September 29, 2021

Air and Space Forces Are Ready to "Fully" Weaponize Space (Source: National Interest)
The U.S. Air Force and emerging Space Force are venturing into previously uncharted territory. The two branches are exploring the conceptual and technological parameters of more fully “weaponizing” space with offensive attack technologies. Space travel has of course long been crucial to Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) flight and Missile Defense efforts to track and destroy incoming ICBMs in the “mid-course” phase of flight. Now, the prospect of sending new technologies into space to operate offensively as “attack weapons” is now very much under exploration by the Pentagon.

Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall confirmed that the possibilities were indeed being explored as what he referred to as “global strikes from space.”  Kendall did not go into much detail, which is not surprising given the obvious security sensitivities surrounding the issues. But he did articulate a few significant parameters regarding how space weapons might operate in the future.

“There is potential to put weapons in space and potential for a weapon to be launched into space as a system that goes into orbit, then de-orbits to hit a target,” Kendall said. This latter possibility, Kendall further explained, might prove to be a more survivable method of attack as newly engineered space-traveling weapons might be able to operate with an ability to adjust trajectory to avoid a more traditional ICBM flight path. This could enable an offensive weapon to potentially avoid missile warning systems and function with a greater likelihood of traveling through to hit a target. (9/27)

Planets Gone Rogue Could Sustain Life, According to Recent Study (Source: Florida Tech)
A rogue planet is an interstellar object of planetary mass without a host planetary system. As they freely roam around space, could they be fertile nurseries for life? A Florida Tech scientist believes it’s possible based on extensive research he has undertaken over the past several years.

In research highlighted this summer in Discover Magazine, university astrobiologist Manasvi Lingam (along with Harvard researcher Avi Loeb) studied how life might survive on a rogue planet via oceans prevalent underneath a thick layer of ice. The cold of interstellar space would be too much for the oceans to remain entirely liquid, but the researchers believe any putative biospheres would be protected from the cold via the ice layer, and the planet’s core would heat the planet from the inside. Underneath the ice would potentially exist Earth-like oceans that could support life.

The possibilities for rogue planets facilitating life are of deep interest to Lingam as more planets are being discovered. He noted that for every solar system discovered (each of which contains a handful of terrestrial planets), there are approximately 30-40 rogue planets traveling in the cold expanses of interstellar space. The nearest exoplanet to Earth is therefore expected to be one of these rogue planets. “We normally think of planets bound to stars, such as Mars, that could support life, but in reality, these types of life-supporting planets could just be floating out there in the vast void of space with rich biospheres,” he said. (9/28)

Leonard David Awarded Grant for Oral Histories Project Focused on Space Entrepreneurs (Source: SPACE 3.0)
The SPACE 3.0 Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, has awarded a “One Small Step” grant to Leonard David of Space Data Resources and Information. He will perform select oral history interviews focused on entrepreneurial and commercial space activities for the Foundation's Space Business & Commerce Archives. 

A best-selling author and award-winning journalist, Leonard David has reported on space activities for more than 50 years. His efforts led to his being awarded the National Space Club Press Award, the Ordway Award for Sustained Excellence in Spaceflight History, and receiving the National Space Society "Space Pioneer Award for Media." (9/28)

Space Memorabilia Auction Planned Oct. 9 (Source: Space Walk of Fame)
Mark your calendars because we have scheduled the 17th ASM Charity Memorabilia Auction for October 9th on-line only. Auctioneer Chuck Jeffrey, a space memorabilia expert, will conduct the sale of more than 400 cherished space items, including astronaut autographs, space flown items and historic documents and photographs. Click here. (9/27)

Microgravity on Demand with Earth Return Through ESA’s Boost! Program (Source: Parabolic Arc)
A new round-trip commercial space transportation service from 2022, backed by ESA, will enable companies to manufacture in space very pure and more capable materials, discover new pharmaceutical drugs and bring them back for use on Earth. Space Forge, based in the UK, is working with partners to develop ForgeStar – a reusable suitcase-sized vehicle that can be lofted to space and which will return to Earth after an extended stay in low Earth orbit.

With its quick mission turnaround, ForgeStar will be part of a complete commercial service offering ‘microgravity on demand’ as a routine access to and return from space service, that can be launched from a variety of launch vehicles. It promises to be more flexible and responsive than existing opportunities, ensure a confidential setting and offer possibilities for customisation and a comfortable return to Earth. (9/28)

Stratolaunch Talon-A Hypersonic Vehicle Completes Critical Design Review (Source: Parabolic Arc)
Stratolaunch successfully completed its Critical Design Review for its Talon-A hypersonic test vehicles. This was a multidisciplinary technical review that ensured systems meet specified performance requirements. This achievement is in line with Stratolaunch’s timeline to begin hypersonic flight testing in 2022 and deliver services to government and commercial customers by 2023.

Launched from Stratolaunch’s Roc carrier aircraft, the Talon-A vehicles are rocket-propelled, autonomous, reusable testbeds carrying customizable payloads at speeds above Mach 5. This capability enables routine access to the hypersonic flight environment, which is critical for scientific research, technological development, and component demonstration. (9/28)