June 12, 2023

SES Delivers Satellite Connectivity to AWS Modular Data Center for DoD (Source: Space Daily)
SES Space and Defense announced the availability of flexible, secure, and reliable satellite-powered network connectivity for AWS Modular Data Center. AWS Modular Data Center makes it easy for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to deploy modular data centers managed by Amazon Web Services (AWS) in infrastructure-limited locations. In February 2023, AWS announced the availability of AWS Modular Data Center to the DoD under the Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability (JWCC) contract. (6/8)

Viasat Selected by AFRL to Deliver Space Relay Communications for Multi-Orbit Mission (Source: Space Daily)
Viasat was selected by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Space Vehicles Directorate (RV) to provide on-orbit space relay connectivity for its ARBALEST program, which aims to support a future space-based demonstration of operational capabilities for the Department of Defense (DoD). The future AFRL mission will illustrate the advantages of enabling real-time, global connectivity between DoD low Earth orbit (LEO) spacecraft and commercial geostationary (GEO) satellites. (6/8)

BAE Systems’ Azalea Satellite Cluster Streamlines ISR Obtention (Source: Airforce Technology)
BAE Systems Digital Intelligence has come up with a versatile solution that streamlines the obtention of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) data. Known as “Azalea”, a cluster of four multi-sensor satellites collect optical, radar and radio frequency (RF) data that is then analysed in orbit using machine learning (ML). (6/9)

NOAA Satellites Tracking Canadian Wildfire Smoke (Source: Space News)
NOAA weather satellites have been tracking smoke from Canadian wildfires. The Advanced Baseline Imager on the GOES-East weather satellite has provided updates on the plume of smoke that moved south into the northeastern U.S., sharply reducing air quality in many cities last week. One NOAA scientist called the fires the worst event in terms of smoke for the eastern U.S. in at least 10 to 15 years. (6/12)

US State Department Developing Framework for Space Policy Coordination (Source: Space News)
A new State Department framework for space policy is intended to coordinate existing activities related to space diplomacy in the department. In a recent interview, Jennifer Littlejohn, acting assistant secretary of state for oceans and international environmental and scientific affairs, described the Strategic Framework for Space Policy document released last month as an effort to put together existing efforts in a "more coherent, clear and purposeful way." That includes supporting efforts related to the Artemis Accords, with two working groups of signatory nations studying lunar surface activities and engaging emerging space nations. (6/12)

Collar Resigns as SES CEO (Source: SES)
In a surprising move, Steve Collar is resigning as chief executive of satellite operator SES. The company announced early Monday that Collar would step down at the end of the month "to pursue other professional and personal endeavors." Collar has served as CEO of SES for more than five years, overseeing initiatives like development of the O3b mPower series of satellites and C-band spectrum clearing efforts. Ruy Pinto, chief technology officer of SES, will serve as interim CEO while SES searches for a permanent successor. (6/12)

Quantum Space Gets New CEO (Source: Quantum Space)
Quantum Space, a company developing spacecraft for cislunar applications, has appointed a new CEO. The company announced Friday that Kerry Wisnosky, who had been chief operating officer, would take over as president and CEO. He succeeds Steve Jurczyk, a former NASA associate administrator who moved into a new role as executive vice president at parent company IBX. The company is developing spacecraft called Ranger and Scout for delivering payloads to geostationary orbit and cislunar space. (6/12)

Pacific Joint Space Facility Planned in Queensland, Australia (Source: PJSF)
The most valuable geo-strategic launch location in the world, Pacific Joint Space Facility Australia, is happy to reveal our proposed heavy-lift launch location is Port Alma, Queensland, Australia. Pacific Joint Space Facility has a Strategic Business Plan in place that would allow us to provide clients a heavy lift capability that is $35/$40 million cheaper per launch than SpaceX heavy lift. We have zero competition in this payload size in the Asia Pacific Region.

Pacific Joint Space Facility, Australia, is also pleased to announce its first GEO and Lunar Orbital Insertion Contract with the Greek based company, Lunar Cargo PC, for the delivery of orbiting fuel stations to both GEO and lunar orbits, scheduled for delivery in late 2028, depending on circumstances and timelines. Thermal Nuclear Propulsion will be our choice of technology for Lunar and Deep Spaceflight. (6/10)

New Keen-Sighted Satellite Will View Distant Stars, Assist Webb Telescope (Source: UC Boulder)
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the most powerful telescope ever launched into space, will soon get a new “sidekick”—a small but nimble satellite that borrows its name from a multicolored sea creature. Last month, NASA selected the $8.5 million space mission, which is called Monitoring Activity from Nearby sTars with uv Imaging and Spectroscopy (MANTIS). This “CubeSat,” or mini-satellite, will be about the size of a toaster oven and will be designed and built at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) at the University of Colorado Boulder. (6/8)

SpaceX Launches Starlink Satellites From Florida Spaceport (Source: SpaceFlight Now)
SpaceX launched a set of Starlink satellites early Monday morning. A Falcon 9 lifted off from Cape Canaveral at 3:10 a.m. Eastern and deployed 53 satellites into orbit 65 minutes later. SpaceX now has more than 4,200 Starlink satellites in orbit. The first-stage booster was recovered downrange. (6/12)

NASA Helps Launch a New Program, and it’s Not Going to Space (Source: FNN)
Now back from space, three NASA astronauts have a new mission: to help recruit the next generation of federal employees. A group of current federal interns across government heard from NASA astronauts Nicole Mann and Josh Cassada, as well as Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Koichi Wakata, at a launch event for a new federal internship experience program. The program, a collaboration between the Office of Personnel Management and Department of Interior, will offer the short-term feds more professional development opportunities throughout the summer. (6/9)

Investments in the Space Industry May Be Down But That Doesn’t Mean the Money’s Going Away (Source: FNN)
Investments in the U.S. space industry dropped 53% to $2.2 billion in the first three months of 2023. That’s according to recent analysis from Space Capital, a venture capital firm that invests in the space economy. To find out what that means for firms like his and the current financial state of the industry itself, I talked with Chad Anderson who is founder and managing partner of Space Capital. Click here. (6/9)

Space Club Invites Nominations for Annual Florida Awards (Source: NSCFL)
Nominations for the National Space Club Florida Committee 2023 Lifetime Achievement, Rising Star, Kolcum News & Communications, and Space Worker Hall of Fame Awards are now open. The deadline is July 7. The Lifetime Achievement Award honors those with lifelong service. The Rising Star Award seeks to honor someone who is very early in his or her career. The Kolcum News & Communications Awards honor news media and communications professionals for excellence in telling the space story. The Space Worker Hall of Fame Awards honor workers in Space Launch Technology, Space Flight Support, Human Spaceflight Advancement, and Space Flight Advocacy and Education. Click here. (6/12)

The Special Ingredient for Mars Travel Meal Prep? Astronaut Breath (Source: NPR)
The ingredients for space yeast are fairly simple. "Astronaut breath, water, yeast starter, electricity, a rolling pin and we can make it happen," said Stafford Sheehan, a finalist in the NASA-sponsored Deep Space Food Challenge. Put air, water and yeast starter into Sheehan's handy machine, wait about two hours and voila: a protein shake textured-yeast that can be dried and rolled into pasta or tortillas. (This is where the rolling pin comes in.)

Back in 2017, Sheehan invented a process that can turn carbon dioxide into alcohol, which can then be turned into vodka, perfume and yeast. His company, Air Co., which he founded with his friend Gregory Constantine, is now in the third and final phase of the international contest to create novel, game-changing food technologies for long-term space missions. The goal is two-pronged: These edible innovations could help make the exploration to Mars and deep space more feasible. (6/12)