February 28, 2018

Stratolaunch Aircraft Edges Closer to First Flight (Source: Space News)
The giant aircraft being developed by Stratolaunch as part of an air-launch system is one step closer to its first flight after a new series of taxi tests. The company said Feb. 26 that it performed a series of medium-speed taxi tests of its aircraft Feb. 24 and 25 at the Mojave Air and Space Port in California. The aircraft reach a top speed of 74 kilometers per hour in the tests.

“The primary purpose of the activity was to evaluate updates made to the steering and primary braking systems. We are excited to report all objectives of this test were achieved,” company spokesperson Alex Moji said in a Feb. 26 email. “The data collected will be used to evaluate and update our flight simulator for crew training.”

Stratolaunch, funded by billionaire Paul Allen, developed the plane as an air-launch platform. When originally announced in late 2011, the plane was to carry a modified version of a Falcon 9 rocket from SpaceX. The company later switched to a medium-class rocket developed by Orbital ATK, only to set those plans aside a few years later. The company now plans to initially use the aircraft to carry Orbital ATK’s Pegasus XL rocket, with the ability to host three such rockets on a single flight. (2/27)

Blue Origin Isn't Interested in a Race with SpaceX (Source: Engadget)
The idea of rocket billionaires like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos working day and night to outdo one another in some spectacle of bravado may sound appealing; it would certainly have entertainment value. But a space race isn't necessarily, in and of itself, a good thing. After all, it's why we've been stuck in low Earth orbit for going on five decades.

The problem with a race is that the end goal is winning. But, SpaceX's founder Elon Musk has made clear that he's interested in igniting another competition. "We want a new space race," he said during the press conference that followed the successful launch of the Falcon Heavy rocket. "Space races are exciting."

But a problem arises when the space race becomes the singular goal. When the emphasis is on building something bigger because you can, to prove that you could do it first, it can make for a difficult environment. Competition can be good and healthy, but it also can diminish values of exploration, collaboration and scientific knowledge. (2/28)

Astronomers Glimpse Cosmic Dawn (Source: AZ Central)
For the first time, astronomers have glimpsed the dawn of the universe 13.6 billion years ago when the earliest stars were just beginning to glow after the Big Bang. And if that's not enough, they may have detected mysterious dark matter at work, too.

The glimpse consisted of a faint radio signal from deep space, picked up by an antenna that is slightly bigger than a refrigerator and costs less than $5 million but in certain ways can go back much farther in time and distance than the celebrated, multibillion-dollar Hubble Space Telescope. The signal came from the very first objects in the universe as it was emerging out of darkness 180 million years after the Big Bang.

The signal showed unexpectedly cold temperatures and an unusually pronounced wave. When astronomers tried to figure out why, the best explanation was that elusive dark matter may have been at work. If verified, that would be the first confirmation of its kind of dark matter, which is a substantial part of the universe that scientists have been searching for over decades. (2/28)

Head of FAA Commercial Space Office to Retire (Source: Space News)
The head of the FAA’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation will retire in March after nearly a decade in the job. George Nield confirmed in an interview during the 45th Space Congress in Florida that he plans to retire from the FAA at the end of March. Nield didn’t give a specific reason for retiring now, other than that he felt this was a good time to do so. He added he planned to remain involved with the industry and would continue to serve on NASA’s Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel.

Nield joined the FAA’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation, also known by the designation AST, in 2003 as deputy associate administrator. He was named associate administrator in May 2008 after the retirement of Patti Grace Smith. Nield earlier in his career worked for Orbital Sciences Corporation, NASA and the U.S. Air Force. AST licenses launches and spaceports and also has a mandate to encourage, facilitate and promote the U.S. commercial launch industry.

Editor's Note: Starting a rumor here: Dr. Nield is talking to realtors in Florida. But seriously, his departure might signal some dissatisfaction after the National Space Council announced new empowerment for the Department of Commerce, while largely ignoring changes being considered for the FAA and USDOT. (2/27)

China Test Fires YF-77 Rocket Engine Ahead of Return-To-Flight of Long March 5 (Source: GB Times)
China has successfully performed a hot-fire test of the engine for the core of the Long March 5, the country's largest launch vehicle, ahead of a return-to-flight and a range of subsequent major upcoming missions. The test of the YF-77 rocket engine took place in a ravine near Xi'an in Shaanxi Province at a site belonging to the Academy of Aerospace Propulsion Technology (AAPT), an institute under CASC, the main contractor for the Chinese space program. (2/28)

NASA Cranks Space Launch System Engine Test Up To 11 (Source: Orlando Sentinel)
When NASA’s Space Launch System rocket finally lifts off from Kennedy Space Center, the blast is going to be big. The latest test of one of the engines set to power the first humans into deep space since 1972 got to show just how big in a test Wednesday at Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. In its third engine test of the year, NASA boosted up an RS-25 engine to 113 percent capacity for 50 seconds of a 260-second test on the A-1 Test Stand, where all of the RS-25 engines have been letting it rip. (2/22)

Space Florida Announces Space Transportation Call for Projects (Source: Space Florida)
Space Florida has announced its Call for Projects to solicit proposals to continue the development of space transportation infrastructure that supports Space Florida's legislative intent and Florida spaceport territory master plans. Each year, Space Florida issues this Call for Projects to allow the aerospace industry the opportunity to submit projects for consideration into the subsequent year's Work Program and Spaceport Improvement Program.

This year, Space Florida will be accepting Space Transportation Infrastructure Matching Fund applications for fiscal years (FY) 2020 to 2025. Applications for FY20-25, as well as updates to previously submitted FY19 projects are due Monday, April 16, 2018. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis for future fiscal years. Applications and additional information can be found at http://www.spaceflorida.gov/page/call-for-projects. This application is mandatory before Space Florida can prioritize candidate projects for available funding. (2/20)

Musk Dares to Go Where Others Failed With Space-Based Web (Source: Bloomberg)
Billions of dollars have vanished in the quest to provide internet service from low-earth orbit. Globalstar Inc. and Iridium Communications Inc. crashed into bankruptcy but are still at it, while another effort folded despite backing from Bill Gates, Boeing and others. That record hasn’t deterred almost two dozen ventures from raising money in an effort to reach broadband users, including many who are out of easy range of traditional mobile services.

“Nothing has changed except the level of hysteria and the level of unrealistic expectations,” said analyst Roger Rusch. SpaceX, OneWeb, Boeing, and Telesat are among the companies that have asked the FCC for permission to offer broadband service using satellites.

The technical challenges are daunting. Low-earth orbit systems need complex software to run constellations of satellites, and sophisticated antennas on the ground to aim at spacecraft zooming from horizon to horizon. Costs quickly overwhelm savings from building smaller gear, Rusch said. Click here. (2/28)

James Webb Telescope Snags, Further Launch Delays Likely (Source: Ars Technica)
A new report on the James Webb Space Telescope has found that ongoing technical issues with final testing and assembly of the $8.8 billion project will probably cause the launch date of the oft-delayed instrument to slip again to the right. Presently, NASA is targeting June 2019 for launch aboard an Ariane 5 rocket.

The US Government Accountability Office published the report on Wednesday. It concluded, "Given several ongoing technical issues, and the work remaining to test the spacecraft element and complete integration of the telescope and spacecraft, combined with continuing slower-than-planned work at Northrop Grumman, we believe that the rescheduled launch window is likely unachievable."

The report catalogs a number of issues that Northrop Grumman has dealt with during the integration process, particularly the technical challenges and workforce issues needed to meet them. For example, the report cites a worrying problem that cropped up during one of the tests to deploy the telescope's essential sunshield—one of its six membrane tensioning systems experienced a potentially crippling "snag." (2/28)

A Nuclear Powered Supersonic Airliner (Source: Daily Mail)
These eye-opening designs propose a future of flight that is both supersonic and eco-friendly. The spaceship-like plans for the HSP 'Magnavem' feature a streamlined ship capable of reaching a top speed of Mach 1.5. According to designer Oscar Vinals, the craft, which he hopes will revolutionize the aeronautic industry, will run primarily on a compact fusion reactor (CFR). Click here. (2/28)

Senators Nelson & Cruz Press Administration for ISS Transition Plan (Source: Space News)
Two senators who have previously expressed opposition to a proposal to end NASA funding of the International Space Station in 2025 have sent letters to NASA and the White House asking for details about an overdue ISS transition report. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Bill Nelson (D-FL) released letters they sent one week earlier to Robert Lightfoot, acting administrator of NASA, and OMB Director Mick Mulvaney asking for the status of a report on the future of the ISS mandated by the NASA Transition Authorization Act of 2017.

The act required NASA to deliver that report by the beginning of December 2017. However, Cruz and Nelson noted in their letters that NASA has yet to provide that report to Congress. In the letter to Lightfoot, the senators asked for the date that report would be completed, all preliminary drafts of the report, and a list of those who have been consulted in development of the report. (2/28)

Tesla in Space Carries Bacteria From Earth (Source: Purdue University)
A red Tesla convertible hitched a ride to space with a SpaceX rocket in early February, bringing with it what may be the largest load of earthly bacteria to ever enter space. NASA’s Office of Planetary Protection makes sure spacecraft planning to land on other planets are sterile. Much like an invasive species, organisms from Earth could thrive on another planet and wipe out native organisms. After all, it was bacteria that stopped the Martian invasion in H. G. Wells’ fictional “War of the Worlds.”

“If there is an indigenous Mars biota, it’s at risk of being contaminated by terrestrial life,” said Jay Melosh, a professor of earth, atmospheric and planetary sciences at Purdue University. “Would Earth’s organisms be better adapted, take over Mars and contaminate it so we don’t know what indigenous Mars was like, or would they be not as well adapted as the Martian organisms? We don’t know.” (2/27)

Moon to Get First Mobile Phone Network (Source: Reuters)
The moon will get its first mobile phone network next year, enabling high-definition streaming from the lunar landscape back to earth, part of a project to back the first privately funded moon mission. Vodafone Germany, network equipment maker Nokia and carmaker Audi said they were working together to support the mission, 50 years after the first NASA astronauts walked on the moon.

Vodafone said it had appointed Nokia as its technology partner to develop a space-grade network which would be a small piece of hardware weighing less than a bag of sugar. The companies are working with Berlin-based company PTScientists on the project, with a launch scheduled in 2019 from Cape Canaveral on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, Vodafone said. (2/27)

What Was a SpaceX Crew Dragon Doing in Port Canaveral? (Source: SpaceFlight Insider)
It appears a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft had come to Port Canaveral. Affixed to the back of Go Searcher vessel that had arrived in port on Saturday, Feb. 24. The “capsule” appeared to sport the side-mounted SuperDraco thrusters – but what was it really? NASA and U.S. Air Force parajumpers and other pararescue personnel need to learn the ins and outs of the new Crew Dragon spacecraft prior to the capsule’s first flight, which now looks to take place sometime in 2019.

During past exercises, SpaceX, NASA and Air Force personnel have used the Crew Dragon Trainer so as to help them when the time comes to get astronauts out of the spacecraft after a mission to the International Space Station. In 2017, the trainer was put through its paces at the Indian River Lagoon near NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida so as to allow U.S. Air Force pararescue personnel and others to learn techniques for getting aboard the spacecraft and assisting the astronauts on board. (2/27)

U.S., Brazil Should Act Now to Forge a Partnership in Space (Source: Space News)
On Dec. 15, 2017, the CompTIA Space Enterprise Council delegation composed of U.S. space executives stepped onto the sun-baked tarmac of the Alcântara Launch Center and entered Brazilian Air Force holy ground, the world’s best launch site for equatorial orbit. We were the first group of foreign executives admitted to the site, and our presence was an honor and a symbol of Brazil’s interest in the United States as a partner.

The day of our arrival marked exactly 52 years since NASA collaborated with Brazil to launch its first sounding rocket, a Nike Apache. And our mission, in a sense, was to help complete their unfinished work: to forge a partnership in space for the greater prosperity and security of both our nations.

A U.S. partnership with Brazil would give both countries an edge in this race. Brazil has a prime launch site at Alcântara which is only 2 degrees south of the equator. Launches from Brazil take advantage of the increased rotational velocity of the earth for an “extra push” into equatorial orbits, translating to about a 30 percent increase in the amount of payload a rocket can lift as compared to Cape Canaveral. (2/28)

Soyuz Returns ISS Crew to Earth (Source: CBS)
A Soyuz capsule carrying three ISS crew members landed in Kazakhstan Tuesday night. The Soyuz MS-06 landed near Dzhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, on schedule at 9:31 p.m. Eastern, about three and a half hours after it undocked from the station. The spacecraft returned to Earth NASA astronauts Mark Vande Hei and Joe Acaba and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin after spending 168 days in space. (2/28)

Air Force Goal: Two Launches Same Day (Source: Space News)
The U.S. Air Force is interested in being able to support two launches from Cape Canaveral on the same day, but won't attempt to do so this week. SpaceX was reportedly interested in rescheduling a Falcon 9 launch of a communications satellite for just after midnight Thursday, less than 17 hours before the Atlas 5 launch of the GOES-S weather satellite. The 45th Space Wing, which operates the Eastern Range, decided not to back that plan, keeping the Atlas 5 on schedule and deferring a decision on a new Falcon 9 launch date. However, the wing's vice commander said Wednesday that being able to support two launches in 24 hours remains a goal as part of efforts to be able to handle growing launch demand at the Cape. (2/28)

Canadian Space Budget Funds Existing Programs (Source: SpaceQ)
The new Canadian federal budget includes new funding for science programs, but no new space projects. The budget proposal, released Tuesday, includes $3.2 billion (US$2.5 billion) for science programs in general as part of a $6.4 billion "Progress" section, but does not specify any new space initiatives. The budget does call for spending $100 million over five years on a Strategic Innovation Fund "with a particular focus on supporting projects that relate to LEO satellites and next generation rural broadband." (2/28)

Space Coast Launch Services Wins $11.8M Launch Ops Support Work for Air Force (Source: DOD)
Space Coast Launch Services LLC has been awarded an $11,804,549 contract modification to previously awarded contract for launch operations support. This provides for operations, maintenance and engineering support to critical launch, spacecraft and ordnance facilities and support systems owned by the 45th Space Wing. Work will be performed at the Cape Canaveral Spaceport and is expected to be complete by Sep. 30, 2018. (2/28)

Northrop Grumman Acquisition of Orbital ATK Won't Complicate ICBM Replacement Program (Source: Space News)
The ramifications of Northrop Grumman's impending acquisition of Orbital ATK on the development of a next-generation ICBM remain uncertain. Boeing and Northrop Grumman are competing to develop what is known as the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD), a new missile and related systems to replace existing ICBMs. Those two companies expected to compete development of the missile's solid rocket motors between Aerojet Rocketdyne and Orbital ATK, but that may no longer be possible once Orbital becomes part of Northrop. Pentagon officials say they are not concerned about that merger, saying there will continue to be two motor providers but not specifying how they will maintain competition. (2/28)

Midland Approves Effort to Renew FAA Spaceport License (Sources: KWES, SPACErePORT)
Despite a lack of customers, a Texas airport is making plans to renew its FAA spaceport license. The Midland City Council approved a contract Tuesday with consulting company SilverWing Enterprises LLC to work on renewal of the spaceport license for the Midland Air and Space Port. The city received the license, which lasts for five years, in 2014. At that time XCOR Aerospace was planning to use the airport for flights of its Lynx suborbital spaceplane, but the company filed for bankruptcy last year and no other launch vehicle operators have announced plans to use the airport.

The president of Silverwing is Stephen Matier, who also is president and CEO of Maritime Launch Services Ltd, the group working to establish a spaceport in Nova Scotia for Ukrainian-made Cyclone rockets. (2/28)

How to Build a Rocket to Mars (Source: Great Big Story)
In New Orleans’ bayou country, teams of engineers from Boeing are building the rocket that could put the first human on Mars. Working with NASA, these dedicated teams are designing and constructing the world’s largest and most powerful rocket in history, known as NASA’s Space Launch System. Together, Boeing and NASA are uncovering the next great frontier, building a future where humankind goes beyond Earth. Click here. (2/27) 

New Satellites Should Boost 2018 Revenues for Major Operators (Source: Via Satellite)
Viasat, Eutelsat, SES, Intelsat and Iridium Communications have all published their financial results for the last quarter of 2017. Eutelsat’s revenue in the second half of 2017 came up short compared to the same period in 2016 at 696.6 million euros ($856.1 million) — a 7.7 percent decline. Iridium collected $115.5 million in total revenue, an increase of 7 percent compared to Q4 2016.

SES’ fourth quarter results were somewhat underwhelming, with revenue coming in 8.7 percent lower than Q4 2016 at 578.7 million euros ($711.8 million). Viasat was able to drive its year-to-date revenue to a record $1.2 billion. Its fiscal third quarter (ended December 2017) came in just above (1.1 percent) the same period the previous year at $381.8 million. (2/27)

NASA No Longer Seeking to Develop Second Mobile Launcher for SLS (Source: Space News)
NASA is not planning to develop a second mobile launch platform that could shorten the gap between the first two Space Launch System missions as it makes few changes in general to its exploration programs despite a renewed focus on the moon.

The mobile launch platform, originally built for the Constellation Program and currently being modified to support the SLS, will be used for one launch of the initial Block 1 version of the SLS, designated Exploration Mission (EM) 1. That platform will then have to be modified to accommodate the taller Block 1B version that will be used on second and subsequent SLS missions.

Agency officials said late last year they were considering starting work on a second mobile launch platform designed from the beginning to accommodate the Block 1B version of the SLS. They argued that doing so could shorten the gap of at least 33 months between the first and second SLS missions caused in part by the modification work to the existing platform. (2/28)