June 12, 2018

Next Generation Russian Crew Vehicle Enters Initial Testing (Source: NasaSpaceFlight.com)
The Russian Federatsiya project – which is preparing the path for the launch of a new crewed spacecraft – passed a major milestone when it recently entered aerodynamic testing. The tests involved a model of the future spaceship and its Launch Abort System (LAS) fitted with numerous pressure sensors. Another milestone was achieved when work on the interior of the spacecraft was conducted, as noted by Roscosmos in recent days.

The development path for this new spacecraft – which is also referenced as “Federation” in its English translation – began in February 2009, when Roscosmos issued a solicitation for a spaceship intended for Lunar manned missions. They called it PPTS (Prospective Piloted Transport System), which was also known as the Future Manned Transportation System.

Two companies participated in the tender: GKNPTs Khrunichev, the builder of the Proton launcher, and RKK Energiya, which has provided Soyuz spaceships for almost fifty years. RKK Energiya’s proposal, called Manned Transportation Spaceship of New Generation, or PTK NP, was eventually selected just two months later, in April 2009. Click here. (6/12)

SpaceX Ponders Hypersonic Decelerator For Second-Stage Recovery (Source: Aviation Week)
As SpaceX makes progress toward what it hopes will be the successful recovery of the spent payload fairings of its Falcon 9 rockets for reuse on future missions, the company is also studying the use of inflatable aerodynamic decelerators as part of more ambitious reuse plans for the vehicle’s upper stage. Recovery of the upper stage, however, poses greater challenges than either the booster or the fairings because of its greater reentry velocity, relatively large mass and inherent instability.

SpaceX currently deorbits the upper stage into the South Pacific through a retroburn of the engine. However, the upper stage also "tumbles" during reentry, normally resulting in the breakup of the structure in the upper atmosphere. To stabilize the second stage and reduce its ballistic coefficient during reentry, SpaceX is therefore looking at several options—including a hypersonic inflatable aerodynamic decelerator (HIAD), a deployable, inflatable aeroshell with a built-in flexible thermal protection system able to protect the entry vehicle through atmospheric entry.

The concept, based on the idea of a packable heat shield, has been tested in recent years by NASA. Musk hinted that the company was evaluating atmospheric decelerators in mid-April when he tweeted, “This is gonna sound crazy, but . . . SpaceX will try to bring rocket upper stage back from orbital velocity using a giant party balloon.” Following a stabilized reentry behind the protection of the aeroshell, the second stage would then likely deploy airbags and a steerable parafoil, to be recovered by a vessel positioned downrange. In further comments on social media, Musk adds that SpaceX would “need to retarget [reentry burn] closer to shore and position a catcher ship like Mr. Steven.” (6/9)

Senate Bill Restores Funding for NASA Science and Technology Demonstration Missions (Source: Space News)
A fiscal year 2019 spending bill approved by a Senate appropriations subcommittee June 12 offers $21.3 billion for NASA, including funding for several missions slated for cancellation in the administration’s budget request. The bill, approved unanimously by members of the commerce, justice and science (CJS) subcommittee during a brief markup session, provides the agency with more than $1.4 billion above the administration’s request for fiscal year 2019 and $587 million above what the agency received in the fiscal year 2018 omnibus spending bill.

However, it is about $220 million below what the House version of the bill offers the agency. The bill offers $6.4 billion for NASA science programs, including $1.9 billion for Earth science, the same as the House bill and $200 million above the administration’s request. The bill specifically funds four NASA Earth science programs — the PACE spacecraft, CLARREO-Pathfinder and Orbiting Carbon Observatory-3 instruments and the Earth-imaging cameras on the DSCOVR spacecraft — targeted for cancellation in the budget request. (6/12)

Angola Eyes New Satellite as African Space Race Accelerates (Source: Space News)
While Angola’s first telecom satellite, Angosat-1, failed not long after reaching orbit late last year, the sub-Saharan African nation will get a second shot at satellite ownership with the planned 2020 launch of Angosat-2. Meanwhile, as the space race intensifies across the continent, a number of African countries, including Ghana, Morocco and Algeria, are developing their respective space programs, and local observers say that the African Union could bolster these efforts and act as a platform for international space cooperation. (6/12)

Port Canaveral Projects Receive Priority Funding by Army Corps (Source: Rep. Bill Posey)
The Army Corps of Engineers announced that several important projects to Florida’s Space Coast will be made a priority and receive the funding they need to continue construction efforts. Among the projects included in the Army Corps FY2018 Work Plan are the Canaveral Harbor Sand Bypass and the Mid Reach beach re-nourishment efforts.

“Port Canaveral is a critical economic asset for Central Florida. Ensuring access to our waterways and safe transit of cruise and cargo vessels are vital to this region’s economy,” said Capt. John Murray, Port CEO. “We have a long-standing partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and are grateful to Congressman Posey for his efforts to ensure projects that are important to our operations received priority funding.”

In total $16 million was included in the Army Corps of Engineers work plan for the Canaveral Harbor Sand Bypass project while $28.375 million for the Brevard County Mid Reach beach re-nourishment. Congressman Posey worked with the Army Corps to get these projects included in their work plan. (6/12)

Space Sector: Lack of Action from Welsh Ministers, Warns Expert (Source: BBC)
The Welsh Government "just hasn't done anything" in Wales' space sector, according to a UK space expert. Dr Bleddyn Bowen, from the University of Leicester, called space a serious sector "we ignore at our peril." He wants Welsh ministers to set up grants to stimulate research for innovation in the Welsh space sector. The Welsh Government said it was involved in academic centres of excellence supporting the development of businesses within the sector.

Space technology can be used in space for exploration missions and on earth for unmanned aerospace and satellite technology for telecommunications, weather and environmental analysis. It is an area of policy reserved to Westminster but the Welsh Government can support Wales' space academia and industry, working with the UK Space Agency, which also coordinates British activity through the European Space Agency. (6/11)

An Open Letter to NASA’s Administrator: Let’s Beckon the Future Together (Source: Space News)
On behalf of the 65 industry members and Board of Directors of the Coalition for Deep Space Exploration, I would like to extend our congratulations at the start of your tenure as NASA administrator. The NASA exploration and science programs our members support contribute to the economy in all 50 states — leading to manufacturing, engineering and testing in communities across the country that otherwise might not have the opportunity to contribute to the space program. Click here. (6/1)

PLD Space Raises Additional $10 Million for Reusable Smallsat Launchers (Source: Space News)
Spanish startup PLD Space raised 9 million euros ($10.6 million) last month from public and private investors to develop a pair of reusable launch vehicles. PLD Space said June 11 that the funding provides the momentum needed to start building the first two Arion 1 suborbital rockets, designed to carry up to 100 kilograms each, for launches in the second half of 2019. Private investors count for 7.1 million euros of the most recent round, with the remaining 1.9 million euros coming from public sources. (6/11)