitimate for Rogers to point out an Air Force assessment that suggested relocating Space Command to Huntsville would accrue the benefit of lower living costs.
Still, Trump’s first responsibility will be to put national security before economic interests. On that basis, the evidence plainly supports Space Command’s sustainment in Colorado (for full disclosure, it should be noted that the Washington Examiner is owned by the Anschutz Corporation, which is based and has business interests in Colorado). (11/27)
Space Force Looks to Bulk Up Against Anti-Satellite Weapons (Source: The Hill)
The 5-year-old U.S. Space Force is moving quickly to confront what is becoming its priority challenge: the threat of anti-satellite weapons (ASATs) from foreign adversaries, including Russia and China. The Space Force is building up its space defense architecture to help modernize the Space Surveillance Network (SSN), which monitors objects and potential threats in space. It comes as the military branch has struggled to close gaps in space domain awareness. (11/28)
Design of Russia's Super-Heavy Rocket to be Finalized Based on New Technologies (Source: TASS)
The approved preliminary design of a super-heavy class space rocket, which Russia plans to use for manned flights to the Moon, will be finalized during the technical design stage, the press service of Roscosmos said. A Roscosmos official said that Russia’s crewed flights to the Moon were being postponed due to the lack of funds for creating a launch vehicle. Earlier, plans for sending Russian cosmonauts to the Moon between 2031 and 2040 were mentioned.
"The development of a super-heavy class rocket exposed a need for introducing innovative solutions, including new materials and engines. It was decided to finalize the previously approved preliminary project at the stage of technical design," the press service said. (11/28)
Life on Mars Could Be Surviving in an Area Deep Underground (Source: New Scientist)
A specific area on Mars has been identified as a potential location for current life – with the organisms living far beneath the surface. Andrea Butturini at the University of Barcelona and his colleagues investigated possible locations on Mars that could host living organisms, focusing on areas that might have the right amounts of water, heat and energy necessary for life to exist. (11/29)
Global Earth Observation Market to Cross $8 Billion by 2033, Says Novaspace (Source; Reuters)
The global Earth Observation (EO) market is on track to exceed $8 billion in valuation by 2033 from $5 billion currently, according to a new report from Novaspace, the merger of Euroconsult and SpaceTec Partners. The rapid growth is largely attributed to the surge in large-scale defense contracts and increasing availability of high-resolution imaging and 3D capabilities, which are enhancing the scope and quality of Earth monitoring, the report said.
EO technology, which provides critical data for industries ranging from agriculture to environmental monitoring and defense, is one of the most lucrative sectors in the commercialization of space technology. North America remains the dominant player in the market, contributing 44% of global revenue in 2023. Europe follows with a 22% share, Novaspace said. However, the most significant growth is expected to come from Asia, according to the report. (11/29)
SpaceX Direct-to-Cell License is a Negative Development for AST (Source: TipRanks)
Scotiabank views the Federal Communications Commission granting SpaceX a supplemental coverage from space license before AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) as a negative for AST. The development erodes the possibility of AST having a first-mover advantage, “but it doesn’t catch the company off guard,” the analyst tells investors in a research note. (11/28)
Mexico to Put a Command and Information Management System in Space (Source: Mexico Now)
The Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transport (SICT) through the Mexican Space Agency (AEM) announced with the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) about a new breakthrough of its own technology developed for satellites, which will go into space in 2025. The general director of the AEM negotiated an agreement for a new Mexican Command and Management Information System (SCMI) for Nanosatellites to be launched on the GuaraniSat-2 of the Paraguayan Space Agency (AEP).
He specified that this Mexican device, developed by members of the Laboratory of Electronic Instrumentation of Space Systems (LIESE) of the School of Engineering (FI-UNAM) and the AEM, was successfully tested at the University of the Republic of Uruguay, in Montevideo, in March 2024. (11/28)
NASA's Webb: What We Think We Know About the Universe is Very Wrong (Source: Earth.com)
Determining the expansion rate of the universe, a number called the “Hubble constant,” shapes our entire understanding of the cosmos, its age, and its ultimate fate. Unfortunately, though many brilliant minds have dedicated their lives to finding the answer to this riddle, all who have tried thus far have failed, running repeatedly into a brick wall that has come to be known as the “Hubble tension.”
Adam Riess, a physicist at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, has been at the forefront of this debate. “With measurement errors negated, what remains is the real and exciting possibility that we have misunderstood the universe,” Riess admitted. The Hubble and Webb telescopes confirm one universe expansion rate, based on observations of the local universe. Meanwhile, observations from the early universe, like those from the Planck satellite’s mapping of the cosmic microwave background radiation, suggest another. (11/29)
Physicists Propose New Approach That Could Unlock Barriers to Global Scale Quantum Network (Source: Phys.org)
Interference (excess noise) to quantum signals from sunlight has slowed down the creation of a global scale quantum communications network, but now physicists at Heriot-Watt University have proposed a way to tackle this "daylight noise"' issue, paving the way for all-day satellite transmission. They have proposed that using time and phase encoding could extend and enhance operations by three or four hours each day, which is significant.
Early simulations indicate that time and phase encoding unlocks the capability to filter in polarization, yielding a reduction in detected daylight and allowing SatQKD to be performed at dawn and dusk due to the daylight noise being partially polarized. The team will leverage their involvement in two missions (Quantum Communication hub's Space Platform for Optical Quantum Communication (SPOQC) and Quantum Encryption and Science Satellite (QEYSSAT) being launched in 2025, to demonstrate their simulations experimentally. (11/29)
Warm Up This Holiday Season with NASA's New SLS Rocket Engine Fireplace (Source: Space.com)
NASA is inviting you to sit by a homey, rocket-powered hearth this holiday season. The space agency created a virtual fireplace lit by the engines of its huge Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, which sent the uncrewed Artemis 1 mission to the moon in November 2022. "Technically, this fireplace packs the heat of FOUR RS-25 rocket engines and a pair of solid rocket boosters — just enough to get you to the moon! (And get through the holidays with your in-laws.)" the agency wrote. Click here. (11/28)
Trump’s NASA Redesign: Examining the Case for Slashing Space Waste (Source: Interesting Engineering)
NASA is likely to be downsized by DOGE. While some argue there’s a conflict of interest with Musk leading the charge, others believe NASA has been oversized for too long. Even within NASA, the SLS program has faced great criticism for its cost overruns. In an interview with Interesting Engineering shortly before the launch of Artemis I, former NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver explained, “If everything goes perfectly for SLS, we’ll only launch two or three times in five years. That is not progress.”
“Even I could not have imagined how late and how over budget it would be. And then when it was supposed to be launching back in 2016, and for less than half of what it has cost. It has cost $23 billion and the [Orion] capsule another $20 billion on top of that.” Today, SLS is estimated to cost $4.1 billion per launch.
Garver said “by working with the private sector, we could do this more efficiently and save the NASA funds for the really exquisite, unique science missions where there isn’t a market.” Forces within NASA have long pushed for more outsourcing to private industry. Some may see this as a case of being careful about what you wish for. Others will believe NASA is long overdue for an overhaul. (11/27)
2 Space Telescope Designs Will Battle To Become NASA's Next Cosmic Imager (Source: Space.com)
The teams behind two potential new space telescopes have embarked on their final design studies as they go head-to-head to see which will be the first of NASA’s new "Probe" class of mission. PRIMA, the Probe far-Infrared Mission for Astrophysics, will study the universe at the longest of infrared wavelengths, bridging the gap between what the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) can see in the near- and mid-infrared, and what radio telescopes observe.
The mission PRIMA is going up against is AXIS, the Advanced X-ray Imaging Satellite. Led by Chris Reynolds of the University of Maryland, AXIS would be designed to study black holes within distant galaxies in the early universe discovered by the JWST, and probe how active black holes and bursts of supernova explosions can affect the galaxies around them. (11/28)
XRISM Mission Looks Deeply Into 'Hidden' Stellar System (Source: Space Daily)
The Japan-led XRISM (X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission) observatory has captured the most detailed portrait yet of gases flowing within Cygnus X-3, one of the most studied sources in the X-ray sky. Cygnus X-3 is a binary that pairs a rare type of high-mass star with a compact companion - likely a black hole. (11/26)
Kacific Introduces SatPack for Portable and Reliable Satellite Internet in Remote Regions (Source: Space Daily)
Kacific Broadband Satellites Group has unveiled SatPack, a portable satellite internet solution designed for rapid deployment in challenging environments across the Asia-Pacific. Building on the success of previous innovations like the CommsBox and CommsBox Ultra, Kacific's SatPack combines portability, reliability, and cost-effectiveness for users requiring immediate connectivity in remote or high-demand locations. (11/27)
Atomic-6 Receives $3.8M to Advance Space Armor Shielding (Source: Space Daily)
Atomic-6 has secured a Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) of $3.8 million to enhance the development of its innovative Space Armor shielding tiles. This funding will support qualification testing and preparation for the technology's first flight deployment. Space Armor is engineered to address critical challenges in shielding mass, stowage efficiency, post-impact debris, and mission risks. This advanced shielding solution is designed to protect space assets from orbital debris and kinetic energy threats, with optional radio frequency permeability for added functionality. It offers a vital resource for bolstering U.S. competitiveness in space operations, a priority recognized by Pentagon leaders and lawmakers. (11/27)
New Images Show Where Super-Polluters are Venting an Invisible, Planet-Warming Gas Into the Atmosphere (Source: CNN)
High above Earth, a cutting-edge satellite is zooming around the planet 15 times a day. It is hunting for leaks of methane — an invisible, super-polluting gas that is dramatically warming the planet. Its measurements are precise enough to plot heatmaps of the biggest offenders, lighting up all the places they are venting the gas into the atmosphere at a staggering rate, unbeknownst to regulators, as the planet careens toward what scientists warn could be irreversible climate change impacts.
MethaneSAT’s early findings are that the oil and gas industry is belching the gas at a rate three to five times higher on average than what the Environmental Protection Agency has estimated, and way beyond the rate the industry itself agreed to in 2023. (11/27)
Stranded Boeing Astronauts to Enjoy Thanksgiving in Space (Source: New York Post)
The two astronauts stranded at the International Space Station will enjoy a Thanksgiving feast together Thursday — as they mark 176 days in zero gravity. The Post has learned that the ISS, where Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore have been holed up, has a variety of traditional Thanksgiving-themed food, like smoked turkey, cranberries and veggie sides. “We have a bunch of food that we’ve packed away that is Thanksgiving-ish,” Williams said. (11/27)
There's no shortage of cool features of mysterious origins to be found on the surface of Mars, but the next one that NASA scientists have in their crosshairs is definitely one to keep your eyes peeled for. Last week, the space agency announced that its seasoned Curiosity rover will embark on a lengthy journey to the foothills of Mount Sharp, where rising from the landscape is a sprawling, miles-long formation of spiderweb-like patterns, the likes of which has never been witnessed at such a scale on Earth. (11/26)
What Happens When a Gravitational Wave Meets a Black Hole? (Source: Big Think)
When black holes merge, the energetic signals that they generate primarily take the form of gravitational waves, or ripples in the fabric of space itself. Although these waves propagate at the speed of light, they’re compelled to propagate through space itself, which contains a huge variety of massive objects, including black holes themselves. Will a gravitational wave simply pass through a black hole, undisturbed? Will it be absorbed by the black hole, adding to its mass? Or will something else happen entirely?
Observationally, there isn’t that much direct evidence for the properties of gravitational waves, however. We can look at the orbits of binary pulsars, for example, and conclude how much energy is being radiated away in the form of gravitational waves, and get a prediction that matches up extremely well with the observed orbital changes of that binary pulsar system.
The ripples of the gravitational waves — just like anything else that falls into a black hole — must get imprinted onto the surface of the black hole, conserving information, while the energy and angular momentum get absorbed into the black hole, conserving those quantities as well. Every time one of these “ripples in spacetime” passes across a black hole, a small fraction of its energy gets absorbed. (11/28)
Namibia Orders Starlink to Cease all Operations in the Country (Source: Bloomberg)
Namibia ordered Starlink Inc. to immediately cease all operations in the south-west African country, saying the satellite-internet service owned by billionaire Elon Musk is operating without the required telecommunications license. “The public is hereby advised not to purchase Starlink terminal equipment or subscribe to its services, as such activities are illegal,” the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia said. “Investigators have already confiscated illegal terminals from consumers and have opened criminal cases with the Namibian police in this regard.” (11/28
Blue Origin Forced to Delete Female Astronaut's Footage After Online Trolls Attack (Source: Unilad)
A female astronaut has said she won’t back down to ‘small men’ after a video of her in space had to be taken down. Jeff Bezos’ company Blue Origin were happy to make history when they sent American engineer Emily Calandrelli into space, marking her as the 100th woman to do so. Calandrelli was among the six 'space tourists' who set out on the ninth human test flight for Blue Origin's New Shepherd spacecraft.
However, the company was forced to delete a social media post showing a video of the MIT engineer from its page due to comments. While there were plenty comments congratulating Calandrelli, it didn’t take long for the trolls to come out and for there to be very ‘sexualized’ replies making jokes and jabs at women in space. (11/29)
The Urgent Need for a National GPS Jamming Detection System (Source: Space News)
Escalating conflicts around the world are undermining GPS reliability as a surge of interference attacks continues to impact vast areas of Europe and the Middle East, causing significant disruptions for civilians. At the same time, more criminals increasingly use jammers for drug trafficking, cargo truck thefts and other criminal operations in North America. Sporadic GPS jamming and spoofing incidents have disrupted key American airports in recent years. Even everyday American citizens are now purchasing low-cost retail jammers as privacy fears and anti-government conspiracy theories spread.
America urgently needs an automated national detection system that can pinpoint GPS interference the moment it occurs and provide accurate real-time maps of where the impact is actually occurring. (11/27)
Space Command should stay in Colorado (Source: Washington Examiner)
Let’s be clear: the reason why Rogers wanted Space Command in Alabama is not because it’s the best operational location for Space Command. It’s because such a basing location will bring jobs and investment to Alabama. That’s a legitimate rationale to support a basing decision, of course. It’s also legitimate for Rogers to point out an Air Force assessment that suggested relocating Space Command to Huntsville would accrue the benefit of lower living costs.
Still, Trump’s first responsibility will be to put national security before economic interests. On that basis, the evidence plainly supports Space Command’s sustainment in Colorado (for full disclosure, it should be noted that the Washington Examiner is owned by the Anschutz Corporation, which is based and has business interests in Colorado). (11/27)
Space Force Looks to Bulk Up Against Anti-Satellite Weapons (Source: The Hill)
The 5-year-old U.S. Space Force is moving quickly to confront what is becoming its priority challenge: the threat of anti-satellite weapons (ASATs) from foreign adversaries, including Russia and China. The Space Force is building up its space defense architecture to help modernize the Space Surveillance Network (SSN), which monitors objects and potential threats in space. It comes as the military branch has struggled to close gaps in space domain awareness. (11/28)
Design of Russia's Super-Heavy Rocket to be Finalized Based on New Technologies (Source: TASS)
The approved preliminary design of a super-heavy class space rocket, which Russia plans to use for manned flights to the Moon, will be finalized during the technical design stage, the press service of Roscosmos said. A Roscosmos official said that Russia’s crewed flights to the Moon were being postponed due to the lack of funds for creating a launch vehicle. Earlier, plans for sending Russian cosmonauts to the Moon between 2031 and 2040 were mentioned.
"The development of a super-heavy class rocket exposed a need for introducing innovative solutions, including new materials and engines. It was decided to finalize the previously approved preliminary project at the stage of technical design," the press service said. (11/28)
Life on Mars Could Be Surviving in an Area Deep Underground (Source: New Scientist)
A specific area on Mars has been identified as a potential location for current life – with the organisms living far beneath the surface. Andrea Butturini at the University of Barcelona and his colleagues investigated possible locations on Mars that could host living organisms, focusing on areas that might have the right amounts of water, heat and energy necessary for life to exist. (11/29)
Global Earth Observation Market to Cross $8 Billion by 2033, Says Novaspace (Source; Reuters)
The global Earth Observation (EO) market is on track to exceed $8 billion in valuation by 2033 from $5 billion currently, according to a new report from Novaspace, the merger of Euroconsult and SpaceTec Partners. The rapid growth is largely attributed to the surge in large-scale defense contracts and increasing availability of high-resolution imaging and 3D capabilities, which are enhancing the scope and quality of Earth monitoring, the report said.
EO technology, which provides critical data for industries ranging from agriculture to environmental monitoring and defense, is one of the most lucrative sectors in the commercialization of space technology. North America remains the dominant player in the market, contributing 44% of global revenue in 2023. Europe follows with a 22% share, Novaspace said. However, the most significant growth is expected to come from Asia, according to the report. (11/29)
SpaceX Direct-to-Cell License is a Negative Development for AST (Source: TipRanks)
Scotiabank views the Federal Communications Commission granting SpaceX a supplemental coverage from space license before AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) as a negative for AST. The development erodes the possibility of AST having a first-mover advantage, “but it doesn’t catch the company off guard,” the analyst tells investors in a research note. (11/28)
Mexico to Put a Command and Information Management System in Space (Source: Mexico Now)
The Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transport (SICT) through the Mexican Space Agency (AEM) announced with the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) about a new breakthrough of its own technology developed for satellites, which will go into space in 2025. The general director of the AEM negotiated an agreement for a new Mexican Command and Management Information System (SCMI) for Nanosatellites to be launched on the GuaraniSat-2 of the Paraguayan Space Agency (AEP).
He specified that this Mexican device, developed by members of the Laboratory of Electronic Instrumentation of Space Systems (LIESE) of the School of Engineering (FI-UNAM) and the AEM, was successfully tested at the University of the Republic of Uruguay, in Montevideo, in March 2024. (11/28)
NASA's Webb: What We Think We Know About the Universe is Very Wrong (Source: Earth.com)
Determining the expansion rate of the universe, a number called the “Hubble constant,” shapes our entire understanding of the cosmos, its age, and its ultimate fate. Unfortunately, though many brilliant minds have dedicated their lives to finding the answer to this riddle, all who have tried thus far have failed, running repeatedly into a brick wall that has come to be known as the “Hubble tension.”
Adam Riess, a physicist at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, has been at the forefront of this debate. “With measurement errors negated, what remains is the real and exciting possibility that we have misunderstood the universe,” Riess admitted. The Hubble and Webb telescopes confirm one universe expansion rate, based on observations of the local universe. Meanwhile, observations from the early universe, like those from the Planck satellite’s mapping of the cosmic microwave background radiation, suggest another. (11/29)
Physicists Propose New Approach That Could Unlock Barriers to Global Scale Quantum Network (Source: Phys.org)
Interference (excess noise) to quantum signals from sunlight has slowed down the creation of a global scale quantum communications network, but now physicists at Heriot-Watt University have proposed a way to tackle this "daylight noise"' issue, paving the way for all-day satellite transmission. They have proposed that using time and phase encoding could extend and enhance operations by three or four hours each day, which is significant.
Early simulations indicate that time and phase encoding unlocks the capability to filter in polarization, yielding a reduction in detected daylight and allowing SatQKD to be performed at dawn and dusk due to the daylight noise being partially polarized. The team will leverage their involvement in two missions (Quantum Communication hub's Space Platform for Optical Quantum Communication (SPOQC) and Quantum Encryption and Science Satellite (QEYSSAT) being launched in 2025, to demonstrate their simulations experimentally. (11/29)
Warm Up This Holiday Season with NASA's New SLS Rocket Engine Fireplace (Source: Space.com)
NASA is inviting you to sit by a homey, rocket-powered hearth this holiday season. The space agency created a virtual fireplace lit by the engines of its huge Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, which sent the uncrewed Artemis 1 mission to the moon in November 2022. "Technically, this fireplace packs the heat of FOUR RS-25 rocket engines and a pair of solid rocket boosters — just enough to get you to the moon! (And get through the holidays with your in-laws.)" the agency wrote. Click here. (11/28)
Trump’s NASA Redesign: Examining the Case for Slashing Space Waste (Source: Interesting Engineering)
NASA is likely to be downsized by DOGE. While some argue there’s a conflict of interest with Musk leading the charge, others believe NASA has been oversized for too long. Even within NASA, the SLS program has faced great criticism for its cost overruns. In an interview with Interesting Engineering shortly before the launch of Artemis I, former NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver explained, “If everything goes perfectly for SLS, we’ll only launch two or three times in five years. That is not progress.”
“Even I could not have imagined how late and how over budget it would be. And then when it was supposed to be launching back in 2016, and for less than half of what it has cost. It has cost $23 billion and the [Orion] capsule another $20 billion on top of that.” Today, SLS is estimated to cost $4.1 billion per launch.
Garver said “by working with the private sector, we could do this more efficiently and save the NASA funds for the really exquisite, unique science missions where there isn’t a market.” Forces within NASA have long pushed for more outsourcing to private industry. Some may see this as a case of being careful about what you wish for. Others will believe NASA is long overdue for an overhaul. (11/27)
2 Space Telescope Designs Will Battle To Become NASA's Next Cosmic Imager (Source: Space.com)
The teams behind two potential new space telescopes have embarked on their final design studies as they go head-to-head to see which will be the first of NASA’s new "Probe" class of mission. PRIMA, the Probe far-Infrared Mission for Astrophysics, will study the universe at the longest of infrared wavelengths, bridging the gap between what the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) can see in the near- and mid-infrared, and what radio telescopes observe.
The mission PRIMA is going up against is AXIS, the Advanced X-ray Imaging Satellite. Led by Chris Reynolds of the University of Maryland, AXIS would be designed to study black holes within distant galaxies in the early universe discovered by the JWST, and probe how active black holes and bursts of supernova explosions can affect the galaxies around them. (11/28)
XRISM Mission Looks Deeply Into 'Hidden' Stellar System (Source: Space Daily)
The Japan-led XRISM (X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission) observatory has captured the most detailed portrait yet of gases flowing within Cygnus X-3, one of the most studied sources in the X-ray sky. Cygnus X-3 is a binary that pairs a rare type of high-mass star with a compact companion - likely a black hole. (11/26)
Kacific Introduces SatPack for Portable and Reliable Satellite Internet in Remote Regions (Source: Space Daily)
Kacific Broadband Satellites Group has unveiled SatPack, a portable satellite internet solution designed for rapid deployment in challenging environments across the Asia-Pacific. Building on the success of previous innovations like the CommsBox and CommsBox Ultra, Kacific's SatPack combines portability, reliability, and cost-effectiveness for users requiring immediate connectivity in remote or high-demand locations. (11/27)
Atomic-6 Receives $3.8M to Advance Space Armor Shielding (Source: Space Daily)
Atomic-6 has secured a Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) of $3.8 million to enhance the development of its innovative Space Armor shielding tiles. This funding will support qualification testing and preparation for the technology's first flight deployment. Space Armor is engineered to address critical challenges in shielding mass, stowage efficiency, post-impact debris, and mission risks. This advanced shielding solution is designed to protect space assets from orbital debris and kinetic energy threats, with optional radio frequency permeability for added functionality. It offers a vital resource for bolstering U.S. competitiveness in space operations, a priority recognized by Pentagon leaders and lawmakers. (11/27)
New Images Show Where Super-Polluters are Venting an Invisible, Planet-Warming Gas Into the Atmosphere (Source: CNN)
High above Earth, a cutting-edge satellite is zooming around the planet 15 times a day. It is hunting for leaks of methane — an invisible, super-polluting gas that is dramatically warming the planet. Its measurements are precise enough to plot heatmaps of the biggest offenders, lighting up all the places they are venting the gas into the atmosphere at a staggering rate, unbeknownst to regulators, as the planet careens toward what scientists warn could be irreversible climate change impacts.
MethaneSAT’s early findings are that the oil and gas industry is belching the gas at a rate three to five times higher on average than what the Environmental Protection Agency has estimated, and way beyond the rate the industry itself agreed to in 2023. (11/27)
Stranded Boeing Astronauts to Enjoy Thanksgiving in Space (Source: New York Post)
The two astronauts stranded at the International Space Station will enjoy a Thanksgiving feast together Thursday — as they mark 176 days in zero gravity. The Post has learned that the ISS, where Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore have been holed up, has a variety of traditional Thanksgiving-themed food, like smoked turkey, cranberries and veggie sides. “We have a bunch of food that we’ve packed away that is Thanksgiving-ish,” Williams said. (11/27)
November 28, 2024
Sidus Space Announces LizzieSat-2
Ready for Launch (Source: Sidus Space)
Sidus Space announced the successful completion of the launch processing of LizzieSat-2 at the Astrotech Space Operations facility at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. LizzieSat-2 has been turned over to SpaceX and is ready for launch on the Bandwagon-2 rideshare mission, which is targeted for no earlier than December of 2024.
LizzieSat-2 was designed and manufactured at Sidus Space’s state-of-the-art facility on Florida’s Space Coast. The satellite is equipped with an advanced sensor suite that includes AIS, multi-spectral methane detection, and high-resolution visual spectrum sensors, as well as the HEO Holmes Imager, provided by HEO (USA), a subsidiary of Australian-based HEO.
NASA Is Making SpaceX Boldly Fly a Toyota to the Moon, Not a Tesla (Source: Daily Galaxy)
NASA has tasked SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, with transporting an unlikely passenger to the moon: a Toyota Lunar Cruiser. The unpressurized rover, developed by Toyota and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), is set to play a crucial role in the upcoming Artemis program. But where’s Tesla in all this?
Forget Tesla’s futuristic designs—this rover is built for rugged lunar terrain. First unveiled in 2019, the Toyota Lunar Cruiser is engineered to tackle extreme lunar environments. The vehicle features an unpressurized cabin capable of accommodating two astronauts in full suits while carrying over 1,000 pounds (0.45 ton) of scientific equipment, tools, and cargo. The Lunar Cruiser is expected to function as a key asset for extended surface operations.
The rover’s fuel-cell technology, based on Toyota’s expertise in hydrogen-powered vehicles, ensures high efficiency and long-range capability. Designed for reliability in temperatures that swing between 120 °C (248 °F) in the sun to -173 °C (-279.4 °F) in shadow, the vehicle can traverse vast expanses of lunar terrain. Scheduled for launch in 2032, the Lunar Cruiser aligns with Artemis’ long-term goals. It is expected to be deployed during Artemis 6, a mission targeting advanced exploration of the moon’s South Pole. (11/27)
What’s Next for NASA’s Giant Moon Rocket? (Source: MIT Technology Review)
NASA’s huge lunar rocket, the Space Launch System (SLS), might be in trouble. As rival launchers like SpaceX’s Starship gather pace, some are questioning the need for the US national space agency to have its own mega rocket at all—something that could become a focus of the incoming Trump administration, in which SpaceX CEO Elon Musk is set to play a key role.
“It’s absolutely in Elon Musk’s interest to convince the government to cancel SLS,” says Laura Forczyk from the US space consulting firm Astralytical. “However, it’s not up to him.” SLS has been in development for more than a decade. The rocket is huge, 322 feet (98 meters) tall, and about 15% more powerful than the Saturn V rocket that took the Apollo astronauts to the moon in the 1960s and 70s. It is also expensive, costing an estimated $4.1 billion per launch. (11/28)
There May Be 5,000-Mile Deep Oceans On Uranus And Neptune (Source: Forbes)
The ice giants in the outer solar system are rather dull-looking. Earlier this year, the revelation that their surfaces are a similar shade of greenish blue hasn't done much to move them up the pecking order. However, a new theory about what’s inside the seventh and eighth planets from the sun threatens to make it a little more interesting, not least because it involves water — and a lot of it.
Since gas giants like Uranus and Neptune are the most commonly found planets in the broader Milky Way, the discovery could have massive relevance for the search for life. A new study relying on computer simulations proposes that inside Uranus and Neptune — far below their thick, bluish, hydrogen-and-helium atmospheres — are layers of material that, like oil and water, don't mix.
Over the years, planetary scientists have suggested that the ice giants contain diamond rain within them. The new theory suggests that instead, a deep ocean of water lies just below layers of clouds in the hydrogen-helium atmosphere. Below the water, goes the theory, is a layer of hydrocarbons — a highly compressed fluid of carbon, nitrogen and hydrogen. The layers are about 5,000 miles (8,000 kilometers) thick. (11/25)
A New Giant in Space? Planet 9 Could Be Seven Times Bigger Than Earth (Source: Times of India)
Planet Nine is a theory about a massive planet that could be located far beyond Neptune, as per the studies and reports presented by various online sources. It is believed that it might be an icy or gas planet, around seven times the size of Earth. (11/28)
Life Found On Ryugu Asteroid Sample, But It Looks Very Familiar (Source: Hackaday)
Samples taken from the space-returned piece of asteroid Ryugu were collected and prepared under strict anti-contamination controls. Inside the cleanest of clean rooms, a tiny particle was collected from the returned sample with sterilized tools in a nitrogen atmosphere and stored in airtight containers before being embedded in an epoxy block for scanning electron microscopy.
It’s hard to imagine what more one could do, but despite all the precautions taken, the samples were rapidly colonized by terrestrial microorganisms. Only the upper few microns of the sample surface, but it happened. Obtaining a sample from asteroid Ryugu was a triumph. Could this organic matter have come from the asteroid itself? In a word, no. Researchers have concluded the microorganisms are almost certainly terrestrial bacteria that contaminated the sample during collection, despite the precautions taken. (11/27)
Sidus Space announced the successful completion of the launch processing of LizzieSat-2 at the Astrotech Space Operations facility at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. LizzieSat-2 has been turned over to SpaceX and is ready for launch on the Bandwagon-2 rideshare mission, which is targeted for no earlier than December of 2024.
LizzieSat-2 was designed and manufactured at Sidus Space’s state-of-the-art facility on Florida’s Space Coast. The satellite is equipped with an advanced sensor suite that includes AIS, multi-spectral methane detection, and high-resolution visual spectrum sensors, as well as the HEO Holmes Imager, provided by HEO (USA), a subsidiary of Australian-based HEO.
NASA Is Making SpaceX Boldly Fly a Toyota to the Moon, Not a Tesla (Source: Daily Galaxy)
NASA has tasked SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, with transporting an unlikely passenger to the moon: a Toyota Lunar Cruiser. The unpressurized rover, developed by Toyota and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), is set to play a crucial role in the upcoming Artemis program. But where’s Tesla in all this?
Forget Tesla’s futuristic designs—this rover is built for rugged lunar terrain. First unveiled in 2019, the Toyota Lunar Cruiser is engineered to tackle extreme lunar environments. The vehicle features an unpressurized cabin capable of accommodating two astronauts in full suits while carrying over 1,000 pounds (0.45 ton) of scientific equipment, tools, and cargo. The Lunar Cruiser is expected to function as a key asset for extended surface operations.
The rover’s fuel-cell technology, based on Toyota’s expertise in hydrogen-powered vehicles, ensures high efficiency and long-range capability. Designed for reliability in temperatures that swing between 120 °C (248 °F) in the sun to -173 °C (-279.4 °F) in shadow, the vehicle can traverse vast expanses of lunar terrain. Scheduled for launch in 2032, the Lunar Cruiser aligns with Artemis’ long-term goals. It is expected to be deployed during Artemis 6, a mission targeting advanced exploration of the moon’s South Pole. (11/27)
What’s Next for NASA’s Giant Moon Rocket? (Source: MIT Technology Review)
NASA’s huge lunar rocket, the Space Launch System (SLS), might be in trouble. As rival launchers like SpaceX’s Starship gather pace, some are questioning the need for the US national space agency to have its own mega rocket at all—something that could become a focus of the incoming Trump administration, in which SpaceX CEO Elon Musk is set to play a key role.
“It’s absolutely in Elon Musk’s interest to convince the government to cancel SLS,” says Laura Forczyk from the US space consulting firm Astralytical. “However, it’s not up to him.” SLS has been in development for more than a decade. The rocket is huge, 322 feet (98 meters) tall, and about 15% more powerful than the Saturn V rocket that took the Apollo astronauts to the moon in the 1960s and 70s. It is also expensive, costing an estimated $4.1 billion per launch. (11/28)
There May Be 5,000-Mile Deep Oceans On Uranus And Neptune (Source: Forbes)
The ice giants in the outer solar system are rather dull-looking. Earlier this year, the revelation that their surfaces are a similar shade of greenish blue hasn't done much to move them up the pecking order. However, a new theory about what’s inside the seventh and eighth planets from the sun threatens to make it a little more interesting, not least because it involves water — and a lot of it.
Since gas giants like Uranus and Neptune are the most commonly found planets in the broader Milky Way, the discovery could have massive relevance for the search for life. A new study relying on computer simulations proposes that inside Uranus and Neptune — far below their thick, bluish, hydrogen-and-helium atmospheres — are layers of material that, like oil and water, don't mix.
Over the years, planetary scientists have suggested that the ice giants contain diamond rain within them. The new theory suggests that instead, a deep ocean of water lies just below layers of clouds in the hydrogen-helium atmosphere. Below the water, goes the theory, is a layer of hydrocarbons — a highly compressed fluid of carbon, nitrogen and hydrogen. The layers are about 5,000 miles (8,000 kilometers) thick. (11/25)
A New Giant in Space? Planet 9 Could Be Seven Times Bigger Than Earth (Source: Times of India)
Planet Nine is a theory about a massive planet that could be located far beyond Neptune, as per the studies and reports presented by various online sources. It is believed that it might be an icy or gas planet, around seven times the size of Earth. (11/28)
Life Found On Ryugu Asteroid Sample, But It Looks Very Familiar (Source: Hackaday)
Samples taken from the space-returned piece of asteroid Ryugu were collected and prepared under strict anti-contamination controls. Inside the cleanest of clean rooms, a tiny particle was collected from the returned sample with sterilized tools in a nitrogen atmosphere and stored in airtight containers before being embedded in an epoxy block for scanning electron microscopy.
It’s hard to imagine what more one could do, but despite all the precautions taken, the samples were rapidly colonized by terrestrial microorganisms. Only the upper few microns of the sample surface, but it happened. Obtaining a sample from asteroid Ryugu was a triumph. Could this organic matter have come from the asteroid itself? In a word, no. Researchers have concluded the microorganisms are almost certainly terrestrial bacteria that contaminated the sample during collection, despite the precautions taken. (11/27)
November 27, 2024
Overregulation is Stifling the
Commercial Space Industry. The Launch Communications Act is a Good
Start (Source: Space News)
As America’s presence in space expands, the FCC must update its spectrum licensing process for commercial space launches to ensure the U.S. maintains its all-important comparative advantage in this 21st-century space race against China. This is precisely why I led efforts in Congress to modernize the FCC’s licensing process for commercial launches. Recently, after an almost two-year effort, the Launch Communications Act was signed into law.
The Launch Communications Act will create an immediate solution to the current FCC spectrum licensing challenge. This legislation will create a new process for the FCC to issue spectrum licenses for commercial launches. This updated process not only helps eliminate outdated and redundant processes but also improves interagency coordination over the use of spectrum frequencies, while protecting federal users. (11/26)
Six Science Experiments Launched From Sweden onboard SubOrbital Express 4 (Source: Space Daily)
A key moment in space science unfolded Tuesday as six cutting-edge experiments launched aboard SubOrbital Express-4 from SSC's Esrange Space Center in northern Sweden. The rocket, carrying international contributions from six countries, achieved six minutes of microgravity, advancing research in medicine, green energy, and cosmic origins. SubOrbital Express-4 reached an altitude of 256 kilometers. (11/27)
Large Fire at Japan Rocket Test Site, No Injuries Reported (Source: Space Daily)
A huge fire erupted Tuesday at a Japanese rocket testing station, sending flames and smoke soaring into the sky, in the latest mishap for the country's ambitious space program. There were no reports of injuries in the incident, in a remote area of Kagoshima in southern Japan, where a solid-fuel Epsilon S rocket was being tested. Footage on national broadcaster NHK showed towering balls of fire and white fumes rising from the Tanegashima Space Center. (11/26)
NASA Partners Advance Projects for LEO Space Economy (Source: Space Daily)
NASA and its commercial partners are achieving significant milestones in the advancement of low Earth orbit (LEO) projects. These accomplishments are driving innovation in human spaceflight and enhancing commercial capabilities, with progress ranging from safety advancements to technological developments. Through the second Collaborations for Commercial Space Capabilities initiative, NASA is working with seven U.S. companies to meet commercial and governmental needs for LEO operations. Click here. (11/26)
Spire Global Partners with LatConnect60 to Enhance Data-Driven Agriculture Practices (Source: Space Daily)
Spire Global has been selected by LatConnect60, a data and analytics company specializing in Earth Observation, to deliver Global Navigation Satellite System Reflectometry (GNSS-R) data and Soil Moisture Insights. These tools aim to improve sustainable agriculture practices through precise environmental monitoring.
The World Bank emphasizes the high return on investments in climate-resilient agriculture, estimating benefits between three to eight times the costs. With this in mind, LatConnect60 will integrate Spire's GNSS-R data and Soil Moisture Insights into its platforms to support water management, optimize efficiency, and monitor crop stress levels. These tools are tailored to benefit farmers, policymakers, and resource managers. (11/26)
HyImpulse Secures Funding to Advance Small Launcher 1 (Source: Space Daily)
HyImpulse Technologies GmbH, a prominent European company specializing in launch systems for small satellite transportation, has announced the acquisition of euro 11.8 million in funding through the European Space Agency's (ESA) Boost! Program. This funding, structured as a co-funded contract extension, aims to expedite the development of HyImpulse's Small Launcher 1 (SL1) orbital vehicle. The SL1 is designed to provide affordable and dependable orbital access for payloads up to 600 kilograms, supporting missions across Europe and globally. (11/26)
PLD Space Partners with Deimos for MIURA 5 Guidance System Development (Source: Space Daily)
PLD Space has announced the selection of Deimos to co-lead the development of the Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) system for its MIURA 5 orbital launcher. Scheduled to commence its launch campaign in late 2025, this collaboration aims to enhance MIURA 5's capability to deliver both dedicated and rideshare small payload missions efficiently and reliably. Deimos joins a growing consortium of high-profile partners contributing to the MIURA rocket family. (11/26)
America's First Liquid Hydrogen Rocket Engine Is Now Partially 3D Printed (Source: AutoEvolution)
With an avalanche of private space companies upon us, the number of engines meant to carry rockets and their cargo into space has grown rapidly over the past few years. This world is now dominated by powerplants named Raptor (made by SpaceX), BE (of Blue Origin), or Archimedes (the work of Rocket Lab). And yet, despite their success and exposure, they still haven't been able to remove the legacy rocket engines like the RS-25 or the RL10 from the picture.
Born into this world as America's first liquid hydrogen rocket engine, it was continuously improved, and it will continue to be so for many years to come. The newest iteration of the powerplant? A variant called RL10E-1. The unit is mostly the same as the version that preceded it, with one key difference: it features a 3D-printed copper thrust chamber that allows for a massive reduction of 98 percent in the number of parts that usually make up this structure. (11/26)
FCC Grants SpaceX Approval for Direct-to-Smartphone Service in US (Source: Space News)
The FCC has granted SpaceX conditional approval to provide direct-to-smartphone services in the United States. The FCC said Tuesday that SpaceX could use its Gen2 satellites to provide those services on cellular frequencies assigned to T-Mobile, SpaceX's partner. Of the more than 2,600 Gen2 Starlink satellites in low Earth orbit, around 320 are equipped with direct-to-smartphone payloads, enough to enable the texting services SpaceX has said it could launch this year.
The FCC deferred deciding whether to allow these satellites to increase their radio emission power, which SpaceX has said is needed to support higher bandwidth capabilities such as real-time voice and video calls, but will allow SpaceX to operate satellites in lower orbits, at altitudes of 340 to 360 kilometers. The FCC's approval for nationwide service came after temporary authorizations in Florida and North Carolina this fall after hurricanes there. T-Mobile said Starlink handled more than 100,000 text messages and 120 wireless emergency alerts. (11/27)
NASA: Proceeding with VIPER Lunar Rover Would Requiring Canceling Other Commercial Rover Missions (Source: Space News)
NASA says it would have to cancel up to four commercial lunar lander missions if it decided to fly its VIPER lunar rover. NASA canceled VIPER in July, stating that the additional costs to carry out the mission would force it to cancel or delay an unspecified number of Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) missions, but did not specify a number.
In a response last month to the House Science Committee, which raised concerns about NASA's decision to cancel VIPER, NASA said it would have to cancel between one and four CLPS missions, depending on when VIPER launched and if NASA continued to use Astrobotic's Griffin lander or sought an alternative lander. Up to four other CLPS missions could be delayed by one to two years. NASA is continuing to evaluate proposals by companies and organizations to take over VIPER, and plans to announce "next steps" in that effort by early next year. (11/27)
Slingshot Aerospace to Develop Interface for TraCSS Space Traffic Coordination (Source: Space News)
The Office of Space Commerce has selected Slingshot Aerospace to provide the web interface for its space traffic coordination system. The office announced Tuesday it awarded a contract worth $5.3 million to develop the "presentation layer" for the Traffic Coordination System for Space (TraCSS), creating a web interface that will allow public access to the data in TraCSS. TraCSS will be available through a TraCSS.gov website by late 2025, eventually replacing the Pentagon's Space-Track.org service. (11/27)
D-Orbit Picks Spectrum Advanced Mfg Technologies to Support OTV Satellites (Source: Space News)
Spectrum Advanced Manufacturing Technologies will produce components and assemble satellites for D-Orbit USA. The companies announced Tuesday an agreement whereby Spectrum AMT will manufacture printed circuit board assemblies and harnesses as well as perform final assembly of D-Orbit USA satellite buses. D-Orbit USA, a joint venture of European space transportation company D-Orbit and a group of American co-founders, was established in July to develop a satellite bus based on D-Orbit's ION orbital transfer vehicle. (11/27)
NASA Venus Mission Faces More Potential Delays (Source: Space News)
The leader of a NASA Venus mission already delayed by three years is trying to avoid a further delay. NASA pushed back the launch of the VERITAS orbiter from 2028 to 2031 to address "workforce imbalance" problems at JPL. The mission is currently working towards a June 2031 launch, but at a recent meeting, the mission's principal investigator said there was a "real possibility" that it would be delayed to November 2032. Such a delay could cause development issues with instruments already being built by European partners, which could be delivered before the spacecraft completes a preliminary design review. It could also create conflicts with the operations of ESA's EnVision Venus orbiter, which would arrive at Venus at almost the same time as VERITAS if VERITAS is delayed to late 2032. (11/27)
China's Landspace Launches Two Satellites on Zhuque-2 Rocket (Source: Space News)
Chinese launch startup Landspace put two satellites into orbit late Tuesday with the first launch of an improved version of its Zhuque-2 rocket. The Zhuque-2 enhanced version, or ZQ-2E, lifted off at 9 p.m. Eastern from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center and placed into orbit the Guangchuan 01 and 02 satellites. Few details about the satellites were disclosed. The launch is the fourth for the Zhuque-2 and third successful one after a failed inaugural launch in late 2022. The ZQ-2E features an upgraded engine in the second stage and use of fully supercooled propellant loading. (11/27)
SpaceX Launches Starlink Mission From Cape Canaveral Spaceport (Source: Spaceflight Now)
SpaceX launched 24 Starlink satellites on a Falcon 9 late Tuesday. The rocket lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center at 11:41 p.m. Eastern and deployed its Starlink satellite payload about an hour later. The launch was delayed one day for reasons SpaceX did not disclose. (11/27)
Judge Blocks Injunction to Halt More Texas Starship Launches (Source: myRGV)
A federal judge has blocked a request by an environmental group for an injunction halting Starship launches from Boca Chica, Texas. U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera said SpaceX made a "good faith mistake" when it operated a water deluge system at the pad without proper permits, and noted that the system did not appear to cause significant environmental impacts and that SpaceX was now working to get the proper permits. The environmental group Save RGV filed suit in October, arguing that the company had violated environmental laws by operating the system without a permit. While the judge denied the request for a restraining order halting launches, the case will continue. (11/27)
Transition 'Landing Parties' Heading to DoD, NASA (Source: Politico)
The incoming Trump administration has finally reached an agreement to allow formal transition teams to start work at federal agencies. The Trump transition signed a memorandum of understanding with the White House Tuesday that will allow the incoming administration to send agency review teams, or "landing parties," to federal agencies including the Defense Department and NASA. Trump had rejected using traditional agreements with the General Services Administration that would have given it access to office space and funding to support the transition. The incoming administration plans to privately fund the transition, but with no legal requirements to disclose the source of that funding. (11/27)
ISS Dodges Debris Again (Source: Space.com)
For the second time in less than a week, the International Space Station had to maneuver to avoid debris. A Progress cargo spacecraft docked to the station fired its thrusters for three and a half minutes Monday to raise the station's orbit by half a kilometer, providing additional clearance from an unspecified piece of debris that would have passed close to the station. The station made a similar maneuver last week to avoid a close approach by debris from a U.S. military weather satellite. (11/27)
Space Firms See Government Contracting Shakeup in Second Trump Term (Source: Space News)
The incoming Trump administration’s close ties to Elon Musk and other tech billionaires could upend traditional Pentagon procurement practices, space and defense industry executives said at last week’s Baird Defense & Government Conference in McLean, Virginia. One theme that emerged from the conference is that the established defense contractor ecosystem might face disruption from newer, tech-focused players.
“Cost minus” is a new buzzword circulating among Trump transition team insiders, according to Gabe Dominocielo, co-founder and president of Umbra Space, an Earth observation satellite operator. What this means is “whatever the opposite of what we’re doing now,” he said. This would pose a direct challenge to the traditional “cost plus” model where the contractor is compensated for all direct costs incurred during a project along with an additional fee that serves as profit and is typically a percentage of the total project costs. (11/25)
CNES to Once Again Launch Suborbital Rockets From French Guiana (Source: European Spaceflight)
The French space agency, CNES, has announced plans to reopen the Guiana Space Centre’s sounding rocket launch complex. The agency has signed an agreement with the French launch startup Opus Aerospace, which will use the previously abandoned facility to launch its 4.7-metre suborbital Mésange rocket in 2025.
Officially inaugurated in 1968, the Ensemble de Lancement Fusées-Sondes (ELFS) launch complex hosted the Guiana Space Centre’s first launch on 9 April 1968, with a Véronique sounding rocket that reached an altitude of 113 kilometres. Between 1968 and 1992, more than 350 sounding rockets were launched from the facility. On 25 November, CNES announced that it had signed a contract with Opus Aerospace to use the ELFS facility for the launch of its Mésange rocket. (11/26)
Uranus’s Swaying Moons will Help Spacecraft Seek Out Hidden Oceans (Source: University of Texas at Austin)
When NASA’s Voyager 2 flew by Uranus in 1986, it captured grainy photographs of large ice-covered moons. Now nearly 40 years later, NASA plans to send another spacecraft to Uranus, this time equipped to see if those icy moons are hiding liquid water oceans. The mission is still in an early planning stage. But researchers at the University of Texas Institute for Geophysics (UTIG) are preparing for it by building a new computer model that could be used to detect oceans beneath the ice using just the spacecraft’s cameras. (11/25)
James Webb Space Telescope 'Pushed to its Limits' to See Most Distant Galaxies Ever (Source: Space.com)
The James Webb Space Telescope has potentially smashed one of its own records again —- if scientists are correct, this trailblazing spacecraft may have glimpsed the earliest galaxies in the universe. The five galaxy candidates are located so far away that the furthest is seen as it was just 200 million years after the Big Bang. Thus, the light from these galaxies has been traveling to Earth for around 13.6 billion years. Because of the expansion of the universe, these galaxies should now lie a staggering 34 billion light-years away. However, to be clear, none of this is yet confirmed. (11/25)
Italy to Reopen Kenya-Based Offshore Launch Facility (Source: European Spaceflight)
An Italian-run space centre located in Kenya will once again host rocket launches from an offshore launch platform. Italy built the Luigi Broglio Space Center near Malindi, Kenya, in the 1960s. In addition to providing ground services for space missions, which it continues to do, the facility also included a launch capability from the San Marco platform. On 26 April 1967, the facility hosted its inaugural orbital launch attempt, with a Scout B rocket delivering the San Marco-2 satellite into low Earth orbit. The final flight was launched from the facility in March 1988. (11/25)
UK's Durham University Unveils £5 Million Space Center (Source: BDaily)
A cutting-edge research center has opened in the North East, aiming to drive innovation and sustainability in space exploration while strengthening the region’s growing space industry. Durham University has launched the £5 million Space Research Centre (SPARC), designed to advance scientific discovery, business development and space law, while nurturing a talent pipeline for the space sector.
The center brings together expertise from the university’s physics, law, computer science, government and international affairs departments, as well as the Durham University Business School, to address the challenges of sustainable space exploration. Dr. Andrew Aldrin, son of Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin, who is associate professor and chair of the Master of Sciences Space Systems, and the Master of Space Operations programs at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, delivered a keynote speech at the launch event. (11/25)
Stoke Space CEO Andy Lapsa Explores an Innovative Route to Rocket Reusability (Source; GeekWire)
Unlike Bezos or Musk, Lapsa isn’t a billionaire. Instead, he made his case to backers who have billions of dollars to invest. Those backers include Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, whose investments in Stoke have been made through Breakthrough Energy Ventures, a fund that focuses on clean-tech innovations for the climate challenge. Rockets that fight climate change? That’s part of Lapsa’s uncommon perspective on the benefits of reusable rocket ships.
Stoke Space won research grants from the National Science Foundation and NASA, and raised $9.1 million in seed funding in 2021. The company quickly set up a development and testing site in Moses Lake in central Washington state. Then the startup really took off: Stoke raised $65 million in a funding round led by Breakthrough Energy Ventures. It secured the right to use Cape Canaveral’s Launch Complex 14 — the place from which John Glenn lifted off for his historic orbital flight in 1962. And it built two prototype “Hopper” rockets to test the technologies required for a fully reusable second stage.
If everything goes just right, Stoke Space could launch its first Nova rocket from Florida by the end of next year. Finding a niche alongside SpaceX may sound scary, but Lapsa is undaunted. Lapsa argues that there’ll be room for launch companies that can offer fully reusable rockets with medium-lift capability — that is, the ability to send between two tons and 20 tons of payload to low Earth orbit. (11/26)
As America’s presence in space expands, the FCC must update its spectrum licensing process for commercial space launches to ensure the U.S. maintains its all-important comparative advantage in this 21st-century space race against China. This is precisely why I led efforts in Congress to modernize the FCC’s licensing process for commercial launches. Recently, after an almost two-year effort, the Launch Communications Act was signed into law.
The Launch Communications Act will create an immediate solution to the current FCC spectrum licensing challenge. This legislation will create a new process for the FCC to issue spectrum licenses for commercial launches. This updated process not only helps eliminate outdated and redundant processes but also improves interagency coordination over the use of spectrum frequencies, while protecting federal users. (11/26)
Six Science Experiments Launched From Sweden onboard SubOrbital Express 4 (Source: Space Daily)
A key moment in space science unfolded Tuesday as six cutting-edge experiments launched aboard SubOrbital Express-4 from SSC's Esrange Space Center in northern Sweden. The rocket, carrying international contributions from six countries, achieved six minutes of microgravity, advancing research in medicine, green energy, and cosmic origins. SubOrbital Express-4 reached an altitude of 256 kilometers. (11/27)
Large Fire at Japan Rocket Test Site, No Injuries Reported (Source: Space Daily)
A huge fire erupted Tuesday at a Japanese rocket testing station, sending flames and smoke soaring into the sky, in the latest mishap for the country's ambitious space program. There were no reports of injuries in the incident, in a remote area of Kagoshima in southern Japan, where a solid-fuel Epsilon S rocket was being tested. Footage on national broadcaster NHK showed towering balls of fire and white fumes rising from the Tanegashima Space Center. (11/26)
NASA Partners Advance Projects for LEO Space Economy (Source: Space Daily)
NASA and its commercial partners are achieving significant milestones in the advancement of low Earth orbit (LEO) projects. These accomplishments are driving innovation in human spaceflight and enhancing commercial capabilities, with progress ranging from safety advancements to technological developments. Through the second Collaborations for Commercial Space Capabilities initiative, NASA is working with seven U.S. companies to meet commercial and governmental needs for LEO operations. Click here. (11/26)
Spire Global Partners with LatConnect60 to Enhance Data-Driven Agriculture Practices (Source: Space Daily)
Spire Global has been selected by LatConnect60, a data and analytics company specializing in Earth Observation, to deliver Global Navigation Satellite System Reflectometry (GNSS-R) data and Soil Moisture Insights. These tools aim to improve sustainable agriculture practices through precise environmental monitoring.
The World Bank emphasizes the high return on investments in climate-resilient agriculture, estimating benefits between three to eight times the costs. With this in mind, LatConnect60 will integrate Spire's GNSS-R data and Soil Moisture Insights into its platforms to support water management, optimize efficiency, and monitor crop stress levels. These tools are tailored to benefit farmers, policymakers, and resource managers. (11/26)
HyImpulse Secures Funding to Advance Small Launcher 1 (Source: Space Daily)
HyImpulse Technologies GmbH, a prominent European company specializing in launch systems for small satellite transportation, has announced the acquisition of euro 11.8 million in funding through the European Space Agency's (ESA) Boost! Program. This funding, structured as a co-funded contract extension, aims to expedite the development of HyImpulse's Small Launcher 1 (SL1) orbital vehicle. The SL1 is designed to provide affordable and dependable orbital access for payloads up to 600 kilograms, supporting missions across Europe and globally. (11/26)
PLD Space Partners with Deimos for MIURA 5 Guidance System Development (Source: Space Daily)
PLD Space has announced the selection of Deimos to co-lead the development of the Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) system for its MIURA 5 orbital launcher. Scheduled to commence its launch campaign in late 2025, this collaboration aims to enhance MIURA 5's capability to deliver both dedicated and rideshare small payload missions efficiently and reliably. Deimos joins a growing consortium of high-profile partners contributing to the MIURA rocket family. (11/26)
America's First Liquid Hydrogen Rocket Engine Is Now Partially 3D Printed (Source: AutoEvolution)
With an avalanche of private space companies upon us, the number of engines meant to carry rockets and their cargo into space has grown rapidly over the past few years. This world is now dominated by powerplants named Raptor (made by SpaceX), BE (of Blue Origin), or Archimedes (the work of Rocket Lab). And yet, despite their success and exposure, they still haven't been able to remove the legacy rocket engines like the RS-25 or the RL10 from the picture.
Born into this world as America's first liquid hydrogen rocket engine, it was continuously improved, and it will continue to be so for many years to come. The newest iteration of the powerplant? A variant called RL10E-1. The unit is mostly the same as the version that preceded it, with one key difference: it features a 3D-printed copper thrust chamber that allows for a massive reduction of 98 percent in the number of parts that usually make up this structure. (11/26)
FCC Grants SpaceX Approval for Direct-to-Smartphone Service in US (Source: Space News)
The FCC has granted SpaceX conditional approval to provide direct-to-smartphone services in the United States. The FCC said Tuesday that SpaceX could use its Gen2 satellites to provide those services on cellular frequencies assigned to T-Mobile, SpaceX's partner. Of the more than 2,600 Gen2 Starlink satellites in low Earth orbit, around 320 are equipped with direct-to-smartphone payloads, enough to enable the texting services SpaceX has said it could launch this year.
The FCC deferred deciding whether to allow these satellites to increase their radio emission power, which SpaceX has said is needed to support higher bandwidth capabilities such as real-time voice and video calls, but will allow SpaceX to operate satellites in lower orbits, at altitudes of 340 to 360 kilometers. The FCC's approval for nationwide service came after temporary authorizations in Florida and North Carolina this fall after hurricanes there. T-Mobile said Starlink handled more than 100,000 text messages and 120 wireless emergency alerts. (11/27)
NASA: Proceeding with VIPER Lunar Rover Would Requiring Canceling Other Commercial Rover Missions (Source: Space News)
NASA says it would have to cancel up to four commercial lunar lander missions if it decided to fly its VIPER lunar rover. NASA canceled VIPER in July, stating that the additional costs to carry out the mission would force it to cancel or delay an unspecified number of Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) missions, but did not specify a number.
In a response last month to the House Science Committee, which raised concerns about NASA's decision to cancel VIPER, NASA said it would have to cancel between one and four CLPS missions, depending on when VIPER launched and if NASA continued to use Astrobotic's Griffin lander or sought an alternative lander. Up to four other CLPS missions could be delayed by one to two years. NASA is continuing to evaluate proposals by companies and organizations to take over VIPER, and plans to announce "next steps" in that effort by early next year. (11/27)
Slingshot Aerospace to Develop Interface for TraCSS Space Traffic Coordination (Source: Space News)
The Office of Space Commerce has selected Slingshot Aerospace to provide the web interface for its space traffic coordination system. The office announced Tuesday it awarded a contract worth $5.3 million to develop the "presentation layer" for the Traffic Coordination System for Space (TraCSS), creating a web interface that will allow public access to the data in TraCSS. TraCSS will be available through a TraCSS.gov website by late 2025, eventually replacing the Pentagon's Space-Track.org service. (11/27)
D-Orbit Picks Spectrum Advanced Mfg Technologies to Support OTV Satellites (Source: Space News)
Spectrum Advanced Manufacturing Technologies will produce components and assemble satellites for D-Orbit USA. The companies announced Tuesday an agreement whereby Spectrum AMT will manufacture printed circuit board assemblies and harnesses as well as perform final assembly of D-Orbit USA satellite buses. D-Orbit USA, a joint venture of European space transportation company D-Orbit and a group of American co-founders, was established in July to develop a satellite bus based on D-Orbit's ION orbital transfer vehicle. (11/27)
NASA Venus Mission Faces More Potential Delays (Source: Space News)
The leader of a NASA Venus mission already delayed by three years is trying to avoid a further delay. NASA pushed back the launch of the VERITAS orbiter from 2028 to 2031 to address "workforce imbalance" problems at JPL. The mission is currently working towards a June 2031 launch, but at a recent meeting, the mission's principal investigator said there was a "real possibility" that it would be delayed to November 2032. Such a delay could cause development issues with instruments already being built by European partners, which could be delivered before the spacecraft completes a preliminary design review. It could also create conflicts with the operations of ESA's EnVision Venus orbiter, which would arrive at Venus at almost the same time as VERITAS if VERITAS is delayed to late 2032. (11/27)
China's Landspace Launches Two Satellites on Zhuque-2 Rocket (Source: Space News)
Chinese launch startup Landspace put two satellites into orbit late Tuesday with the first launch of an improved version of its Zhuque-2 rocket. The Zhuque-2 enhanced version, or ZQ-2E, lifted off at 9 p.m. Eastern from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center and placed into orbit the Guangchuan 01 and 02 satellites. Few details about the satellites were disclosed. The launch is the fourth for the Zhuque-2 and third successful one after a failed inaugural launch in late 2022. The ZQ-2E features an upgraded engine in the second stage and use of fully supercooled propellant loading. (11/27)
SpaceX Launches Starlink Mission From Cape Canaveral Spaceport (Source: Spaceflight Now)
SpaceX launched 24 Starlink satellites on a Falcon 9 late Tuesday. The rocket lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center at 11:41 p.m. Eastern and deployed its Starlink satellite payload about an hour later. The launch was delayed one day for reasons SpaceX did not disclose. (11/27)
Judge Blocks Injunction to Halt More Texas Starship Launches (Source: myRGV)
A federal judge has blocked a request by an environmental group for an injunction halting Starship launches from Boca Chica, Texas. U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera said SpaceX made a "good faith mistake" when it operated a water deluge system at the pad without proper permits, and noted that the system did not appear to cause significant environmental impacts and that SpaceX was now working to get the proper permits. The environmental group Save RGV filed suit in October, arguing that the company had violated environmental laws by operating the system without a permit. While the judge denied the request for a restraining order halting launches, the case will continue. (11/27)
Transition 'Landing Parties' Heading to DoD, NASA (Source: Politico)
The incoming Trump administration has finally reached an agreement to allow formal transition teams to start work at federal agencies. The Trump transition signed a memorandum of understanding with the White House Tuesday that will allow the incoming administration to send agency review teams, or "landing parties," to federal agencies including the Defense Department and NASA. Trump had rejected using traditional agreements with the General Services Administration that would have given it access to office space and funding to support the transition. The incoming administration plans to privately fund the transition, but with no legal requirements to disclose the source of that funding. (11/27)
ISS Dodges Debris Again (Source: Space.com)
For the second time in less than a week, the International Space Station had to maneuver to avoid debris. A Progress cargo spacecraft docked to the station fired its thrusters for three and a half minutes Monday to raise the station's orbit by half a kilometer, providing additional clearance from an unspecified piece of debris that would have passed close to the station. The station made a similar maneuver last week to avoid a close approach by debris from a U.S. military weather satellite. (11/27)
Space Firms See Government Contracting Shakeup in Second Trump Term (Source: Space News)
The incoming Trump administration’s close ties to Elon Musk and other tech billionaires could upend traditional Pentagon procurement practices, space and defense industry executives said at last week’s Baird Defense & Government Conference in McLean, Virginia. One theme that emerged from the conference is that the established defense contractor ecosystem might face disruption from newer, tech-focused players.
“Cost minus” is a new buzzword circulating among Trump transition team insiders, according to Gabe Dominocielo, co-founder and president of Umbra Space, an Earth observation satellite operator. What this means is “whatever the opposite of what we’re doing now,” he said. This would pose a direct challenge to the traditional “cost plus” model where the contractor is compensated for all direct costs incurred during a project along with an additional fee that serves as profit and is typically a percentage of the total project costs. (11/25)
CNES to Once Again Launch Suborbital Rockets From French Guiana (Source: European Spaceflight)
The French space agency, CNES, has announced plans to reopen the Guiana Space Centre’s sounding rocket launch complex. The agency has signed an agreement with the French launch startup Opus Aerospace, which will use the previously abandoned facility to launch its 4.7-metre suborbital Mésange rocket in 2025.
Officially inaugurated in 1968, the Ensemble de Lancement Fusées-Sondes (ELFS) launch complex hosted the Guiana Space Centre’s first launch on 9 April 1968, with a Véronique sounding rocket that reached an altitude of 113 kilometres. Between 1968 and 1992, more than 350 sounding rockets were launched from the facility. On 25 November, CNES announced that it had signed a contract with Opus Aerospace to use the ELFS facility for the launch of its Mésange rocket. (11/26)
Uranus’s Swaying Moons will Help Spacecraft Seek Out Hidden Oceans (Source: University of Texas at Austin)
When NASA’s Voyager 2 flew by Uranus in 1986, it captured grainy photographs of large ice-covered moons. Now nearly 40 years later, NASA plans to send another spacecraft to Uranus, this time equipped to see if those icy moons are hiding liquid water oceans. The mission is still in an early planning stage. But researchers at the University of Texas Institute for Geophysics (UTIG) are preparing for it by building a new computer model that could be used to detect oceans beneath the ice using just the spacecraft’s cameras. (11/25)
James Webb Space Telescope 'Pushed to its Limits' to See Most Distant Galaxies Ever (Source: Space.com)
The James Webb Space Telescope has potentially smashed one of its own records again —- if scientists are correct, this trailblazing spacecraft may have glimpsed the earliest galaxies in the universe. The five galaxy candidates are located so far away that the furthest is seen as it was just 200 million years after the Big Bang. Thus, the light from these galaxies has been traveling to Earth for around 13.6 billion years. Because of the expansion of the universe, these galaxies should now lie a staggering 34 billion light-years away. However, to be clear, none of this is yet confirmed. (11/25)
Italy to Reopen Kenya-Based Offshore Launch Facility (Source: European Spaceflight)
An Italian-run space centre located in Kenya will once again host rocket launches from an offshore launch platform. Italy built the Luigi Broglio Space Center near Malindi, Kenya, in the 1960s. In addition to providing ground services for space missions, which it continues to do, the facility also included a launch capability from the San Marco platform. On 26 April 1967, the facility hosted its inaugural orbital launch attempt, with a Scout B rocket delivering the San Marco-2 satellite into low Earth orbit. The final flight was launched from the facility in March 1988. (11/25)
UK's Durham University Unveils £5 Million Space Center (Source: BDaily)
A cutting-edge research center has opened in the North East, aiming to drive innovation and sustainability in space exploration while strengthening the region’s growing space industry. Durham University has launched the £5 million Space Research Centre (SPARC), designed to advance scientific discovery, business development and space law, while nurturing a talent pipeline for the space sector.
The center brings together expertise from the university’s physics, law, computer science, government and international affairs departments, as well as the Durham University Business School, to address the challenges of sustainable space exploration. Dr. Andrew Aldrin, son of Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin, who is associate professor and chair of the Master of Sciences Space Systems, and the Master of Space Operations programs at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA, delivered a keynote speech at the launch event. (11/25)
Stoke Space CEO Andy Lapsa Explores an Innovative Route to Rocket Reusability (Source; GeekWire)
Unlike Bezos or Musk, Lapsa isn’t a billionaire. Instead, he made his case to backers who have billions of dollars to invest. Those backers include Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, whose investments in Stoke have been made through Breakthrough Energy Ventures, a fund that focuses on clean-tech innovations for the climate challenge. Rockets that fight climate change? That’s part of Lapsa’s uncommon perspective on the benefits of reusable rocket ships.
Stoke Space won research grants from the National Science Foundation and NASA, and raised $9.1 million in seed funding in 2021. The company quickly set up a development and testing site in Moses Lake in central Washington state. Then the startup really took off: Stoke raised $65 million in a funding round led by Breakthrough Energy Ventures. It secured the right to use Cape Canaveral’s Launch Complex 14 — the place from which John Glenn lifted off for his historic orbital flight in 1962. And it built two prototype “Hopper” rockets to test the technologies required for a fully reusable second stage.
If everything goes just right, Stoke Space could launch its first Nova rocket from Florida by the end of next year. Finding a niche alongside SpaceX may sound scary, but Lapsa is undaunted. Lapsa argues that there’ll be room for launch companies that can offer fully reusable rockets with medium-lift capability — that is, the ability to send between two tons and 20 tons of payload to low Earth orbit. (11/26)
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