November 15, 2024

Metakosmos Launches Revolutionary Spacesuit Platform Kernel360 to Transform Human Spaceflight (Source: Metakosmos)
Metakosmos, a leading name in spacesuit engineering, has unveiled Kernel360, its next-generation bioastronautics suit designed to support human spaceflight across diverse environments, including land, sea, air, and space. This modular platform integrates telemetry software with specialized protective suits, offering real-time performance monitoring and operational insights to improve astronaut safety and reduce training costs. (11/12)

New Shepard's 28th Mission Includes Calandrelli and Two Returning Customers (Source: Blue Origin)
Blue Origin today revealed the six people flying on its NS-28 mission. The crew includes: Emily Calandrelli, Sharon Hagle, Marc Hagle, Austin Litteral, James (J.D.) Russell, and Henry (Hank) Wolfond. Sharon and Mark Hagle are both flying on New Shepard for the second time. This mission will be the ninth human flight for the New Shepard program and the 28th in its history. To date, the program has flown 43 humans above the Kármán line, the internationally recognized boundary of space. (11/15)

Musk Says He and Trump Have ‘Mandate to Delete’ Regulations (Source: Orlando Sentinel)
In picking billionaire Elon Musk to be “our cost cutter” for the U.S. government, President-elect Donald Trump won’t be the first American president to empower a business tycoon to look for ways to dramatically cut federal regulations. Musk’s SpaceX holds billions of dollars in NASA contracts. He’s CEO of Tesla, an electric car business that benefits from government tax incentives and is subject to auto safety rules.

His social media platform X, artificial intelligence startup xAI, brain implant maker Neuralink and tunnel-building Boring company all intersect with the federal government in various ways. “There’s direct conflicts between his businesses and government’s interest,” said Ann Skeet, director of leadership ethics at Santa Clara University’s Markkula Center. (11/14)

Boeing Hires Northrop Exec to Lead Phantom Works (Source: Space Daily)
Boeing has appointed Colin Miller, a former Northrop Grumman executive, to lead its Phantom Works research division within Boeing Defense, Space and Security. This hire comes as Boeing Defense faces challenges from costly legacy contracts, though CEO Kelly Ortberg has emphasized the unit's importance to the company's future. (11/14)

South Pole Safety: NASA Seeks Innovative Lunar Rescue Solutions (Source: Space Daily)
NASA is prioritizing astronaut safety in the harsh conditions of the Moon, with a focus on developing reliable systems for rescue operations during missions at the Lunar South Pole. With the Artemis III mission set to deploy two astronauts in this region, the agency is preparing for potential emergency scenarios that could incapacitate a crewmember due to medical issues, injuries, or accidents. The Moon's rugged terrain, littered with rocks up to 20 meters and craters as wide as 30 meters, poses significant navigational challenges. These difficulties are further compounded by low gravity, erratic lighting, extreme temperatures, and the need for solo rescue operations.

A critical mission safety measure is ensuring that one astronaut can transport an incapacitated partner weighing approximately 343 kg (755 lb) while fully suited over distances up to 2 km and slopes up to 20 degrees without rover assistance. NASA's call for innovative, lightweight, and quickly deployable rescue system designs invites contributors to bridge this vital gap, enhancing safety during Extravehicular Activities (EVAs) on future missions. Participants are encouraged to design solutions that will function efficiently in the extreme conditions of the Lunar South Pole, aiming to safeguard astronaut teams and support successful mission outcomes. (11/15)

Impulse Space Plans Trio of Falcon 9 Launches with SpaceX (Source: Space Daily)
Impulse Space has entered into an agreement with SpaceX to conduct three launches using Falcon 9 rockets, aimed at advancing the deployment of its Helios and Mira spacecraft. The first mission, set for mid-2026, will mark the debut of the Helios vehicle. Helios will be loaded with up to 14 tons of liquid methane and liquid oxygen at SpaceX's Florida facilities before integration with Falcon 9. (11/15)

Sierra Space and Oak Ridge Lab Develop Advanced Thermal Protection for Spacecraft (Source: Space Daily)
Sierra Space has announced a significant advancement in thermal protection technology through its collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). This development, featuring spacecraft tiles that can endure the intense heat of atmospheric re-entry for numerous missions, aims to support the increasing pace of commercial space travel. The new Thermal Protection System (TPS) is designed to meet the demands of modern spaceflight, which requires more frequent and reliable missions. (11/15)

Booz Allen Invests in Starfish Space to Support Satellite Servicing (Source: Space Daily)
Booz Allen Hamilton's venture capital unit, Booz Allen Ventures, LLC, has made a strategic investment in Starfish Space, a company pioneering satellite servicing technology, including life extension and end-of-life disposal services. This investment is aimed at reinforcing the sustainability and resilience of space infrastructure for both government and commercial missions. This is Booz Allen Ventures' third investment in the space sector, underscoring the growing importance of space-related missions and their diverse needs. (11/14)

Globalstar Secures Terrestrial Spectrum Authorization in Mexico (Source: Space Daily)
Globalstar announced that its Mexican subsidiary has been declared the winner of Auction #13 by Mexico's Instituto Federal de Telecomunicaciones (IFT). This auction pertains to the Complementary Terrestrial Service for Mobile Satellite Service, covering the 2483.5 to 2495 MHz frequency band. (11/15)

New Milestone for FAA-Licensed Commercial Space Operations as Regulatory Update Begins (Source: Space Daily)
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) concluded Fiscal Year 2024 with an unprecedented 148 licensed commercial space operations, marking a growth exceeding 30 percent compared to the previous year. Looking ahead, the FAA predicts this figure could more than double by FY 2028. In response to this rapid growth, the FAA is initiating an Aerospace Rulemaking Committee to revise its Part 450 launch and reentry licensing rule. (11/15)

SpaceX Preparing to Launch Tender Offer in Dec at $135/Share (Source: Yahoo! Finance)
SpaceX is preparing to launch a tender offer in December to sell existing shares at a price of $135 per share, two sources familiar with the matter said. The tender offer would value SpaceX at more than $250 billion, according to the sources. (11/15)

ESA Releases Findings of Super Heavy-Lift Rocket Studies (Source: European Spaceflight)
ESA has revealed the findings of a pair of studies it commissioned to explore how Europe could develop a rocket capable of delivering 100 tonnes to low Earth orbit. In June 2022, the European Space Agency (ESA) published a call for its PROTEIN (Preparatory Activities for European Heavy Lift Launcher) initiative. The initiative aimed to award contracts for Phase 0/A studies that would examine the feasibility of a European super heavy-lift rocket and identify key technologies needed to develop it.

In March 2023, the agency awarded PROTEIN contracts to ArianeGroup and Munich-based launch startup Rocket Factory Augsburg. ESA revealed the findings of the two studies, stating that developing a European super heavy-lift rocket that could be introduced by 2030 was “possible in principle.” However, the agency conceded that it would be “challenging” and would require immediate action. “The Protein studies show we can do it, the next step is political will.” (11/15)

POLARIS Spaceplanes Complete First In-Flight Rocket Engine Ignition (Source: European Spaceflight)
Germany’s POLARIS Spaceplanes has successfully completed the first in-flight ignition of its MIRA II demonstrator’s aerospike rocket engine. The five-metre-long MIRA II demonstrator is one of a pair built by the Bremen-based startup to test key systems, most notably the company’s AS-1 linear aerospike rocket engine. Alongside its 1 kN LOX/kerosene rocket engine, MIRA II is equipped with small jet engines for non-rocket-powered flight phases, such as takeoff and landing. (11/12)

Virgin Galactic: Perfect Execution Is The Only Way To Survive (Source: Seeking Alpha)
Virgin Galactic’s latest $300 million ATM offering to build 2 additional Delta spaceships may actually be critical for the company to fund its operations until 2026. Perfect execution is the only way for Virgin Galactic to survive, in my opinion, ahead of the maturity of their $419.5 million debt in early 2027. Meanwhile, Virgin Galactic’s new mothership could be delayed as the company is yet to announce a new manufacturing partner, with Boeing out of the picture.

Virgin Galactic may be behind schedule for Delta spaceships based on its underspending this year compared to the guidance issued in Q3 2023. And increasing the flight cadence of VMS Eve to 3 flights per week may not be viable due to its old age and condition. (11/13)

Congress Hears More Testimony About UFOs (Source: USA Today)
Legislators have spent the past year pushing laws to boost UAP transparency, with one seeking to create a civilian reporting mechanism, and one directing the executive branch to declassify records. But elected officials and UAP transparency advocates say it's not enough and that the military and intelligence communities have dragged their feet in releasing what they know. One witness, Luis Elizondo, a former military intelligence officer, made it clear: "We are not alone in the cosmos."

While NASA released its own UAP report last September, Michael Gold, a former administrator at the space agency, called on the organization to do more. NASA's investment into UAP research "would make a powerful statement to the scientific community that UAP should be taken seriously," Gold, who is part of an independent NASA UAP study team, testified. Many UAP can often be explained as drones or weather events, Gold admitted. But for those few reports that defy explanation, Gold insisted they'd be better captured with instruments tailored to study the phenomena so as to prevent us relying on cellphones and fighter jets' cockpit gun cameras. (11/13)

India Will Dock Two Satellites to Make One in Space (Source: India Today)
The Space Docking Experiment (Spadex), set to launch in mid-December 2024, will be India's first mission to demonstrate autonomous docking technology in space, a critical advancement for complex future space operations. Spadex will feature two 400-kg satellites, dubbed Chaser and Target. They will be launched together aboard a PSLV-class rocket. (11/13)

Beck a Billionaire as Rocket Lab Shares Surge 45% on Strong Guidance, First Neutron Contract (Source: New Zealand Herald)
Rocket Lab shares were up 45.5% in late Nasdaq trading today, pushing its stock to a record high of US$21.33 - close to its all-time high and a more than 4X gain since August. After the market closed yesterday, the Kiwi-American firm forecast record fourth-quarter revenue and said it had signed its first two customers for its much larger Neutron rocket – which it says is still on track for its first launch next year (although there was no immediate reference to the previously cited “mid-2025″). (11/13)

NASA Administrator to Visit, Sign Agreement with Peru’s Space Agency (Source: NASA)
Continuing his engagement to deepen international collaboration and promote the peaceful use of space, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson will travel to Lima on Wednesday. Nelson will meet with Maj. Gen. Roberto Melgar Sheen, director of Peru’s National Commission for Aerospace Research and Development (CONIDA) Thursday, Nov. 14, and sign a non-binding memorandum of understanding to enhance space cooperation. The memorandum of understanding between NASA and CONIDA will include safety training, a joint feasibility study for a potential sounding rockets campaign, and technical assistance for CONIDA on sounding rocket launches. (11/13)

AST SpaceMobile Selects Blue Origin’s New Glenn to Launch Next-Generation BlueBird Satellites (Source: Blue Origin)
Blue Origin announced a multi-launch agreement to deliver multiple next-generation Block 2 BlueBird satellites to low Earth orbit (LEO) on New Glenn. All launches will occur over a multi-year period from Blue Origin’s Launch Complex 36 at the Cape Canaveral Spaceport. AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network designed for both commercial and government applications. It will operate directly with everyday smartphones and allow seamless switching between terrestrial cell towers and satellite signals depending on location and coverage needs. (11/14)

Bridgestone, Astrobotic Collaborate on Lunar Rover Tires (Source: Space Daily)
Bridgestone Corporation announced a new partnership with Astrobotic Technology to jointly develop a specialized tire for lunar rovers.
With over 90 years of experience in tire development, Bridgestone has created first- and second-generation tire models specifically designed for lunar conditions. The company conducted various tests, including simulations and driving trials, drawing on its expertise in supporting diverse forms of terrestrial mobility. Now, Bridgestone aims to extend this support to space exploration, helping to overcome the extreme challenges posed by the lunar surface. Bridgestone's technical knowledge, particularly from its innovations in motorsports, will be instrumental in advancing mobility solutions on the Moon. (11/3)

AST SpaceMobile Spreads Contracts Among Indian and US Launchers (Source: Space News)
AST SpaceMobile announced Thursday launch contracts with Blue Origin and others to deploy a set of direct-to-device satellites. The company said it signed contracts for the launch of up to 45 Block 2 BlueBird satellites, with options for 15 additional satellites, enough to provide coverage across the United States and other key markets, such as Europe and Japan. An Indian GSLV rocket will first launch a single Block 2 BlueBird, followed by two SpaceX Falcon 9 rockets, each carrying four satellites. The remainder would be launched eight at a time on Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket. AST SpaceMobile expects to start launching Block 2 BlueBirds, with antennas nearly four times the size of those on Block 1 satellites deployed in September, in mid-2025. (11/15)

Altemus: "Reformulation" of Artemis Needed (Source: Space News)
The CEO of Intuitive Machines says some "reformulation" of NASA's Artemis lunar exploration campaign may be needed. Speaking on an earnings call Thursday, Steve Altemus said that "budgetary and schedule realities" may require NASA to alter its approach to Artemis. He advocated for what he called an "infrastructure-first" approach that develops capabilities, such as transportation and communications, needed to support future sustained crewed missions. Such an approach would benefit Intuitive Machines, which has developed lunar landers and won a NASA contract in September for lunar data relay services.

The company disclosed on the call that its next lander mission, IM-2, is now scheduled for launch in February. It also said it has taken over operations of the main camera on NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter as well as the NASA-funded Shadowcam instrument on the Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter after the principal investigator for both cameras joined the company. (11/15)

Northrop Grumman Plans NRL-Supported Satellite Servicing Mission in 2026 (Source: Space News)
Northrop Grumman plans to launch a satellite servicing mission in 2026 after achieving a key milestone in its development. The Naval Research Lab said Thursday it completed testing of a pair of robotic arms it developed for the Mission Robotic Vehicle (MRV), delivering them to Northrop for integration onto that spacecraft. MRV will be used by SpaceLogistics, a subsidiary of Northrop, to extend the life of GEO satellites by installing Mission Extension Pods, systems that can take over propulsion for aging satellites for up to six years. (11/15)

Might China and the US Cooperate in Space? (Source: Space News)
A Chinese official endorsed cooperation with the United States in space exploration. Speaking at the Beyond Earth Symposium this week, Zhou Guolin, minister counselor for science and technology at the Chinese Embassy in Washington, said his country welcomes participation from all nations, including the U.S., on space exploration, and expressed optimism that such cooperation might one day be possible. He did not offer any specific proposals for cooperation. Bilateral cooperation between NASA and Chinese entities is sharply restricted by the Wolf Amendment, and U.S. officials have shown little interest in removing or otherwise reducing those restrictions. (11/15)

China's Long March 9 Inspired by SpaceX Starship (Source: Space News)
China unveiled the latest version of its Long March 9 heavy-lift rocket that is strongly inspired by SpaceX's Starship. The revised Long March 9 design, unveiled at the Zhuhai Airshow, features a two-stage design where both stages land and are reused. Chen Ziyu, a designer at the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, said the Long March 9 can place 100 tons in low Earth orbit and 50 tons into a lunar transfer orbit, but said that reusability will come later in the vehicle's development. The design of the Long March 9 has evolved considerably over several years, starting with more traditional expendable concepts. (11/15)

Companies Using AI to Accelerate Proposals (Source: Space News)
Companies are turning to artificial intelligence to handle the more tedious parts of proposal writing for government contracts. Those AI tools can be used to scan government databases to identify the most relevant contract opportunities and to ensure that proposals meet all the requirements and specifications included in requests for proposals. Companies developing such AI tools argue they are intended to accelerate responses to government RFPs, not replace human proposal writers. (11/15)

Impulse Space Picks SpaceX to Launch Helios-Assisted Spacecraft (Source: Space News)
Impulse Space has purchased three Falcon 9 launches for its Helios transfer vehicle. The company said Thursday it signed a contract with SpaceX for the launches, the first of which is scheduled for mid-2026 from Florida. That launch will be the inaugural flight of Helios, carrying a payload for the Victus Surgo mission for the Space Force and Defense Innovation Unit. Impulse said the schedule and payloads for the other two Helios launches will be determined later. Helios is a high-energy kick stage announced by Impulse in January intended to quickly move payloads from LEO to GEO or other orbits. (11/15)

SwRI Wins $60 Million NASA/NOAA Contract for Solar Coronagraph Instruments (Source: Space News)
The Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) won a $60 million contract to build three instruments for monitoring the sun. NASA, acting on behalf of NOAA, announced Thursday it awarded SwRI the contract to build the coronagraph instruments for the Lagrange 1 Series project, part of NOAA's Space Weather Next program. The coronagraphs, like the other Space Weather Next instruments, are designed to gather data for NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center, which issues forecasts, alerts and warnings of geomagnetic activity caused by solar storms. (11/15)

Airbus CEO: SpaceX Would be a Monopoly in Europe (Source: Reuters)
The CEO of Airbus believes that SpaceX would be considered a monopoly in Europe. Speaking at an aviation event in Germany Thursday, Guillaume Faury argued that SpaceX's "super-concentrated" business model that combines satellite manufacturing, launch and operations is something that would run afoul of antitrust rules in Europe. He acknowledged that Airbus and other European companies need to adapt to SpaceX: "If we don't move in launchers and in satellites, if we just stay with where we are, we're going to be obsolete." (11/15)

Ontario Buying Starlink Capacity (Source: CBC)
The Canadian province of Ontario is buying capacity on Starlink. The Ontario government announced the Ontario Satellite Internet program Thursday, spending $92 million Canadian ($66 million) to reserve capacity on Starlink for 15,000 customers in the province, and will pay installation in equipment fees. Officials said they held a competitive procurement that led them to select Starlink but did not disclose what other proposals it received. (11/15)

SpaceX May Abandon Land Swap at Starbase (Source: Bloomberg)
SpaceX has reportedly dropped plans to swap land for its Starbase site. The company originally proposed a deal with Texas officials to transfer 477 acres near a wildlife refuge to the state in exchange for 43 acres of Boca Chica State Park adjacent to Starbase. However, in a letter to state officials, the company said it is "no longer interested" in that swap, but didn't explain why. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission had approved the swap earlier this year but was then sued by local groups who alleged the agency had not considered alternatives. (11/15)