September 21, 2021

An Inspiration for Private Human Spaceflight (Source: Space Review)
Last week’s Inspiration4 flight, a brief private orbital spaceflight, always looked like a one-off mission, at best. Jeff Foust reports that the success of the mission may show it’s a model for more frequent commercial orbital human missions. Click here. (9/21)
 
What is the Future of the International Space Station? (Source: Space Review)
NASA is moving ahead with plans to extend the life of the ISS through the end of the decade while supporting development of commercial stations that will serve as successors. Roger Handberg argues the station’s long-term future, and ultimate demise, still remains uncertain. Click here. (9/21)
 
Astrofeminism as a Theory of Change: Save Our Planet, Not Escape From It (Source: Space Review)
If “space cowboys” of the billionaire space race are the problem, what is the solution? Layla Martin explains how a change in mindset and incorporation of a broader range of people is essential for a more sustainable future in space. Click here. (9/21)

DOD Taking Measures to Protect Nuclear Weapons, Space Assets (Source: Space Daily)
The Defense Department relies on nuclear-armed bombers, submarines and intercontinental ballistic missiles, as well as space-based sensors, to provide a strategic deterrence umbrella for the homeland and to protect deployed forces, allies and partners. However, sensitive microelectronics used in these assets could be vulnerable to high levels of ionizing radiation caused by a number of factors, including cosmic rays in outer space, severe solar storms, and an electromagnetic pulse caused by a high-altitude nuclear detonation.

To protect against these threats, the DOD has developed techniques to protect microelectronics used in satellites, spacecraft, the nuclear triad and the triad's command and control center, said Rich Ryan, director for international programs, nuclear forensics, resiliency and survivability in the office of the deputy assistant secretary of defense for nuclear matters.

This protection, known as hardening, can consist of manufacturing chips on insulated material, redundant circuits, altering the design of circuits, and placing a shield over the microelectronics, he said. "The parts library will enable closer Air Force, Navy and Missile Defense Agency collaboration on a variety of strategic system acquisition and sustainment programs - allowing them to better align requirements, technology development, production and sustainment efforts, and supply chain protection activities. (9/18)

SECAF Warns of Long-Term Space Competition with China (Source: Space News)
Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall warned of a "long-term competition" with China that extended to space. Speaking at the Air, Space & Cyber Conference Monday, Kendall said that China has accelerated the rate of the modernization of its military, with a focus on on long-range precision-guided munitions, hypersonic missiles, space and cyber weapons. That included satellite-guided munitions to strike targets on Earth and in space. He also suggested China might pursue a global strike capability using space to deliver weapons, but that he had no specific knowledge that the Chinese are pursuing this. (9/21)

SpOC Commander Seeks More Intelligence Capability in Response to China (Source: Air Force Magazine)
The Space Force needs more robust intelligence today to confront Chinese aggression in space, says Lt. Gen. Stephen N. Whiting. “The pace at which China has developed the threat capabilities we’ve seen has just truly been breathtaking,” he said. From 2007 to today, “they have developed an electronic warfare capability to jam our assets; we’ve seen lasers; we’ve seen on-orbit threats and grappling arms,” he added. “They’re continuing to develop those threats. So, everything we do in Space Operations Command must be intelligence-led.”

“I’m excited about some of the improvements we’ve made,” he said. Now he’s turning to training. “Space is a domain in which we should be able to train in a high-fidelity manner in a simulated environment,” he said. Operators need holistic space domain awareness to best track and find threats. Talent doesn’t mature overnight, he added. “You can’t get a 10-year-experienced intel operator without spending 10 years to build that person. So, it’ll take time to build up those new capacities. But that will be a growth area for us.” (9/20)

Space Force Finalizing Blueprint for Space-Based Missile Warning and Tracking (Source: Space News)
The Space Force will brief industry next month on its analysis of space-based missile warning and missile tracking. The "force design" is the blueprint that could drive future Space Force investments, describing how the Space Force will deploy satellites and ground systems to deliver space-based services and ensure these capabilities can be provided even when under attack. The Space Warfighting Analysis Center, a new Space Force office, carried out the study, intended to support requirements documents that are needed to get funding approved for future systems. (9/21)

L3Harris Missile Tracking Satellite Passes Review (Source: Space News)
A missile tracking satellite being developed by L3Harris has passed its preliminary design review. The company said Monday the Space Development Agency has approved the company’s proposed design for a missile tracking satellite. L3Harris won a contract last year to build four such satellites that will be part of a larger constellation of space infrared sensors that will detect and track hypersonic and ballistic missiles from low Earth orbit. The first satellites are scheduled for launch in 2023. (9/21)

UN Making Slow Progress on Space Norms (Source: Space News)
The United Nations is making progress, if slowly, on developing norms of behavior for safe space operations. A resolution passed by the UN General Assembly last year called on countries to submit reports on their views on the topic, with 30 countries responding to date. Another resolution under consideration could lead to a working group to examine the issue in more detail. Both diplomats and experts cautioned, though, that it will take a long time before there is any kind of binding international agreement on such norms, even for issues like a ban on tests of kinetic-energy ASATs. (9/21)

EU Open to OneWeb Investment (Source: The Telegraph)
The European Union could be open to investing in OneWeb. An assessment by the European Union suggests one option for the EU to avoid falling behind the U.S. and others in broadband constellations is to take a "minority stake in one of the non-EU constellations being built." OneWeb would be the most likely choice, although the report does not explicitly endorse such a deal. The EU is also considering developing its own constellation to provide broadband and secure communications. (9/21)

India Considering Rocket Manufacturing Privatization (Source: PTI)
The Indian government is looking to privatize manufacturing of more launch vehicles. The government is currently evaluating bids from three industry groups to produce the PSLV rocket, with a selection expected in about two months. ISRO will then consider a similar approach for its GSLV Mark 3 rocket as well as the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle, yet to make its first launch. ISRO is also supporting private ventures in the country working on their own launch vehicles, entering into agreements to give those companies access to ISRO testing facilities. (9/21)

Disney World Space-Themed Restaurant Will Be Cool, Pricey (Source: CollectSpace)
A new space-themed restaurant at Disney World will offer out-of-this-world views — and prices as well. The Space 220 restaurant is intended to simulate what a restaurant in a space station 220 miles high might be like. The restaurant features "windows" in the form of giant screens with simulated views of the Earth, and dishes with names like "Starry Calamari" and "Terra-Bolognese." Lunch costs $55 and dinner $79, as well as the cost to get into Disney World's Epcot Center itself. (9/21)

Mauritius Satellite Investors Say India Might Skirt $111M Award (Sources: Law360, Bloomberg)
A trio of Mauritius-based investors in India's "Devas" satellite company have brought a $111 million arbitral award they won against India to Washington, D.C., for enforcement. This follows a dispute over a nixed deal to deliver communications services throughout the country. They now have urged a D.C. federal judge not to pause their suit, arguing that the country has shown that it has "no intention" of fulfilling the award.

The dispute goes back to 2011, when an Indian state-owned company Antrix Corp. annulled an agreement with Devas citing force majeure. Devas said in its petition that the annulment eroded the value of its multi-million dollar investments. An arbitration tribunal in 2020 awarded Devas more than $111 million plus interest. Devas also won $562.5 million in damages plus interest from separate proceedings at the International Chamber of Commerce. Devas says Antrix has paid neither of these. (9/21)

Aerospace, Defense Created 2M Jobs in 2020 (Source: Executive Gov)
A report released by the Aerospace Industries Association underscores the economic contributions of the defense and aerospace sectors in 2020, including $90.6 billion in exports and the creation of 2.09 million jobs, in spite of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. "This year's report details the effects that the COVID-19 had on the A&D industry. It also provides a glimpse of the positive trends and opportunities that will form the basis of our industry's growth in a post-pandemic world," said AIA President and CEO Eric Fanning. (9/20)

Space Sustainability Makes Slow Progress at the United Nations (Source: Space News)
Diplomats and other experts see signs of progress at the United Nations on addressing space sustainability but caution it may will take many years before any sort of binding agreement emerges. In presentations at the Advanced Maui Optical and Space Surveillance Technologies, or AMOS, Conference here Sept. 17, officials said a United Nations resolution last December, passed with overwhelming support, could help build momentum for further discussions on the development of norms of behavior in space.

Resolution 75/36 encouraged countries to submit their views on existing and potential threats and security risks to space systems and their ideas on “norms, rules and principles of responsible behavior” for safe space operations. Thirty countries have formally submitted reports, including China, Russia and the United States. (9/20)

NASA Receives Many Proposals for Private Space Station Project (Source: CNBC)
NASA plans to retire the ISS by the end of this decade, so the agency is turning to private companies to build new space stations in orbit – and expects to save more than $1 billion annually as a result. NASA earlier this year unveiled the Commercial LEO Destinations project, with plans to award up to $400 million in total contracts to as many as four companies to begin development on private space stations.

In response to NASA’s request, Phil McAlister said the agency “received roughly about a dozen proposals” from a variety of companies for contracts under the project. “This strong industry response shows that our plan to retire the International Space Station in the latter part of this decade and transition to commercial space destinations is a viable, strong plan,” McAlister said. “We are making tangible progress on developing commercial space destinations where people can work, play, and live,” McAlister added.

NASA is now evaluating the proposals, and McAlister said the agency hopes to announce the contract winners “before the end of the year,” although he is “pushing for earlier.” McAlister noted that the dozen or so proposals came from a “diverse group of companies,” ranging from start-ups to large aerospace corporations. When NASA hosted an industry briefing for company officials in March, interested parties included recognizable names like Elon Musk’s SpaceX, Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin, Airbus, Boeing, and Lockheed Martin. (9/20)

NASA Empowers Workforce to Advance Deep Space Technologies (Source: NASA)
NASA has selected 10 proposals led by early-career employees across the agency for two-year projects that will support the development of new capabilities for deep space human exploration. These proposals were selected under Project Polaris, a new initiative to support the NASA workforce in efforts to meet the challenges of sending humans to the Moon and Mars. The project aims to create opportunities for early-career employees across NASA centers to gain experience building and testing flight hardware while developing technologies and reducing risk for future human exploration missions.

At Kennedy Space Center, the agency approved a project to develop a "Spaceflight Autonomous Multigenerational Microbial Sequencer." This capability will enable the monitoring of microbes relevant to plant production and water purification processes or in-situ resource utilization under spaceflight conditions, including increased radiation and reduced gravity. This technology could help provide advanced life support during future deep space missions. (9/17)

Combined Tests Start for Ariane 6 at Europe's Spaceport (Source: Space Daily)
Ariane 6 is designed to extend guaranteed access to space for Europe and will be capable of carrying out all types of missions to all orbits. It features a modular design with two versions: Ariane 62, fitted with two strap-on boosters, and Ariane 64, with four. Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana is performing the first combined test in preparation for the inaugural flight of Ariane 6, Europe's new generation launch vehicle.

ESA oversees the implementation and management of verification and qualification activities up to and including the first flight of Ariane 6 before handing over to the exploitation authority. Ariane 6 is designed to extend guaranteed access to space for Europe and will be capable of carrying out all types of missions to all orbits. It features a modular design with two versions: Ariane 62, fitted with two strap-on boosters, and Ariane 64, with four. (9/17)

UK Space Company to Establish Link With the Far Side of the Moon (Source: Space Daily)
The satellite, named Lunar Pathfinder, will be vital for the planned return missions to the Moon. Built by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) and supported by 11.6 million pounds in UK Space Agency funding via the European Space Agency (ESA), the satellite will also allow greater freedom for rovers operating on the far side of the Moon, allowing them to manoeuvre out of sight of their lander.

Having already delivered state-of-the-art communications services to the International Space Station, UK technology will now help sustainable return to the Moon for the first time in nearly 50 years. Due to the proximity of the Lunar Pathfinder spacecraft to Earth, the service will also facilitate missions on the near side of the Moon, providing customers with faster transfers of data while keeping their costs down. (9/20)

South Korea Plans to Launch Solid-Fuel Rocet in 2024 (Source: Space Daily)
South Korea's Institute for Defense Analyses managed to carry out successful firing tests of a solid-propellant engine for a new space launch vehicle already on 29 July, paving way for commercial launches of this type of rockets to start as early as in 2024, the defense ministry said on 16 September. The new engine will allow launching small satellites and groups of extra-small satellites into low-Earth orbit, according to the ministry. The tests were made possible after the lifting of development restrictions, previously envisioned by the US-South Korean missile agreement, which was terminated in June. (9/17)

Russia Allocates $60M for Rocket and Capsule for Upcoming Tourism Missions (Source: Sputnik)
The Russian government has allocated more than 4.4 billion rubles ($60.6 million) to Glavkosmos, a subsidiary of the Roscosmos space agency, for the production of a rocket and spaceship for tourist flights by 2024. "To allocate in 2021 budget funds ... of 4,412,660 thousand rubles for the expenses of ... Roscosmos", the government said in a decree. According to the decree, the money is to be funnelled to Glavkosmos to fund the production of a Soyuz 2.1a launch vehicle and Soyuz MS piloted cargo spaceship no later than 2024. (9/17)

Demand Growing for Managing Heat on Increasingly Intricate Satellites (Source: Space News)
Increasingly capable satellites are driving demand for more complex thermal management solutions to keep them from overheating as they work harder, according to heat pipe manufacturer Advanced Cooling Technologies (ACT). The growing need for more onboard computing power to deliver larger volumes of data — from smaller satellites — creates new challenges for dissipating heat across a spacecraft.

Satellite manufacturers looking to advance their capabilities are increasingly running into a “thermal bottleneck,” according to Adam Say, international business development manager for Lancaster, Pennsylvania-based ACT. ACT develops and produces space-grade hardware for managing thermal conditions on satellites, and has been investing in international sales and marketing teams to capture what it sees as a global trend. (9/20)

Artemis Rover to Land Near Nobile Region of Moon’s South Pole (Source: Parabolic Arc)
In 2023, NASA’s Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) will land near the western edge of the Nobile Crater at the Moon’s South Pole to map and explore the region’s surface and subsurface for water and other resources. Part of Artemis, VIPER will launch on a SpaceX Falcon-Heavy rocket for delivery to the Moon by Astrobotic’s Griffin lander under NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative.

The Moon’s South Pole is one of the coldest areas in our solar system. No prior missions to the Moon’s surface have explored it – scientists have thus far only studied the region using remote sensing instruments, including those on NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite. Data from these and other missions helped scientists conclude that ice and other potential resources exist in permanently shadowed areas of the Moon near the poles. (9/20)