July 26, 2024

How Stars' Magnetic Fields Could Impact the Chance for Life on Orbiting Planets (Source: Space.com)
The chances of a planet hosting life depends on more than just its proximity to its parent star, and the amount of radiation it receives. New research looks at the impact a star's magnetic field has on exoplanet habitability. In our solar system, Venus, Earth and Mars are all within the sun's habitable zone, yet only our planet currently has the right conditions for life (as far as we currently know).

That has prompted scientists to investigate the conditions around other stars and their respective worlds. This new work redefines the Goldilocks zone to also factor in the magnetic field of its star. By adding such extra criteria, the team offers a more nuanced picture of life in the universe. (7/26)

Plan Emerging for Starliner Return (Source: Orlando Sentinel)
“I think we’re starting to close in on those final pieces of the flight rationale to make sure that we can come home safely,” NASA Commercial Crew Program manager Steve Stich said. While it was originally targeting an eight-day stay on board the ISS, the duo have now been on the station more than 50 days as Boeing and NASA work through issues found during the flight up with both helium leaks and failed thrusters on Starliner’s propulsion system. The earliest Starliner could leave the ISS would likely be mid-September.

“We kept saying eight-day minimum mission,” said Boeing’s Mark Nappi, vice president of the company’s commercial crew program. “I think we all knew that it was going to go longer than that. “We didn’t spend a lot of time talking about how much longer but I think it’s my regret that we didn’t just say we’re going to stay up there until we get everything done that we want to go do.”

That to-do list has meant making sure teams understand why five thrusters failed as Starliner approached the ISS as well as figure out the reason behind several small helium leaks in the spacecraft’s service module. While docked, the helium leaks have been locked down, and NASA and Boeing were able to refire four of the five thrusters back into working condition, although at lower than optimum power levels. (7/25)

SpaceX Moves Dragon Splashdowns to Pacific, Mitigating Debris Landfall During Reentries (Source: Space News)
SpaceX's Sarah Walker says Dragon splashdowns are moving to off the California coast as part of changes to mitigate debris from Dragon trunk reentries. Crew-9 will still do Florida splashdown. Editor's Note: This will likely transfer maritime vessels and personnel from Florida to California, and could become a factor in expansion plans at Port Canaveral. Incidentally, Florida's motivation to add Tyndall AFB and Homestead ARB as spaceport territories was in-part due to anticipated increases in splashdowns in Florida waters. (7/26)

NASA OIG to Audit SpaceX and Blue Origin Lunar Lander Contracts (Source: NASA)
The NASA Office of Inspector General (OIG) announced it is conducting an audit of the management of Human Landing System contracts with SpaceX and Blue Origin. (7/26)

Leon Assigned to Streamline DoD Space Acquisition (Source: Breaking Defense)
Frank Calvelli, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration, established a new high-level office led by Claire Leon, Chief Space Systems Engineer, to streamline supervision of acquisition programs across the Space Systems Command (SSC), Space Development Agency (SDA), and Space Rapid Capabilities Office. (7/19)

Partnership Between Nigeria and NASA to Advance Space Geodesy and Geohazard Research (Source: Space in Africa)
Nigeria's National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) has renewed its agreement with NASA to advance Space Geodesy and Geohazard Research at the Center for Geodesy and Geodynamics (CGG). The partnership will deepen Nigeria’s relationship with the USA and equip NASRDA with essential training and expertise in space geodesy, crucial for monitoring Nigeria’s tectonic activity and crustal movements. (7/15)

Italy-Africa Space Conference (Source: Esteri)
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Antonio Tajani, opened the Italy-Africa Space Conference last week. The Italy-Africa Space Conference is the operational follow-up in the space sector to the Italy-Africa Summit of January 2024 and aims to start a bilateral and multilateral dialogue with African countries having space capabilities. (7/15)

U.S. Charges North Korean Man with Cyberattacks on NASA (Source: Washington Post)
A North Korean man is accused of using ransomware to attack computer systems at American hospitals, generating money that allegedly paid for a second cyber campaign to hack NASA and U.S. military bases, Justice Department officials announced Thursday. In February 2022, Rim and his co-conspirators were able to gain and retain access “for more than three months to NASA’s computer system, specifically the portal for its Office of Inspector General, and extracted over seventeen gigabytes of unclassified data,” according to the indictment. (7/26)

County Government Balks at Sharing Cost for Wastewater Project That Would Enable Expanded Spaceport Operations (Source: SPACErePORT)
Despite available funding and support from federal and state sources for a key infrastructure project that would serve the Cape Canaveral Spaceport, Brevard County is narrowing its support for a wastewater treatment plant serving the northern region of the Space Coast, including the spaceport. Space Florida and its partners at the spaceport must now scramble to move the project forward. (7/26)

SpaceX Launch Failure Linked to Liquid Oxygen Leak. Launches to Resume (Source: Space News)
SpaceX is ready to resume launches of its Falcon 9 as soon as late tonight, two weeks after an upper stage anomaly. The company said late Thursday that it has completed its mishap report into the July 11 launch, where a liquid oxygen leak prevented the upper stage engine from performing a second burn, leading to the loss of 20 Starlink satellites.

The leak was traced to a crack in a line that houses a sensor, and caused "excessive cooling" of engine components that led to a hard start of the Merlin engine for its second burn. SpaceX will remove the sensor line, noting that the sensor is not needed for flight safety. The FAA confirmed that it concluded that the incident did not pose a public safety risk, allowing SpaceX to resume launches. SpaceX is targeting just after midnight Eastern tonight for a Falcon 9 launch carrying Starlink satellites. (7/26)

AST SpaceMobile Ready to Launch First Direct-to-Device Satellites (Source: Space News)
AST SpaceMobile says its first commercial direct-to-device satellites are ready for launch. The company announced Thursday the five Block 1 BlueBird satellites are ready to ship to Florida for launch on a Falcon 9 scheduled for September. Each Block 1 BlueBird will have 10 times the capacity of its BlueWalker-3 prototype, which has achieved download rates of about 14 megabits per second since launching to LEO in 2022. Those satellites are designed to provide connectivity for mobile phones out of reach of terrestrial networks. (7/26)

Florida Groups Invite Presidential Campaigns to Promote Space Agendas with Space Coast Visits (Source: SPACErePORT)
Space Florida and aligned Space Coast organizations are working together again to encourage presidential candidates to visit or send surrogates to the Space Coast to meet with space industry leaders. This has happened with multiple campaigns over the past several election seasons. (7/26)

Akima Wins $480 Million Space Force Contract (Source: Space News)
Akima won a 10-year contract worth $480 million to support and modernize the Space Force's Satellite Control Network (SCN). The contract, called Satellite Control Network Tracking Station Operations, Remote Site and Mission Partner Support or STORMS, allows the Space Force to procure services as needed for the SCN, a decades-old system of 19 globally distributed parabolic antennas spread across several locations worldwide. In operation since 1959, the SCN is running out of capacity and in dire need of modernization, the GAO warned last year. Akima said it will incorporate "emerging technologies" to improve the resiliency and efficiency of the SCN. (7/26)

Mitchell Institute Recommends DoD Commit to Smallsats (Source: Space News)
One new report urges the U.S. military to more fully commit to using small satellites. The report by the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, released Thursday, calls on the military to fully leverage the innovations in small satellite technology to enhance its space capabilities and maintain superiority in a contested domain. The report recommends the Department of Defense boost production rates, strengthen supply chains, and increase funding to support large-scale smallsat deployment.  (7/26)

Aerospace Corp. Report Highlights Benefits and Weaknesses of Smallsats (Source: Space News)
Another new report highlights the benefits and weaknesses of using smallsats for constellations. The Aerospace Corporation, in a report Thursday, examined the development of constellations by the Space Development Agency (SDA) for missile warning and communications. The report credits the SDA for creating a distinct acquisition model that enables rapid delivery of new capabilities, breaking away from traditional, often slower procurement methods. However, it highlighted challenges in demonstrating the effectiveness of such systems as well as an ambitious launch schedule. (7/26)

DoD Considers Loan Program for Critical Tech Supply Chain (Source: Space News)
A Pentagon office is seeking input on a proposed new loan program for critical technologies that include space systems. The Office of Strategic Capital released requests for information this week as it prepares to issue loans and loan guarantees for critical technology and supply chain components. The office is particularly interested in responses from companies and lenders working in 31 component areas identified as promising critical technologies and assets, including space launch, spacecraft, and space-enabled services and equipment. Comments are due to the office in October. (7/26)

More Thruster Tests for Starliner at ISS (Source: Space News)
NASA and Boeing plan more thruster tests before allowing the CST-100 Starliner spacecraft to return from the International Space Station. At a briefing Thursday, officials said they plan to fire nearly all the reaction control system thrusters on Starliner this weekend while docked to the ISS to confirm they are still performing well. This comes after ground tests that sought to duplicate the flight profile of the vehicle to try to replicate the thruster issues Starliner experienced on its way to the ISS in June. NASA has not set a date for Starliner's return, but noted an agency-level review of the spacecraft, one of the last milestones before undocking, could take place as soon as the end of next week. (7/26)

Europe's SpaceRise Consortium Asked to Resubmit Constellation Proposal (Source: Politico)
The consortium of European companies proposing to build a satellite constellation for the European Commission is fraying. Airbus and Thales Alenia Space are planning to drop out of the SpaceRise consortium that had been on track to receive a multibillion-euro contract to build the IRIS² secure connectivity constellation. Those companies would instead serve as contractors to build the satellites rather than as full partners. The Commission has given SpaceRise until early September to submit a revised proposal even as delays and cost overruns threaten the overall program. (7/26)

Sweden Considers Fighter Jet for Satellite Air-Launch (Source: Breaking Defense)
The Swedish military is examining using a fighter jet as an air-launch platform. The Swedish Air Force and Defense Research Agency are partnering on a study called Stella that would examine the feasibility of using the Gripen jet as a platform for launching a small rocket. Swedish officials said they believe such a capability could offer response launch services, but with no guarantee it will be developed. (7/26)

Martian Rock Investigated for Biosignatures (Source: Washington Post)
A Martian rock may contain a "potential biosignature" of past life on Mars. Scientists say that a rock analyzed by the Perseverance rover contains white patches, dubbed "leopard spots," that could be minerals produced by biological activity in the planet's past. The rock shows evidence of having been exposed to water when the planet was warmer and wetter. The rover has taken a sample of the rocket for later return to Earth as part of the Mars Sample Return campaign that NASA is currently revising the architecture for. (7/26)

Gilmour Space to Start Hypersonic Flight Tests in 2025 (Source: Space Daily)
Gilmour Space Technologies, an Australian launch services company, announced a new suborbital flight test service targeted at commercial and defense customers needing hypersonic speeds above Mach 5. While wind tunnel tests, which provide hypersonic flow for 200 to 300 milliseconds, are useful for early-stage testing of materials and geometries with scaled-down models, there remains a significant challenge in scaling these technologies to full-size applications.

"Our new HyPeRsonic FLight Test (HPRFLT or Hyper Flight) service will help to bridge that gap by providing a real-life environment for researchers and companies to test, demonstrate, and advance their innovations to higher Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs)," said David Doyle. Scheduled to launch in 2025 from various potential sites, the Hyper Flight service uses Gilmour Space's orbital launch vehicle technology. (7/26)

Star Catcher Secures $12.25M Seed Funding to Revolutionize Space Energy (Source: Space Daily)
Star Catcher Industries has successfully closed a $12.25 million seed funding round. The funding round was co-led by Initialized Capital and B Capital, with significant participation from Rogue VC. This investment will enable the company to build the Star Catcher Network, the world's first space-based energy grid, aimed at eliminating power constraints for space operations. (7/25)

Pioneering a Launch Industry in Nepal (Source: Space Daily)
In the Himalayan nation of Nepal, two innovators, Mohan Tamang and Akrit Dhungel, are making history with Mach24Orbitals, the country's first space-tech startup. Previously, Dhungel and Tamang led the Garuda project, which launched Nepal's first rocket on March 20, 2021. This project earned the Nancy Squires Team Spirit Award at the Spaceport America Cup 2021. Using potassium nitrate and sugar as fuel, Garuda marked a significant milestone and paved the way for Mach24Orbitals. Collaborating with entities such as the Nepal Army, National Innovation Center, and Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), they have test-launched over 15 rockets across Nepal, steadily advancing towards their goal. (7/25)

Epson Makes Strategic Investment in Microsatellite Innovator Axelspace (Source: Space Daily)
Epson, alongside its subsidiary Epson X Investment Corporation (EXI), has invested in Axelspace Holdings, the parent company of Axelspace Corporation, a startup in microsatellite development and manufacturing. This investment was facilitated through the EP-GB Investment Limited Partnership fund. Axelspace operates AxelLiner, which focuses on the development, manufacturing, and operation of microsatellites, and AxelGlobe, which specializes in Earth observation data collection, satellite imagery sales, and related analytical services. (7/25)

NASA Achieves Milestone in 4K Video Streaming from Aircraft to ISS and Back (Source: Space Daily)
NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland successfully streamed 4K video from an aircraft to the International Space Station (ISS) and back using laser communications for the first time. This achievement is part of ongoing tests to develop technology for live video coverage of astronauts on the Moon during the Artemis missions. Traditionally, NASA has used radio waves to transmit data to and from space. Laser communications, using infrared light, can transmit data 10 to 100 times faster than traditional radio frequency systems. (7/25)

Terran Orbital Secures Up to $98 Million via ATM Program (Source: Space Daily)
Terran Orbital announced an at-the-market (ATM) offering program. This program will enable the Company to sell its common stock in transactions categorized as "at the market" offerings, with a total value not exceeding $98,000,000. However, under the Company's existing debt agreements, sales are capped at 26,362,513 shares unless additional consent is obtained to sell more. (7/25)

Newest Constellation of Weather Satellites Gets Flight Plan (Source: Federal News Network)
Recently, NASA selected Lockheed Martin to build the nation’s next generation weather satellite constellation, Geostationary Extended Observations, or GeoXO. It’s a contract with an estimated value of just over $2.25 billion. To find out what the GeoXO mission is all about, Eric White spoke to Dylan Powell, Lead Strategist for Weather and Earth Science at Lockheed Martin. Click here. (7/25)

The Vacuum of Space Won't Last Forever. In Fact, It Ends Much Sooner Than We Thought (Source: Popular Mechanics)
Scientists in Slovenia have adjusted a calculation to determine how long we have before the vacuum of space decays. While this date is still an extraordinarily long time into the very, very far future, our math model to determine it is loose enough to invite more questions than answers. Eventually, the vacuum of space will decay, and things will fall apart—in a zillion years. Our universe is glued together by quantum fields, like the Higgs, which set much of our physics. Revising this lifetime down by 10,000 years is a small drop in a very enormous bucket. (7/25)