February 18, 2022

California Leads With Space Startups, But They Don't Stay (Source: Space News)
With California losing its luster as the aerospace industry’s golden state, a coast-to-coast competition for space companies is heating up. While California is still considered the leading state for space startups, those companies often leave California to open offices and production facilities in states with plentiful engineering talent, proximity to government customers and a lower cost of living. Several states are increasing efforts to lure companies to their states, offering financial packages and other incentives. (2/18)

Virginia Working to Expand Space Industry (Source: Space News)
Virginia is one of the states making its pitch to space companies. Rocket Lab hopes to perform its first Electron launch this year from Wallops Island, Virginia, and is considering the area as a site for building and launching its Neutron rocket. Several other startups have found homes in Northern Virginia, including HawkEye 360, SpaceLink and LeoCloud. (2/18)

Space Force Taking Steps to Increase Eastern Range Launch Capacity (Source: Space News)
Florida’s Space Coast is preparing for a sharp increase in launch activity. Cape Canaveral hosted 31 orbital launches in 2021, a new record. Space Force Brig. Gen. Stephen Purdy, commander of Space Launch Delta 45, expects the launch tempo to increase significantly on the Eastern Range in 2022, with as many as 66 orbital launches penciled on the calendar. He said the range is taking steps to increase capacity to support those additional launches. (2/18)

Eutelsat Expects Continued Revenue Slump with Delayed Satellites (Source: Space News)
Eutelsat expects a revenue slump to stretch into 2023 as it awaits the launch of two delayed satellites critical to a turnaround. The company expected to see growth when its new fiscal year starts in July, but pandemic-related issues that have delayed delivery of the Konnect VHTS and Eutelsat 10B satellites means those satellites won't start generating revenue until next year. Eutelsat said total year-over-year revenues fell 4.7% to 572 million euros ($640 million) during the second half of 2021, and it expects full-year revenue from operating verticals to total 1.11-1.15 billion euros for its current fiscal year ending June 30. (2/18)

Air Force Nominee, During Confirmation Hearing, Urges Protection of Space Assets (Source: Space News)
The White House's nominee to be assistant secretary of the Air Force for space acquisition and integration told senators Thursday that the United States needs to move quickly to protect satellites. At his confirmation hearing, Frank Cavelli said there is "a real sense of urgency" to act to protect military space assets in the event of a crisis or conflict. He said growing commercial space capabilities offer an opportunity to the Defense Department but that it remains to be seen how much commercial technology can be integrated into military systems. If confirmed by the Senate, Calvelli will become the first-ever senior procurement executive in charge of military space programs, a post mandated by Congress in the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act. (2/18)

Virgin Galactic Chairman Steps Down (Source: Virgin Galactic)
The chairman of Virgin Galactic is stepping down. The company announced Friday that Chamath Palihapitiya was resigning both as chairman of the board, and from the board of directors entirely, "to focus on other public company board commitments." He came to Virgin Galactic from the 2019 merger of Virgin with Social Capital Hedosophia, a SPAC he established. Evan Lovell will serve as interim chairman until the company selects a permanent replacement. Virgin Galactic is scheduled to release its 2021 financial results on Tuesday. (2/18)

SpaceLink and Axiom to Demo Space Data Relay Service on ISS (Source: Space News)
SpaceLink will work with Axiom Space to conduct the first demonstration of its space data relay service on the International Space Station. SpaceLink received a contract from CASIS, which operates the ISS National Lab, to demonstrate data transmission from the ISS through optical terminals at a rate of 10 gigabits per second. SpaceLink plans to work with Axiom, which is developing a series of commercial modules for the station, on the project, with a demonstration planned in 2024 after SpaceLink completes in-orbit testing of data relay satellites. (2/18)

Copernic Space Plans Blockchaim Platform (Source: Space News)
Startup Copernic Space unveiled a blockchain-powered platform for selling space assets. Copernic Space created the online platform to streamline the process of buying and selling space-related products and services, such as shares in a space startup, satellite sensor tasking or payload space. The first item is a payload on a lunar rover traveling to the moon’s south pole courtesy of Lunar Outpost at a price of $4,250 per gram, but with a minimum purchase of 100 grams. The rover is part of an Intuitive Machines lander mission. (2/18)

SPAC-Ready Terran Orbital to Build Microsatellite Program with Lockheed Martin (Source: Space Daily)
Small-satellite pioneer Terran Orbital Corp. was awarded a contract by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics to provide three microsatellite class satellites, launch procurement, integration, and operations in support of product demonstration. "We are thrilled Terran Orbital will be part of another program with Lockheed Martin. This contract award provides an exciting opportunity for the company to demonstrate our capabilities as a small satellite provider delivering cost-effective end-to-end solutions enabling missions," said Marc Bell of Terran Orbital.

"This project will allow us to demonstrate enhanced capability in a series of key technology areas. We look forward to working with the team to deliver critical solutions," said Daniel Markham, program director, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. Terran Orbital had previously announced that it entered in a business combination agreement with Tailwind Two Acquisition Corp., a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), pursuant to which Terran Orbital will combine with Tailwind Two. (2/18)

Stennis Space Center, Firehawk Aerospace Form Unique Testing Partnership (Source: NASA)
NASA's Stennis Space Center has partnered with companies on propulsion test projects in support of the commercialization of space for more than 20 years. In the last half of 2021, however, the NASA site and startup company Firehawk Aerospace participated in a partnership arrangement that provides a new model for future collaborations.

In the typical “service-based” partnership model, Stennis conducts a test campaign for, or in conjunction with, a partner company. With the new approach, Firehawk Aerospace led and managed its own test project at the NASA center, located near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. Stennis provided facilities, a dedicated test area and support resources for the company to test its Armstrong 1K rocket engine, using a patented, 3D-printed hybrid fuel and a unique mobile test platform. The company also was able to draw on the experience and expertise of the Stennis propulsion team during the project. (2/17)

ESA and Russia Explore Crewed Soyuz Launches From Kourou Spaceport (Source: TASS)
ESA and Roscosmos are working on options for cooperation on launching Soyuz rockets from the Kourou spaceport, and a joint report will be presented following the meetings. Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron, at an informal meeting of EU ministers, expressed support for ESA plans for the development of manned flights. On Thursday, the director general of Roscosmos announced the possibility of upgrading the Soyuz launch complex at Kourou for manned launches. According to him, this would help Europeans save billions of euros and expand their ability to deliver astronauts to Earth's orbit. (2/17)

Research Project Examines How Humans Live in Space (Source: Space Daily)
Shawn Graham, a digital archaeologist and historian at Carleton University, is working with the International Space Station Archaeological Project (ISSAP) to record and analyze the rich material culture onboard the International Space Station (ISS) after more than 20 years of human occupation. "As far as we know, no other beings have ever left their home planet," says Graham. "We are documenting this not only to preserve the past, but also to understand what it means to be human." And to prepare for the future. For Graham, this research is essential for understanding a brand-new facet of the human experience. (2/18)

Preventing Lunar Traffic Jams (Source: Space Daily)
Scientists are launching satellites and other payloads to orbit the moon. But so far, no one has kept track of just how many artificial objects are already up there, or where they are at any given moment. Without a way to keep track of traffic, the orbital space surrounding the moon could quickly grow crowded. The Air Force Research Laboratory's Space Vehicles Directorate has tasked University of Arizona researchers with getting a handle on this impending lunar traffic jam, awarding them $7.5 million in funding. They are developing ways to detect, characterize and track objects in cislunar space, or the space between Earth and the moon. (2/15)

Moon Should be Privatized to End Global Poverty (Source: Sputnik)
The protection of the Moon is clearly stated in the 1967 Outer Space Treaty (OST) - an international document that prohibits any state to appropriate the space rock or other celestial bodies. Researchers from the Adam Smith Institute, a British neoliberal think tank, have suggested that dividing the Moon into regions and privatising it can help end global poverty. However, there is a twist: the think tank suggests rethinking international accords to do so.

Rebecca Lowe, an economic researcher who compiled a report on the matter for the institute titled "Space Invaders: Property Rights on the Moon," has proposed the so-called "individualistic" approach to redefining the Moon's property rights issue in a departure from what is outlined by the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. According to her, parts of the moon should be assigned to different countries that can then generate money by selling it to businesses, for example. (2/15)

Blue Origin to Build More rockets Amid Expectations to Tourist Flights (Source: Sputnik)
Blue Origin says it will have to build more of its New Shepard rockets in order to meet the "very robust demand" for space tourism, the company's CEO said. At the FAA Commercial Space Transportation Conference on Thursday, Blue Origin CEO Bob Smith said the company had "thousands of people in the auction process" for tickets, indicating "very robust demand" for more New Shepard flights. Smith told the conference attendees the company could "easily double that" this year. Each capsule can carry up to six passengers. (2/18)

OneWeb Satellites Launched with Altius "Dog Tags" for End-of-Life Servicing (Source: Voyager)
February 10 marked a major milestone for Voyager Space and Altius Space Machines: not only was this our first successful launch of 2022, but it also marks over 300 DogTags having launched into space! An Arianespace Syouz rocket lifted off from French Guiana, carrying 34 OneWeb satellites, all equipped with Altius DogTags to support future end-of-life operations and mitigate future space debris as part of OneWeb’s Responsible Space program.

Altius’ DogTag grapple fixture is a commercially available universal grappling point for satellites which supports a variety of grappling approaches, including mechanical, magnetic and electrostatic. We’re especially proud of the DogTags’ ability to help mitigate the growing space debris problem by making it easier to de-orbit non-functioning satellites. DogTags can also be used to tug functional satellites to new orbits and act as anchor points for satellite servicing. (2/16)

US Space Force Aims for More Resilient Architecture by 2026 (Source: C4ISRnet)
The Space Force’s procurement organization has set 2026 as a target date for delivering “maximum operational capability” in the form of new, more resilient space systems. That timeline, says Space Systems Command Executive Director Joy White, was set by SSC Commander Lt. Gen. Michael Guetlein and is informed by growing concerns among the service’s leadership about growing on-orbit threats.

White didn’t elaborate on the threat assessments that support the 2026 need date, but said there’s an urgency among the service’s acquisition leadership to ensure its processes and culture are structured to support rapid development and fielding of new space capabilities. While it’s not immediately clear how SSC leadership defines “maximum operational capability,” the command’s push for fielding more resilient constellations -- and doing so quickly -- aligns with messaging from Air Force and Space Force leadership. (2/17)

Starship Lookalike Among China’s New Human Spaceflight Concepts (Source: Space News)
China is researching and developing new vehicles for various human spaceflight missions, including a new methane-fueled launcher apparently inspired by SpaceX. The country is working on a new generation reusable launch vehicle for missions to low Earth orbit (LEO) and beyond, based on developed technologies, a winged space transportation system, and a fully reusable and low cost, two-stage methane-liquid oxygen launcher, apparently drawing on SpaceX’s Starship system concept.

Notably the latter appears to be a new path for China. The system would see the first stage land vertically while the second stage utilizes wings for initial declaration, before a powered descent and vertical landing. However, while Starship and Super Heavy are planned to be able to carry in excess of 100 metric tons to LEO, CALT’s methalox system would be capable of launching around 20 tons to LEO, Wang said. The relevant slide appears to indicate use of a gas generator engine, whereas Starship uses more complex but more powerful staged combustion Raptor engines. (2/17)

Space Perspective Now Accepts Cryptocurrencies, Partners with Cool Effect for Carbon Offsets (Source: Space Perspective)
Space Perspective began accepting cryptocurrencies – including Bitcoin, Ethereum and many others – as payment to reserve a flight on Spaceship Neptune. Customers can now select crypto as a payment option and will be directed to Coinbase.com to safely and securely complete their transaction – a first in the commercial space flight industry. Space Perspective is also partnering with Cool Effect to offset the carbon footprint of its logistics operations including Spaceship Neptune flights. The company will be contracting with a third party to calculate the offset each year. (2/17)

Firefly Prepares for Second Attempt at Orbit (Source: Firefly Aerospace)
The Firefly team is laser-focused on reaching orbit this year. With the successful stage 2 hotfire today, both stages of our flight 2 Alpha vehicle have now completed acceptance testing and are ready for flight. See you on the pad. Click here. (2/17)

Rocket Lab Plans Space Systems Complex in Littleton Colorado (Source: Denver Gazette)
The positive aerospace industry growth news for metro Denver keeps rolling in. The latest is from Rocket Lab USA, Inc. which announced it’s opening a new space systems complex in Littleton “to support growing customer demand for flight software, mission simulation and Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC) services,” according to a news release. In October, the company based in Long Beach, Calif., purchased Littleton-based Advanced Solutions, paving the way for the new complex. (2/16)

SpaceX Preparing to Assemble Launch Tower for Starship’s First Florida Pad (Source: Teslarati)
SpaceX has only developed about a third of the land it leased at Roberts Road on the Cape Canaveral Spaceport. Just last month, development plans indicating that SpaceX intends to build two immense warehouse-like buildings to fill out the rest of the site were published by a local water agency. Based on their footprints, they would collectively have more covered floor space than the entirety of the South Texas ‘Starbase’ factory where all Starships are currently built.

During a February 10th, 2022 update presentation, CEO Elon Musk confirmed that SpaceX will build and launch Starships out of Florida, all but guaranteeing that the new facility will be a massive new Starship factory. Satellite imagery indicates that SpaceX has begun to level the unfinished portion of Roberts Road, likely paving the way for the start of foundation work in the near future. (2/16)

Aerial Video Tour of SpaceX, Blue Origin and Terran Orbital Site Expansions Around the Cape Canaveral Spaceport (Source: NasaSpaceFlight.com)
Foundations, similar to ones we've seen at Starbase, have been spotted in Florida for construction of launch tower segments as SpaceX prepares for Starship production at Kennedy Space Center. An unused hydrogen storage tank is also seen with holes cut into it, potentially for methane storage conversion. Click here. (2/17)

Prestwick Airport to Host Open Day on Ambitious UK Spaceport Plans (Source: Glasgow Daily Record)
An open day will lift the lid on Prestwick's Spaceport plans – and the "huge opportunities" they will provide for Ayrshire. The facility – which will be Europe’s "leading space applications hub" – is set to operate horizontal launch systems for small satellites. They will monitor climate change, track deforestation and identify illegal fishing or mining. The open event will provide the public with a first glimpse at how the facility will look and detail the technology set to be used. It is estimated that around 4,000 new jobs will be created as part of the ongoing development. (2/17)

Astronauts in Europe Ask for Their Own Independent Crew Spacecraft (Source: Ars Technica)
European astronauts have been flying into space since 1978, when a German named Sigmund Jähn climbed aboard a Soyuz spacecraft and traveled to the Salyut 6 space station for a week. Over the next four decades, dozens of European astronauts would fly on vehicles operated by Russia and the United States to various space stations. Most recently, French and German astronauts have launched to the International Space Station aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon vehicle.

These astronauts, Thomas Pesquet and Matthias Maurer, both praised the Crew Dragon vehicle's smooth spaceflight and the reusable nature of the rocket. They had no complaints. But as a new "manifesto" makes clear, European astronauts would like to have their own independent means of reaching the International Space Station. The document says that European leaders must soon decide whether the continent will accelerate its efforts to remain in the "leading ranks" of spacefaring nations. (2/16)

China Aims to Complete Space Station, Break Launch Record in 2022 (Source: Space.com)
China is aiming to eclipse a new national launch record set last year while also completing its three-module space station with six related missions in 2022. The China National Space Administration is preparing to launch two new space station modules, named Wentian and Mengtian, on separate Long March 5B rockets in the coming months. The modules will dock with the Tianhe core module, launched in April 2021, to complete the T-shaped Tiangong space station before the end of the year. (2/16)

Video: NASA's Launch Tower Took More Than 10 Years to Complete. But...SpaceX Only Took a Year! (Source: Great SpaceX)
SpaceX is reaching considerable success in “Stage Zero” which is as complex as the Super Heavy Booster and the Starship. Specifically, the Launch Tower with its Mechazilla system took only 13 months from design to build. Yup! You didn't hear wrong! Just 13 months to finish a 145 m height tower! It must be said that this is extremely impressive progress. With Mechazilla Launch Tower, SpaceX completely humiliated NASA. Click here. (2/16)

Worldwide Cislunar and Lunar Missions (Source: CSIS)
Fly Me to the Moon examines planned cislunar and lunar missions over the next decade from countries around the world. This compilation showcases the growth of satellites, rovers, and experiments intended to extend humanity’s reach more firmly into cislunar space and on the Moon. While many missions are focused on the discovery of water and ice on the lunar surface, others are building sustainable long-term transportation and habitation services for future human stay in space and on the Moon. Click here. (2/17) 

A Small Solar Storm Wrecked SpaceX Satellites. What Will a Big One Do? (Source: Quartz)
The Earth’s atmosphere is a dynamic thing, flowing and changing, even stretching all the way past the Moon. Earlier this month, heated by a burst of solar energy, it expanded—and gobbled up dozens of recently launched SpaceX satellites, costing the company tens of millions of dollars. Space weather is normal—government agencies, scientists, and even private companies track it—but so far we have a very limited ability to predict it. This is becoming a more acute problem as we put more equipment in space, but understanding solar weather is also important on Earth, since these storms have the potential of disrupting key infrastructure here, too.

The recent storm that doomed the SpaceX satellites was only a 1 out of 5 on NOAA’s measurement scale. But, in 1989, a major solar storm disrupted electricity in Canada, and one during the Vietnam war is thought to have set off mines at sea. An unlikely repeat of the Carrington event, a massive solar storm in 1859 that shut down telegraph networks, would be even worse in today’s far more electronic world. SpaceX’s satellites were particularly vulnerable because of their location at just 210 km above the planet.

One issue is that we still don’t have much ability to predict the solar weather. Sproles says forecasts of changing solar weather come within a few hours, not a few days. “If you had more advanced warning, you could shut down subsystems, it would be about safeing your satellite with more notice.” Last week, NASA announced two new projects to study the sun with space-based sensors. One of them, called MUSE, will launch a novel spectrograph with the ability to take longer exposures over a wider field of view. “MUSE is focused on understanding the physical processes behind space weather events,” De Pontieu says. “Getting a better physical understanding will inevitably lead to better predictions.” (2/16)

NOAA Report Says Sea Levels Are Still Rising At Alarming Rate (Source: Washington Post)
The shorelines of the United States are projected to face an additional foot of rising seas over the next three decades, intensifying the threat of flooding and erosion to coastal communities across the country, according to a report released Tuesday by NOAA. Human-caused climate change, driven mostly by the burning of fossil fuels, has accelerated global sea level rise to the fastest rate in more than 3,000 years. The report by NOAA, NASA and five other federal agencies — updating a study from 2017 — predicts that ocean levels along U.S. coasts will increase as much by 2050 as they did over the past century. (2/15)