AI powering commercial insights into the final frontier
Original Publication Date: 2024-06-07 06:00
Artificial intelligence is transforming the space industry. The military is taking a cautious approach to adopting commercial SDA technologies. The challenge for the Space Force is ensuring it can keep up with the rapid changes in the space environment. Commercial SDA insights can have huge value because they can be shared with the public.
Report: Space Force transitioning to new model for the defense of space
Original Publication Date: 2024-06-06 16:23
Analysis: U.S. Space Force pursuing proliferated networks of simpler and cheaper spacecraft. Service’s latest budget request aims to create more resilient space systems. 2025 budget request introduces new Protected Tactical Satcom – Global program. Space Force makes up only 3.5% of the DoD budget.
Remembering the humans in human spaceflight
Original Publication Date: 2024-06-06 13:00
Human factors and ergonomics is a field that uses a systems approach to help us understand how to design and optimize the spaces in which we live, work and play. In spaceflight, HF/E impacts everything from the layout of a spacecraft’s control board to the design of an astronaut’s spacesuit.
HPE’s Spaceborne Computer offers template for space-based AI
Original Publication Date: 2024-06-06 13:00
HPE's Spaceborne Computer-2 on the International Space Station is tackling increasingly complex artificial intelligence and machine learning assignments. The initial Spaceborne Computer, installed on ISS in 2017, was a test to see how a commercial off-the-shelf HPE processor would function in orbit.
Chang’e-6 spacecraft dock in lunar orbit ahead of journey back to Earth
Original Publication Date: 2024-06-06 10:25
China's Chang’e-6 orbiter has docked with a lander on the lunar far side. The ascent vehicle will next jettison the ascent vehicle, which will then be deorbited into the moon. The orbiter, or service module, will remain in lunar orbit for around two weeks. It will release the reentry capsule for reentry and landing in Inner Mongolia around June 25.
First Ariane 6 launch set for July 9
Original Publication Date: 2024-06-06 03:44
European Space Agency announces July 9 launch date for first Ariane 6 rocket. Ariane 6, years behind schedule, is critical to Europe’s efforts to end a “launcher crisis” That crisis was caused by delays in the Ariane 6 and retirement of the Ariane 5.
SpaceX Starship’s fourth flight test ‘super heavy’ lands ‘softly’ … next Moon then Mars – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-06-06 00:00
SpaceX’s 400-foot-long Starship rocket, classified as a super heavy-lift launch vehicle is the biggest and most powerful rocket ever built. The launch took off from the Texas Starbase site Thursday morning for its fourth test flight, resulting in its most successful run yet. “Despite loss of many tiles and a damaged flap, Starship made it all the way to a soft landing in the ocean! Congratulations @SpaceX team on an epic achievement!!” posted SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk on X.
Firefly Aerospace announces multi-launch agreement with Lockheed Martin – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-06-06 00:00
Firefly Aerospace, Inc. Has signed a multi-launch agreement with Lockheed Martin for 25 launches on Firefly’s Alpha rocket through 2029. This agreement commits Lockheed Martin to 15 launch reservations and 10 optional launches. Under the agreement, Alpha will launch Lockheed Martin spacecraft into LEO from Firefly’s facilities on the west and east coast.
Boeing and Northrop Grumman competing for Space Force Program – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-06-07 00:00
Boeing and Northrop Grumman have been selected to develop prototypes for the U.S. Space Force's Protected Tactical Satellite-Resilient (PTS-R) program. The program would consist of a constellation of satellites designed to be resistant to cyber-attacks and jamming. That contract is expected to be awarded in December, and the service is currently seeking nearly $350 million for the PTS-R program.
Ubotica awarded European Defence Fund grant for space defence – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-06-06 00:00
Ubotica selected by European Commission as key participant in ARCHYTAS project. Project aims to develop cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) accelerators for defence applications. Ubotica’s SPACE:AI technology brings AI processing directly to EO satellites.
Equatorial Launch Australia’s Head of Arnhem Space Centre Site Operations is ex-Royal Australian Air Force Officer – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-06-06 00:00
Joshua Daish is the new Head of Arnhem Space Centre Site Operations. Mr. Daish will also take up the Launch Operations Manager role in ELA’s Launch Operations team. The recently established position will serve a critical role in the Phase Two redevelopment of the Arnhem Space Centre. The new role will also be responsible for overseeing the development, preparation, and execution of spaceport activities.
Retired U.S.A.F. Colonel Karlton Johnson named CEO of the National Space Society – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-06-06 00:00
Karlton Johnson, U.S.A.F. (retired), was appointed by the NSS Board of Directors as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Space Society. He will complete the remainder of the term of former CEO Anita Gale who passed unexpectedly earlier this month.
Webb Finds Plethora of Carbon Molecules Around Young Star
Next, the science team intends to expand their study to a larger sample of such disks around very low-mass stars. “The expansion of our study will also allow us to better understand how these molecules can form,” explained team member and principal investigator of the MINDS program, Thomas Henning.
Jonathan Lunine Appointed Chief Scientist of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Jonathan Lunine is the David C. Duncan Professor in the Physical Sciences and chair of the Department of Astronomy at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. He has performed pioneering research on the formation and evolution of planetary systems, the nature of planetary interiors and atmospheres, and where environments suited for life might exist in the solar system and beyond.