January 30, 2022

Progress RSC Boss Gives Updates on Soyuz-5, Angara, Sea Launch and Amur-SPG Rockets, Aist Satellites (Source: Parabolic Arc)
Director General of the Progress Rocket and Space Center (Samara, part of the Roscosmos State Corporation) Dmitry Baranov summed up the results of the enterprise’s work in 2021 and spoke about plans for the future. Click here. (1/30)

Air Force Announces Spark Tank ‘22 Finalists (Source: AFNS)
The Department of the Air Force’s Spark Tank program enters its fifth year and is poised to again highlight the creative and innovative spirit amongst our Airmen and Guardians. The Air and Space Force vice chiefs, along with other senior leaders across both services, selected six ideas to advance. The finals will be held at the Air Force Association’s Aerospace Warfare Symposium as senior leaders decide who will be declared winner of Spark Tank ‘22 and take possession of the coveted 3D printed Spark Tank trophy. Click here. (1/27)

'Space Force? Is that Real?' Guardians Still Struggling with an Unconvinced Public (Source: Military.com)
A Space Force captain traveling with their spouse stood stunned at the Spirit Airlines ticket counter this past October hoping to take advantage of the company's waived baggage fees for active-duty service members. But there was a problem: The Spirit employee didn't believe the Space Force exists.

The officer showed a military-issued ID card, pulled up the official website on their phone and explained the recent history of the Space Force. The desk attendant believed the service member was no longer active in the Air Force, couldn't comprehend the existence of the new branch and didn't want to issue the discount. (1/28)

Empower Our Space Force, Just as We Do for the Other Armed Services (Source: Defense News)
U.S. national security interests are inextricably linked with actions that occur in space. Our air, land and sea forces rely on critical capabilities delivered by systems on orbit. Our adversaries know this, and it is why they are fielding weapons capable of destroying U.S. satellites that deliver intelligence, navigation, missile warning and global communications to our forces.

Failure to address these threats would be catastrophic to our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines in a conflict, let alone the outcome of a war. It is long past time to recognize this reality and start treating the space domain like we do every other warfighting domain.

Initial actions undertaken by the Space Force and U.S. Space Command are pointed in the right direction, but more work remains. The highest levels of government must recognize that space is a contested domain. This may seem obvious given Chinese and Russian behavior, but some remain uncomfortable — let alone supportive — discussing of fielding the necessary offensive and defensive capabilities required to operate and survive in space. This approach, left unchecked, poses significant risk. (1/28)

Virginia’s Space Connection (Source: Virginian-Pilot)
NASA’s Langley Research Center personnel continue their incredible work here in Hampton Roads. Its missions include aeronautics improvements to quiet sonic booms and allow supersonic commercial flight, developing solar sails and other spaceflight technology to enable lighter crafts to travel farther, and work on the Orion spacecraft as part of the Artemis mission that will return humans to the moon and eventually bring them to Mars.

The Langley team is also doing critical work on climate change, helping provide research and pivotal data to help better understand human effects on our environment — information needed to make thoughtful decisions. And its commitment to STEM education programs is invaluable to education in the commonwealth. The benefits are more than a better understanding of our universe. According to a 2020 economic impact study, NASA’s work is responsible for more than 27,000 jobs, more than $5 billion in economic output and generates more than $200 million in tax revenue for the economy in Virginia.

That’s not only the Langley facility, though. It includes the NASA Wallops Flight Facility on the Eastern Shore, which is responsible for a host of missions for public and private benefit. It’s another invaluable asset for the region with potential for further growth. California-based aerospace company Rocket Lab recently tabbed Accomack County as a finalist for construction of a part production, assembly and testing facility that would create 250 jobs there. (1/26)

Antares Liftoff From Wallops to Space Station Set for February (Source: DelMarVa Now)
Northrop Grumman’s 17th commercial resupply mission to the International Space Station is scheduled for liftoff Saturday, Feb. 19, from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island. The mission for NASA will deliver science investigations, supplies, and equipment to the Space Station aboard Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus spacecraft. Northrop Grumman is targeting liftoff of its Antares rocket no earlier than 12:39 p.m. Feb. 19 from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport’s Pad-0A at Wallops. (1/26)

Regulators Uncertain on Schedule for First U.K. Launch (Source: Space News)
Plans to host the first orbital launches from the United Kingdom this year are moving ahead despite uncertainty about when regulators will grant licenses for those launches. Virgin Orbit intends to conduct two launches of its LauncherOne air-launch system this year in flights this summer from Cornwall Airport Newquay, also known as Spaceport Cornwall in southwestern England.

“The Cornwall launches are targeted around the middle of the year, summertime,” said Dan Hart, chief executive of Virgin Orbit, said in a call with reporters Jan. 11, two days before its “Above the Clouds” launch from Mojave Air and Space Port in California. Tony Gingiss, chief operating officer of Virgin Orbit, said in the call that the first Cornwall launch would be two flights after Above the Clouds. Hart said one factor governing that schedule is licensing. “That’s predicated on getting through the licensing process successfully and some of the logistics, but that is what we’re driving for,” he said. “That will be the first launch ever from U.K. soil.” (1/29)

Spaceport America Seeks Additional Funding as Projects Ramp Up (Source: KRQE)
Spaceport America is asking for more money this year as their main tenant plans on ramping up flights over the next year. With record-setting revenues for the state, Spaceport America is hoping to get its piece of the pie to avoid a budget shortfall. Thursday, Spaceport’s executive director pitched their request to the senate finance committee and some members didn’t seem thrilled.

“We’ll see how the funding goes. We have to change the model of the Spaceport. It’s just time,” said Spaceport’s Executive Director, Scott McLaughlin. Spaceport says its budget is about $11 million, 60% of that is funded by customers. Right now they get about $2 million from the state, but they are asking for an additional $2 million. However, the legislative finance committee is recommending $300,000 less. A big source of revenue comes from their top tenant, Virgin Galactic. (1/30)

Space Hummus: Israeli Researchers to Grow Chickpeas on Space Station (Source: Jerusalem Post)
A number of Israeli experiments are heading to the ISS where, as part of the Rakia Mission, they will be tested to see if they can be a viable option for bringing a sustainable food source to space. One of these experiments is set to see if a viable option for sustainable food in space could be a classic bit of Israeli cuisine: hummus.

There are a few reasons for this. Firstly, chickpeas are considered a superfood, being extremely high in protein, carbs and vitamins and very filling. Not only that, but they are also very easy to grow. They have a very short seed to seed cycle and can grow in high or low temperatures, or in conditions some might find to be extreme. (1/30)