October 20, 2024

SPADEX Docking Experiment is Crucial to India's Space Ambitions (Source: The Week)
SPADEX (Space Docking Experiment) is one of ISRO's most significant steps towards developing autonomous docking technology, crucial for India’s growing space ambitions. Docking systems allow two spacecraft to connect in orbit, enabling critical operations like assembling space stations, refueling, or transferring astronauts and cargo. SPADEX is key to achieving India's long-term space exploration goals, including manned spaceflight, satellite maintenance, and future space station construction.

The mission involves two vehicles—‘Chaser’ and the ‘Target’—coming together and connecting in space. It will also test how well the combined spacecraft maintains stability and control after docking, ensuring smooth operations for future missions. Once docked, the two spacecraft will later separate to perform additional tasks. (10/19)

Ohio State Expands Science Park with Blue Abyss and Nexture Bio (Source: Ohio State University)
Starlab Space LLC and The Ohio State University are welcoming Blue Abyss and Nexture Bio to the George Washington Carver Science Park (GWCSP). Both companies will play an important role in Starlab’s global network and mission to advance human technology by making in-space research and development more accessible and inclusive. Key to this effort is creating a sustainable space economy, supported by the strong Earth to space connection and state-of-the-art ground infrastructure provided to Starlab through the GWCSP at Ohio State.  

As part of the new agreements, Blue Abyss and Nexture Bio will support STEM outreach and engagement activities through the GWCSP to train the next generation of space workers, from grade-school students through advanced higher education; participate in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) research and innovation activities, including payload development and the advancement of food technologies for space exploration; and share expertise with other partners through workshops, symposia and events. (10/16)

Space Force Backs Nuclear Microreactor-Powered Rocket Breakthrough (Source: Interesting Engineering)
In the future, there could be a spacecraft capable of maneuvering with unprecedented speed and agility, without the constraints of limited fuel. The U.S. Space Force has provided funding of $35 million to create a new spacecraft that can “maneuver without regret.” The University of Michigan is leading a team of researchers and institutions to develop this advanced spacecraft. The team aims to combine the best of both worlds: the power of chemical rockets with the efficiency of electric propulsion. The key to this breakthrough lies in an advanced power source: a nuclear microreactor. (10/17)

NASA's Next-Generation Nancy Roman Space Telescope Aces Crucial 'Spin Test' (Source: Space.com)
NASA recently put a crucial part of the Roman Space Telescope — the Outer Barrel Assembly — through a rigorous "spin test" designed to evaluate its resilience against the intense gravitational forces it will encounter during launch. This test, a standard procedure in aerospace engineering, typically takes place inside a massive centrifuge that mimics the elevated gravity conditions of a space mission.

There is much anticipation around this next-generation telescope, which was named after Nancy Grace Roman, NASA's first chief astronomer and "mother of the Hubble Space Telescope." It will have a field of view 100 times larger than Hubble's. The telescope, referred to in short as Roman, will work alongside other space-based observatories in order to directly observe exoplanets and planet-forming disks — which are currently observed indirectly. (10/19)

NASA Sounds Alert: Stadium-Sized Asteroid Heading Straight Toward Earth at 16km Per Second (Source: Business Today)
NASA has issued a warning of a stadium-sized asteroid heading straight towards Earth at high speed. The asteroid about 710 feet wide, comparable to a stadium, will approach the blue planet on October 18. Asteroid 2024 RV50 was discovered on September 1, and belongs to the Apollo group of asteroids. It takes 769 Earth days, or 2.1 Earth years, to orbit the Sun, passing at a maximum distance of 386 million km from the Sun and coming  within 105 million km of it. Astronomers are currently unable to precisely determine the size of the asteroid. (10/17)

Intelsat 33e Loses Power in Geostationary Orbit (Source: Space News)
Intelsat 33e has lost power in geostationary orbit and the satellite is no longer providing communications for customers across Europe, Africa and parts of Asia Pacific, its operator announced Oct. 19. Intelsat said it is working with satellite maker Boeing to address the anomaly, but “believe it is unlikely that the satellite will be recoverable.” An Intelsat spokesperson said the satellite was not insured at the time of the issue. (10/19)

Astroport and Orbit Fab Join Forces for Lunar Exploration Breakthrough (Source: Space News)
Astroport Space Technologies and Orbit Fab announced a strategic partnership to accelerate the development of lunar infrastructure and enable sustainable long-term space exploration. Drawing on their complementary expertise, Astroport and Orbit Fab will collaborate on a range of initiatives, including: joint development of lunar surface infrastructure, advancement of in-space refueling capabilities, and tech demonstration missions. (10/18)

Latest Starship Flight Prompts Praise and Worries at IAC (Source: Space News)
The success of the flight was welcomed by agencies and companies that plan to use Starship. For others in industry and government, though, the latest Starship test flight prompted different reactions, particularly among European companies and agencies as the continent emerges from a “launcher crisis” with the successful inaugural launch of Ariane 6 in July and the return to flight of Vega C in early December. (10/19)

Ground Systems Could Delay Artemis 2 Launch (Source: Space News)
Refurbishment of ground systems like a mobile launch platform could become another factor in the schedule for the Artemis 2 mission that NASA says is still planned for launch next September. A report by the Government Accountability Office Oct. 17 found that work on the Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) program, which includes the mobile launcher and other ground systems needed to support launches of the Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft, could delay the Artemis 2 launch.

“While EGS elements are close to completion, the program has no schedule margin for these remaining activities,” the GAO report stated. While issues with Orion led NASA in January to delay the Artemis 2 launch by nearly a year, to September 2025, that slip provided only three months of schedule margin to EGS. That schedule margin was consumed by June, the report stated, because of issues with testing the mobile launcher at Launch Complex 39B. (10/19)

Oman’s First Rocket Set to Blast Off From Duqm in December (Source: Muscat Daily)
Etlaq Spaceport, a project started by National Aerospace Services Company (NASCOM) in 2022, has announced plans to launch Oman’s first experimental space rocket before the end of 2024. In a statement issued following speculation about the launch in the media, Etlaq confirmed that the event is scheduled in December. According to Etlaq,  the launch will adhere to local regulations and international safety standards, supporting the development of an experimental launch vehicle.

Etlaq aims to be a comprehensive space launch complex with three launch pads catering to global companies for diverse orbits. The project aligns with Oman’s commitment to advancing its space capabilities. (10/19)