April 28, 2020

Rehearsal Time for NASA's Asteroid Sampling Spacecraft (Source: Space Daily)
In August, a robotic spacecraft will make NASA's first-ever attempt to descend to the surface of an asteroid, collect a sample, and ultimately bring it safely back to Earth. In order to achieve this challenging feat, the OSIRIS-REx mission team devised new techniques to operate in asteroid Bennu's microgravity environment - but they still need experience flying the spacecraft in close proximity to the asteroid in order to test them. So, before touching down at sample site Nightingale this summer, OSIRIS-REx will first rehearse the activities leading up to the event.

On Apr. 14, the mission will pursue its first practice run - officially known as "Checkpoint" rehearsal - which will also place the spacecraft the closest it's ever been to Bennu. This rehearsal is a chance for the OSIRIS-REx team and spacecraft to test the first steps of the robotic sample collection event. During the full touchdown sequence, the spacecraft uses three separate thruster firings to make its way to the asteroid's surface. After an orbit departure burn, the spacecraft executes the Checkpoint maneuver at 410 ft (125 m) above Bennu, which adjusts the spacecraft's position and speed down toward the point of the third burn.

This third maneuver, called "Matchpoint," occurs at approximately 164 ft (50 m) from the asteroid's surface and places the spacecraft on a trajectory that matches the rotation of Bennu as it further descends toward the targeted touchdown spot. The Checkpoint rehearsal allows the team to practice navigating the spacecraft through both the orbit departure and Checkpoint maneuvers, and ensures that the spacecraft's imaging, navigation and ranging systems operate as expected during the first part of the descent sequence. (4/13)

Various Insights Into Iran's First "Military Satellite" (Source: Sputnik)
Iran's new satellite, developed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), is expected to expand Tehran's already considerable military capabilities. The launch of the Noor-1 ('Light-1' in Farsi) satellite is not only a breakthrough for Iran's space programme, but another step in altering the regional balance of power, Iranian media have suggested, citing the satellite's successful Wednesday launch and the international reaction to it.

Unlike Iran's four previous satellite launches, which were carried out by the Iranian Space Agency, the Noor-1 was produced by the IRGC, the elite military formation at the frontline of the defence of the Islamic Republic. The satellite was launched aboard the Qased ('Messenger' in Farsi), Iran's first-ever three-stage launch vehicle. Monitoring stations in Tehran, Zahedan and Chabahar have reported picking up the satellite's signals, with the satellite expected to be calibrated and made fully operational in the coming days.

The Qased launch vehicle is believed to have a liquid-fueled first stage, and a solid-fueled upper stage, with the latter seen as a major technical achievement. The US Space Control Squadron has confirmed the success of Wednesday's launch, reporting that it is tracking two objects in orbit associated with the Noor-1, presumably including the satellite itself and its upper stage. The Noor-1 was launched from the Shahroud missile range in the country's northeast. That too is a first, since previous satellite launches were traditionally made from the Qom Space Center in central Iran. (4/26)

Russian Amateur Picks Up Iranian Satellite Signal (Source: Sputnik)
The radio amateur also claimed that "with some effort", it might be possible to translate the signals emitted by the satellite "into concrete parameters". Mere days after Iran announced the launch of its first-ever military satellite, an amateur radio operator from Russia named Dmitry Pashkov announced that he had managed to intercept its signals. As Pashkov himself explained, he was able to receive the signal "in the raw", managing to decipher the satellite's telemetry "a bit". (4/26)

Commercial Soyuz Flight to International Space Station Planned For 2022-2023 (Source: Sputnik)
A six-month commercial Soyuz flight to the International Space Station (ISS) is planned for 2022-2023, according to files obtained by Sputnik. According to the documents, the launch of a Soyuz MS-23 spacecraft with a Russian cosmonaut as crew commander and two unknown crew members is planned for October 2022, while a return to Earth is planned for April 2023. No details are provided on the two passengers.

Earlier this month, it was reported that two space tourists would will fly to the ISS in late 2021 on board the Russian Soyuz MS-20 spacecraft. In February 2019, Russian space agency Roscosmos and US-based company Space Adventures signed a contract to organize the flight of two space tourists to the ISS before the end of 2021. The launch of the Soyuz MS-20 spacecraft with two tourists and a Russian cosmonaut as crew commander is planned for December 2021. Their return to Earth is scheduled for January 2022. Thus, the space tourists will be able to celebrate New Year in orbit. (4/28)

Falcon Heavy Set for Design Validation Milestone Before Late 2020 Launch (Source: NasaSpaceFlight.com)
The U.S. Space Force expects to complete design validation on SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket by July, ahead of the launch of the military’s first high-priority national security mission on the heavy-lifter late this year. The launch of multiple military payloads to an orbit more than 20,000 miles above Earth will mark the fourth flight of a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, the most powerful launcher currently flying anywhere in the world. The mission is designated USSF-44, renamed from AFSPC-44 after the establishment of the U.S. Space Force in December. (4/27)

Russia-US Strategic Dialogue on Space Hardly Possible (Source: TASS)
A dialogue between Russia and the United States on activities in space is hardly possible, Research Director of the Valdai Discussion Club Foundation for Development and Support Fyodor Lukyanov said. "I don’t see what the US interest in negotiating with Russia on space could be," he said. "It seems to me that meaningful talks on strategically important directions are ruled out at the moment. At this point and in the foreseeable future, the entire agenda will shift in another direction... No qualitative changes in Russian-US relations should be expected" even when the global agenda will change and the external policy will return to its traditional formats and issues. "There are no grounds for that," the expert said. (4/26)

From Shuttle Sadness to Dragon Delight – USA Prepares to Regain Crew Launch Capability (Source: NasaSpaceFlight.com)
The gap in US domestic crew launch capability is coming to an end as soon as next month, concluding a convoluted and painful path that ultimately began when Columbia was lost during STS-107. The last time American astronauts launched from US soil was in 2011 with Shuttle Atlantis during STS-135. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 is set to launch with Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken onboard the Crew Dragon as early as May 27.

For decades, the US relied on the Space Shuttle as its crew launch vehicle. While the Shuttle era was filled with accomplishments, its cost and complexity curtailed its envisioned role in taking the US space program forward and was ultimately shackled by safety issues that resulted in the loss of two orbiters and their crews. Click here. (4/28)

Venture Capital Decline a Problem for Military Space (Source: Space News)
A decline in venture capital funding for space startups could become a problem for the military. The Pentagon has come to rely on private sector investment to fund space-related R&D activities, but the severe recession caused by the pandemic is likely to sharply decrease investment. Some of these companies are in the midst of developing innovative technologies with national security applications but could find themselves on the "wrong side of the fundraising cycle," in the words of one analyst. Government contracts could provide a lifeline to some space companies but not all will make it through the crisis.

That downturn could force the Pentagon to step up its support for the industry. Since the pandemic hit, military contracts have been a lifeline for companies in the space industry, through its contracting practices and accelerated payment terms. The Pentagon has increased progress payments and offered "equitable adjustments" so companies are not penalized for poor performance caused by the pandemic. With many U.S. businesses facing financial distress, the influx of foreign capital to companies that develop technologies for national security is a major concern to some analysts. (4/28)

SpaceX Plans "Visor" to Shade Starlink Satellites (Source: Space News)
SpaceX plans to test a "sun visor" to reduce the brightness of its Starlink satellites on its next launch. At a meeting Monday of a committee working on the next astrophysics decadal survey, Elon Musk said the "VisorSat" concept would install a visor intended to block sun from hitting reflective surfaces, like antennas, on its Starlink satellites. That is intended to significantly reduce the brightness of the satellites as seen from the ground, a concern for many astronomers who worry the Starlink constellation could interfere with their observations. Musk said the goal is to fly a VisorSat spacecraft on the next Starlink launch. SpaceX is also testing reorienting the satellites as they raise their orbits as another means of reducing their brightness. (4/28)

ESA Seeks to Boost Commercial Space Transportation (Source: ESA)
The European Space Agency has opened a call for proposals to assist European companies working on space transportation systems. The "Boost!" program will offer companies support in technology development, testing, production and proof-of-concept hardware for commercial space transportation services. Companies seeking support would have to demonstrate that their services can operate "without relying on a guaranteed European institutional demand." (4/28)

Hubble Could Operate Beyond 2025 With New Roles (Source: Scientific American)
The head of the Space Telescope Science Institute believes the "best is yet to come" for the 30-year-old Hubble Space Telescope. In an interview, Ken Sembach said he thinks Hubble can play a major role in "multimessenger astronomy," studying the sources of gravitational waves detected by observatories like LIGO. Hubble observations could also help understand the rate of expansion of the universe. Sembach says that, realistically, Hubble should continue to operate to 2025, but could possibly last longer. (4/28)

Investment Group and Camden County Join Forces to Launch Georgia's Spaceport Camden (Source: Camden County)
A public/private partnership between Organic Code Development, LLC and Camden County will allow Spaceport Camden to become a fully integrated Space and Research center that incorporates rocket launch capabilities and a technology and research business park. It will attract big data analytic researchers, aerospace manufacturing, professional services, and deep space communications experts.

“The Camden Aerospace and Data Science Campus at Spaceport Camden will offer unparalleled educational opportunities to students at Georgia Universities and will attract cutting edge businesses to the state. And with Organic Code Development, we can create a world class space center,” said John Oliva of Organic Code Development. The interdisciplinary technology center will offer collaborative research opportunities in artificial intelligence, aerospace, defense, engineering, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, software development, information technology robotics, and cyber security.

“Spaceport Camden is the single most important economic development project in the State of Georgia,” said David Cole of Organic Code Development, LLC and part of a seasoned team on point to bring technology and commerce to Camden County.  The fiber and power network already available at Spaceport Camden will be capable of supporting high performance compute or network operating centers. Spaceport Camden will serve as the anchor for the proposed development, attracting orbital launch providers and offering aerospace assembly/staging facilities and propulsion testing. (4/28)

Managing China’s Rise in Outer Space (Source: Brookings)
Today’s space environment is evolving rapidly, presenting the U.S. and the entire international community with several challenges to the sustainability, safety, stability, and security of the space environment. Challenges include the growth of orbital debris, which represents an ever-increasing threat to both human and robotic spaceflight, the emergence of mega constellations of small satellites, and the development and deployment of anti-satellite (or ASAT) capabilities. China’s increasing activities contribute to these challenges. China has rapidly expanded its presence in space in both the civil and military arenas.

Given the increasing role that China is playing in the space domain in the future, the U.S. will need to develop a strategy that deters China’s increasing ASAT capabilities, while at the same time finds ways to work with China cooperatively on sustainability and safety issues like orbital debris, space traffic management, and the rise of mega satellite constellations. Elements should include: enhancing deterrence and increasing resiliency against Chinese ASAT threats; reinvigorating the U.S.-China bilateral dialogue on space security; continuing the U.S.-China Civil Space Dialogue; developing bilateral and multilateral norms of behavior for space; identifying ways to cooperate with China on pragmatic civil space projects; and reviewing current congressional limitations on civil space cooperation with China. (4/27)

Virgin Orbit Modifying Airliners to Launch Satellites (Source: Manufacturing.net)
Virgin sees these the ability to launch satellites from the air, via a reusable 747 from Branson’s Virgin Atlantic fleet, as easier, less expensive, and more resilient to weather conditions than ground-based launches. Orbitak ATK, NASA and the U.S. military have used similar air-based approaches. SpaceX currently uses their Falcon 9 rocket for ground launches, which can cost up to $62 million per mission.

Although the ground-based approach allows SpaceX to carry larger payloads, Branson is hoping to capitalize on a growing demand for the launch of smaller, less expensive satellites that could be put into orbit more frequently. The LauncherOne rocket is designed to handle objects ranging in size from a toaster to a refrigerator, with applications ranging from internet connectivity to meteorology. This approach also allows companies to avoid ride-sharing, where larger craft carry payloads for multiple customers. While this approach cuts costs, it also adds to logistical challenges and raises the potential for mistakes. (4/22)