June 20, 2018

Muncy: Trump’s Space Force the Right Answer (Source: Verdict)
James Muncy, founder of space policy consultancy PoliSpace and previous White House Office of Science and Technology policy adviser said the US Air Force isn’t the best “home” for improving US military space capabilities. “A lot of options have been talked about,” said Muncy. “The President has chosen a separate space force. That’s the right answer in the long term, and probably it forces the fastest change on the Pentagon bureaucracy.”

While space purists firmly believe that space should remain free of military presence, Muncy points out that the militarisation of space is nothing new. “Astronauts were military officers,” he said. “Intercontinental ballistic missiles travel through space. Bad space actors could cause real problems for private companies.”

Military operations in outer space currently fall under the remit of the US Air Force, and critics of Trump’s plan have pointed out that this is an adequate arrangement. However, Muncy believes that a separate space force is “an improved way of organizing what the US government already does... It’s not a revolutionary change in what we are doing in space, but it may lead to breakthroughs in how we use space militarily,” he said. (6/20)

Hadfield: Humanity Should Settle On The Moon Ahead Of Going To Mars (Source: Inquisitr)
Retired astronaut Chris Hadfield believes that living on the moon is not as far-fetched as it sounds. The Canadian spaceman argues that going on the moon is our “next logical step” before attempting to send astronauts to Mars. “The moon is now within our grasp. Not just to explore but actually to settle,” writes Hadfield, noting that it would be a lot easier to establish a colony on the moon than on the much more distant Red Planet.

While humanity is gearing up for our first manned exploration mission to Mars, the retired astronaut believes we should pause to consider a lunar colony instead. Hadfield makes his case by showing that the moon is just three days away from Earth — by comparison, it takes more than 200 days to get to Mars — which makes is a somewhat safer destination for space travel. In addition, a close proximity to home would make it easier for humans to build a safe environment for a future colony to thrive in because it would be less complicated to ship out technology and science equipment to the moon.

As Hadfield explains, the latest exploits of private space companies, such as Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin, have given the public a new perspective on space exploration and particularly on going to Mars. Hadfield points out that getting the private sector involved in our efforts to expand our horizons and search for new habitations “is healthy, normal and the right thing to do,” as having more options is bound to increase our chances of success. (6/17)

NanoRacks Deploys Largest Satellite From International Space Station To Date (Source: NanoRacks)
NanoRacks successfully deployed the RemoveDEBRIS satellite from the International Space Station via the Company’s commercially developed Kaber Microsatellite Deployer (Kaber). This is the third major microsatellite deployment for NanoRacks, and the largest satellite to ever be deployed from the International Space Station. RemoveDEBRIS, one of the world’s first attempts to address the build-up of dangerous space debris orbiting Earth, was launched to the Space Station via NanoRacks on the 14th SpaceX Commercial Resupply Mission in early April.

The satellite was designed, built and manufactured by a consortium of leading space companies and research institutions, led by the Surrey Space Centre at the University of Surrey and funded in part by the European Union Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement #607099. The consortium consists of: Airbus, Ariane Group (France); Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (United Kingdom); Innovative Solutions In Space (Netherlands); CSEM (Switzerland); Inria (France); and Stellenbosch University (South Africa). (6/20)

How SpaceX's 67-Acre Complex May Help Resolve Orlando Area's Tech Talent Shortage (Source: Orlando Business Journal)
SpaceX's new "Operations Area" at the Cape Canaveral Spaceport will support the growing Falcon-9 and Falcon Heavy schedules. The firm also will refurbish Area 59 at the spaceport for Dragon crew capsule processing. The project may help make Central Florida a hub for tech talent, experts said. SpaceX is at the top spot on Hired.com's list of Top Global Employer Brands.

That's a big plus for the region, considering the high-tech talent shortage is a major concern. "If you want to work in information technology, the place to go is Silicon Valley." said Space Florida's Dale Ketcham. "The same can now be said about Florida's space industry." Several space companies now have a presence on the Space Coast: ULA, Orbital ATK / Northrop Grumman, Blue Origin, OneWeb, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, etc.

The Sunshine State is also investing into beefing up local colleges' programs in these fields, including a $3.7 million "Job Growth" grant for Eastern Florida State College and Daytona State College. EFSC will use $2.5 million to buy high-tech equipment and support apprenticeships in the aerospace industry. The new apprenticeships program will start in January, allowing students to work part-time while earning credits and certifications that will lead to full-time employment after they graduate. (6/15)

Kelly Dismisses Space Force (Source: Business Insider)
A former NASA astronaut publicly dismissed the idea of establishing a Space Force. "This is a dumb idea. The Air Force does this already. That is their job," said Mark Kelly in a tweet after President Trump said Monday that he was directing the Pentagon to create the Space Force. "What's next, we move submarines to the 7th branch and call it the 'under-the-sea force?'" The proposal to establish the Space Force would require action by Congress, and some members, like Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL), said they were also opposed to the idea. (6/19)

China Works Through UN Toward Space Partnerships (Source: Xinhua)
China is working to increase its cooperation with the UN's space office. Chinese efforts, such as offering other nations access to its future space station, won praise from Simonetta Di Pippo, head of the UN Office of Outer Space Affairs, this week at the UNISPACE+50 meeting in Vienna. Her office signed an agreement with China to cooperate on the "Belt and Road Space Information Corridor," a Chinese effort to to use space technology and related applications in Eurasian countries between China and Europe. (6/20)

Apollo Moon Rock Rediscovered in Cambodia Debuts on Display (Source: CollectSpace)
A small moon rock gifted to Cambodia by the United States amid the Vietnam War has resurfaced after being all but lost to time and strife. Officials representing the National Museum of Cambodia in Phnom Penh and the U.S. Embassy in Cambodia unveiled the museum's display of the "goodwill" moon rock on Monday, following an extensive effort to determine its origin.

"Last fall, the National Museum approached the U.S. Embassy to investigate the background of this unique artifact," said Michael Newbill, Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy. "The history and background remained a mystery until after six months of research with NASA, the U.S. National Archives, the U.S. Library of Congress, the Cambodian National Library and Archives and the Center for Khmer Studies library." (6/20)

Virgin Orbit ready LauncherOne Rocket for Maiden Flight (Source: NasaSpaceFlight.com)
Virgin Orbit is just months away from the first launch of its LauncherOne rocket. The company is currently undergoing an extensive test campaign to ensure that the vehicle will function correctly on its maiden flight. One major hurdle remaining in the test campaign is a captive carry test. This milestone will see Cosmic Girl carry a LauncherOne rocket during a flight. This test will validate that all systems work as expected when in the launch configuration. Preparations for the test are currently underway, and it is expected to occur in the coming weeks.

Cosmic Girl will carry the rocket beneath her left wing. 747’s were originally designed with the ability to ferry a fifth engine. Virgin Orbit has modified that location to support the rocket. During a mission, the fuel onboard the 747 will be redistributed to balance the aircraft, as LauncherOne is offset to one side. Once Cosmic Girl is ready to launch LauncherOne, she will bank upwards to at least 25 degrees. Then, Cosmic Girl will release the rocket. LauncherOne will fall for approximately 4-5 seconds before igniting the first stage. (6/19)

New Frontiers Finalist CAESAR Would Return Sample From Comet (Source: SpaceFlight Insider)
A proposed mission known as Comet Astrobiology Exploration Sample Return (CAESAR), could greatly improve our knowledge about the origin and history of the comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko. If selected by NASA, it could return a sample from this comet to Earth, enabling scientists to study the leftover material from the formation of our Solar System.

CAESAR is one of the two finalists for the space agency’s next mission under the New Frontiers program. The project should receive funding through the end of 2018 to further develop and mature the mission concept. The decision whether or not CAESAR is selected for the development and launch will be made by the agency in the spring of 2019. (6/19)

Who Owns What in Outer Space (Source: The Economist)
In 2015 Congress passed a law to legalize mining in outer space—the first of its kind in the world. Firms that some day manage to mine asteroids for resources like water or precious metals would henceforth be allowed to own, process, and sell anything harvested. The nascent space-mining industry was thrilled. The boss of a firm called Planetary Resources compared it to the Homestead Act of 1862—a law that gave up to 160 acres in the American West to any plucky settler willing to venture forth.

More recently Wilbur Ross, the commerce secretary, has talked about creating a more “permissive” regulatory environment in space and turning the moon into a “gas station” for further exploration. Other countries are following suit: Luxembourg passed a similar measure last year and earmarked €200m to invest in space-mining companies. But not everyone is pleased. At the UN committee dealing with outer space, Russia condemned the American move, citing America’s “total disrespect” for international law. Critics say America is conferring rights that it has no authority to confer. There are indeed legal grey areas. Who owns what in outer space?

Space is a commons. That was determined in the 1950s by a UN committee, and laid out a decade later in the Outer Space Treaty. No country can lay claim to the moon, asteroids or other celestial bodies; space is open to all for exploration. The language of early treaties is notably grand, with space referred to as the “province of all mankind”. Reality has been far more fraught. In 1957 the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, Earth’s first artificial satellite. The achievement heightened American anxieties that nuclear tensions could spill over and upwards. Both countries determined to protect outer space from nuclear confrontation by enshrining the principle of peaceful use. Click here. (6/12)

MAG Aerospace Acquires North American Surveillance Systems (Source: MAG)
MAG Aerospace (MAG) has acquired North American Surveillance Systems, Inc. (NASS) and related entities. This acquisition adds over 75 aircraft integration, modification, and MRO professionals to MAG, increasing MAG's technical services and integration capabilities with in-house resources designed to deliver highly sought-after integration solutions.

NASS, founded in 2007, is a Titusville, Florida-based aerospace company that is a global leader in cost effective ISR Quick Reaction Capability (QRC) integration of rotary and fixed-wing aircraft, systems engineering, manufacturing, testing, certification, training, and logistics support. NASS has more than a decade of proven excellence in manufacturing, installation and support of state-of-the-art electronic communications, navigation, and surveillance systems. (6/18)

Where to Look for Life on Titan (Source: Air & Space)
Saturn’s large moon Titan remains the most exotic planetary body we know of. There is no other place quite like this. Hydrocarbon lakes are common on the surface, replenished by occasional methane downpours from an atmosphere consisting of nitrogen and methane. In many ways, the moon’s thick haze is not very unlike the early atmosphere of Earth.

In a recent paper, Catherine Neish from the University of Western Ontario and colleagues discuss the possibility of biological molecules being present on Titan, and where they might be found. Although life hasn’t yet been discovered there, based on what we know about Titan’s environment, at least some steps toward life should have occurred. Because Neish and colleagues regard liquid water as essential to life, they focus on two main settings where water could exist, at least for short periods, on an otherwise extremely cold surface: cryovolcanic lava flows and fresh impact craters.

Cryovolcanoes are volcanoes that erupt liquid compounds such as water, ammonia, and methane. These flows are seen mostly on the icy moons of the outer Solar System, and are unlike the molten rock flows found on the warmer, terrestrial planets. Despite the cold, Neish and her co-authors find that interesting chemistry could occur near these cryovolcanoes on Titan, but there may not be enough time or energy to produce complex prebiotic molecules. (6/20)

Russia to Deliver US New Rocket Engines (Source: Sputnik)
The US government is slated to receive one of two batches of Russian-made rocket engines in the second quarter of 2018, according to a leading Russian rocket designer, at nearly the same point when the newly created US Space Force is being established as a new branch of the US armed forces. The engines are used for delivering heavy payloads to space aboard the Atlas V launch vehicle  -- which will now presumptively fall under US Space Force

"Currently, the production of commercial engines at Energomash is proceeding in compliance with the contracts signed," said Pyotor Lyvochkin, Chief Developer of Energomash Scientific and Production Association, Zero Hedge reported Sunday. "The dispatch of the first batch of RD-180 and RD-181 engines to the United States is planned for the second quarter of 2018," Lyvochkin noted.

The US space program relies on the RD-180 engine to power the first stage of the Atlas V rocket, the only American vehicle now capable of sending heavy payloads into space. Trump boasted Monday "We don't want China and Russia and other countries leading us... We're going to be the leader by far." But when it comes to rocket engines, US personnel use the Russian-made engines. Similarly, US astronauts can only transit to the International Space Station aboard Russia's Soyuz spacecraft, meaning they have to go to Russia's leased facility in Kazakhstan, the Baikonur Cosmodrome. (6/20)

Hansen: After 30 Years, We're Failing Miserably to Address Climate Change (Source: Guardian)
“All we’ve done is agree there’s a problem,” Hansen told the Guardian. “We agreed that in 1992 [at the Earth summit in Rio] and re-agreed it again in Paris [at the 2015 climate accord]. We haven’t acknowledged what is required to solve it. Promises like Paris don’t mean much, it’s wishful thinking. It’s a hoax that governments have played on us since the 1990s.”

Hansen’s long list of culprits for this inertia are both familiar – the nefarious lobbying of the fossil fuel industry – and surprising. Jerry Brown, the progressive governor of California, and the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, are “both pretending to be solving the problem” while being unambitious and shunning low-carbon nuclear power, Hansen argues. There is particular scorn for Barack Obama. Hansen says in a scathing upcoming book that the former president “failed miserably” on climate change and oversaw policies that were “late, ineffectual and partisan”.

Hansen even accuses Obama of passing up the opportunity to thwart Donald Trump’s destruction of US climate action, by declining to settle a lawsuit the scientist, his granddaughter and 20 other young people are waging against the government, accusing it of unconstitutionally causing peril to their living environment. (6/19)