NASA Watchdog Warns Boeing is
Overbudget, Behind Schedule on Artemis Upper Rocket Stage
(Source: Florida Today)
NASA's chief watchdog warned that the planned upgrade to NASA's Artemis
Program moon rocket upper stage, being developed by Boeing, is now
likely to cost $700 million more and require the workforce to stay on
seven years longer than anticipated. In addition to the cost and time
overrun, NASA's Inspector General also expressed concerns about quality
control issues and a lack of responsiveness from Boeing to address
problems. (8/13)
Harris Campaign Enlists "Space Cadets for Harris" (Source: Space Cadets for Harris)
Among the wide variety of voter interest groups being formed to support Kamala Harris' campaign for president, a new one has been established to appeal to space industry voters. "Space Cadets for Harris" kicks off on Aug. 15 with a high-profile online event featuring astronauts, governors, former NASA administrators, actors, influencers and scientists. Click here. (8/14)
US, Australia Collaborate to Enhance GPS Resilience in Contested Environments (Source: Space Daily)
Members of the Australian Department of Defense recently joined forces with the Joint Navigation Warfare Center to put GPS devices to the test. The goal was to assess their performance under simulated jamming conditions and enhance their resilience in contested environments. The combined effort brought together experts from both nations. Personnel from the Australian Joint Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Directorate worked alongside JNWC personnel to evaluate the Defense Advanced GPS Receiver. (8/10)
US and China Could Collaborate on Space-Based Solar Power (Source: Space Daily)
China's recent mission to retrieve samples from the far side of the moon has reignited discussions about potential US-China cooperation in space research, particularly in addressing global issues like climate change. "The US and China each have very innovative space programs, and one area, for example, where the US and China could work together today would be space-based solar," said Daniel Kammen.
Space-based solar power, which involves collecting solar energy via satellites in space and transmitting it back to Earth, is gaining momentum globally. As countries ramp up research and development in this field, there is a growing international push towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The decreasing costs of space launches are making the deployment of large, kilometer-square mylar solar panels-capable of beaming power back to Earth using microwaves-increasingly viable.
Kammen, who contributed to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's Nobel Peace Prize-winning report in 2007, suggested that the US and China could challenge each other to make space-based solar power a reality. Both nations have made considerable advancements in this field. In the US, Caltech's space solar power prototype, launched last year, successfully demonstrated wireless power transmission in space and even managed to beam detectable power back to Earth. (8/12)
The Army Wants its Own ‘Space Force.’ They Shouldn’t Be Allowed to Have It (Source: Breaking Defense)
The Army’s Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC) recently announced it is planning to increase its space personnel and space control capabilities, despite the presence of the Space Force, created specifically to centralize resources and talent to maintain space superiority and provide those capabilities for the combatant commands to employ.
The nation does not need the Army to duplicate those capabilities. In truth, the Army replicating Space Force operations within its service wastes precious resources, undermines jointness, and drives organizational fissures — all of which hinder America’s ability to fight and win. To date, there has been no pushback by the Secretary of Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff or Congress on this bad idea. (8/13)
Lockheed Martin Taps General Dynamics for Solid Rocket Motor Manufacturing (Source: Space News)
Top U.S. defense contractors Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics announced a strategic partnership to produce solid rocket motors, aiming to address critical supply chain shortages in the defense industry. The agreement, announced Aug. 13, will see General Dynamics manufacture rocket motors designed by Lockheed Martin for the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS), a GPS-guided artillery rocket system used by the U.S. military and allies for long-range fire support. (8/13)
Terran Orbital Loses Rivada Work (Source: Space News)
Terran Orbital is no longer counting a multibillion-dollar contract from Rivada Space Networks as part of its backlog. The satellite manufacturer disclosed in a quarterly filing with the SEC Monday that it had removed the $2.4 billion contract it received from Rivada a year and a half ago from its contract backlog, reducing that backlog to a little more than $300 million. Terran Orbital CEO Marc Bell said his company still expects to carry out the contract and blamed the removal on accounting measures.
However, Terran Orbital has earned only $13.2 million to date on that contract amid questions about how Rivada will finance the 300-satellite constellation that Terran Orbital will build. More than 90% of the remaining backlog is work for Lockheed Martin. Terran Orbital reported about $30 million in revenue in the second quarter, down slightly from the same quarter a year ago, and it ended the quarter with only $31 million of cash on hand. (8/14)
China's Deep Blue Gains New Funding for Reusable Rocket (Source: Space News)
Chinese commercial rocket firm Deep Blue Aerospace announced new funding Tuesday as is prepares for a reusable rocket test. The company announced Tuesday the successful completion of its B3 strategic financing round without disclosing the amount of money it raised. Deep Blue Aerospace says it will use the funding to focus on breakthroughs in core technologies and the commercialization of its "Nebula" series of reusable rockets. The company is preparing to conduct a vertical takeoff, vertical landing (VTVL) test with a Nebula-1 first stage to an altitude of 100 kilometers by the end of the month. (8/14)
Intuitive Machines Considers VIPER Takeover (Source: Space News)
Lunar lander developer Intuitive Machines said it is putting together a team to take over NASA's VIPER lunar rover. The company said in an earnings call Tuesday that it is working with unnamed companies, universities and international partners to respond to a request for information NASA released last week seeking details from those interested in operating VIPER. NASA said last month it planned to cancel the mission to save money, but would offer the nearly complete rover to potential commercial or international partners.
Intuitive Machines said it would cover the cost of taking over VIPER by selling excess payload space on the lander that would deliver the rover to the moon. The company also said it now plans to launch its next lander mission, IM-2, in December or early January after updating the landing site for the mission with NASA in July. (8/14)
Atlas AI Boosts Airbus Geospatial (Source: Space News)
Atlas AI, a geospatial intelligence startup, is working with Airbus. Airbus is relying on Atlas AI's geospatial platform, which pairs satellite imagery with artificial intelligence, to gain insight into travel demand, airport catchment areas and infrastructure change to support its aircraft manufacturing business. Atlas AI, spun out of a Stanford University lab in 2018, specializes in applying AI techniques to satellite imagery to measure local socioeconomic conditions in emerging markets. (8/14)
India NavSats Not Working as Planned (Source: News9 Live)
Nearly half the satellites in India's regional navigation service are not operational. An Indian government minister told the country's parliament that three of seven satellites in the NavIC system are not able to provide positioning, navigation and timing services, but are able to be used for other applications, like safety-of-life messaging. NavIC uses satellites in geosynchronous orbit to provide navigation services across India and the surrounding region. The government plans to replace the faulty satellites "in the coming years." (8/14)
Commerce Dept. IG Worried About Space Traffic System (Source: Breaking Defense)
The Commerce Department's inspector general is worried about delays in the creation of a space traffic coordination system. In a recent report, the inspector general warned that the Office of Space Commerce's Traffic Coordination System for Space (TraCSS) may not be ready in even a scaled-down version by the end of September as currently planned. That risks a gap in spaceflight safety services, the report warned, if the Defense Department's priorities change because of a "national security concern." Officials with the office have said recently they still expect the initial Phase 1.0 of TraCSS to be ready by the end of September, with upgrades added over the next year. The report also called on the office to develop plans for creating binding rules for space traffic management, although the office noted it currently lacks Congressional authority to do so. (8/14)
NASA KSC Working with Central Florida Attraction on Roller Coaster Tech (Source: Space.com)
NASA's Kennedy Space Center is turning to some unique local expertise to keep astronauts safe. Engineers working on Artemis met recently with counterparts at an unnamed "central Florida amusement park" to gain insights on technologies used in roller coasters called eddy braking systems. NASA uses similar technologies on the gondolas that are part of the escape system on the launch pad that astronauts would use in the event of an emergency before liftoff. The discussions, NASA said, provided insights on how to maintain and operate the gondolas. (8/14)
NASA Chief to Scientists on Budget Cuts: “I Feel Your Pain” (Source: Ars Technica)
"Well, the big concern is that you can't put 10 pounds of potatoes in a five-pound sack. When you get cut $4.7 billion over two years, and when $2 billion of that over two years is just in science, then you have to start making some hard choices... My response to the scientists is, I feel your pain. But, when I am faced with $2 billion of cuts over two years just in Science, I can't go and print the dollars." (8/13)
Starliner Could Spin Out of Control and Crash Into the Space Station, Expert Warns (Source: Futurism)
While NASA works on figuring out how to get the Boeing Starliner astronauts home, experts are concerned that it may straight-up crash into the International Space Station. As Business Insider notes, there are concerns inside and outside the agency that once the plagued spacecraft undocks from the ISS, malfunctioning thrusters could lead it to spin out of control and ultimately crash into the station. (8/13)
We Must Adopt Sustainability in Planetary Exploration (Source: Space News)
The lessons we have learned on Earth must guide our actions in space. The United Nations’ definition of the long-term sustainability of outer space activities emphasizes the need for equitable access and preservation for future generations. Current space sustainability efforts focus primarily on Earth’s orbit, addressing issues such as orbital debris and security. However, we must extend this focus to include the moon, Mars and other planetary bodies in the solar system.
Existing planetary protection policies, established to prevent biological contamination, need expansion. These policies, derived from the Outer Space Treaty (OST) and managed by bodies like the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR), have historically concentrated on preventing the biological contamination of Earth and other planetary bodies, such as of the moon during the Apollo missions and recent robotic exploration of Mars.
However, they fall short in addressing broader environmental impacts, especially when permanent human bases are in consideration and NASA is envisioning an industrial base on the moon and making plans for a thriving Lunar economy. We must revise these policies to include abiotic factors, atmospheric contamination and the ethical use of resources on other planets. (8/12)
Space Force, Allies Craft Global Supply Chain Strategy (Source: Defense News)
As concerns mount about whether the world’s industrial base can keep up with the demand for satellite production, the Space Force is working with its close allies to craft a strategy aimed at strengthening the space supply chain. The effort started in earnest last fall, when the service’s primary acquisition arm, Space Systems Command, met with international partners and industry leaders to discuss supply chain challenges and identify areas for collaboration. (8/13)
Highly Magnetic Dead Star Launches Mysterious Blast of Energy (Source: Space.com)
Astronomers have caught a highly magnetic dead star, or "magnetar," in the Milky Way briefly acting like a pulsar, a type of neutron star that rapidly rotates. The magnetar put on its pulsar disguise after emitting a powerful blast of radiation originally detected in 2020. The emission is an example of a fast radio burst (FRB), a mysterious blast of energy whose sources and origins are still not well understood.
Whereas the majority of FRBs have been traced to sources outside the Milky Way, this one, designated FRB 20200428, originated in our galaxy, making it the first "galactic FRB" ever seen. FRB 20200428 was linked to the highly magnetic neutron star, or "magnetar," SGR J1935+2154, located around 30,000 light-years away and orbiting the supermassive black hole at the heart of the Milky Way, Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*). This led many researchers to theorize that FRBs detected from outside the Milky Way also originated from magnetars. (8/13)
The Future is Bright: Johnson Space Center Interns Shine Throughout Summer Term (Source: NASA)
More than 100 interns supported operations at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston this summer, each making an important impact on the agency’s mission success. Get to know seven stellar interns nominated by their mentors for their hard work and outstanding contributions. Click here. (7/24)
Texas Judge Steps Aside in Elon Musk Case (Source: NPR)
A U.S. District Judge in Texas has recused himself from a lawsuit filed by Elon Musk’s X days after NPR drew scrutiny to the judge’s investment in Tesla and questions about Musk using the court to engage in “forum-shopping.” (8/13)
Lunar Gold Rush On The Way In New Space Race (Source: GFR)
There’s a new lunar Gold Rush building, with scientists all clamoring to occupy a piece of the Moon for their own research. Scientists have proposed a groundbreaking new way to measure gravitational waves by placing a telescope, called the Lunar Gravitational Wave Antenna (LGWA), on the moon. There’s one obstacle to this proposal, though, and that’s the Wild West-style charge descending on Earth’s Moon. Click here. (8/13)
What Do You Know About Space? Take Our Space Camp Final Exam to Find Out! (Source: NPR)
Feel like you're ready to put all your space knowledge to the test? Find out by answering the 10 question quiz below. Pass the test and you will be rewarded with your very own, personalized badge. Want to brush up on your facts first? All the answers come from the Short Wave Space Camp series. Click here. (8/13)
Turkish Satellite Firm Eyes $400 Million Valuation in Funding Debut (Source: Bloomberg)
Plan-S, the satellite and space technology unit of Turkey’s Kontrolmatik Enerji Ve Muhendislik AS, is launching an equity funding round that would value the company at $400 million. The single-asset fund, offered by the investment arm of state-run Ziraat Bank, aims to raise as much as $40 million from institutional and individual investors in Turkey and abroad for Ankara-based Plan-S, Kontrolmatik Chairman Sami Aslanhan told Bloomberg. (8/13)
NASA’s X-59 Progresses Through Tests on the Path to Flight (Source: NASA)
The team preparing NASA’s X-59 continues through testing in preparation for the quiet supersonic aircraft to make its first flight. This includes a trio of important structural tests and critical inspections on the path to flight. The X-59 is an experimental plane that will fly faster than the speed of sound without a loud sonic boom. It will be the first of its kind to fly, with the goal of gathering sound data for NASA’s Quesst mission, which could open the door to commercial supersonic overland flight in the future. (8/13)
Largest Convex Mirror Constructed by Corning and L3Harris (Source: Rochester First)
Corning and L3Harris have constructed the largest Convex Mirror – taking scientists one step closer to identifying 10 to 100 more objects in the solar system. The 11-foot, 1,500-pound jointly produced mirror is 11-foot wide was installed at the Rubin Observatory in Chile. (8/13)
Drugs Can Partially Prevent Muscle Loss Caused by Microgravity (Source; Space.com)
Astronauts experience significant muscle loss as a result of being in microgravity, but new drugs designed to create new muscle partially counteract this effect, new research shows. The results have important implications for both long-duration space missions and the treatment of muscle loss on Earth, the study authors said. Just a week in space accelerates muscle aging so much that astronauts' muscles resemble those of people with a condition called sarcopenia. This progressive decline in skeletal muscle takes decades to develop on Earth and typically affects older adults.
For the experimental study, the muscle "chips" — bioengineered packages of collagen strips arranged to mimic the structure of real muscles — were launched to the ISS, where astronauts performed a set of experiments over the course of a week. On Earth, Huang and her team performed the same experiments in parallel, which allowed the researchers to compare the muscles of astronauts in microgravity with muscles that age normally on Earth. (8/13)
Northrop Uses Modular Tooling in Rocket Motor Production (Source: Aerospace Manufacturing)
Northrop Grumman has developed modular tooling to manufacture solid rocket motor cases, enhancing efficiency and flexibility in production. This innovation supports the increasing demand for missile propulsion systems and aims to streamline manufacturing while maintaining high quality and consistency. (8/13)
New Glenn’s Maiden Flight Approaches as Hardware Undergoes Testing (Source: NSF)
With flight hardware being tested, recovery rehearsals underway, and production facilities growing, Blue Origin is becoming a hive of more visible activity as the company rapidly approaches the first flight of its orbital class rocket, New Glenn. Over the past few months, Blue Origin has performed many important tests of New Glenn hardware at Launch Complex 36 (LC-36). These are all important for gathering data before the rocket’s first flight.
In early July, retraction tests of the New Glenn transporter erector (TE) system were performed at LC-36. These tests involved the large TE pulling back from the vehicle and disconnecting umbilicals from the first and second stages. Blue completed these tests over just a few days before lowering the TE and the simulator stages back to horizontal and rolling them back inside the hangar. (8/13)
Get Space Weather Policy Right (Source: Space News)
For those who may not have been paying attention, the sun has become quite active of late. In fact, the sun is more restive in terms of solar flares and coronal mass ejections than it has been in at least two decades. This space weather, as it’s called — blasts of hot gases and energetic particles emanating from our parent star — has the potential to damage the thousands of active satellites in space and can also do severe (and costly) damage to our bulk electrical power grid. And in order to properly prepare, the federal response must be fixed.
The implications of highly threatening space weather have raised this natural hazard to similar ranks as hurricanes, massive floods, earthquakes and catastrophic winter storms. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has noted with several policy pronouncements that space weather events (of the most significant size and duration) can do damage to our modern technological society on a continental scale. (8/14)
Starliner’s Uncertain Future (Source: Space Review)
Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner is still docked to the International Space Station, more than two months into a stay originally planned to be as short as eight days. Jeff Foust reports on the ongoing discussions at NASA about whether the spacecraft can safely return to Earth with astronauts on board or if the agency will need a backup plan. Click here. (8/13)
Contemporary Use of Satellite Imagery for Open Source Intelligence (Source: Space Review)
Using satellite imagery to track the development of aircraft carriers has more than historical significance. Dwayne Day explores how commercial satellite imagery is being used by open-source analysts to track China’s development of new carriers. Click here. (8/13)
The Military Test Space Station (MTSS) (Source: Space Review)
In the early 1960s, the US Air Force awarded contracts to several companies to study concepts for a military space station. Hans Dolfing examines what the companies proposed for those stations and what experiments the Air Force considered performing on them. Click here. (8/13)
The Case for an International Space Artifacts Museum (Source: Space Review)
NASA’s plans to deorbit the International Space Station at the end of its life have sparked criticism from those who would like to preserve it in some way. Madhu Thangavelu makes the case for a space museum to preserve the ISS and other historic spacecraft for future generations. Click here. (8/13)
Space Force Payload Launches Aboard Allied Satellite in Historic First (Source: Air and Space Forces)
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket blasted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, on Aug. 9, carrying a historic collaboration between the U.S. Space Force and a foreign ally—two satellites procured by Space Norway that will host USSF payloads for Arctic communications. The launch marked the first time an operational Space Force payload has deployed on a foreign-owned satellite, a collaboration USSF leaders say will save millions of dollars. (8/12)
NASA Just Shut Down a Planetary Defense Mission That Tracks Asteroids. Now What? (Source: The Conversation)
Launched in 2011, NASA’s NEOWISE mission operated in Earth’s orbit until late last week. It detected more than 3,000 near-Earth objects or NEOs – asteroids or comets whose orbits can bring them close to Earth, even with the possibility of a collision. NEOWISE was shut down on August 8. You might think this poses a bit of a risk – shutting down NEOWISE three years before launching NEO Surveyor. What happens if one of these big asteroids comes our way in the next few years?
The risks are very small, as estimates show asteroids 140 meters in diameter impact Earth only approximately every 20,000 years. So, we would have to be extremely unlucky to have one in any given three-year period, especially impacting a place that would cause a large amount of damage. Only around 3% of Earth’s surface is occupied by urban areas. (8/12)
The Pollutants Found in SpaceX Wastewater at Starbase (Source: Popular Science)
One of the major initial concerns—the wastewater’s mercury content—stems from what experts believe may be egregious typos within SpaceX’s records. Lab reports indicate polluted waters contained 0.113 μg/L of mercury, while subsequent summaries appear to misplace the decimal point to show 113 μg/L. If the former measurement is accurate, then Starship’s wastewater contains roughly 1/17th the legal mercury limit.
This, however, does not explain SpaceX’s numerous other alleged reporting issues, regulatory side steps, and disregard for federal and local concerns. In a blog post last year, environmental engineer Eric Roesch also pointed to previous SpaceX water samples reports that appear to omit measurements for nickel, a toxic metal. Meanwhile, the same chart lists multiple pollutants at concentrations at or above TCEQ and EPA standards, including total suspended solids, cyanide, copper, and chromium. (8/12)
Harris Campaign Enlists "Space Cadets for Harris" (Source: Space Cadets for Harris)
Among the wide variety of voter interest groups being formed to support Kamala Harris' campaign for president, a new one has been established to appeal to space industry voters. "Space Cadets for Harris" kicks off on Aug. 15 with a high-profile online event featuring astronauts, governors, former NASA administrators, actors, influencers and scientists. Click here. (8/14)
US, Australia Collaborate to Enhance GPS Resilience in Contested Environments (Source: Space Daily)
Members of the Australian Department of Defense recently joined forces with the Joint Navigation Warfare Center to put GPS devices to the test. The goal was to assess their performance under simulated jamming conditions and enhance their resilience in contested environments. The combined effort brought together experts from both nations. Personnel from the Australian Joint Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Directorate worked alongside JNWC personnel to evaluate the Defense Advanced GPS Receiver. (8/10)
US and China Could Collaborate on Space-Based Solar Power (Source: Space Daily)
China's recent mission to retrieve samples from the far side of the moon has reignited discussions about potential US-China cooperation in space research, particularly in addressing global issues like climate change. "The US and China each have very innovative space programs, and one area, for example, where the US and China could work together today would be space-based solar," said Daniel Kammen.
Space-based solar power, which involves collecting solar energy via satellites in space and transmitting it back to Earth, is gaining momentum globally. As countries ramp up research and development in this field, there is a growing international push towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The decreasing costs of space launches are making the deployment of large, kilometer-square mylar solar panels-capable of beaming power back to Earth using microwaves-increasingly viable.
Kammen, who contributed to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's Nobel Peace Prize-winning report in 2007, suggested that the US and China could challenge each other to make space-based solar power a reality. Both nations have made considerable advancements in this field. In the US, Caltech's space solar power prototype, launched last year, successfully demonstrated wireless power transmission in space and even managed to beam detectable power back to Earth. (8/12)
The Army Wants its Own ‘Space Force.’ They Shouldn’t Be Allowed to Have It (Source: Breaking Defense)
The Army’s Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC) recently announced it is planning to increase its space personnel and space control capabilities, despite the presence of the Space Force, created specifically to centralize resources and talent to maintain space superiority and provide those capabilities for the combatant commands to employ.
The nation does not need the Army to duplicate those capabilities. In truth, the Army replicating Space Force operations within its service wastes precious resources, undermines jointness, and drives organizational fissures — all of which hinder America’s ability to fight and win. To date, there has been no pushback by the Secretary of Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff or Congress on this bad idea. (8/13)
Lockheed Martin Taps General Dynamics for Solid Rocket Motor Manufacturing (Source: Space News)
Top U.S. defense contractors Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics announced a strategic partnership to produce solid rocket motors, aiming to address critical supply chain shortages in the defense industry. The agreement, announced Aug. 13, will see General Dynamics manufacture rocket motors designed by Lockheed Martin for the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS), a GPS-guided artillery rocket system used by the U.S. military and allies for long-range fire support. (8/13)
Terran Orbital Loses Rivada Work (Source: Space News)
Terran Orbital is no longer counting a multibillion-dollar contract from Rivada Space Networks as part of its backlog. The satellite manufacturer disclosed in a quarterly filing with the SEC Monday that it had removed the $2.4 billion contract it received from Rivada a year and a half ago from its contract backlog, reducing that backlog to a little more than $300 million. Terran Orbital CEO Marc Bell said his company still expects to carry out the contract and blamed the removal on accounting measures.
However, Terran Orbital has earned only $13.2 million to date on that contract amid questions about how Rivada will finance the 300-satellite constellation that Terran Orbital will build. More than 90% of the remaining backlog is work for Lockheed Martin. Terran Orbital reported about $30 million in revenue in the second quarter, down slightly from the same quarter a year ago, and it ended the quarter with only $31 million of cash on hand. (8/14)
China's Deep Blue Gains New Funding for Reusable Rocket (Source: Space News)
Chinese commercial rocket firm Deep Blue Aerospace announced new funding Tuesday as is prepares for a reusable rocket test. The company announced Tuesday the successful completion of its B3 strategic financing round without disclosing the amount of money it raised. Deep Blue Aerospace says it will use the funding to focus on breakthroughs in core technologies and the commercialization of its "Nebula" series of reusable rockets. The company is preparing to conduct a vertical takeoff, vertical landing (VTVL) test with a Nebula-1 first stage to an altitude of 100 kilometers by the end of the month. (8/14)
Intuitive Machines Considers VIPER Takeover (Source: Space News)
Lunar lander developer Intuitive Machines said it is putting together a team to take over NASA's VIPER lunar rover. The company said in an earnings call Tuesday that it is working with unnamed companies, universities and international partners to respond to a request for information NASA released last week seeking details from those interested in operating VIPER. NASA said last month it planned to cancel the mission to save money, but would offer the nearly complete rover to potential commercial or international partners.
Intuitive Machines said it would cover the cost of taking over VIPER by selling excess payload space on the lander that would deliver the rover to the moon. The company also said it now plans to launch its next lander mission, IM-2, in December or early January after updating the landing site for the mission with NASA in July. (8/14)
Atlas AI Boosts Airbus Geospatial (Source: Space News)
Atlas AI, a geospatial intelligence startup, is working with Airbus. Airbus is relying on Atlas AI's geospatial platform, which pairs satellite imagery with artificial intelligence, to gain insight into travel demand, airport catchment areas and infrastructure change to support its aircraft manufacturing business. Atlas AI, spun out of a Stanford University lab in 2018, specializes in applying AI techniques to satellite imagery to measure local socioeconomic conditions in emerging markets. (8/14)
India NavSats Not Working as Planned (Source: News9 Live)
Nearly half the satellites in India's regional navigation service are not operational. An Indian government minister told the country's parliament that three of seven satellites in the NavIC system are not able to provide positioning, navigation and timing services, but are able to be used for other applications, like safety-of-life messaging. NavIC uses satellites in geosynchronous orbit to provide navigation services across India and the surrounding region. The government plans to replace the faulty satellites "in the coming years." (8/14)
Commerce Dept. IG Worried About Space Traffic System (Source: Breaking Defense)
The Commerce Department's inspector general is worried about delays in the creation of a space traffic coordination system. In a recent report, the inspector general warned that the Office of Space Commerce's Traffic Coordination System for Space (TraCSS) may not be ready in even a scaled-down version by the end of September as currently planned. That risks a gap in spaceflight safety services, the report warned, if the Defense Department's priorities change because of a "national security concern." Officials with the office have said recently they still expect the initial Phase 1.0 of TraCSS to be ready by the end of September, with upgrades added over the next year. The report also called on the office to develop plans for creating binding rules for space traffic management, although the office noted it currently lacks Congressional authority to do so. (8/14)
NASA KSC Working with Central Florida Attraction on Roller Coaster Tech (Source: Space.com)
NASA's Kennedy Space Center is turning to some unique local expertise to keep astronauts safe. Engineers working on Artemis met recently with counterparts at an unnamed "central Florida amusement park" to gain insights on technologies used in roller coasters called eddy braking systems. NASA uses similar technologies on the gondolas that are part of the escape system on the launch pad that astronauts would use in the event of an emergency before liftoff. The discussions, NASA said, provided insights on how to maintain and operate the gondolas. (8/14)
NASA Chief to Scientists on Budget Cuts: “I Feel Your Pain” (Source: Ars Technica)
"Well, the big concern is that you can't put 10 pounds of potatoes in a five-pound sack. When you get cut $4.7 billion over two years, and when $2 billion of that over two years is just in science, then you have to start making some hard choices... My response to the scientists is, I feel your pain. But, when I am faced with $2 billion of cuts over two years just in Science, I can't go and print the dollars." (8/13)
Starliner Could Spin Out of Control and Crash Into the Space Station, Expert Warns (Source: Futurism)
While NASA works on figuring out how to get the Boeing Starliner astronauts home, experts are concerned that it may straight-up crash into the International Space Station. As Business Insider notes, there are concerns inside and outside the agency that once the plagued spacecraft undocks from the ISS, malfunctioning thrusters could lead it to spin out of control and ultimately crash into the station. (8/13)
We Must Adopt Sustainability in Planetary Exploration (Source: Space News)
The lessons we have learned on Earth must guide our actions in space. The United Nations’ definition of the long-term sustainability of outer space activities emphasizes the need for equitable access and preservation for future generations. Current space sustainability efforts focus primarily on Earth’s orbit, addressing issues such as orbital debris and security. However, we must extend this focus to include the moon, Mars and other planetary bodies in the solar system.
Existing planetary protection policies, established to prevent biological contamination, need expansion. These policies, derived from the Outer Space Treaty (OST) and managed by bodies like the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR), have historically concentrated on preventing the biological contamination of Earth and other planetary bodies, such as of the moon during the Apollo missions and recent robotic exploration of Mars.
However, they fall short in addressing broader environmental impacts, especially when permanent human bases are in consideration and NASA is envisioning an industrial base on the moon and making plans for a thriving Lunar economy. We must revise these policies to include abiotic factors, atmospheric contamination and the ethical use of resources on other planets. (8/12)
Space Force, Allies Craft Global Supply Chain Strategy (Source: Defense News)
As concerns mount about whether the world’s industrial base can keep up with the demand for satellite production, the Space Force is working with its close allies to craft a strategy aimed at strengthening the space supply chain. The effort started in earnest last fall, when the service’s primary acquisition arm, Space Systems Command, met with international partners and industry leaders to discuss supply chain challenges and identify areas for collaboration. (8/13)
Highly Magnetic Dead Star Launches Mysterious Blast of Energy (Source: Space.com)
Astronomers have caught a highly magnetic dead star, or "magnetar," in the Milky Way briefly acting like a pulsar, a type of neutron star that rapidly rotates. The magnetar put on its pulsar disguise after emitting a powerful blast of radiation originally detected in 2020. The emission is an example of a fast radio burst (FRB), a mysterious blast of energy whose sources and origins are still not well understood.
Whereas the majority of FRBs have been traced to sources outside the Milky Way, this one, designated FRB 20200428, originated in our galaxy, making it the first "galactic FRB" ever seen. FRB 20200428 was linked to the highly magnetic neutron star, or "magnetar," SGR J1935+2154, located around 30,000 light-years away and orbiting the supermassive black hole at the heart of the Milky Way, Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*). This led many researchers to theorize that FRBs detected from outside the Milky Way also originated from magnetars. (8/13)
The Future is Bright: Johnson Space Center Interns Shine Throughout Summer Term (Source: NASA)
More than 100 interns supported operations at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston this summer, each making an important impact on the agency’s mission success. Get to know seven stellar interns nominated by their mentors for their hard work and outstanding contributions. Click here. (7/24)
Texas Judge Steps Aside in Elon Musk Case (Source: NPR)
A U.S. District Judge in Texas has recused himself from a lawsuit filed by Elon Musk’s X days after NPR drew scrutiny to the judge’s investment in Tesla and questions about Musk using the court to engage in “forum-shopping.” (8/13)
Lunar Gold Rush On The Way In New Space Race (Source: GFR)
There’s a new lunar Gold Rush building, with scientists all clamoring to occupy a piece of the Moon for their own research. Scientists have proposed a groundbreaking new way to measure gravitational waves by placing a telescope, called the Lunar Gravitational Wave Antenna (LGWA), on the moon. There’s one obstacle to this proposal, though, and that’s the Wild West-style charge descending on Earth’s Moon. Click here. (8/13)
What Do You Know About Space? Take Our Space Camp Final Exam to Find Out! (Source: NPR)
Feel like you're ready to put all your space knowledge to the test? Find out by answering the 10 question quiz below. Pass the test and you will be rewarded with your very own, personalized badge. Want to brush up on your facts first? All the answers come from the Short Wave Space Camp series. Click here. (8/13)
Turkish Satellite Firm Eyes $400 Million Valuation in Funding Debut (Source: Bloomberg)
Plan-S, the satellite and space technology unit of Turkey’s Kontrolmatik Enerji Ve Muhendislik AS, is launching an equity funding round that would value the company at $400 million. The single-asset fund, offered by the investment arm of state-run Ziraat Bank, aims to raise as much as $40 million from institutional and individual investors in Turkey and abroad for Ankara-based Plan-S, Kontrolmatik Chairman Sami Aslanhan told Bloomberg. (8/13)
NASA’s X-59 Progresses Through Tests on the Path to Flight (Source: NASA)
The team preparing NASA’s X-59 continues through testing in preparation for the quiet supersonic aircraft to make its first flight. This includes a trio of important structural tests and critical inspections on the path to flight. The X-59 is an experimental plane that will fly faster than the speed of sound without a loud sonic boom. It will be the first of its kind to fly, with the goal of gathering sound data for NASA’s Quesst mission, which could open the door to commercial supersonic overland flight in the future. (8/13)
Largest Convex Mirror Constructed by Corning and L3Harris (Source: Rochester First)
Corning and L3Harris have constructed the largest Convex Mirror – taking scientists one step closer to identifying 10 to 100 more objects in the solar system. The 11-foot, 1,500-pound jointly produced mirror is 11-foot wide was installed at the Rubin Observatory in Chile. (8/13)
Drugs Can Partially Prevent Muscle Loss Caused by Microgravity (Source; Space.com)
Astronauts experience significant muscle loss as a result of being in microgravity, but new drugs designed to create new muscle partially counteract this effect, new research shows. The results have important implications for both long-duration space missions and the treatment of muscle loss on Earth, the study authors said. Just a week in space accelerates muscle aging so much that astronauts' muscles resemble those of people with a condition called sarcopenia. This progressive decline in skeletal muscle takes decades to develop on Earth and typically affects older adults.
For the experimental study, the muscle "chips" — bioengineered packages of collagen strips arranged to mimic the structure of real muscles — were launched to the ISS, where astronauts performed a set of experiments over the course of a week. On Earth, Huang and her team performed the same experiments in parallel, which allowed the researchers to compare the muscles of astronauts in microgravity with muscles that age normally on Earth. (8/13)
Northrop Uses Modular Tooling in Rocket Motor Production (Source: Aerospace Manufacturing)
Northrop Grumman has developed modular tooling to manufacture solid rocket motor cases, enhancing efficiency and flexibility in production. This innovation supports the increasing demand for missile propulsion systems and aims to streamline manufacturing while maintaining high quality and consistency. (8/13)
New Glenn’s Maiden Flight Approaches as Hardware Undergoes Testing (Source: NSF)
With flight hardware being tested, recovery rehearsals underway, and production facilities growing, Blue Origin is becoming a hive of more visible activity as the company rapidly approaches the first flight of its orbital class rocket, New Glenn. Over the past few months, Blue Origin has performed many important tests of New Glenn hardware at Launch Complex 36 (LC-36). These are all important for gathering data before the rocket’s first flight.
In early July, retraction tests of the New Glenn transporter erector (TE) system were performed at LC-36. These tests involved the large TE pulling back from the vehicle and disconnecting umbilicals from the first and second stages. Blue completed these tests over just a few days before lowering the TE and the simulator stages back to horizontal and rolling them back inside the hangar. (8/13)
Get Space Weather Policy Right (Source: Space News)
For those who may not have been paying attention, the sun has become quite active of late. In fact, the sun is more restive in terms of solar flares and coronal mass ejections than it has been in at least two decades. This space weather, as it’s called — blasts of hot gases and energetic particles emanating from our parent star — has the potential to damage the thousands of active satellites in space and can also do severe (and costly) damage to our bulk electrical power grid. And in order to properly prepare, the federal response must be fixed.
The implications of highly threatening space weather have raised this natural hazard to similar ranks as hurricanes, massive floods, earthquakes and catastrophic winter storms. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has noted with several policy pronouncements that space weather events (of the most significant size and duration) can do damage to our modern technological society on a continental scale. (8/14)
Starliner’s Uncertain Future (Source: Space Review)
Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner is still docked to the International Space Station, more than two months into a stay originally planned to be as short as eight days. Jeff Foust reports on the ongoing discussions at NASA about whether the spacecraft can safely return to Earth with astronauts on board or if the agency will need a backup plan. Click here. (8/13)
Contemporary Use of Satellite Imagery for Open Source Intelligence (Source: Space Review)
Using satellite imagery to track the development of aircraft carriers has more than historical significance. Dwayne Day explores how commercial satellite imagery is being used by open-source analysts to track China’s development of new carriers. Click here. (8/13)
The Military Test Space Station (MTSS) (Source: Space Review)
In the early 1960s, the US Air Force awarded contracts to several companies to study concepts for a military space station. Hans Dolfing examines what the companies proposed for those stations and what experiments the Air Force considered performing on them. Click here. (8/13)
The Case for an International Space Artifacts Museum (Source: Space Review)
NASA’s plans to deorbit the International Space Station at the end of its life have sparked criticism from those who would like to preserve it in some way. Madhu Thangavelu makes the case for a space museum to preserve the ISS and other historic spacecraft for future generations. Click here. (8/13)
Space Force Payload Launches Aboard Allied Satellite in Historic First (Source: Air and Space Forces)
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket blasted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, on Aug. 9, carrying a historic collaboration between the U.S. Space Force and a foreign ally—two satellites procured by Space Norway that will host USSF payloads for Arctic communications. The launch marked the first time an operational Space Force payload has deployed on a foreign-owned satellite, a collaboration USSF leaders say will save millions of dollars. (8/12)
NASA Just Shut Down a Planetary Defense Mission That Tracks Asteroids. Now What? (Source: The Conversation)
Launched in 2011, NASA’s NEOWISE mission operated in Earth’s orbit until late last week. It detected more than 3,000 near-Earth objects or NEOs – asteroids or comets whose orbits can bring them close to Earth, even with the possibility of a collision. NEOWISE was shut down on August 8. You might think this poses a bit of a risk – shutting down NEOWISE three years before launching NEO Surveyor. What happens if one of these big asteroids comes our way in the next few years?
The risks are very small, as estimates show asteroids 140 meters in diameter impact Earth only approximately every 20,000 years. So, we would have to be extremely unlucky to have one in any given three-year period, especially impacting a place that would cause a large amount of damage. Only around 3% of Earth’s surface is occupied by urban areas. (8/12)
The Pollutants Found in SpaceX Wastewater at Starbase (Source: Popular Science)
One of the major initial concerns—the wastewater’s mercury content—stems from what experts believe may be egregious typos within SpaceX’s records. Lab reports indicate polluted waters contained 0.113 μg/L of mercury, while subsequent summaries appear to misplace the decimal point to show 113 μg/L. If the former measurement is accurate, then Starship’s wastewater contains roughly 1/17th the legal mercury limit.
This, however, does not explain SpaceX’s numerous other alleged reporting issues, regulatory side steps, and disregard for federal and local concerns. In a blog post last year, environmental engineer Eric Roesch also pointed to previous SpaceX water samples reports that appear to omit measurements for nickel, a toxic metal. Meanwhile, the same chart lists multiple pollutants at concentrations at or above TCEQ and EPA standards, including total suspended solids, cyanide, copper, and chromium. (8/12)
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