August 2, 2022

Europe’s Ambitious Launch Year Goes Awry Due to International Tensions, Schedule Delays (Source: Parabolic Arc)
As they celebrated the arrival of a new year, officials at Arianespace and the European Space Agency (ESA) could look back in satisfaction and forward in great anticipation. Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana had hosted three launches each of the Ariane 5 and Vega rockets as well as a Russian Soyuz ST-B carrying a pair of Galileo navigation satellites. Arianespace and its Russian partner, Starsem, had conducted eight Soyuz-2.1b launches that placed 248 OneWeb broadband satellites into Earth orbit.

The new year would see the maiden flights of the new Ariane 6 and Vega C boosters, seven Soyuz launches to complete OneWeb’s constellation of 648 satellites, and the piece de resistance, the launch of Europe’s first rover to the surface of Mars aboard a Russian Proton rocket. Seven months later, the plan lies in ruins. Although Vega C debuted in July, Europe has been able to accomplish little of its ambitious launch plan. Call it bad karma. Or, the law of gravity: what goes up must come down. Having reached unprecedent heights in 2021, Europe’s bold ambitions have come crashing down as a result of factors largely outside of its control.

But, 2022 isn’t over yet. Additional Ariane 5 launches are scheduled in the five months ahead. And while Europe’s large rocket programs have suffered setbacks, a new group of small satellite launch providers are gearing to conduct flights from spaceports in the United Kingdom and Norway. Click here. (8/2)

Florida ‘Innovation Park’ Construction Planned Next to Space Coast Airport (Source: Orlando Inno)
A new nearly one million-square-foot industrial space is in the works next to a Brevard County spaceport. Key Group Holdings LLC plans to develop a 50-acre first phase of Space Coast Innovation Park in Titusville. It’s the start of a project that will include the development of 917,099 square feet of industrial space spread across nine buildings next to Space Coast Regional Airport and Space Coast Air & Spaceport.

It’s an important project, as the facilities may be able to attract business relocating to or expanding in the region. In fact, executives and experts previously said more industrial real estate is one of the biggest needs for aerospace companies on the Space Coast. If developed, Space Coast Innovation Park would add another facilities hub for growing businesses in Brevard County. There’s also the 299-acre Exploration Park near Kennedy Space Center, which came about from a partnership between NASA and Space Florida. Aerospace, technology and scientific companies can lease existing or built-to-suit facilities in Exploration Park. (8/2)

Russia Launches Potential Spacecraft for Satellite Surveillance (Source: NasaSpaceFlight.com)
Russia launched a spacecraft Monday that may seek to inspect another NRO satellite. A Soyuz-2.1v rocket lifted off from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia at 4:25 p.m. Eastern and placed a satellite into orbit called Cosmos 2558. Russia's military has not released details about the satellite, but the orbit appears to align with USA 326, a reconnaissance satellite for the NRO launched in February. That has led to speculation that Cosmos 2558 may be an inspector satellite seeking to monitor the spysat. A new object linked to USA 326 was cataloged last week, but it was not clear if it was debris or some kind of sub-satellite deployed from it. (8/2)

SES Completes Acquisition of DRS From Leonardo (Source: Space News)
Satellite operator SES has completed the acquisition of DRS Global Enterprise Solutions. SES announced Monday it completed the $450 million purchase of DRS from Leonardo DRS announced in March. DRS will be part of SES Government Solutions, and SES expects to leverage the DRS customer base to grow its U.S. defense and government business. The combined business is led by former DRS senior vice president David Fields, who succeeds Pete Hoene as president and CEO of SES Government Solutions. (8/2)

Space Force Looks to Put Space Attaches in Embassies (Source: Air Force Magazine)
The Space Force is in the process of establishing a program that will bolster the new service’s diplomatic outreach with its very first attaches in select U.S. embassies across the world, Air Force Magazine has confirmed. The Regional Space Advisor program will “develop a cadre of space professionals focused on strengthening Allied and Partner relationships,” Space Force spokesperson Lt. Col. Brooke Davis said. As part of that process, the program will place space attaches in a variety of countries, “both established and emerging space powers,” Davis said. (8/1)

Space Force Conducts Innovative Talent Acquisition Process (Source: USSF)
In May 2022, the U.S. Space Force held a Cyber Constructive Service (CCS) Credit Board, in which the service called for applications from civilian cyber professionals to become cyber officers in the Space Force. Casting a wide net, approximately 1,000 people attended a virtual conference, with more than 400 applying. The board further narrowed the field and 10 cyber professionals accepted a commission as a cyber officer.

“Every cyber Guardian in the Space Force transferred from another service,” said Col. John Smail, senior cyber officer and a member of the CCS board. “The constructive service credit program provided another opportunity for us to find specific expertise and leadership experience in officer grades.” Smail explained that not only was the board able to find candidates that were needed to meet force requirements, but they also saw candidates with experience that is rarely found in the military.

Through normal commissioning, someone with a Bachelor’s degree or higher can apply to serve in the Air Force or Space Force. Any newly-commissioned cyber officer will then start as a second lieutenant, promoting through the ranks as normal. However, these civilian cyber professionals brought unique skills and experiences, and were offered commissions to first lieutenant, captain, major and lieutenant colonel. Six qualified candidates are authorized to attend officer training school this year. If more than six are qualified, their training authorization will transfer to Fiscal Year 2023. (8/1)

Space Force Expands Role to Coordinate Military Space Requirements (Source: Space News)
Space Force will take on a bigger role in coordinating space requirements for other branches of the military. The Space Force was recently assigned the role of "integrator for joint space requirements," which means the Space Force will have to coordinate the wish lists of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force, and recommend how to meet future needs. The bulk of those needs will come from the U.S. Army's land forces, which are large consumers of satellite services for global navigation and communications. The Space Force is still figuring out a process for coordinating and de-conflicting space requirements from multiple services and getting them approved by the Pentagon's Joint Requirements Oversight Council. (8/2)

SLS Stages in Assembly at MAF for Future NASA Artemis Launches (Source: NasaSpaceFlight.com)
Boeing, the prime Stages contractor for NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) program, is working on the production and development of hardware for the third and fourth Artemis launches at the Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF) in New Orleans. Welded and bolted structures for the third and fourth Core Stage vehicles are being assembled in parallel with preparations to begin the initial production of the new Exploration Upper Stage (EUS).

Structural assembly of four of the five main Core Stage-3 elements is complete and Boeing has begun the long-lead engine section structure for Core Stage-4. Simultaneously, weld development for EUS continues before the assembly of first flight structures and the new production area in the middle of the factory is being staged for the upcoming arrival of tooling to build the upper stage.

Boeing is currently working on the assembly and production of the next three Core Stages at Michoud. In addition to the final assembly of Core Stage-2, which is targeted for delivery in March, the structural assembly of Core Stage-3 is almost complete and the long lead elements for Core Stage-4 are in production behind those two builds. (8/1)

NASA Revises Rules for Private ISS Visitors (Source: Space News)
NASA has revised rules for private astronaut missions to the International Space Station, including requiring former NASA astronauts to command them. In a procurement notice Monday, the agency said having a mission commanded by a former NASA astronaut with spaceflight experience would provide better guidance for private astronauts on those missions and be a link with the professional astronauts on the station. A former NASA astronaut commanded Axiom Space's Ax-1 mission in April, but the company had talked about eventually shifting to missions comprised entirely of private astronauts. Other changes include requiring more advanced notice of research and media plans for such missions and building in additional time to adapt to zero gravity. (8/2)

Polaris Dawn Private Mission to Launch in Late 2022, with Spacewalk But No ISS Stay (Source: Space News)
Another private crewed mission is planning to launch late this year. Polaris Dawn is the first of three planned missions of the Polaris Program, started by billionaire Jared Isaacman after his Inspiration4 mission last year. The five-day mission will not visit the ISS but instead fly in a higher orbit with an apogee of up to 1,400 kilometers. A spacewalk, the first from a Crew Dragon spacecraft, is still being planned for the mission. Isaacman said last week Polaris Dawn was currently slated to launch in December. (8/2)

Chinese Rocket Debris Found in Indonesia and Malaysia (Source: The Guardian)
Debris from a Chinese rocket has been found in Southeast Asia. Metallic debris believed to be from the core stage of the Long March 5B that reentered Saturday has been found near villages in Indonesia and Malaysia. The rocket reentered over the region, although most of the debris that survived reentry was thought to have splashed down in the nearby Sulu Sea. No damage or injuries from the falling debris were reported. (8/2)

Australian Space Agency Looking Possible SpaceX Space Debris (Source: The Mandarin)
The Australian Space Agency has visited a site in Numbla Vale in NSW to investigate space debris, believed to belong to US corporation SpaceX. “The agency is actively working to support formal identification of the objects, and is engaging with our counterparts in the US,” a spokesperson said. “We believe it could be associated with SpaceX but we won’t be confirming it until we actually get acknowledgement from them. (8/1)

Virgin Galactic Plans Astronaut Training Center Near Spaceport America (Source: Virgin Galactic)
Virgin Galactic has acquired land in New Mexico that will be home to a new Astronaut campus and training facility. The land, located in Sierra Country, will be home to a new, first-of-its-kind Astronaut campus, for use by Virgin Galactic Future Astronauts and up to three guests in advance of their spaceflight from Spaceport America. The plan for the campus will include training facilities, purposeful accommodations, and tailored experiences as well as an observatory, wellness center, recreation activities, and unique dining options.

Conceptual design of the campus has already begun, and Virgin Galactic plans to complete the build out in parallel with the expansion and capacity of its fleet in New Mexico. The Company is committed to continuing its strong track record of engaging local suppliers. Since 2011, Virgin Galactic has totaled more than $180 million in expenditures in New Mexico, with more than $50 million of supplies purchased from over 200 different local suppliers. The Company currently employs more than 200 New Mexico-based employees and expects that many professional and service roles will be created to support the high-touch training and hospitality operations planned at the site. (8/2)

DoD Deploying Final Satellite in Missile Warning System (Source: National Defense)
This sixth and final Space Based Infrared System Geosynchronous Earth Orbit, or SBIRS GEO, satellite will complete the missile warning satellite constellation, which consists of spacecraft in both geosynchronous and highly elliptical orbits. Along with missile warning and defense, the fleet carries out battlespace awareness and technical intelligence for the United States, said Col. Daniel Walter. The first SBIRS GEO satellite was launched in 2011.

SBIRS GEO-6 will undergo extensive testing, with the goal of achieving operational acceptance in spring or summer 2023, said Maj. Matthew Blystone, Space Force program manager for SBIRS GEO-5 and 6. SBIRS GEO-6 has a 12-year service life. Featuring two infrared sensors, SBIRS GEO-6 can detect and provide data on missile launches across the world, said Blystone. The SBIRS constellation “serves as the country's first line of defense, performing early warning launch detection and notification to inform America's governmental leaders and decision makers as well as forces on the battlefield,” he said.

SBIRS GEO-6, along with the fifth satellite in the constellation which launched last year, are based on Lockheed Martin’s LM2100 Combat Bus. The LM2100 Combat Bus will also provide the framework for the missile defense satellites that will follow SBIRS, said Corriea. The first satellite of the next generation missile warning spacecraft is currently in production and on track to launch in 2025, he said. (8/1)

SpaceX Super Heavy Tank Prototype Survives Crush Testing (Source: Teslarati)
A tank prototype similar to SpaceX’s next-generation Super Heavy rocket booster has survived a series of tests that repeatedly attempted to destroy it. Known as Booster 7.1 or B7.1, the tank is the latest in a long line of ‘test tanks’ designed to verify the performance of Starship and Super Heavy and qualify new designs and manufacturing techniques without risking an entire upper stage or booster. In general, that means that test tanks are as minimal as possible and much shorter than either Starship stage, but they’re also assembled out of nine-meter-wide (30 ft) steel barrels and domes almost identical to the sections that make up Starship and Super Heavy. (8/1)

SpaceX’s Starlink Has Soared, But a Course Correction May be on the Horizon (Source: Fast Company)
Starlink’s recent move to start selling service to recreational vehicles at much higher prices—and without a wait for hardware to ship—risks embittering the customers who need Starlink the most. “They threw a wrench in their whole effort,” Entner commented, adding this option is open to queue jumping by people placing orders for Starlink RV service who don’t own RVs.

In a June filing with the FCC urging the agency to deny Starlink’s bid to offer service to moving vehicles, ships, and aircraft, Harold Felt, senior vice president of the consumer advocacy group Public Knowledge, griped that “SpaceX has decided to give customers in rural America a back seat to gamers on mountain tops and luxury RVs.” The FCC granted Starlink’s request for mobile service anyway, leading to the company’s announcement of a $5,000/month maritime service for large boats. It’s also signed up Hawaiian Airlines and the small regional-jet carrier JSX to start using Starlink for inflight Wi-Fi, which each airline says will be free to use.

In order to build out its constellation, it seems clear that SpaceX will need multiple revenue streams to cover costs that, according to Musk’s own prediction, could hit $30 billion. SpaceX’s current FCC authorization allows a first-generation deployment of 4,408 satellites, but an August 2021 FCC filing envisages a second-generation system of 29,988 satellites. That volume of satellites raises concerns over orbital congestion and interference with Earth-based astronomy, but it will also require a bigger rocket: SpaceX’s not-yet-flown Starship. (8/2)