May 21, 2024

New Hope for an Atmosphere on TRAPPIST-1 Exoplanet (Source: Big Think)
Astronomers are probing whether Earth-like exoplanets, particularly those orbiting the cool M-dwarf star TRAPPIST-1, have atmospheres necessary for life, using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). Initial observations of the exoplanet TRAPPIST-1 c indicated it might lack a significant atmosphere, ruling out a dense CO2 layer similar to Venus, and suggesting a barren or thinly gaseous state. Further investigations using advanced simulations, however, raised possibilities of substantial oxygen or steam atmospheres, challenging initial findings and highlighting the complexity and potential diversity of exoplanetary environments. (5/17)

Earth's Subduction May Have Been Triggered by the Same Event That Formed the Moon (Source: EOS)
By 4.3 billion years ago, Earth’s crust may have already looked much like it does today. This is the earliest time some researchers think the plates of our planet’s crust began to slide against, over, and under each other in a process known as plate tectonics. How the very first instance of subduction—a key part of plate tectonics—occurred is still debated.

In a new study, Yuan et al. find evidence tracing the first subduction event to the same impact that created our Moon. The giant impact hypothesis theorizes that early in its history, Earth was struck by another planetary body about the size of Mars, sending a large chunk of rock—the Moon—into orbit. (5/20)

New Evidence for Planet 9 at the Fringes of Our Solar System (Source: EarthSky)
The case is growing that a Neptune-sized planet – Planet 9 – hides deep in the outskirts of our solar system. Researchers from Caltech, Université Côte d’Azur and Southwest Research Institute shared a pre-print paper on April 17, 2024. In it, they argue that a group of little bodies beyond Neptune bunch together due to Planet 9’s gravitational influence. These distant solar system bodies aren’t spread equally in their orbit like the rocky boulders of the asteroid belt. Instead, they form clumpy groups. So, the researchers think that a larger, more distant, object is gravitationally herding them into this pattern. And, in fact, that’s how planet eight – Neptune – was discovered. Neptune was yanking on Uranus’ orbit. (5/19)

Something Strange is Happening with Earth's Magnetic Field Tail (Source: Space.com)
As the sun's solar wind buffets the planet, it leaves behind a sort of long shadow that trails out in our planet's wake. Scientists call this magnetic tail, appropriately, the magnetotail. Typically, the magnetotail is strewn with magnetic storms. But for the past several years, scientists have known of a mystery in the magnetotail: a missing storm. They have found a signature of a storm, but no storm to actually go along with it. NASA’s Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission is now on the case. MMS consists of four satellites that all launched on the same Atlas V rocket in 2015. Since then, the quartet has been studying Earth’s magnetopause: the frontier of the region dominated by the planet’s magnetic field. (5/20)

NASA's Webb Cracks Case of Inflated Exoplanet (Source: Webb Telescope)
Why is the warm gas-giant exoplanet WASP-107 b so, so puffy? With a moderate temperature and an ultra-low density on par with a microwaved marshmallow, it seems to defy standard theories of planet formation and evolution.

Two independent teams of researchers think they’ve figured it out. Data from Webb, combined with prior observations from Hubble, show that the interior of WASP-107 b must be a lot toastier than previously estimated. The unexpectedly high temperature, which is thought to be caused by tidal forces that stretch the planet like silly putty, can explain how planets like WASP-107 b can be so floofy, possibly solving a long-standing mystery in exoplanet science. (5/20)

AI Computers Could Run in Extreme Environments Like Venus Thanks to Heat-Proof Memory Device (Source: LiveScience)
New computing storage which can operate at temperatures so hot that rock starts to melt could pave the way for computers that work in the harshest environments on Earth — and, for the first time, on Venus.

The toughest current non-volatile memory (NVM) devices — which include solid-state drives (SSDs) — fail once temperatures reach 572 degrees Fahrenheit (300 degrees Celsius). But scientists have created and tested a new ferroelectric diode (a semiconductor switching device) that continued working for hours even when they turned up the heat to 1,112 degrees F (600 C). (5/20)

Space Force Plans Deep-Dive Study on Pros and Cons of Orbital Refueling (Source: Space News)
Recent comments by the Space Force’s top general would suggest the military is growing skeptical of the benefits of in-orbit satellite refueling services offered by the commercial industry. But a senior official said May 17 the military remains very interested in satellite refueling, particularly for high-value geostationary satellites that could gain strategic advantages through increased mobility and longevity. Still, a lot of rigorous analysis has to be completed before committing investments, said Col. Rich Kniseley, head of the Space Systems Command’s Commercial Space Office. (5/20)

DoD Extends Sidus Space and L3Harris’ Mentor-Protégé Arrangement (Source: Sidus Space)
Sidus Space announced its DoD Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP) relationship with L3Harris is extended for an additional year. The DoD Mentor-Protégé Program was designed to foster partnerships between established defense contractors and smaller, emerging businesses, to help them expand their footprint in the defense industry. (5/21)

Ohio Continues to Oppose Plan to Move Air National Guard Units Into the U.S. Space Force (Source: Space News)
State leaders are unable to say how many members of the Ohio National Guard would be impacted by an Air Force plan to pull some members into the U.S. Space Force. But an Air National Guard unit in Springfield may potentially be affected, a spokeswoman for the Ohio National Guard said Monday. In April, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine asked President Biden to withdraw a proposal that would incorporate Guard members into Space Force.

In response to questions from the Dayton Daily News, Major General John C. Harris Jr., Ohio adjutant general, said in a statement that the Air Force’s current legislative proposal “circumvents the Title 10 and Title 32 authority of the governor, as commander-in-chief of the Ohio National Guard.” Harris called the plan “a clear overreach of federal power. If the proposal is allowed to occur, this would create a critical capability gap. (5/20)

'Fast Movers': Meet the Chinese Satellites that Zoom Around for Inspections—or Interference (Source: Defense One)
Is China building out a satellite network in geosynchronous Earth orbit while deploying a fleet of robot guardians to patrol them? In his final appearance before Congress as assistant defense secretary for space policy, on May 1, John Plumb appeared to suggest as much. “China has developed robotic satellites that…can be used for military purposes like grappling a satellite,” Plumb said.

It is clear that China sees the space domain as the “ultimate high ground” for competition back on Earth, reinforced by its recent reorganization of the Strategic Support Force and creation of a new Aerospace Force that reports directly to the supreme Central Military Commission. This vision is backed by more aggressive rhetoric in recent years. (5/20)

Russian Research on Space Nukes and Alternative Counterspace Weapons (Source: Space Review)
In the second part of his examination of Russian research into counterspace weapons, Bart Hendrickx examines work on alternative concepts like plasma and electromagnetic pulse weapons. Click here. (5/20)
 
Assigning an Identification to a Satellite (Source: Space Review)
Objects in satellite catalogs can be lost and recovered, making it a challenge to identify which object came from which launch. Charles Phillips describes one approach that uses one aspect of an object’s orbital elements to help identify it. Click here. (5/20)

Rival Demands SpaceX Stop Cellular Starlink Tests, Citing Interference (Source: PC Magazine)
SpaceX's Starlink network for cell phones is generating radio interference, according to a competing company that's urging US regulators to intervene.  On Friday, Omnispace—which is also trying to bring satellite connectivity to phones—told the FCC that SpaceX’s ongoing tests for its cellular Starlink service are interfering with Omnispace's own satellite activities. "SpaceX’s operations violate the terms of its experimental authorization and must cease," Omnispace told the FCC in a 43-page regulatory filing. (5/20)

SWISSto12 Develops New 3D Printed Antenna Chains for Northrop Grumman (Source: 3d Printing Industry)
Swiss advanced satellite products and Radio Frequency (RF) systems provider SWISSto12, has delivered three fully integrated RF Antenna Feed Chains to Northrop Grumman Corporation for the GEOStar-3 commercial satellite program. The qualification program for these feed chains was completed in January 2024. (5/20)

'Space Trash Signs' Project Creates Debris 'Constellations' to Highlight Space Junk Problem (Source: Space.com)
New "star signs" have been identified above Earth made of defunct satellites and old rocket parts to draw attention to the worsening space debris problem. Called Space Trash Signs, the project is a result of a collaboration between space sustainability company Privateer, German design agency Moby Digg, visual artist Frank Gräfe and communication agency Serviceplan Innovation. The space trash constellations can be explored on a dedicated website, in star-gazing apps and in a special program shown in planetariums worldwide. (5/20)

US: Russia Launched Counterspace Weapon (Source: Space News)
The U.S. government says a Russian satellite launched last week is a counterspace weapon. During a U.N. Security Council session Monday, Amb. Robert Wood said that the satellite, launched last Thursday, "is likely a counterspace weapon, presumably capable of attacking other satellites in low Earth orbit," adding that the satellite is in an orbit similar to an American satellite. Independent satellite trackers had noted that Cosmos 2576 was in an orbit that shared parameters with USA 314, a reconnaissance satellite.

The statement came in a debate by the Security Council on a Russian resolution seeking to ban the placement of all weapons in space, after Russia vetoed a resolution last month about banning placement of weapons of mass destruction, like nuclear weapons, in orbit. The resolution failed to pass after seven members of the council voted for it and seven against, with one nation abstaining. (5/21)

Rocket Lab Delays Electron PREFIRE Launch for Weather (Source: Rocket Lab)
Weather will delay the launch of a NASA Earth science cubesat. Rocket Lab said the Electron launch of the first PREFIRE cubesat, which had been scheduled for early Wednesday, will be delayed to no earlier than Saturday because of poor weather expected at the company's New Zealand launch site. The launch is the first of two Electron missions that will each carry an identical cubesat designed to measure heat radiated at the Earth's poles. (5/21)

China to Expand Hainan Spaceport (Source: Space News)
China is planning to expand a new commercial spaceport. Construction of the second of two launch pads at Hainan Commercial Launch Site could be completed by the end of May. The first, completed in December and dedicated to the Long March 8 rocket, could host its first launch before the end of June. Officials are planning further growth of the spaceport, expanding it to as many as 10 pads serving both solid- and liquid-fuel rockets. The reason for the dramatic expansion appears to be increasing access to space and allowing China to achieve a launch rate needed to build a pair of low Earth orbit megaconstellations that each will have more than 10,000 satellites. (5/21)

China Launches Four Satellites on Kuaizhou-11 Small Rocket (Source: Xinhua)
A Chinese small launch vehicles placed four satellites into orbit overnight. A Kuaizhou-11 rocket lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at 12:15 a.m. Eastern and placed four spacecraft into orbit. Among the four spacecraft is what Chinese media described as an "ultra-low orbit technology test satellite." (5/21)

ESA and Arianespace Plan Ariane 6 Inaugural Flight in July (Source: Space News)
ESA and partners on the Ariane 6 are targeting the first two weeks of July for the rocket's inaugural flight. In an update Tuesday, the Ariane 6 joint team that includes ESA, ArianeGroup, Arianespace and French space agency CNES said that preparations for the rocket's long-delayed debut are going well, with a qualification review successfully completed at the end of April. The final major test for the vehicle will be a fueling test and countdown rehearsal called a wet dress rehearsal, scheduled for June 18. A specific, albeit tentative, date for the launch will be announced at the ILA air show in Berlin in early June. (5/21)

RFA Tests Firt Stage at UK Spaceport (Source: Shetland Times)
Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) has conducted the first hotfire test of the first stage of its small launch vehicle. The test took place late last week at SaxaVord Spaceport in the Shetland Islands, with four Helix engines fired in sequence in the 20-second test. The company is planning to conduct the first flight of its RFA ONE rocket later this summer after completing additional hotfire tests. (5/21)

China's Galactic Energy to Launch on 'Beautiful World' (Source: NSF)
Chinese commercial company Galactic Energy’s Ceres-1 (Yao-2) will launch the “Beautiful World” mission on Saturday, May 25, at approximately 10:00 UTC. This will be a sea launch from near Rizhao in the Yellow Sea. The launch vessel will likely be Borun Jiuzhou, which recently launched other missions and is known to be in the Rizhao area.

Four “Internet of Things” communications satellites will be launched into low Earth orbit as part of the planned 38-strong Apocalypse Constellation. Ceres-1S is a four-stage booster that stands 19 meters tall and 1.4 meters in diameter. The first three stages are comprised of solid propellant with hydrazine being used in the fourth stage. (5/20)

BAE Wins $450 Million for NOAA Satellite Instrument (Source: Space News)
BAE Systems has won a $450 million contract to build an instrument for a new generation of NOAA weather satellites. BAE Systems will build the Ocean Color Instrument for the GeoXO line of geostationary weather satellites under a contract announced Monday. The contract includes two flight models and options for additional instruments. The work will be done by the division of BAE Systems that was the former Ball Aerospace, which BAE acquired in a deal that closed earlier this year. (5/21)

Viasat Turns to OneWeb for Maritime Broadband (Source: Space News)
ViaSat will buy capacity on OneWeb satellites to provide multi-orbit maritime broadband services. Viasat said Monday its Inmarsat Maritime subsidiary would manage the new NexusWave network, integrating its satellites in Ka- and L-band with low-latency OneWeb services in Ku-band. Viasat declined to provide financial details about the arrangement with OneWeb, a broadband constellation now owned by Eutelsat, or when the service would begin. The agreement is part of efforts by satellite operators to counter the growing presence of SpaceX's Starlink broadband network. (5/21)

Starfish to Demonstrate Satellite Servicing for Space Force (Source: Space News)
Startup Starfish Space has won a Space Force contract to demonstrate its satellite servicing capabilities. The $37.5 million contract, announced Monday, is a Strategic Funding Increase, or STRATFI, agreement by Space Systems Command's Assured Access to Space program office, and it tied to $30 million in venture capital funding raised by the company. Under the contract, the company will test its Otter servicing spacecraft in geostationary orbit in 2026, including the ability to dock with satellites and move them to a different orbit. (5/21)

Privateer's Acquisition of Orbital Insight to Enable Imagery Venture (Source: Space News)
Privateer says its acquisition of Earth data analytics company Orbital Insight will allow it to become the "Uber for space data." Privateer, which had been known mostly for its work on space situational awareness, acquired Orbital Insight earlier in the month at the same time it raised $56.5 million. The acquisition and the funding is intended to allow Privateer to pursue plans to sharply reduce the cost of imagery through an approach analogous to ridesharing, although company executives did not go into specifics about how that will work. (5/21)

Perseverance Rover's Mars Rock Sample May Contain Best Evidence of Possible Ancient Life (Source: Space.com)
The lead scientist for NASA's Perseverance Mars rover is excited about material that has been stored in the rover's sample tubes, both dropped on the surface of Mars and contained within the rover itself while wheeling about within Jezero Crater. Given the samples of Mars that Perseverance has collected so far, could one of those specimens be what the rover was sent to look for in the first place: evidence of past microbial life on the Red Planet? The preliminary finding heightens the need for returning these Mars samples to Earth, so they can be sent to laboratories for more rigorous analysis. (5/20)

Architecting Lunar Infrastructure (Source: Space Review)
What sort of infrastructure is needed on the Moon to enable visions of a lunar economy? Jeff Foust reports on a DARPA study that brought together companies to develop an ecosystem of lunar services, although who will pay for it is less certain. Click here. (5/20)