July 5, 2024

Organic Material From Mars Reveals the Likely Origin of Life's Building Blocks (Source: Space Daily)
Two samples from Mars together deliver the "smoking gun" in a new study showing the origin of Martian organic material. The study presents solid evidence for a prediction made over a decade ago by University of Copenhagen researchers that could be key to understanding how organic molecules, the foundation of life, were first formed here on Earth.

NASA's Curiosity rover has been active on Mars as the extended arm of science for nearly 12 years, and it continues to make discoveries that surprise and challenge scientists' understanding of both Mars and our own world here on Earth. Most recently, the discovery of sedimentary organic material with particular properties has had many researchers scratching their heads. The properties of these carbon-based materials, in particular the ratio of its carbon isotopes, surprised researchers. (7/2)

Satellite Surveillance: China Cautions Public About Unwittingly Leaking Secrets (Source: Space Daily)
China's Ministry of State Security issued an online warning on Sunday, urging citizens to be cautious about sharing information that could be exploited by foreign intelligence agencies. The statement highlights the increasing use of space-based technology for espionage, with foreign actors leveraging remote sensing satellites to conduct real-time surveillance of China.

The MSS emphasizes the growing use of outer space for intelligence gathering. Foreign intelligence agencies are reportedly employing high-precision remote sensing satellites for continuous monitoring of China. These efforts are allegedly bolstered by data analysis from professionals and even unsuspecting netizens. (7/2)

Germany's Vyoma Awarded Two European Defence Fund Contracts to Enhance Space Security (Source: Space Daily)
Vyoma, a Germany-based company providing Space Domain Awareness capabilities, has been awarded two contracts by the European Defence Fund (EDF) program of the European Commission. Specifically, the EMISSARY and STAALION projects seek to augment European intelligence sovereignty and enhance threat response capabilities.

These contracts represent a significant milestone in Vyoma's mission to empower the defence sector with independent space domain awareness capabilities, thereby contributing to European geostrategic autonomy and the protection of critical infrastructure security in the continent. (7/3)

HERA Crew Completes 45-Day Simulated Journey to Mars (Source: Space Daily)
Four dedicated explorersJason Lee, Stephanie Navarro, Shareef Al Romaithi, and Piyumi Wijesekarajust returned from a 45-day simulated journey to Mars, testing the boundaries of human endurance and teamwork within the space agencys HERA (Human Exploration Research Analog) habitat at Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Their groundbreaking work on HERAs Campaign 7 Mission 2 contributes to the space agencys efforts to study how future astronauts may react to isolation and confinement during deep-space journeys. (7/3)

Designing for Outer Space (Source: Space Daily)
A new MIT course this spring asked students to design what humans might need to comfortably work in and inhabit space. The time for these creations is now. While the NASA Apollo missions saw astronauts land on the moon, collect samples, and return home, the missions planned under Artemis, NASA's current moon exploration program, include establishing long-term bases in orbit as well as on the surface of the moon.

The cross-disciplinary design course MAS.S66/4.154/16.89 (Space Architectures) was run in parallel with the departments of Architecture, and Aeronautics and Astronautics (AeroAstro), and the MIT Media Lab's Space Exploration Initiatives group. Thirty-five students from across the Institute registered to imagine, design, prototype, and test what might be needed to support human habitation and activities on the moon. (6/25)

New Satellite to Show How AI Advances Earth Observation (Source; Space Daily)
Artificial intelligence technologies have achieved remarkable successes and continue to show their value as backbones in scientific research and real-world applications. ESAs new Fsat-2 mission, launching in the coming weeks, will push the boundaries of AI for Earth observation demonstrating the transformative potential of AI for space technology.

With six AI applications running onboard, the satellite is designed to turn images into maps, detect clouds in the images, classify them and provide insight into cloud distribution, detect and classify vessels, compress images on board and reconstruct them in the ground reducing the download time, spot anomalies in marine ecosystems and detect wildfires. (7/3)

Northrop Grumman Designs Satellite Tracking Systems (Source: Military & Aerospace Electronics)
The US Space Force has selected Northrop Grumman Space Systems to design the first two Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared Polar satellites under a $93.8 million order, part of a $2.75 billion investment in these advanced infrared tracking systems. Northrop Grumman and Ball Aerospace develop sensor payloads for the program. (7/3)

Gateway: Up Close in Stunning Detail (Source: NASA)
NASA and its international partners will explore the scientific mysteries of deep space with Gateway, humanity’s first space station to orbit the Moon. Starting with the Artemis IV mission in 2028, the international teams of astronauts living, conducting science, and preparing for missions to the lunar South Pole region on Gateway will be the first humans to make their home in deep space. This artist’s computer-generated animation presents an exterior tour of Gateway in stunning detail. (6/25)

Blue Origin Logs SpaceX Starship Concerns as it Preps for 1st New Glenn Launch (Source: Orlando Sentinel)
Blue Origin has voiced concerns over future launches of SpaceX’s massive Starship and Super Heavy on the Space Coast. Blue Origin will be competing with SpaceX and others for time on the Eastern Range, and also for use of maritime assets such as booster recovery vessels. “Starship-Super Heavy operations are expected to have a greater environmental impact than any other launch system currently operating at KSC or CCSFS,” Blue Origin noted. Starship/Super Heavyy “can hold up to an unprecedented 5,200 metric tons of liquid methane for propulsion, resulting in qualified distances for safety margins that potentially overlap the operational sites of other companies, the government and the public.”

Because of that, Blue Origin suggests the FAA’s environmental impact study “should thoroughly evaluate the considerable risks, alternatives, mitigations and resources.”  That includes capping the number of launch, landings and other operations such as test fires Starship can perform; government investment in more launch infrastructure that would reduce Starship impacts on other launch companies such as more launch pads; and allotting other launch providers “the right-of-first refusal or schedule priority for certain conflicting launch or other operational opportunities.”

Other suggestions include requiring SpaceX or the government to “indemnify third parties for any losses caused by” Starship operations “including commercial disruption incurred,” and mandatory penalties for SpaceX “for conducting operations not included in an active EIS or other environmental restriction, violating a launch license, or any other laws, regulations or other rules for operating.” (7/4)

Airbus Secures $2.5 Billion German Military Satellite Contract (Source: Space News)
Airbus Defense and Space won a $2.5 billion contract from the German military to deliver next-generation communications satellites, known as SATCOMBw 3, short for Bundeswehr’s satellite communications system. The deal, announced July 4, includes the development and deployment of two geostationary satellites, along with ground segment upgrades, launch services, and operational support for 15 years. The spacecraft are slated for deployment before the end of the decade, replacing the aging SATCOMBw 2 system delivered by Airbus 15 years ago. (7/4)

A New Model for Defining Life Across the Universe (Source: Big Think)
At a fundamental level, what really is the difference between an inanimate rock and a mammal? What’s the difference at the level of mathematical physics and chemistry? This question lies at the heart of a three-day workshop on “Information-Driven States of Matter” next week at the University of Rochester. At the workshop, we will be taking a broad view of our question about information-driven systems. At the largest scale, we want to understand life as an astrobiological phenomenon. (7/4)

Space Club Invites Nominations for Florida Awards (Source: NSCFL)
Nominations for the National Space Club Florida Committee 2024 Lifetime Achievement, Rising Star, Kolcum News & Communications, and Space Worker Hall of Fame Awards are now open. The deadline is July 12th. Each year the National Space Club Florida Committee recognizes deserving individuals who make significant contributions to the U.S. space program. Click here. (7/3)