September 7, 2022

DoD Adopts Rules for Safe Ops in Space (Source: Space News)
The Defense Department has updated its space policy, formally adopting rules for safe operations in space. The updated document, signed last week by Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks, is the first one that lays out the roles of DoD's space organizations that didn't exist until 2019, including the U.S. Space Force, U.S. Space Command and the assistant secretary of defense for space policy. The document states that the Defense Department will "protect and defend the use of space for U.S. national security purposes, the U.S. economy, and allies and partners of the United States." It also adopts five "tenets of responsible behavior in space," published in July 2021. (9/7)

NASA to Fix SLS Hydrogen Leak on Pad (Source: Space News)
NASA announced late Tuesday it will attempt to fix a liquid hydrogen leak that scrubbed the most recent Space Launch System launch attempt while the rocket is still on the pad. The agency said it would remove and replace a seal in a quick-disconnect fitting, where a liquid hydrogen line connects to the SLS core stage, while on the pad. Such a repair could preserve the opportunity to attempt a launch as soon as late September, which would not be possible if the rocket had to roll back to the Vehicle Assembly Building. NASA noted, though, that it would still have to roll back unless the Eastern Range extends the certification of its flight termination system, and that other repairs could require a rollback. (9/7)

Aerospace Corp. Opens Space Warfighting Center in Colorado Springs (Source: Space News)
The Aerospace Corporation has opened a new facility in Colorado Springs equipped with digital engineering and simulation labs to support military space programs. The $100 million Space Warfighting Center, formally unveiled Tuesday, will provide work areas and digital tools for military space agencies that design satellites and train satellite operators. Aerospace decided to build the facility to meet local demand for technical design and specialized training from several military organizations based in the area. (9/7)

Dubai’s New $5 Billion ‘Moon’ Proposed as UAE Shoots for the Stars (Source: Arabian Business)
Dubai could have a $5 billion moon building in the form of destination resort, Canadian architectural company and intellectual property licensor, Moon World Resorts Inc. told Arabian Business. Proposed and co-founded by Sandra G. Matthews and Michael R. Henderson, the resort is designed to be built in 48 months, and will have an overall height of 735 feet.

When constructed, Moon Dubai is expected to add to the emirate’s economy in sectors such as hospitality, entertainment, attractions, education, technology, the environment and space tourism, Henderson said. The resort’s lunar surface, surrounded by a “lunar colony,” is expected to enable 2.5 million guests, annually, to experience affordable space tourism on the ground in Dubai.

“Moon Dubai will significantly impact every aspect of the emirate’s economy including tourism, transportation, commercial and residential real estate, infrastructure, financial services, aviation and space, energy, MICE, agriculture, technology and of course education,” Henderson said, adding this would “firmly plant the UAE flag into the forefront of space exploration,” thus, driving millions of global space enthusiasts to seek out all Dubai has to offer. (9/7)

UAE Mars Orbiter Chief Takes New Position in Government (Source: The National)
The head of the United Arab Emirates' first Mars orbiter mission is taking a new position in the government. The UAE announced Wednesday that Omran Sharaf had been appointed as assistant minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation, responsible for advanced science and technology. He will support efforts by the UAE to form new strategic partnerships in science and technology. Sharaf had been director of the Emirates Mars Mission, whose Hope spacecraft launched in 2020 and has been orbiting Mars since February 2021. (9/7)

South Korean Lunar Orbiter Maneuvers Toward Moon (Source: Space News)
A South Korean lunar orbiter completed a critical maneuver on its way to the moon. The spacecraft, called Danuri, launched last month on a Falcon 9 onto a ballistic lunar trajectory, which takes it far from the moon before swinging back to go into orbit to save propellant. The Korea Aerospace Research Institute said the spacecraft performed a trajectory correction maneuver last week that was so precise controllers have decided to skip another such maneuver scheduled for later this month. Danuri is scheduled to enter orbit around the moon in December. (9/7)

India Seeks Space Cooperation with Australia, Netherlands (Source: PTI)
India is seeking to expand space cooperation with Australia and The Netherlands. The head of ISRO, S Somanath, met Tuesday with the head of the Australian Space Agency and the Dutch ambassador to India on space issues. Expanded cooperation with Australia could include placing a ground station on an Australian island to support India's Gaganyaan human spaceflight program, while discussions with The Netherlands involved potential work in Earth observation and space-based astronomy. (9/7)

Sidus Space Executes Multiple Launch Agreement with SpaceX (Source: Sidus)
Space Coast-based Sidus Space has signed a launch agreement with SpaceX for five launches, beginning in early 2023. Sidus' LizzieSats are 3D printed satellites with redundant attitude controls systems to provide precision pointing for payloads, and onboard propulsion to maintain orbital position and support collision avoidance. The launches will support previously announced contracts with NASA and Mission Helios as well as prospective customers that Sidus continues to layer into its pipeline in all areas including payload hosting and capturing space-based data. (9/7)

Dawn of a New Space Age For the U.K. Satellite Sector (Source: Forbes)
NASA’s planned return to the moon has got everyone buzzing about space again. But the last decade has also seen massive growth in the space industry, with enormous opportunities for entrepreneurs in the U.K. satellite sector. Click here. (9/2)

Martian Rock-Metal Composite Shows Potential of 3D Printing on Mars (Source: Space Daily)
A little Martian dust appears to go a long way. A small amount of simulated crushed Martian rock mixed with a titanium alloy made a stronger, high-performance material in a 3D-printing process that could one day be used on Mars to make tools or rocket parts. The parts were made by Washington State University researchers with as little as 5% up to 100% Martian regolith, a black powdery substance meant to mimic the rocky, inorganic material found on the surface of the red planet.

While the parts with 5% Martian regolith were strong, the 100% regolith parts proved brittle and cracked easily. Still, even high-Martian content materials would be useful in making coatings to protect equipment from rust or radiation damage, said Amit Bandyopadhyay, corresponding author on the study published in the International Journal of Applied Ceramic Technology. (9/7)

Plans Made for Inland Port at Mojave Air and Space Port (Source: Aerotech News)
Fifteen Years after Los Angeles County launched an ultimately unrealized campaign to create an inland port in Palmdale, Kern County’s Board of Supervisors signed a proclamation of support for a proposal to build a new generation transportation hub adjacent to Mojave Air and Space Port. The proclamation announced the county’s agreement to support the intention of two private sector companies to finance, plan and construct a 402 or 410-acre inland port adjacent to Mojave Air and Space Port.

Located 90 miles north of the Long Beach and San Pedro harbors, the Mojave Inland Port would receive from the mega seaports an estimated 3 million cargo shipping containers a year arriving on Union Pacific Railroad trackage and on trucks using the SR-14 Antelope Valley Freeway. The reported privately financed project would be California’s first inland dryland port and would be the largest in the United States. It could support as many as 3,000 new jobs while generating an annual economic impact exceeding half a billion dollars. (9/6)

2022 Civil Air Patrol Space Force Operations Academy Cadets Visit the Space Coast (Source: USSF)
On Sunday, July 24, 2022, a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 53 Starlink satellites soared into the sky as U.S. Space Force Brig. Gen. Stephen Purdy, Space Launch Delta 45 Commander, and 27 Civil Air Patrol (CAP) cadets watched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla. Viewing the 32nd launch of the year kicked-off a week-long tour for the cadets. During their visit, the 27 cadets watched the Starlink 4-25 launch, toured Hangar C, numerous historic launch pads, the United Launch Alliance Atlas Spaceflight Operations Center, the Morrell Operations Center, received a Space launch Delta 45 Welcome Mission Brief, and much more. (9/6)

Rocket Lab Electron and Neutron Rockets Considered for Military Point-to-Point Cargo Delivery (Source: Rocket Lab)
Rocket Lab USA has signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) to explore the possibility of using the Company’s Neutron and Electron launch vehicles to transport cargo around the world. The agreement will also see Rocket Lab explore using Photon spacecraft to establish on-orbit cargo depots and deliver re-entry capability. (9/6)

SSTL Signs Contract for Unique Maritime Surveillance Satellite (Source: SSTL)
On the 25th of August 2022 Space Norway AS signed contracts with Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) to build a radar satellite system optimised for maritime surveillance in Norwegian areas of interest. The payloads will be developed and built by Norwegian suppliers, while the satellite bus and the radar antenna will be built in the UK by SSTL, based at Surrey Research Park.

The first satellite will be launched early 2025. In the following years, the plan is to launch a number of radar satellites to establish a constellation. The satellite system named MicroSAR is unique in the way it can detect relatively small vessels in a very large area simultaneously. Currently no other radar satellite systems with the same mix of capabilities exists. (9/2)

When Could Artemis Attempt a Launch Next? Here Are the Possible Openings (Source: Click Orlando)
While NASA is not sure when the Artemis 1 SLS rocket will be ready again for a launch attempt, they are looking at four possible periods over the next four months: Sep. 19-Oct. 4, Oct. 17-31, Nov. 12-27, and Dec. 9-23. The November and December periods are preliminary. (9/5)

Private Space Venture to Explore Venus (Source: Cosmos)
Is there life on Venus? Research says it once had oceans and would have supported temperatures of about 20-50 degrees Celsius (68-122 degrees Fahrenheit). Towards the end of this decade, NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) will send probes to find out. If, however, you can’t wait that long, then you’ll want to be getting across a recent announcement of a collaboration between Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) scientists and Rocket Lab which will launch a small probe to Venus in May next year.

It’s only a small rocket and probe, but it marks a big shift in the way humanity is interacting with space. The first 50 years of spaceflight typically involved governments and their agencies, which resulted in proportionally big steps for humankind, think: the first satellites, humans in space, walking on the moon, orbiting habitats like Skylab, the ISS, spacewalks and interstellar exploration. (9/6)

India Could Capture 8% of Global Space Economy (Source: The Hindu)
India's new space policy, which is expected to be unveiled soon, will remove most of the constraints faced by private players. India's space sector accounts for 2% of the global space economy, but can aim to touch 8% on the back of hard work by the private sector with hand holding from space agency ISRO, a top official has said. (9/6)

India Tests Inflatable Decelerator for Payload Reentry (Source: ISRO)
ISRO successfully demonstrated new technology with an Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator (IAD) – a game changer with multiple applications for future missions. It was successfully test flown in a Rohini sounding rocket. The IAD has huge potential in variety of space applications like recovery of spent stages of rocket, for landing payloads on to Mars or Venus and in making space habitat for human space flight missions. (9/3)

Astronauts' Blood Shows Signs of DNA Mutations Due to Spaceflight (Source: Space.com)
Astronaut cancer risk needs careful monitoring, concludes a study that stored spaceflyer blood for 20 years. All fourteen astronauts in the study, from NASA's space shuttle program, had DNA mutations in blood-forming stem cells, a Nature Communications Biology study Aug. 31 concluded. The mutations, though unusually high considering the astronauts' age, was below a key threshold of concern, however.

While the study is unique for keeping astronaut blood around for so long, the results are not show-stopping. Rather, the researchers suggest that astronauts should be subject to periodic blood screening to keep an eye on possible mutations. Monitoring programs will nevertheless be crucial as NASA reaches for long-duration deep space missions through its Artemis program on the moon and later, human excursions to Mars, the new study team said in a statement. (8/5)

Of Hydrogen and Humility (Source: Space Review)
NASA went into the first attempts to launch the Artemis 1 system confident in the Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft. Jeff Foust reports that, two scrubs later, that confidence is tempered by the challenges of dealing with a new launch vehicle using old, and troublesome, technology. Click here. (9/6)
 
The Origins and Evolution of the Defense Support Program, Part Two (Source: Space Review)
The early Defense Support Program missile-warning satellites were so successful they lasted far longer in orbit than expected, creating a stockpile of satellites on the ground. Dwayne Day explores how the US Air Force dealt with that issue and various technical glitches as the program matured. Click here. (9/6)
 
Frank Drake Has Passed Away But His Equation for Alien Intelligence is More Important Than Ever (Source: Space Review)
Astronomer Frank Drake, a pioneer in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, died last week at the age of 92. David Rothery examines perhaps his most famous contribution to the field, the equation that bears his name that allows us to estimate how much company we should have in the galaxy. Click here. (9/6)

At Texas Engine Test Site, SpaceX 'Noise' Goes Largely Quiet Over the Summer (Source: KXXV)
Say the name SpaceX in Central Texas and most people think of the giant, rocket engine testing facility in McLennan County. At any one time, close to 1,000 people or more are employed there. They pump a lot of money into the local economy. For months last winter and spring, though, the facility also pumped out massive noise and disturbances from the engine testing, frustrating thousands in McLennan County. Then, a curious thing happened this summer: hardly any noise or vibrations.

“Through the summer it’s dissipated even more to the point now where I hear it rarely, and I’ve gotten no calls about it since June,” said Mayor Jim Hering of McGregor. The mayor said the situation last fall, and through the first half of 2022, was reaching a boiling point. “The noise was bad, the shaking was bad," said Hering. "SpaceX knew it. It’s not a secret to anybody. It’s something we openly talked about." Two big changes helped quiet things down, starting in June.

For one, Hering said SpaceX changed their actual testing stands. Also, the summer months typically help with noise and vibrations because of the atmosphere, he said. The company has also improved when it's testing, conducting the vast majority now before 9 p.m. when fines kick in from the city. That was a big source of irritation for locals, as well. “That fine is several thousand dollars. It accumulates over the year, so if they do it again it’s even more,” said Hering. (9/5)

Dream Chaser Spaceplane Will Carry 'ScienceTaxi' Lab to Space Station (Source: Space.com)
Sierra Space and its parent aerospace company are opening their wings to new contracts in defense and life sciences. The Sierra Nevada Corp. (SNC)-led group garnered deals using the flagship Dream Chaser space plane and several defense vehicles in August. (Sierra Space is a separate company to SNC, but is also subsidiary to SNC.) Dream Chaser will be used for an ISS cargo mission in 2024 to ferry "a variety of life sciences experiments" for Yuri, a German space biotech company, Sierra Space announced in a statement on Wednesday.

Sierra Space will send at least six uncrewed ISS cargo missions using Dream Chaser, all lifting off from Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station using United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur rockets. They will land on conventional runways, and Sierra Space has said Spaceport America has applied for approval to land Dream Chaser, among other facilities.

On the defense side, Sierra Space announced a development milestone for its Vortex rocket engine, which will launch from Dream Chaser on military missions. The VR35K-A upper stage engine variant for commercial service passed a critical design review on Aug. 4. Sierra Space and the United States Air Force are together paying for the VR35K-A "to increase launch performance at a lower cost through development of an upper stage engine alternative," SNC officials stated. (9/6)

Training Astronauts to be Scientists on the Moon (Source: ESA)
Today, ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst and NASA’s Stephanie Wilson start an intensive course that will take them across Europe. The training will teach them how to read a landscape, collect scientifically relevant rocks and effectively communicate their geological observations with teams back on Earth. “With a new era of space exploration about to begin, it is crucial for us astronauts to get a good foundation of knowledge of planetary geology. It is the next level up ­– integrating lessons from Earth’s past into future Moon and Mars exploration,” says Alexander.

Alexander and Stephanie will learn how to achieve science-driven objectives on lunar and martian-like terrains, both exploring autonomously and in coordination with ground science teams. The Pangaea crew of European planetary scientists and engineers “will make sure that they work in tandem using the best geology observation techniques,” says Loredana Bessone, Pangaea’s Project Lead. (9/5)