August 10, 2024

The Next Space Race (Source: Boston University)
To meet General B. Chance Saltzman at his office requires a clean background check, a valid government-issued ID, and a sponsor—a Department of Defense employee who cannot let you out of their sight during your entire stay. Visitors must pass through three security checkpoints at the main entrance—one of them much like the screening at an airport and another where visitors input their Social Security numbers. Click here. (8/7)

Rocket Lab Announces Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results, Posts Record Revenue on 71% Year-on-Year Growth (Source: Rocket Lab)
Rocket Lab USA shared its financial results for fiscal second quarter, ended June 30, 2024. Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Sir Peter Beck, said: “This year’s second quarter was Rocket Lab’s highest revenue quarter in Company history at $106 million. This 71% year-on-year revenue increase demonstrates the strong and growing demand for our launch services and space systems products, and importantly, our team’s ability to execute against it. (8/8)

Eutelsat Falls on 'Vague' and 'Very Weak' FY Guidance (Source: XM)
Shares of French satellite company Eutelsat ETL.PA fall 3.1%, as "weak" guidance for FY 2025 overshadows better-than-expected FY 2024 results. Eutelsat expects the adj. EBITDA margin to be slightly lower y/y, having reported FY revenue of 1.21 billion euros ($1.32 billion) in-line with consensus and adj. EBITDA margin of 59.3%, above the consensus expectation of 53.6%.

Eutelsat says guidance reflects costs from the OneWeb merger and service revenues within the LEO satellites contribution. "The guidance is extremely vague, and difficult to compare to consensus. That said, we consider it to be very weak," J.P.Morgan says. (8/9)

Vandenberg Works on Solutions to Expanded SpaceX Launches From the Central Coast Base (Source: KEYT)
GCC supported the conditional concurrence and urged Base leadership and SpaceX to reconsider and accept all conditions.  The rejected conditions required biological monitoring that the Commission characterized as standard, entirely reasonable, and plainly required for them to fulfill their statutorily required duties.

The Space Force took the unusual tact of refusing at the outset of the public hearing to take any questions.  This – in addition to the fact that SpaceX has yet to appear at any of the Commission hearings despite numerous requests - infuriated Commissioners eager for answers to questions including why the Base and SpaceX did not want to monitor biological resources. Commissioner Bochco likened the Space Force’s behavior to the Navy defying the Coastal Commission by refusing to protect whales from sonar testing.  She noted that ultimately the Commission went to court, won, and the Navy changed their ways.

SpaceX will shortly be seeking approvals for an additional increase in annual launches to 50, and to 100 by 2025.  It remains to be seen whether Base leadership and SpaceX will ultimately decide to cooperate and accept reasonable conditions on their launch activity.  In the meantime Coastal Commission staff is proceeding to evaluate what portions of SpaceX’s activities constitute “development” in the Coastal Zone that would independently require a Coastal Development Permit from the Commission. (8/8)

Effort Underway to Save Canadian Space Laboratory (Source: SpaceQ)
It seems some within industry are not pleased with the Canadian Space Agency’s decision to close the David Florida Laboratory. An anonymous person using the handle Canadian Space Industry has started a Change.org to petition. The petition was started on June 19 and the current goal is to reach 10,000 signatures. At the time of publication there were 8,486 signatures which is a significant number considering the size of Canada’s space industry. (8/8)

SpaceX Succeeds in Quest to Keep Labor Board Lawsuit in Texas (Source: Bloomberg)
SpaceX has escaped a Texas federal judge’s order that would have sent one of the company’s two constitutional lawsuits against the National Labor Relations Board to California. It took Elon Musk’s aerospace company three tries, but it finally convinced the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit on Friday to quash the judge’s February order. The circuit court did so in an unsigned, unpublished order that included no legal reasoning. (8/9)

Rocket Lab Begins Installation of Rocket-Building Machine in Maryland (Source: Maryland Daily Record)
California-based Rocket Lab USA Inc. Friday announced it has begun installation of the largest automated fiber placement (AFP) machine of its kind into the company’s Neutron rocket production line in Maryland. The AFP machine will enable Rocket Lab to automate production of the largest carbon composite rocket structures in history. The custom-built 99-ton, 39-foot robotic machine, Made by Electroimpact in Washington, has just completed final acceptance testing with the manufacturer and installation has begun at Rocket Lab’s Space Structures Complex in Middle River. (8/9)

Raptor 3 Fires Up, New Glenn Tests at Port & Starliner's Latest Update | This Week in Spaceflight (Source: NasaSpaceFlight.com)
SpaceX's Raptor 3 engine fires up for the first time, Blue Origin conducts critical port procedures for New Glenn, and we get the latest update on Starliner’s return mission. Plus, Rocket Lab tests their Archimedes engine, ISRO reveals astronauts training in Houston, and much more! Stay tuned for your comprehensive weekly spaceflight update. Click here. (8/9)

The End of Chevron Doctrine Will Unleash Space Exploration (Source: National Interest)
June’s Supreme Court ruling which overturned the forty-year-old judicial doctrine known as “Chevron deference” requires us to think carefully about a crucial domain of American power: outer space. The celestial writ of administrative agencies determines how American corporations and government entities behave in space—and hence our capacity to meet challenges from Russia and China. It may take years for the impacts of this decision on legislation and administrative law to become fully apparent, especially for the space community.

Over the past four decades, Chevron has been central in rule and regulation development, significantly shifting the balance of power from the judiciary to the executive. Contrary to the concerns of some, the decision does not condemn us to anarchic chaos. Instead, it allows us to address the weaknesses of a sometimes opaque and clunky top-down process by providing a more deliberative and open one. It is more useful to discuss the opportunities and challenges it presents for the space community rather than lament the passing of an idealized Chevron deference world.

Importantly, the decision does not eliminate regulatory agencies or rulemaking. These agencies will continue to make rules, and people will still be able to contest those rulings in court. Congress will still delegate regulatory authority through legislation. The end of Chevron deference changes the forum for debate when laws are unclear, leaving us to navigate this new landscape. We need a combination of wise statesmanship and bold entrepreneurship to create a space environment conducive to America’s needs. The end of Chevron deference offers a unique opportunity to build institutions and capabilities that will unite us in plotting a course to the stars that will redound to our wellbeing on earth. (8/9)

Digital and Space Sustainability Report Supports Saudi Arabia Space Plans (Source: CST)
The Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) has released the 3rd  edition of the “Digital and Space Sustainability in Saudi Arabia" report, in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). This report highlights Saudi Arabia's most significant initiatives in digital sustainability, as well as 13 success stories across environmental, economic and social sustainability aspects.

The report highlights the importance of innovative solutions in the IT and space sector for achieving sustainable development goals, with 70% of these goals relying on digital technologies, while 40% of these goals benefit from information derived from space technologies, such as Earth observation via satellites, positioning and navigation, satellite communications, space exploration, and gravity related research. This highlights the pivotal role that the communications, space and technology system plays in to create a sustainable future for all. (8/5)

Chile Signs Space Cooperation Agreement with Brazil (Source: Gob.cl)
National scientific development took an important step thanks to the signing of the Space Cooperation Agreement for Peaceful Purposes with Brazil , which will allow the future National Space Center to be strengthened and new talents to be trained to continue developing knowledge in these areas. The signing, which took place at the National Aeronautics and Space Museum, was led by the Ministers of Science of both countries, as well as President Gabriel Boric and his Brazilian counterpart, Lula da Silva, who concluded his official visit to the country today. (8/6)

Gaia Telescope Uncovers Hundreds of Potential Asteroid Moons (Source: Space Daily)
ESA's Gaia mission, originally launched to survey stars, has demonstrated its prowess in asteroid exploration by identifying potential moons around more than 350 asteroids that were not previously known to have companions. Gaia has previously examined asteroids known to possess moons, termed 'binary asteroids,' and confirmed the presence of these tiny satellites using its highly accurate astrometric data. However, this recent discovery marks a significant advance, proving that Gaia can also conduct 'blind' searches to detect new binary asteroid candidates. (8/9)

MSU Professor Receives $1.1M NASA Grant to Enhance Hypersonic Vehicle Design Tools (Source: Space Daily)
NASA has awarded a $1.13 million grant to an assistant professor at Mississippi State University (MSU) to develop an advanced computational tool designed to improve the design process of hypersonic vehicles for space exploration. Vilas Shinde secured the funding to create a new tool for flow stability and transition analysis. This tool will help researchers and engineers better understand and predict boundary layer changes-specifically, the behavior of air flow close to an aircraft's surface during flight. (8/9)

Variable-Thrust Rocket Engine Passes Initial Hot-Fire Tests (Source: Space Daily)
The European Space Agency (ESA) has successfully completed the first phase of hot-fire tests on a new variable-thrust rocket engine, part of the Future Launchers Preparatory Program (FLPP). Conducted in Warsaw, Poland, the tests focused on a rocket engine developed by a Polish consortium that is exploring innovative designs for propellant valves and injectors. These designs aim to vary thrust levels using more sustainable and storable propellants, making the engine suitable for future space missions and reusable rockets.

Named the Throttleable Liquid Propulsion Demonstrator (TLPD), the engine has been dismounted for inspection, with ongoing analysis at the Lukasiewicz Research Network - Institute of Aviation (Lukasiewicz-ILOT) in Poland. This analysis is being conducted in collaboration with partners Astronika and Jakusz SpaceTech, in preparation for the next phase of testing. (8/9)

NASA Concludes NEOWISE Mission After Over a Decade of Asteroid Monitoring (Source: Space Daily)
NASA's NEOWISE mission has officially ended after more than 10 years of detecting asteroids and comets, including those that could potentially threaten Earth. Engineers commanded the spacecraft to power down its transmitter for the final time on Thursday, marking the conclusion of its significant role in planetary defense. (8/9)

Astronauts on Tiangong Space Station Complete Fire Safety Drill (Source: Space Daily)
The Shenzhou XVIII crew aboard China's Tiangong space station has successfully completed a series of tasks, including a critical fire alarm test, the China Manned Space Agency reported. Led by mission commander Senior Colonel Ye Guangfu, alongside Lieutenant Colonel Li Guangsu and Lieutenant Colonel Li Cong, the astronauts tested the space station's fire safety systems by activating temperature and smoke detectors within the core and two science modules. The test aimed to confirm the proper functioning of these safety devices. (8/9)

Engineering Students Invited to Enter NASA's 2025 Lunabotics Challenge, at UCF and KSC (Source: Space Daily)
NASA is calling on teams from colleges, universities, and technical schools nationwide to showcase their engineering talents in the 2025 Lunabotics Challenge. The Lunabotics Challenge requires teams to create and operate a robot-either autonomous or telerobotic-that can navigate a simulated lunar environment and complete specific construction tasks. Participants must design robots capable of handling the challenges posed by regolith, or lunar soil simulants, while constructing berm structures. The robots must function under strict weight and size constraints and be operable remotely or autonomously.

NASA encourages inventive approaches to construction and rigorously assesses student designs, providing an authentic engineering experience similar to the development of its own prototypes. The competition will conclude on Sep. 12 with NASA announcing the selected teams on Sep. 20. The chosen teams will participate in the Lunabotics Qualification Challenge at the University of Central Florida in May 2025. The top performers will advance to the final event at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida later that month. (8/9)

ispace Signs Consulting Agreement with Komatsu to Design Equipment for the Lunar Surface (Source: ispace)
ispace and Komatsu have signed a consulting agreement for the development of construction equipment for the lunar environment. Since 2021, Komatsu has been selected for “Project for Promoting the Development of Innovative Technology for Unmanned Outer Space Construction” managed by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology as part of the “STARDUST Programs”. (8/9)

NASA’s Stennis Space Center Announces New Deputy Director (Source: NASA)
NASA’s Stennis Space Center Director John Bailey announced Aug. 2 that longtime propulsion engineer/manager Christine Powell has been selected as deputy director of the south Mississippi propulsion site, effective Aug. 12. (8/5)

Hickenlooper and Crapo Propose Center of Excellence for Dark and Quiet Skies (Source: Sen. Hickenlooper)
The Dark and Quiet Skies Act would create a Center of Excellence overseen by NIST and operated by a third-party entity to research, develop, and deploy voluntary best practices for interference mitigation. The Center would increase voluntary participation among stakeholders and promote collaboration between the astronomical community, industry, and Federal agencies to protect the integrity of federally-funded scientific research observing the sky and celestial bodies. (8/1)

US-Australia Landsat Next 2030 International Partnership Initiative (Source: US Dept. of State)
The Landsat Next 2030 International Partnership Initiative includes Australia as a founding partner with the US. It represents a leap forward in using satellites to map and monitor the planet’s environment and its natural resources. And it will facilitate targeted resource exploration, allowing us to focus on our supply chain development for critical minerals. (8/5)

Blue Origin Tests Out New Glenn Rocket Recovery Crane at Port Canaveral (Source: Orlando Sentinel)
With the first launch of Blue Origin's massive New Glenn rocket still in the works before the end of the year, Jeff Bezos' company got to work testing out its recovery operations with the huge crane parked at Port Canaveral on Thursday. (8/8)

FAA Holding Public Hearings on SpaceX Request to Increase Launches on South Texas Border (Source: Border Report)
The FAA next week is holding four public hearings in South Texas over Space X’s request to increase the number of test launches the private company wants to conduct from its Starbase launch site on the Gulf of Mexico.

The FAA is inviting public comment and review of a draft tiered environmental assessment that the regulatory agency has done on SpaceX and its request to boost additional launches and landings of its Starship and Super Heavy spacecrafts from its facility on Boca Chica Beach, Texas. SpaceX wants federal approval to launch and land up to 25 Starships annually from its South Texas launch pad, as well as conduct up to 25 landings of its Super Heavy spacecraft every year. (8/8)

Court Rules Against LNG Terminal and Pipeline Project at Port of Brownsville (Source: Border Report)
 A court in Washington, D.C., has struck down the approval by a federal regulatory agency for the building of a liquified natural gas (LNG) export terminal and pipeline in Brownsville, Texas. The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday ruled to vacate, or cancel, previous approval for two LNG export terminals, as well as construction of a pipeline to carry the natural gas, at the Port of Brownsville, which was previously signed off by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

SpaceX's Starbase facility is just 5 miles from the Port of Brownsville, where LNG opponents say rocket launches and LNG facilities are a bad mix in this unique border ecosystem. (8/7)

Eutelsat Reports Revenue Boost From Oneweb Takeover (Source: City AM)
Revenue at French satellite operator Eutelsat hit €1.21bn (£1.03bn) in the company’s fiscal 2023. Still, the group had a notable drop in operating and net income despite reduced debt and growth in government services. Headquartered and listed in Paris, the company added a London listing when it acquired the UK-based company Oneweb last year.

Revenue for the period jumped 7.2 percent while adjusted earnings decreased 13 percent. Operating income declined from €573.5m (£490.4m) to €191.3m (£164m). Net debt decreased from €2.76bn (£2.36bn) to €2.54bn (£2.17bn) a reduction of €221.3m (£189.2m). (8/9)