January 27, 2018

Georgia Spaceport Proposal Ignites Environmental Concerns (Source: GPB News)
A report on Camden County’s bid for a spaceport came out a few months ago. Laura Forczyk is an author of it, and the owner of Astralytical. The Atlanta-based consulting firm is working for Camden County on developing its plans for a launch site and space education center, which supporters say will bolster the economy.

But some Southeast Georgia residents and environmental advocates are sounding an alarm. They doubt the economic benefits, while pointing to pollution and erosion issues at the proposed spaceport site. Megan Derosiers is the President and CEO of One Hundred Miles, a group advocating for conservation along the state’s 100 mile-long coastline. She says Spaceport Camden is a bad idea. We hear her perspective on the environmental issues at stake. Click here. (1/26)

If Trump Gets His Way, America Won’t Be No. 1 in Science Much Longer (Source: Bloomberg)
America’s century-old dominance in science and technology is slipping and top academics and executives worry Donald Trump’s insistence at curtailing immigration will only accelerate the decline. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, several major university chiefs and research executives said Trump’s attacks on democratic conventions and jabs at foreigners risk crushing its competitive edge just as the race with China to lead a revolution in artificial intelligence and robotics heats up.

“We’ve been so lucky over the years that the best in the world have wanted to come to the U.S.,” Rafael Reif, the president of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said in an interview at the Alpine resort. “If all of a sudden we don’t have the MITs because no talent comes, America will hurt, and the world will hurt.”

Reif, who was born in Venezuela and first came to the U.S. as a graduate student, knows the importance of global talent better than most. About 40 percent of MIT’s faculty has international origins, making the university one of the country’s most diverse. Their work has helped MIT earn a reputation as a powerhouse in advancements in AI and other computer and life sciences. (1/24)

U.S. National Space Defense Center Transitions to 24/7 Operations (Source: USAF)
Less than a year after changing the name of the Joint Interagency Combined Space Operations Center to the National Space Defense Center, the NSDC transitioned to 24/7 operations on January 8, marking a significant step for the expanding, interagency team focused on protecting and defending the nation's critical space assets.

The NSDC is a partnership organization, strongly supported by both the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community, that develops and improves U.S. ability to rapidly detect, warn, characterize, attribute and defend against threats to our nation's vital space systems. The NSDC directly supports space defense unity of effort and expands information sharing in space defense operations among the DoD, National Reconnaissance Office, and other interagency partners. (1/26)

Amateur Search for Dead Spy Satellite Turns Up Undead NASA Mission (Source: Ars Technica)
Earlier this week, an amateur radio astronomer named Scott Tilley decided to have a look for the presence of secret military satellites. It's something he apparently does semi-regularly, and in this case his search was inspired by the Zuma satellite, a secret US government payload that was reportedly lost on its way to space. Most accounts have suggested that Zuma failed to make it to orbit, but the secrecy of the mission (we've got no clear idea what Zuma even was) means that everything about its fate is unclear. Tilley could either find a hint that Zuma is up there—or stumble across some other hardware put into space by other countries.

Given the clear indication of a radio signal, Tilley matched its orbit to a NASA satellite called IMAGE. IMAGE was launched back in 2000 with a mission of studying Earth's magnetosphere. Over five years of operation, it created a three-dimensional map of the charged particles that move along Earth's magnetic field lines. But contact was lost in 2005, and NASA eventually attributed that to a one-time event in the power system that the satellite wasn't designed to recover from.

But the accident review noted that IMAGE's orbit sporadically left it in Earth's shadow, which would reset the power system as the craft's solar panels went dark. The next expected event of the sort was in 2007, but if anyone at NASA tried to contact the probe after that, nobody seems to be aware of that effort now. Since we already knew IMAGE existed, however, Tilley put his re-discovery aside for a bit. But as he switched to other frequencies, he found that IMAGE was actively transmitting data. (1/26)

Former Astronaut Nominated to Run U.S. Geological Survey (Source: Space News)
The White House announced Jan. 26 that it will nominate former NASA astronaut James Reilly to be the next director of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Reilly, if confirmed, will lead an agency whose responsibilities include the Landsat series of Earth science satellites, but one that is also facing significant budget cuts from the administration. Reilly joined NASA’s astronaut corps in 1994 after working for more than a decade as an oil and gas exploration geologist for Enserch Exploration Inc. He has three degrees in geosciences, including a doctorate, from the University of Texas Dallas. (1/27)

NASA Reports Problem with Newly Installed Robotic Arm ‘Hand’ (Source: SpaceFlight Insider)
Just days after installing a new grapple fixture on the International Space Station’s robotic Canadarm2, NASA is working on a plan to re-install the old latching end effector (LEE) on an upcoming spacewalk after a problem was found with the new mechanism.

U.S. EVA-28 was already planned for Monday, Jan. 29, 2018, less than a week after the previous spacewalk installed the new LEE. Now with an issue NASA says is preventing the grapple fixture from “transitioning to an operational state on one of two redundant sets of communications strings,” the space agency will send two astronauts outside to undo the work done on U.S. EVA-27. (1/27)

Foreign Governments are Approaching French Satellites in Orbit, says French Space Commander (Source: C4ISRnet)
France’s joint space commander has told lawmakers that the country’s satellites in orbit have been approached for inspection by foreign governments. “Apart from development of directed-energy weapons capable of degrading the performance of our capabilities, the mastery of technology for rendezvous in space allows the close approach of space assets of other countries in full orbit,” Air Force Gen. Jean-Pascal Breton said. “Several of our satellites have have been approached in this way by objects of satellite-inspection class.” He did not identify specific countries, but did say the inspections were conducted by “sovereign nations” capable of undertaking these actions. (1/26)

DoD Jams GPS in Western States for Joint Exercise (Source: C4ISRnet)
The Defense Department is experimenting with how to perform combat operations in GPS-denied environments as part of a series of war games that started Friday, The Drive reported. The games will be held on the outskirts of Las Vegas at Nellis Air Force Base. Known as Red Flag exercises, the joint exercise will test the ability of pilots from the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Royal Australian Air Force and U.K. Royal Air Force to operate in the age of electronic warfare. (1/26)

America’s Critical Dependence on Satellite-Based Services – and the Regulatory Threats They Face (Source: Space News)
The American public’s dependence on signals from GOES satellites does not go away once a hurricane has come ashore and dissipated. After Hurricane Harvey, Federal and Texas officials used GOES-relayed data for many days to determine when to release water from overflowing Houston-area reservoirs.

GPS applications are not limited to these emergency situations. Farmers now use high-precision GPS guidance in all phases of food production, from planting, through harvest. These innovations have dramatically increased crop yields while greatly reducing the use of fertilizer and herbicides. These precision GPS techniques have revolutionized farming, with great benefits to farmers, consumers, and the environment.

Unfortunately, reliable access to the satellite signals from GPS and GOES satellites are now jeopardized by increasing demands for radio spectrum for terrestrial wireless systems, including the ubiquitous cell towers that will provide the next iteration of services. Commercial interests have requested to share the spectrum bands in or near these critical functions. (1/26)

Falcon Heavy Rocket May Mean Big Savings for DoD (Source: C4ISRnet)
SpaceX’s successful static firing of its Falcon Heavy rocket Wednesday in preparation for the rocket’s expected maiden flight next month is important for the Department of Defense and the intelligence community. Why? It could lead to big savings. Today, United Launch Alliance, a joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Boeing, has a tight grip on government contracts for the largest military payloads. ULA’s Delta IV rocket is the only certified provider for those missions, often used to lift classified satellites.

A successful Falcon Heavy launch — and subsequent certification from the Air Force — would change the landscape of the industry, and require the Air Force and intelligence agencies such as the National Reconnaissance Office to reevaluate their acquisition plans. Falcon Heavy can deliver payloads up to 64,000 kilograms to low Earth orbit. By comparison, ULA’s Delta IV Heavy rocket maxes out at payloads weighing 28,370 kilograms.

Total launch costs are tricky to navigate and difficult to accurately pin down, but according to an August 2017 Government Accountability Office report, the cost of a Delta IV launch ranges between $164 and $400 million. Other reporting has shown that the Air Force has paid upwards of $435 million per launch. Compared to the GAO’s estimated $90 to $270 million cost per launch of the Falcon Heavy. (1/26)

NZ Spaceport's Impact on Access to Mahia Peninsula Not Upsetting Locals - Yet (Source: NZ Herald)
Despite some teething problems, locals appear to be on board with areas around Mahia Peninsula being off-access during Rocket Lab's launches. Before Rocket Lab launches exclusion zones are put into effect around the Mahia Peninsula launch site - on land, air, and sea.

This means certain roads are closed for public access, restrictions are put on the airspace around the launch site, and boats are prohibited from entering the marine space around the peninsula. These zones are only active in the hours preceding a launch. "Initially I guess we were a little unsure how it was going to work when they rolled their plans out, but actually being down there last weekend when they launched I thought it was very well run," Mahia boating and fishing club secretary Jarred Moroney said. (1/27)

Florida Port Sets Out Spaceport Plans (Source: Port Technology)
Port of Canaveral's ‘30 Year Strategic Vision Plan’, which focuses on opportunities across seven core business areas, places a particular focus on opportunities presented by the resurgence and growth of the space industry in the region. The development would make it the first US east coast seaport to have a spaceport component. According to The Plan, this makes the port “a critical component”, and as important as the launch pads at Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

The Plan stated: “Thus, it is imperative that the port has the capability to support the needs of this strategic industry which is so vital to Florida and the nation.” The Plan has allocated the western end of the port for further spaceport operations and projects that it may see more demand for land on the north side than what is available. The deep-water seaport is Florida’s third largest by operating revenue, with a throughput of 5.5 million tonnes of cargo annually.  (1/26)

Following Orbital ATK Acquisition, Northrop to Name New Unit Innovation Systems (Source: Inside Defense)
Northrop Grumman said this week it will create a new sector known as Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems once it closes the acquisition of Orbital ATK. Speaking to analysts Thursday, Kathy Warden, Northrop's president and chief operating officer, said she expects the deal to close in the first half of this year. The Federal Trade Commission is reviewing the transaction in consultation with the Pentagon, she added. (1/26)

Boeing Satellite Workers Keeping Busy With Commercial Orders While Awaiting Defense Work (Source: Space News)
Boeing is striving to keep a core of 4,000 to 4,500 workers busy at its El Segundo, California, satellite manufacturing plant to prevent losing highly experienced workers during a slow down in commercial and government satellite orders.

Marc Johansen, Boeing Government Operation’s vice president of satellites and intelligence programs, said the company’s resurgence in the commercial sector has helped keep Boeing workers busy while it waits out U.S. Defense Department decisions on next-generation military satellites. (1/26)

Jury Awards Intuitive Machines $4.1 Million in Cash and Moon Express Equity (Source: Space News)
Intuitive Machines LLC has won a $4.1 million verdict from a federal court jury in a dispute regarding work it was doing on software and a return vehicle for Moon Express. In a Jan. 12 verdict, a U.S. District Court jury in Delaware awarded $4.1 million in cash and equity in Moon Express Inc. to Intuitive Machines LLC, the Houston-based company hired by Moon Express to write flight software and develop a terrestrial return vehicle for its commercial lunar transportation business.

Moon Express, based at Florida’s Cape Canaveral Spaceport, filed suit in May 2016 against Intuitive Machines alleging the company failed to complete work on flight software for a spacecraft and lunar lander. The suit also claimed Intuitive Machines failed to follow through on contractual obligations to design, develop, test and manufacture its Terrestrial Return Vehicle and transfer intellectual property associated with the vehicle to Moon Express.

Moon Express planned to use the software for its series of commercial lunar lander missions. The company was a finalist in the Google Lunar X Prize competition, which the X Prize Foundation announced Jan. 23 would end in March without a winner. Moon Express will continue development of its spacecraft for other customers. Intuitive Machines filed a counter-claim, contending it fulfilled its contractual obligations and halted work because Moon Express failed to make agreed-upon payments. Intuitive Machines further claimed that Moon Express’s failure to pay harmed its business. (1/26)

Italy Must Think of Partnership with France for Space (Source: Reuters)
Italy needs to start thinking of a partnership in the space industry with France after the two countries have joined forces over the naval sector, Industry Minister Carlo Calenda said on Friday. “We now must think of a partnership in the space sector. We must do so with attention, as it is (an industry with) sensitive companies, but we must face the challenge,” Calenda said at a conference in Rome organized by Italian companies’ association Confindustria and its French peer Medef. (1/26)

There’s a New Definition for the Term “Planet” (Source: Sky & Telescope)
Few astronomy terms are more divisive than the word “planet.” Although Pluto’s demotion in 2006 has long held the spotlight in the continuing — dare I say, raging — scientific debate, there are other larger worlds at stake. Indeed, scientists have long wondered just how massive a planet can be before it’s no longer considered a planet.

In a paper recently published in The Astrophysical Journal, Kevin Schlaufman (Johns Hopkins University) has set the upper boundary of a planet between 4 and 10 times the mass of the planet Jupiter. Any more massive object is not a planet at all, but a brown dwarf — a so-called “failed star.” Although the results won’t reclassify any planets within our own solar system, they do have sweeping implications for how giant exoplanets and brown dwarfs form. Click here. (1/26) 

Jupiter Moon Europa's Possibly Porous Surface Could Doom a Lander (Source: Space.com)
Putting a lander down on Jupiter's potentially life-supporting moon Europa could be even trickier than engineers had thought. Europa's surface may be extremely porous, so any probe that touches down there might run the risk of sinking into a sort of extraterrestrial quicksand, a new study suggests.

In the lab, study team members measured the reflectance properties of various configurations of aluminum oxide powder — a good analog, they said, for the material on the surface of bright, airless bodies such as Europa, which harbors an ocean of liquid water beneath its icy shell. (1/26)

UCF-Led Science Mission Survives Ariane 5 Launch Scare (Source: Florida Today)
A University of Central Florida team of scientists and engineers breathed a sigh of relief after a NASA-funded mission they are leading survived trouble during Thursday’s launch on an Ariane 5 rocket. The $55 million GOLD mission — short for Global-scale Observations of the Limb and Disk — is NASA’s first flying as a “hosted payload,” where an instrument occupies space on a commercial satellite with an unrelated mission rather than using a dedicated NASA spacecraft. That arrangement saves money. (1/26)

US Exit From ISS Could Open Doors for Commercial Space (Source: Space News)
The draft budget proposal states that the end of federal government support for ISS operations would be tied to “transitioning to commercial provision of low Earth orbit (LEO) capabilities.” The document doesn’t elaborate on what those would entail, but would open the door to NASA making use, through leases or other arrangements, of proposed future space stations.

Several companies, including Axiom Space, Bigelow Aerospace and NanoRacks have proposed developing commercial stations, in some cases starting with commercial modules on the ISS. It’s not clear yet if this proposal would accommodate commercial modules as part of any transition. (1/26)

NASA Leadership Selection Gets Highly Political for First Time (Source: Slate)
Donald Trump’s nominee for NASA administrator was approved by a Senate committee last week, on a 14–13 vote. The result, split entirely down party lines, with Senate Republicans voting in favor, gives the new nominee—-Jim Bridenstine, a Republican U.S. representative for Oklahoma’s 1st District—-the distinction of being the most politically polarized NASA leader in the typically nonpartisan agency’s history.

The partisan division exhibited in each of these votes is extremely unusual for the NASA administrator position, and it’s why we’re hitting the longest patch ever for NASA to go without a permanent director. Charles Bolden, the head of NASA under President Obama, was confirmed on a unanimous vote. So was his predecessor, Michael Griffin, for George W. Bush. Daniel Goldin, NASA administrator from April 1992 to November 2001, worked under both Bush administrations as well as during the entirety of Bill Clinton’s two terms in office.

Pretty much every NASA administrator has been nominated and confirmed to bipartisan acquiescence and very little fanfare, much less controversy. It’s supposed to be a quick, boring process. So what’s the holdup this time around? One reason is that if confirmed, Bridenstine would be the first congressman to lead NASA. (1/25)

Russia’s Proton Rocket Falls on Hard Times (Source: Ars Technica)
The Proton rocket, Russia’s primary commercial launch vehicle, faces a life-and-death struggle to remain a competitive player on the international launch market, industry sources say. The veteran Soviet space rocket has spent nearly a quarter of a century as the vehicle of choice for operators of communications satellites all over the world. But it has fallen to near-irrelevance in just a matter of two years.

After reaching a peak of 12 launches in 2010, the Proton is now staring at a real possibility of flying just a couple of missions this year and not delivering a single commercial payload. What could cause Proton’s dramatic fall from grace? It looks like a convergence of multiple factors has created a perfect storm for the Russian workhorse rocket. Click here. (1/26)