December 21, 2024

New US Space Force Jammers Aim to Disrupt China’s SATCOM Signals (Source: Defense News)
The U.S. Space Force is on track to field its first batch of a new ground-based satellite communications jammer in the coming months — designed to disrupt signals from enemy spacecraft. Space Operations Command just approved the Remote Modular Terminals for initial fielding, a spokesperson told Defense News Wednesday, adding that the jammers will be in the hands of military users imminently. The Space Force plans to field 11 systems as part of the first release, giving units a chance to use the system before it’s accepted for operations. (12/19)

Canadian Space Agency Spent Less in 2023-24 Than Planned (Source: SpaceQ)
The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has released its 2023–24 Departmental Results Report which shows that it spent $450.8 million, which was lower than the $537.4 million it planned to spend. The CSA did however spend 30% more than planned on internal services (services to support its programs). And spending on Canada in Space, the programs, was $371.4 million, down from the planned spending of $476.3 million.

The agency had $629.9 million “total authorities available” and the CSA said it “lapsed $168.9M in 2023–24, of which 95% ($160.9M) related to capital project funding envelopes (including the risk budget) that are reprofiled to future years via available carry-forward mechanisms.” Those lapsed funds will be available for future years. (12/19)

We’re About to Fly a Spacecraft Into the Sun for the First Time (Source: Ars Technica)
The Parker Solar Probe has the distinction of being the first NASA spacecraft named after a living person. At the time of its launch, in August 2018, physicist Eugene Parker was 91 years old. But in the six years since the probe has been zipping through outer space and flying by the Sun? Not so much. Let's face it, the astrophysical properties of the Sun and its complicated structure are not something that most people think about on a daily basis.

However, the smallish probe and its scientific payload is only about 110 pounds (50 kg)—is about to make its star turn. Quite literally. On Christmas Eve, the Parker Solar Probe will make its closest approach yet to the Sun. It will come within just 3.8 million miles (6.1 million km) of the solar surface, flying into the solar atmosphere for the first time. Scientists estimate that the probe's heat shield will endure temperatures in excess of 2,500° Fahrenheit (1,371° C) on Christmas Eve, which is pretty much the polar opposite of the North Pole. (12/19)

California Rocket Launch Could Produce Sonic Booms This Weekend (Source: KTLA)
Another SpaceX launch from Southern California has the potential to create sonic booms for several hundreds of miles. The early morning launch is tentatively planned for Saturday at Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County. The Falcon 9 launch is part of a mission to launch several small commercial and government satellites into orbit. The launch window opens Saturday morning at 3:34 a.m., with a backup window planned for Sunday around 3:12 a.m., if needed. (12/19)

South Texas Environmentalist File Lawsuit Over SpaceX's Wastewater Dumping (Source: My San Antonio)
SpaceX has once again found themselves entangled in court proceedings. The latest lawsuit targets the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for allegedly allowing SpaceX to pour polluted water into Boca Chica wetlands without a permit. The lawsuit was filed Monday, December 16, in Travis County district court. It comes after TCEQ approved an order to allow SpaceX to dump industrial wastewater from the deluge system at the Starbase launch pad site in Cameron County until it receives a new permit, according to court documents. (12/20)

New Zealand Tight-Lipped Over Membership of Space Network (Source: RNZ)
Germany and France have joined New Zealand in a network to save space from the likes of exploding satellites. But the Europeans are being more upfront than this country about the overtly military nature of what has been dubbed 'Operation Olympic Defender' by United States commanders. Joining it marked a "new stage" in coalition military space operations, France said. The two EU powers signed up to Olympic Defender at ceremonies with the US Space Commander in Paris and Berlin in October. (12/20)