April 13, 2024

Space Station's Coating Tech Enhances Food Preservation on Earth (Source: Xinhua)
China's advancements in space technology have the potential to revolutionize food preservation on Earth, with spacecraft engineers repurposing a cutting-edge barrier film, originally designed for the orbital space station, to effectively maintain the health and freshness of people's daily meals. This innovative achievement was recently unveiled by the China Academy of Space Technology, in the form of an advanced flexible film that can block gases and germs, providing exceptional protection for food. (4/12)

Internal Pre-Starlink SpaceX Financials Show Big Spending on Moonshot Bets (Source: Tech Crunch)
Confidential financial statements from SpaceX for 2018 and 2019 capture an early glimpse at the degree to which the company is likely dependent on its Starlink business unit, and bringing the Starship rocket online, to become cash flow positive.

While the comprehensive balance sheets are five years old, they provide an intimate look inside the operations of arguably one of the most important, and secretive, private companies in the U.S. And they help shed light on what the company spent money on, and how much, as SpaceX grew itself from an unprofitable $2 billion in revenue to, reportedly, $9 billion for 2023 with a projected $15 billion in 2024 and $3 billion in earnings.

The company pulled in $1.98 billion in revenue in 2018 and $1.45 billion in 2019, but was operating at a net loss of -$308 million and -$501 million, respectively, according to comprehensive balance sheets from those years viewed by TechCrunch. The reason that revenue declined from 2018 to 2019 was because SpaceX changed the method it used to recognize revenue. Click here. (4/11) 

Can California's Coastal Commission Impose a Limit on Vandenberg Launches? (Source: LA Times)
SpaceX has significantly increased the frequency of its rocket launches from a Santa Barbara County military base, and its plans to add even more have raised concerns by the California Coastal Commission over the impacts on the environment and nearby communities. The California Coastal Commission reviewed on Wednesday the request from the U.S. Space Force on behalf of the SpaceX projects and heard concerns from residents about the proposed increase in the number of launches. The panel also questioned whether the commission should practice more oversight over the launches.

But whether the commission even has the authority to limit the launches is unclear. “We don’t allow roosters in this city, why can’t we regulate SpaceX?” Larry Steingold, an Ojai resident, asked the board. Tasked with protecting the state’s coastal resources, the state agency regulates the use of land and water along the coast and can issue, or deny, permits for development. When it comes to imposing its will over federal agencies —such as DoD — the commission’s powers stop short.

Federal agencies negotiate agreements with the commission about such plans, but ultimately, Teufel said, the commission’s approval is not required. “If the commission were to reject, the federal agency could still decide to move forward,” he said. The vast majority of the rockets, however, are ferrying satellites into orbit to support SpaceX’s private Starlink network, which provides internet services. Rocket launches that shut down nearby Jalama Beach for safety reasons were limited by the commission to no more than 12 this year, but commission staff noted that number had been surpassed in the first seven months of 2023. Click here. (4/11) 

More Than 20 Years Later, Families of the Columbia Crew Carry On Their Loved Ones’ Legacies (Source: CNN)
When NASA’s Columbia shuttle launched on January 16, 2003, it carried a crew of seven astronauts who had spent nearly three years getting to know one another before venturing on a 16-day science mission into space. During the day, the crew trained together, working on the camaraderie that would help them as a team. After work, the crew members and their families would gather for cookouts and laser tag at one another’s homes. Click here. (4/12) 

Is the U.S. Ready for Extraterrestrials? Not if They're Microbes (Source: Houston Chronicle)
While many debate the possibility of advanced, intelligent life elsewhere, few consider the probability of non-intelligent alien microorganisms. These life forms could exist on other planets or moons and hitchhike on spacecraft, or move through the universe in the asteroids they inhabit. They could also be Earth microbes that mutate or evolve in response to the stress of spaceflight, becoming more virulent, resistant or invasive. Either would seriously threaten the public health, safety, and security of humans, animals and plants operating in space or living on Earth.

For 10 years now, the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense, on which we both serve, has closely examined our nation’s vulnerability to biological incidents, such as the the anthrax attacks on the nation’s Capitol and the COVID-19 pandemic that killed millions and destroyed economies around the world. We make specific recommendations to the federal government so that we can better prepare for and respond to these threats. Click here. (4/11) 

Low Earth Orbit Is a High-Value Domain (Source: Real Clear Defense)
Low Earth Orbit is the future for communications satellites. It’s also a high-value domain for national security. And it’s getting crowded. Elon Musk’s Starlink has over 5500 satellites on orbit and just launched 23 more Friday morning.  Amazon is putting $10 billion into its LEO constellation named Kuiper that will build out to 3,236 satellites. To get half the constellation up by 2026, Amazon just carried out the largest-ever block buy of satellite launches.

Then there is the Space Force. Hundreds of new, smaller satellites in LEO are taking over many critical functions from missile warning to tactical targeting and communications. The project is called the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. Tranche 1 of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture is being launched now, with 172 satellites for regional coverage, to be followed by another 216 satellites in Tranche 2 that will give warfighters complete global access.

Just as the United States Navy ensures freedom of navigation for maritime trade, the Space Force and commercial companies are going to find themselves working together. In fact, important aspects of US national security may rest on how well the Space Force and its commercial partners learn to work together to keep data flowing in LEO. (4/11)

Belarus Marks International Day of Human Space Flight (Source: Belta)
Every year 12 April is celebrated as the International Day of Human Space Flight. On this day,  12 April 1961, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human to journey into space. This historic event opened the way for space exploration. Yuri Gagarin's flight lasted 108 minutes. Having completed one orbit on Earth, the cosmonaut received a command to descend. The descending capsule landed in the steppe near Saratov. All in all, four natives of Belarus have traveled to space. (4/12)

Spanish Near-Space Flight Tourism Company Reveals Stratospheric Balloon Capsule (Source: Aviation Week)
Spanish near-space tourism company Halo Space has unveiled the design of the balloon capsule it plans to use to take passengers on stratospheric flights. The Aurora capsule, designed by Halo partner Frank Stephenson Design house, will be able to carry eight passengers and a single pilot to altitudes considered by some to be space. (4/11)

Western Australia Spaceport Eyes Albany Launch Site for New Frontier (Source: 6PR)
Western Australian April Walker has a vision to establish a space launch facility near Albany to address the current demands of private and government missions. “We wanted to have a cost and time advantage. We needed to find a location that had an incumbent airport that has regular commercial services, seaport and major road arterial," she said. "In my experience, the City of Albany is so progressive in their attitude towards our project, they have been so supportive since founding in 2019.” (4/12)

New Marshall Leader Says Alabama NASA Center Continues Leading New Era of Space Exploration (Source: AL.com)
For more than six decades, Marshall Space Flight Center has provided NASA with mission-critical design, development, integration and operation of the launch and space systems required for space exploration and scientific discovery. From the monumental accomplishments of the Apollo missions and extraordinary scientific discoveries using the Chandra space telescope and the International Space Station, to the groundbreaking advancements we are leading for the Artemis campaign, Marshall and the northern Alabama community have always been at the forefront of our nation’s space endeavors. (4/11)