July 21, 2024

What Became of the Flags Apollo Astronauts Left on the Moon? (Source: Space.com)
In Platoff's report, she points out that the Apollo flag-raising also gave NASA engineers technical challenges. "They designed a flagpole with a horizontal bar allowing the flag to 'fly' without the benefit of wind to overcome the effects of the moon's lack of an atmosphere. Other factors considered in the design were weight, heat resistance, and ease of assembly by astronauts whose space suits restricted their range of movement.

Apollo 11's Buzz Aldrin later recounted in an article written for Life magazine that as he looked at the flag, the moonwalker sensed an "almost mystical unification of all people in the world at that moment." Aldrin also described what it was like when he and Armstrong were able to put up the flag, a pennant that was purchased locally in Houston for $5.50. "Just beneath the powdery surface, the subsoil was very dense," Aldrin recalled. "We succeeded in pushing the flagpole in only a couple of inches. It didn't look very sturdy." Click here. (7/20)

How Will SpaceX Starship Overcome This Problem? (Source: Marcus House)
SpaceX’s Starship is an engineering marvel knocking off one challenge at a time before we can see them design solutions to the future challenges. Here is the question. With the LOX and CH4 storage and temperature challenges, how can they store them together for long periods of time. Indeed, How Will SpaceX Starship Overcome This Problem? Secondly, how with they solve Zero Boiloff (or near zero boiloff)? Click here. (7/20)

Study Finds Increased Fire Risk on Future Space Missions (Source: Phys.org)
A research team from Germany has investigated the risk of fire on spacecraft in a recent study. The results show that fires on planned exploration missions, such as a flight to Mars, could spread significantly faster than, for example, on the ISS. This is due to the planned adjustment to a lower ambient pressure on spacecraft.

A fire burns with a smaller flame and spreads more slowly, which means it can go unnoticed for a long time. However, it burns hotter and can therefore also ignite materials that are basically non-flammable on Earth. In addition, incomplete combustion can produce more toxic gases. (7/16)

NASA, Boeing Complete Starliner Engine Testing (Source: SciTech Daily)
Engineers at NASA and Boeing are scrutinizing recent engine tests to ensure the safe return of the Boeing Crew Flight Test. Simultaneously, astronauts on the ISS engage in health and scientific experiments, contributing to our understanding of space’s effects on human physiology and material sciences. NASA and Boeing engineers are evaluating results from last week’s engine tests at NASA’s White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico as the team works through plans to return the agency’s Boeing Crew Flight Test from the International Space Station in the coming weeks. (7/19)

Looking Ahead to the Next 25 Years of Private Space Stations (Source: Space.com)
Space stations have proved that humans can live and work in space while bringing unique lessons about microgravity and the cosmos. They have taught us about the challenges of living in microgravity and the fragility of life beyond our planetary cradle. But shifting dynamics in the space industry are set to usher in a new era of private space stations tasked with continuing this legacy. The ISS — a decades-long, multinational grand endeavor of cooperation and technological feats — is winding down and could be decommissioned around 2030. Click here. (7/18)

Musk Faces Backlash Over Boca Chica's 'Starbase, Texas' Rebrand (Source: My San Antonio)
Elon Musk has been pushing for years to rename the area surrounding SpaceX's South Texas facility to Starbase. Musk's constant misidentification of the region has now triggered backlash from locals who want the Rio Grande Valley to be properly represented. As Starbase is not a real city, many locals in the area are demanding that their area be properly represented.

"Where exactly is 'Starbase, TX'? Is he renaming Boca Chica or is he just buying some land and creating an unincorporated place?" wrote one critic. Others have banded together to fight against the notion of Musk moving the company to the RGV to prevent gentrification in a low-cost city. "It ain’t called Starbase, it’s called Boca Chica... Valley needs to band together, or these rich tech tycoons will come in and destroy environmental ecosystems, heritage, and ultimately pricing people out of their homes," AceKnight21 said. "Wake up 956." (7/20)

Republican Party Platform Goes All In on Space Exploration (Source: Washington Examiner)
In Chapter 3, which relates the Republican Party position on the economy, part of a section that deals with innovation and mentions space exploration stands out. “Under Republican Leadership, the United States will create a robust Manufacturing Industry in Near Earth Orbit, send American Astronauts back to the Moon, and onward to Mars, and enhance partnerships with the rapidly expanding Commercial Space sector to revolutionize our ability to access, live in, and develop assets in Space,” it says. (7/19)

CSA Releases Human Analog Studies Opportunity (Source: SpaceQ)
The Canadian Space Agency has issued another health in space Announcement of Opportunity (AO), this one on Human Analog Studies. As with past opportunities related to health in space, all proposals must have the dual-purpose of meeting the requirements of increasing our “understanding, mitigation or elimination of health risks associated with human space exploration” and “generate scientific insights that will contribute to applications on Earth.” (7/19)

U.S. Prepares Jamming Devices Targeting Russian and Chinese Satellites (Source: Japan Times)
The U.S. is about to deploy a new ground-based jammer designed to blunt Chinese or Russian satellites from transmitting information about U.S. forces during a conflict, the Space Force disclosed. The Pentagon’s space service branch tested the system for the first time earlier this year at two different locations, with control of the system at a third. The devices aren’t meant to protect U.S. satellites from Chinese or Russian jamming but "to responsibly counter adversary satellite communications capabilities that enable attacks,” the Space Force said. (7/20)

California Brushes off Elon Musk's Plans to Move X, SpaceX to Texas (Source: My San Antonio)
California officials and experts have responded to the move in terms of its economic impact and they don't seem too worried. California Gov. Gavin Newsom's office responded on Tuesday, comparing the recent announcement to the last time the SpaceX CEO "moved" Tesla's headquarters to Texas. The quotation marks were put around "moved" by Newsom's office. "The last time Elon Musk 'moved' an HQ, Tesla ended up expanding in California — even relocating their Global Engineering & AI headquarters to California because of our diverse, world-leading talent," he wrote. (7/19)