December 3, 2022

16 Costa Rican Girls are Ready to Travel to the NASA Johnson Space Center (Source: QCosta Rica)
The 16 girls selected by the “SHE IS” Association reached the semifinal phase of the “ELLA ES ASTRONAUTA” (She Is Astronaut) program, where they will live a unique and incomparable experience during immersion at the NASA Space Center in Houston, Texas. (12/3)

Amazon Web Services to Invest in Indian Space Startups, Help ISRO in Space Data Management (Source: Business Today)
Aiming to tap the multi-dollar opportunity in the Indian space sector, Amazon Web Services (AWS) will invest in the country's space start ups and will collaborate with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) in space data management. AWS announced that it successfully ran a suite of AWS compute and machine learning (ML) software on an orbiting satellite, in a first-of-its-kind space experiment.

The experiment, conducted over the past 10 months in low Earth orbit (LEO), was designed to test a faster, more efficient method for customers to collect and analyze valuable space data directly on their orbiting satellites using the cloud.

Providing AWS edge capabilities onboard an orbiting satellite for the first time lets customers automatically analyze massive volumes of raw satellite data in orbit and only downlink the most useful images for storage and further analysis, driving down cost and enabling timely decision-making. (12/3)

OneWeb Aims to Deploy a Record 40 Satellites in SpaceX Mission (Source: Space News)
OneWeb said SpaceX is slated to launch 40 of its satellites as early as Dec. 6 to complete almost 80% of its low Earth orbit broadband (LEO) constellation. All 40 satellites have been encapsulated for a Falcon 9 launch no earlier than 5:37 p.m. Eastern from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, OneWeb said. It would be the first time a single launch mission has deployed more than 36 satellites for the British operator. (12/2)

Space Force Opens New Regional Base in Florida (Source: The Hill)
The Space Force, the Pentagon’s newest military service, activated on Friday its second regional headquarters in Tampa, Fla., under U.S. Central Command. U.S. Space Forces-Central, opened at MacDill Air Force Base, “will play a significant role in supporting Centcom’s growing need for space-based capabilities such as satellite navigation, communications and missile warnings” in the Middle East and central Asia, according to a Wednesday release from the command.

The new regional headquarters is meant to put more focus on space-related defense issues within Centcom and will carry out all space operations within the command’s area of responsibility. Led by Col. Christopher Putman, the 28-person staff is meant to “work with allies and partners to integrate space activities into shared operations,” Centcom noted. (12/2)

Space Florida, Northrop Grumman Partnership Helped Bring Us B-21 Raider (Source: Space Florida)
Space Florida, the state’s aerospace finance and development authority, played a role in support of Northrop Grumman’s B-21 Raider program. The B-21 Raider was designed and engineered at Northrop Grumman’s Melbourne facility. In 2014 Space Florida assembled the financing structure facilitating the successful Northrop Grumman proposal to build the aircraft.

“Space Florida congratulates Northrop Grumman on the unveiling of their B-21 Raider, an aircraft imagined and designed right here in Florida. Nearly ten years ago, Space Florida worked alongside Northrop Grumman to finance their Melbourne operation so that moments like today would become a reality. This aircraft, as a fundamental component of our strategic deterrence, will strengthen our national security and serve as the cornerstone for the future of our U.S. air power. We are proud of our partnership with Northrop Grumman as they continue to invest here, helping cultivate a cutting-edge technology eco-system that solidifies Florida as the premier state for aerospace.” (12/2)

Weatherman Recognized for Space Coast Economic Development Leadership (Source: Florida Today)
After decades of steering the Economic Development Commission in charge of attracting and growing businesses to and on the Space Coast, Lynda Weatherman was recognized with the prestigious Rodney S. Ketcham Leadership Icon Award from LEAD Brevard. Weatherman has led the EDC as President and CEO for 28 years. According to LEAD Brevard, Weatherman has overseen many crucial areas of growth.

She facilitated $1.8 billion in capital investments resulting from the announcement of over 50 business projects, including attainment of the assembly and checkout of NASA'S Orion crew vehicle, attraction of Boeing Space and Launch headquarters, attraction of Lockheed Martin's Fleet Ballistic Missile headquarters, and attraction of Blue Origin's manufacturing and processing facility. (12/2)

Spaceport Among Big Priorities for New Mexico Economic Development Department (Source: Albuquerque Business Journal)
Economic Development Department Cabinet Secretary Alicia Keyes briefed lawmakers earlier this week on legislative priorities including the Next Generation Film Academy, Spaceport America and the Borderplex. Rep. Jane Powdrell-Culbert (R- Sandoval) said it's not clear where the Spaceport is going, which, she said, was concerning given how many state dollars have gone into the entity.

In response, Keyes said the Department is committed to finding additional companies — beyond its anchor tenant, Virgin Galactic (NYSE: SPCE) — to operate out of the Spaceport in order to diversify revenue. That includes opportunities outside of the private sector, such as hosting aspects of the U.S. Space Force. There are currently six tenants at the Spaceport alongside Virgin Galactic. (12/2)

Momentus Inc. Announces Resignation of Jikun Kim (Source: Momentus)
Momentus Inc. announced that Jikun Kim, Momentus Chief Financial Officer, will resign from his role effective January 6, 2023. Momentus will announce a successor for Kim at a later date. (12/2)

Uganda Says its Debut Satellite Launched Into Orbit (Source: Reuters)
Uganda's first satellite has been successfully launched into orbit from the International Space Station (ISS) and the East African nation's ground controllers were in contact with the device, the government said on Friday. The PearlAfricaSat-1 spacecraft was rocketed to the ISS by NASA on Nov. 7, alongside Zimbabwe's ZimSat-1, with officials saying it will help Uganda monitor weather and disasters, map its mineral wealth and generate other crucial data. (12/2)

Kennedy Space Center Introducing New Projection Show for Holidays (Source: Orlando Sentinel)
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is adding a new projection mapping show called “Starflake’s Holiday Voyage” to its holiday celebration. The six-minute production will be shown on the exterior of Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex, which opened at the Brevard County attraction this year. “Starflake’s Holiday Voyage” works its way through the stars, but it includes recognizable features such as NASA’s Vehicle Assembly Building, International Space Station, the Artemis Moon rocket and more. (11/25)

SpaceX Gives Space Coast 52nd Launch of the Year (Source: Orlando Sentinel)
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched Saturday from Kennedy Space Center on the 52nd successful flight of the year from the Space Coast. The CRS-26 mission lifted off from Launch Pad 39-A on a resupply run to the International Space Station. The launch keeps the Space Coast on its record pace, averaging more than one liftoff a week this year from either KSC or Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, and hitting 52 in just 47 weeks with as many as half a dozen more launches that could come before Dec. 31. Last year, the Space Coast saw 31 launches. (11/26)