May 10, 2024

FAA Reauthorization Approaches Final Passage (Source: Politico)
On Thursday, the Senate passed a bill to reauthorize federal aviation programs for five years. The legislation, pending House approval, allocates over $105 billion to the Federal Aviation Administration and $738 million to the National Transportation Safety Board, with funding for technology programs and airport modernization, while also changing airline refund policies and creating policies for passengers with disabilities. (5/9)

Billionaire’s 2nd SpaceX Trip Featuring Spacewalk Aims for Early Summer Launch (Source: Orlando Sentinel)
Billionaire Jared Isaacman, who flew to space once with SpaceX, is already set for launch No. 2 in early summer. The mission calls for new spacesuits introduced this past weekend designed so the crew can survive the plan to suck out all of the air of the spacecraft and allow Isaacman and a crewmate to make the first commercial spacewalk in history.

Flying on the Crew Dragon Resilience again, the mission dubbed Polaris Dawn is the first of up to three flights Isaacman wants to fly, culminating in what is supposed to be the first crewed mission of SpaceX’s Starship. For now, though, it has to use SpaceX’s existing rocket options, so he and his three crewmates will launch atop a Falcon 9 from the Cape Canaveral Spaceport. It will mark Isaacman’s return after his Inspiration4 mission in 2021. (5/7)

Space Coast Economic Development Official Recognized with USAF Distinguished Public Service Award (Source: Space Coast EDC)
The Department of the Air Force presented its Distinguished Public Service Award, the highest award issued by the Air Force to a non-employee civilian, to Lynda L. Weatherman, President and CEO of the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast (EDC). To be considered by the Secretary of the Air Force for this honor, a civilian must have made a profound contribution at the national level that is representative of substantial progress in fulfilling the Air Force mission. (5/6)

Satellite Images Reveal Where Russian Nukes Could be Stored in Belarus (Source: New York Times)
The New York Times analyzed satellite imagery and photos, and spoke with nuclear weapons and arms control experts, to track the new construction, which started in March 2023. The site is 120 miles north of the Ukrainian border at a military depot next to the town of Asipovichy. Some of the recently built structures there have features that are unique to nuclear storage facilities at bases inside Russia. (5/10)

Starlink May Be Generating Billions (Source: Space News)
SpaceX is making money on Starlink today even as it continues to build out the constellation. A financial model of Starlink developed by Quility Space and discussed in a webinar Thursday calculated that SpaceX will generate $6.6 billion in revenue from Starlink this year, enough to generate positive free cash flow even when accounting for the costs to build and launch satellites.

Starlink has 2.7 million subscribers and is growing in 75 countries, making inroads primarily in wealthier markets as a "rich world service" rather than bridging the divide in developing countries. SpaceX is able to keep its costs down through aggressive vertical integration and high-volume production. (5/10)

Avio Diversifying Amid Diminished Ariane and Vega Business (Source: Space News)
Space propulsion company Avio is relying more on defense business during a lull in launches. The company reported this week net revenues of 78.8 million euros ($85 million) in the first quarter of 2024, a 32% increase from the same quarter a year ago. That increase was driven by increased work in defense markets, producing solid motors for missiles, while revenue from its work on Ariane 6 and Vega C remained flat.

Avio said in an earnings call Thursday it is planning a test of a redesigned motor for the second stage of the Vega C later this month, keeping that vehicle on track for a return to flight by the end of the year. Avio also expects Ariane 6, whose solid rocket boosters are built by Avio, to make its debut in July. (5/10)

Livermore Building Payload for Responsive Spae Mission (Source: Space News)
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) will provide a space imaging payload on an upcoming responsive space mission. The Victus Haze mission will include an advanced optical payload from LLNL on a spacecraft being built by Rocket Lab. That payload features a monolithic telescope built from a single piece of fused silica. Versions of the payload have flown previously, including on the GEOStare2 mission, but the one for Victus Haze will use a different design. (5/10)

SpaceX Launches Friday Starlink Mission From California (Source: Noozhawk)
SpaceX launched a set of Starlink satellites overnight after a one-day delay. The Falcon 9 lifted off at 12:30 a.m. Eastern from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California and placed 20 Starlink satellites into orbit. The launch was scheduled for Wednesday night but scrubbed for undisclosed reasons. The 20 Starlink satellites on this launch included 13 with direct-to-cell payloads. (5/10)

DoD Working with SpaceX to Limit Unauthorized Russian Use of Starlink (Source: Bloomberg)
The Pentagon has worked with SpaceX to reduce unauthorized use of Starlink by the Russian military. John Plumb, assistant secretary of defense for space policy, said in an interview that the Defense Department, in cooperation with SpaceX and the Ukrainian government, has "successfully countered" Russian use of Starlink. He did not go into details about how they stopped use of Starlink by the Russian military. Some members of Congress had raised concerns that the Pentagon and SpaceX were not doing enough to counter Russian efforts, using terminals obtained on the black market, to use Starlink in occupied Ukraine. (5/10)

Dragon Debris Likely Fell on Canadian Farm (Source: CTV)
Debris that fell on a Canadian farm may have come from a Dragon spacecraft. Farmers found several pieces of debris, one of which was a large object weighing about 45 kilograms and made of carbon fiber and aluminum honeycomb material. The objects may be debris from the trunk of the Crew Dragon spacecraft flown on the Ax-3 private astronaut mission. That trunk, jettisoned before the capsule returns to Earth, reentered over Saskatchewan in February. (5/10)

Strong Solar Storm Hits (Source: Washington Post)
A severe solar storm may produce auroral displays across much of the continental United States tonight. NOAA issued Thursday a warning for a geomagnetic storm rated four on a scale of one to five, the first storm to be rated a four since 2005. NOAA predicts that could result in aurora visible as far south as northern California and Alabama. Viewing the aurora requires clear, dark skies. The storm is linked to an active period of solar activity as the sun reaches the peak of its 11-year cycle. (5/10)

NSF Freezes Plan for Telescopes in Antarctica (Source: Science)
The National Science Foundation is putting plans for an astronomical facility in Antarctica on ice. The project, called CMB-S4, would have developed microwave telescopes to study the cosmic microwave background left over from the Big Bang to see if the early universe went through a sudden expansion called inflation. However, at a meeting this week, an NSF official said the agency could not afford the $900 million project now given the need to upgrade infrastructure at its South Pole facilities. The announcement took many astronomers by surprise, given that CMB-S4 was highly ranked in an astrophysics decadal survey as well as a similar long-term plan in particle physics. (5/10)

Unbelievable 50-Year Plan at Cape Canaveral! | KSC Flyover (Source: NSF)
This month, we look into the ongoing projects at Kennedy Space Center, including SpaceX's upgrades at Roberts Road and the preparations for Blue Origin's New Glenn at Exploration Park, the construction surge at LC-39A and the proposed expansions at Port Canaveral to support the increasing launch cadence. Click here. (5/8)

SpaceX Infrastructure Development Continues at Cape Canaveral Spaceport (Source: NSF)
SpaceX has not only resumed work on the Starship pad at LC-39A but has also upgraded its current launch infrastructure for Falcon family vehicles. In addition, the SpaceX payload processing facility at the Cape has gotten a fresh coat of paint. The Roberts Road facilities, meanwhile, have been expanded even as the site still hosts some tower sections that are destined for the Starbase facility in Texas.

LC-39A’s Starship launch site recently had concrete legs removed that were supposed to be the base of the orbital launch pad. This points to work on the foundation underneath the pad. A new design for the Florida Starship pads as opposed to the current orbital launch pad at Starbase is possible, but it remains to be seen whether a new flame trench will be added to the complex.

Also happening at LC-39A is an upgrade of the Falcon family launch infrastructure there. New liquid oxygen tanks have been added to the complex to allow for more flexibility in recycling countdowns for Falcon Heavy missions in the event of scrubs. A second Starship launch pad is planned at the Florida spaceport. Current candidates are SLC-37B, which recently hosted the last ever Delta family flight, and a new complex named LC-50. Once the program’s additional launch facilities are built up, Starship’s launch cadence will substantially increase. (5/9)

Blue Origin Infrastructure Development Continues at Cape Canaveral Spaceport (Source: NSF)
The sprawling Blue Origin facility at Exploration Park is seeing some new additions. The new Composite Assembly Building – now to become the Lunar Assembly Facility – on the south side has seen progress in building up its foundation, with rebar installation spotted along with workers and vehicles on the site.

Additional land near this building is also being prepared, with piles of sand having been spread out since April. A new parking lot on the north side has had its foundation laid out, and a new office building is to be constructed by that lot.

New Glenn preparations for its first flight, scheduled by the end of this calendar year, are proceeding, with some hardware being seen for the new heavy-lift rocket. A second stage, thought to be flight hardware, was spotted being tested in the 2CAT building. This stage does not have its paint job or presumably its engines yet but seemed to be undergoing pressure testing. (5/9)

Airbus Expanding Satellite Factory at Cape Canaveral Spaceport (Source: NSF)
Airbus U.S. Space & Defense has bought out Eutelsat OneWeb’s 50 percent stake in the Airbus OneWeb Satellites (AOS) joint venture and is now the sole owner of the AOS satellite factory at the Cape Canaveral Spaceport. This factory is currently capable of building two satellites per day, having finished over 600 satellites for OneWeb, and is now equipped to build the Arrow line of satellites. Airbus is currently conducting foundation work to expand the AOS factory to respond to increased demand for small satellites, and the facility will eventually cover a footprint of 4,500 square meters. (5/9)

New Air-Breathing VLEO Spacecraft Enhances Earth Observation and Communication Capabilities (Source: Space Daily)
The University of Surrey is pioneering a novel approach for powering low-orbit spacecraft using air as a propellant. Funded by the UK Space Agency, this initiative at the Surrey Space Centre aims to facilitate spacecraft operations at extremely low altitudes within the upper atmosphere. This innovative spacecraft design is expected to advance Earth observation, climate monitoring, and satellite communications. (5/10)

NASA Chooses UF Mission to Monitor Earth's Water and Ice (Source: Space Daily)
NASA has awarded the University of Florida a $12 million mission called GRATTIS (Gravitational Reference Advanced Technology Test in Space), aimed at enhancing how we monitor Earth's water and ice movements. This was the only project selected from a national call for submissions. "GRATTIS will utilize advanced sensors to measure minute gravitational variations from space, aiding in the tracking of surface and subsurface shifts," explained John Conklin, Ph.D. Scheduled for a 2027 launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, the project is currently in the sensor technology finalization and spacecraft integration phase, managed by UF's mission operations team. (5/10)

NASA Grants Licenses for Advanced 3D-Printable Superalloy to American Firms (Source: Space Daily)
NASA has entered a new phase of economic impact by licensing an advanced superalloy, named GRX-810, to four US companies. This move leverages NASA's research and development investments funded by taxpayers. GRX-810, a superalloy designed for the demanding conditions of aerospace environments, promises enhanced durability and strength for parts used in airplanes and spacecraft, potentially extending their operational lifespan. (5/10)

NASA Field Geology Training Enhances Artemis Mission Support (Source: Space Daily)
In preparation for the Artemis missions, NASA staff including engineers, managers, and flight directors, recently engaged in a field geology course in Northern Arizona's volcanic terrain. This training is designed to equip the Artemis mission support teams with a practical understanding of lunar geology. The two-and-a-half-day program mirrors aspects of the intensive training that astronauts undergo for missions to the Moon's South Pole, aiming to develop a shared language and operational knowledge among the various NASA teams. (5/10)

Senators Call for Defense Budget Increase (Source: Breaking Defense)
Leaders of the Senate Appropriations defense subcommittee have declared their intention to increase the Pentagon's 2025 budget beyond the $850 billion requested by the Biden administration, citing the need for investment in future technologies and the necessity to exceed current inflation levels and operational costs. "We must be clear eyed that this defense budget would represent a real cut for the Department of Defense as it fails to keep pace with inflation," said Sen. Susan Collins, R-ME. (5/9)

Exploring Asteroid Apophis Using Miniature Satellites (Source: Space Daily)
European researchers are assessing three small satellite mission concepts derived from the 2023 SATEX project, which evaluated the capabilities of small satellites for interplanetary tasks. The first concept involves a national mission where a small satellite would trail Apophis as it approaches Earth, documenting any changes through photographs and measurements. This mission faces numerous technical challenges due to the distance and autonomy required.

The second concept involves collaboration on the European RAMSES mission, which would employ a larger satellite equipped with smaller satellites, telescopes, and other instruments to monitor Apophis. Here, a satellite from Wurzburg would participate, potentially enhancing the scientific yield and reducing the technical demands on JMU's team. The third concept proposes a brief encounter where a JMU-built satellite would pass close to Apophis to capture photographs. This mission would require minimal resources but offer limited observation time and potentially less scientific data. (5/9)

NASA OTPS Calls for Community Feedback to Shape Lunar Non-Interference Policies (Source: Space Daily)
NASA's Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy (OTPS) is soliciting input from the lunar community through a new Lunar Non-Interference Questionnaire to aid in developing a framework for managing lunar activities without interference. No funding or solicitations are expected to follow this survey. Established in November 2021 within the NASA Administrator's office, OTPS collaborates across NASA and with the space community to supply NASA leaders with options to develop policies, strategies, and technologies.

With multiple countries and private entities planning lunar operations by the decade's end, especially at the lunar South Pole, OTPS recognizes the critical need to address potential interference and contamination. The Artemis Accords' Section 11 highlights the importance of deconfliction, a topic gaining relevance with the increasing number of lunar actors. (5/9)

Redwire Announces Second VLEO Satellite Platform (Source: Space News)
Redwire Space is doubling down on interest in the emerging market for very low Earth orbit (VLEO) satellites. Redwire announced a VLEO satellite platform called Phantom, developed by the company’s European business unit in Belgium. Phantom is being developed for the European Space Agency’s Skimsat mission, on which Redwire is partnered with Thales Alenia Space, and is now being offered for European and international customers.

Phantom joins SabreSat, a VLEO satellite Redwire announced in its previous earnings call in March that is being developed by the company in the United States. The two designs use different technologies. “SabreSat and Phantom do not share a common technological baseline. They are two different platforms with different underlying technologies and performance parameters,” said Peter Cannito. “Different approaches reduce risk and enable us to cover a broader set of customer requirements.” (5/9)

Boeing's Starliner Raises Stakes for Company's Reputation (Source: USA Today)
After Boeing's Starliner mission was scrubbed due to technical difficulties, the company is betting on a relaunch of the rocket to revitalize the brand amid safety concerns and scrutiny. Click here. (5/7)

Galileo: World’s Most Precise Satellite Navigation System Expands (Source: SciTech Daily)
Galileo, the world’s most precise satellite navigation system, expanded its constellation to 30 with two new satellites launched by SpaceX, enhancing its reliability and precision. The European system's additional satellites increase its reliability, robustness and, ultimately, the precision, benefiting billions of users worldwide. (5/4)