Press Clips Week 21-2023

TOP NEWS

Safety Concerns Ground Boeing Starliner Indefinitely

Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft will not launch to the International Space Station (ISS) as planned on Tuesday after a problem with the spacecraft’s propulsion system was discovered. The Starliner was scheduled to launch from Cape Canaveral in Florida on Tuesday morning and dock with the ISS on Wednesday. However, the launch has been postponed indefinitely while Boeing and NASA investigate the issue.

The Starliner is designed to carry astronauts to and from the ISS. It is part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which aims to develop private spacecraft capable of transporting astronauts to and from low Earth orbit.

Read more at: Hill

North Korea’s First Spy Satellite Launch Ends In Failure And Promise To Send Up Another

North Korea has fired a space launch vehicle towards the south, according to South Korean officials. The launch was detected by South Korean military radar systems and is believed to have taken place at around 7:30am local time. The launch comes just days after North Korea launched a spy satellite into orbit, which Japan says is a violation of UN Security Council resolutions.

Read more at: Guardian

SPACE HAZARDS and STM

Quantum Sensors Could Detect Space Debris From Its Gravitational Pull

Devices based on quantum properties of very cold and very small crystals could be mounted on satellites and sense space debris that could collide with them. The sensors would work by detecting the gravitational pull of space debris as it passes by. The technology could help prevent collisions between satellites and space debris, which can cause significant damage to spacecraft and other objects in orbit.

Read more at: New scientist

77-Foot Asteroid Dashing Towards Earth At 30,547 Kmph, Nasa Satellites Reveal

NASA has revealed that a 77-foot asteroid is hurtling towards Earth at a speed of 30,547 kmph. The asteroid, called 2023 AF5, was first spotted by NASA’s Pan-STARRS1 telescope in Hawaii on January 4th, 2023. It is expected to pass by Earth on February 7th, 2023 at a distance of about 2.6 million miles (4.2 million kilometers). While the asteroid poses no threat to Earth, it is a reminder of the potential dangers posed by near-Earth objects.

Read more at: Hindustan times

NASA Alert: 120-Foot Asteroid 2023 Jr2 Set To Buzz Earth Today At 27,287 Kmph

NASA has issued an alert for a 120-foot asteroid called 2023 JR2 which is set to buzz Earth today at 27,287 kmph. The asteroid was first spotted by NASA’s Pan-STARRS1 telescope in Hawaii on May 6th, 2023. It is expected to pass by Earth at a distance of about 1.8 million miles (2.9 million kilometers). While the asteroid poses no threat to Earth, it is a reminder of the potential dangers posed by near-Earth objects.

Read more at: Hindustan times

Earth Has A 2nd Moon? Amazing 65-Foot Asteroid Just Found By Pan-Starrs Telescope

Astronomers have discovered an asteroid that has been dubbed as the second moon of the Earth. The ‘quasi-moon’, called 2023 FW13, was discovred by experts using the Pan-STARRS telescope at the top of the Haleakala volcano in Hawaii. The asteroid is about 65 feet (20 meters) wide and is currently orbiting Earth at a distance of about 1.4 million miles (2.25 million kilometers). It is expected to remain in orbit for about another century before it is ejected from Earth’s gravitational pull and sent back into space.

Read more at: Hindustan times

COMMERCIAL SPACE

Now That Blue Origin Has Landed Its Second Lunar Contract, What’s Next?

Blue Origin has secured its second lunar contract with NASA, this time to develop a lander that will carry humans to the moon’s south pole. The company will work with Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Draper to develop the lander, which is expected to be ready for a crewed mission by 2024. The contract is part of NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to land humans on the moon by 2024.

Read more at: Hill

The Space Review: Space Force And The Environment

The US Space Force has a responsibility to protect the environment as it carries out its mission of protecting US interests in space. The Space Force has taken steps to reduce its environmental impact, including reducing energy consumption and waste generation. However, more needs to be done to ensure that the Space Force’s activities do not harm the environment.

Read more at: Spacereview

NASA and SpaceX Launches Are Great for Science — But They’re Also Terrible for the Environment

The recent launches by NASA and SpaceX are great for science but terrible for the environment. The rockets used in these launches emit large amounts of carbon dioxide and other pollutants into the atmosphere. While NASA and SpaceX are working on ways to reduce their environmental impact, more needs to be done to ensure that space exploration does not harm the planet.

Read more at: TIME

PLD Space M1sn1

Spanish rocket company PLD Space has successfully tested its M1sn1 rocket engine. The engine is designed to power the company’s Miura 5 rocket, which is expected to make its first flight in 2024. The Miura 5 is designed to carry small satellites into orbit.

Read more at: NASA spaceflight

Investing In Space: The Virgin Galactic Turning Point

Virgin Galactic’s recent successful test flight marks a turning point for the company and for space tourism in general. The company plans to begin commercial flights in 2022, with tickets priced at $250,000 per person. While space tourism is still in its infancy, it has the potential to become a major industry in the coming years.

Read more at: CNBC

Starlink, Amazon Red-Flag Satellite Spectrum Auction

Starlink and Amazon have raised concerns about a proposed satellite spectrum auction by India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT). The companies have argued that the proposed auction rules would favor Indian companies over foreign ones and would limit competition in the market.

Read more at: Economic times

Ship 25 Starbase Update

SpaceX’s Starship SN25 prototype has been moved to the launch pad at Starbase in Texas. The prototype is expected to undergo a series of tests before it is launced on an orbital flight. The Starship is designed to carry humans and cargo to the moon and Mars.

Read more at: NASA spaceflight

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

China Looks To Long March 8 Rocket To Help Launch Its Answer To Starlink

China is developing a new rocket called the Long March 8 that will be used to launch its answer to SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service. The rocket is expected to make its first flight in 2023 and will be capable of carrying up to 4.5 metric tons of payload into low Earth orbit. The new satellite internet service, called Hongyun, is expected to begin offering commercial services in 2024.

Read more at: Spacenews

NASA Inspector General Faults Agency On SLS Booster And Engine Overruns

NASA’s inspector general has criticized the agency for cost overruns and delays in the development of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket’s boosters and engines. The report found that the cost of the SLS program had increased by $2.6 billion since 2014 and that the first launch of the rocket had been delayed by more than two years. The report also found that NASA had not adequately managed risks associated with the program.

Read more at: Spacenews

Russia’s Space Agency Plans To Launch Two New Modules For Iss In 2024

Russia’s space agency Roscosmos plans to launch two new modules for the International Space Station (ISS) in 2024. The first module, called Nauka, will be launched in July 2024 and will replace the Pirs docking module. The second module, called Prichal, will be launched in November 2024 and will provide additional docking ports for visiting spacecraft.

Read more at: TASS

Aerospike Engine: A New Rocket Engine Design That Could Revolutionize Space Travel

Aerospike engines are a new type of rocket engine that could revolutionize space travel. Unlike traditional rocket engines, which have a bell-shaped nozzle, aerospike engines have a flat nozzle that wraps around the bottom of the rocket. This design allows aerospike engines to be more efficient at high altitudes and could reduce the cost of launching payloads into space.

Read more at: Popular mechanics

The Glitch That Brought Down Japan’s Lunar Lander

Japan’s lunar lander Kaguya has crashed on the moon due to a software glitch. The lander was launched in 2007 and had been orbiting the moon since then. It was supposed to land on the moon’s surface in June 2023 but crashed due to a malfunction in its guidance system.

Read more at: hackaday

Mars Helicopter Ingenuity Disappears After Flying Into Martian Dust Storm

NASA’s Mars helicopter Ingenuity has disappeared after flying into a Martian dust storm. The helicopter was last seen on June 1st, 2023 and is believed to have crashed due to poor visibility caused by the dust storm. Ingenuity made history earlier this year when it became the first aircraft to make a powered flight on another planet.

Read more at: Washington post

SPACE POLICY

China Sets Sights On Crewed Lunar Landing Before 2030

China is planning to send astronauts to the moon before 2030 as part of its space exploration program. The country has already sent two rovers to the moon and is planning to launch a third in 2024. The new mission will be China’s first crewed lunar landing and will be part of a larger effort to establish a permanent human presence on the moon.

Read more at: spacenews

The Lunar Registry

The Lunar Registry is a project that aims to create a registry of all objects that have been sent to the moon. The registry will include information about each object, such as its location on the moon and its ownership. The project is being led by a team of scientists and engineers from around the world.

Read more at: Slate

US Strongly Condemns North Korea’s Purported Satellite Launch

The US has strongly condemned North Korea’s purported satellite launch, calling it a violation of UN Security Council resolutions. The launch was detected by US and South Korean authorities and is believed to have been a test of North Korea’s ballistic missile technology.

Read more at: Hill

Spain Signs Artemis Accords

Spain has become the latest country to sign the Artemis Accords, an international agreement that outlines principles for space exploration and cooperation. The accords were first signed by the US in 2020 and have since been signed by several other countries, including Australia, Canada, Japan, Luxembourg, Italy, New Zealand, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates.

Read more at: upi

US Space Diplomacy Strategy Seeks To Counter Competitors’ Soft Power Plays

The US is developing a new space diplomacy strategy that seeks to counter competitors’ soft power plays in space. The strategy will focus on building partnerships with other countries and promoting US values in space. It will also seek to counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which aims to expand China’s influence through infrastructure projects around the world.

Read more at: breaking defense

Signature Of Industrial Contracts For The Consolidation Of The Common Building Blocks For Future European Reusable Launch Systems

The European Space Agency (ESA) has signed contracts with several companies for the development of reusable launch systems. The contracts cover the development of common building blocks for future European reusable launch systems, including engines, avionics, and structures. The goal of the project is to reduce the cost of launching payloads into space and make Europe more competitive in the global space industry.

Read more at: ESA

SPACE DEFENCE

Japan Calls On North Korea To Abandon Missile And Nuclear Programs

Japan has called on North Korea to abandon its missile and nuclear programs, saying that they pose a threat to regional security. The call comes after North Korea launched a spy satellite into orbit, which Japan says is a violation of UN Security Council resolutions.

“North Korea’s development of weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles poses a serious threat to the peace and security of the region and the international community,” Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said in a statement. “We strongly urge North Korea to abandon its nuclear and missile development programs and engage in dialogue with the international community.”

Read more at: Yahoo

Pentagon Awards SpaceX With Ukraine Contract For Starlink Satellite Internet

The Pentagon has awarded SpaceX a contract to provide satellite internet services to Ukraine using the company’s Starlink constellation. The contract is part of a larger effort by the US to support Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.

The contract is worth $180 million and will provide internet services to more than 1,500 government facilities in Ukraine. The services will be provided by SpaceX’s Starlink constellation, which is made up of thousands of small satellites that orbit the Earth.

Read more at: CNBC

Space Force Exploring Options To Build Weather Monitoring Constellation

The US Space Force is exploring options for building a constellation of satellites to monitor weather conditions on Earth. The constellation would be used to provide more accurate weather forecasts and improve disaster response efforts.

“We’re looking at how we can leverage commercial capabilities to build out a weather architecture that can provide us with more accurate data,” said Gen. John Raymond, chief of space operations for the US Space Force.

Read more at: spacenews

VARIOUS

SpaceX And The Science Of Failure

SpaceX has experienced several high-profile failures in recent years, including the explosion of a Falcon 9 rocket during a test flight in 2016. Despite these setbacks, the company has continued to push the boundaries of space exploration and has achieved several notable successes.

“Failure is an option here,” said Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX. “If things are not failing, you are not innovating enough.”

read more at: Hill

North Korea Launches Military Spy Satellite

North Korea has launched a military spy satellite into orbit, according to reports from South Korean officials. The launch is believed to be part of North Korea’s efforts to develop its missile and nuclear capabilities.

“The launch was detected by our military radar system,” said South Korean Defense Ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok. “We are closely monitoring North Korea’s missile and nuclear activities.”

Read more at: APnews

South Korea Issues False Emergency Evacuation Alert After North Korea Rocket Launch

South Korea accidentally issued a false emergency evacuation alert after North Korea launched a rocket into the sea. The alert was sent out by mistake and was quickly retracted.

“The alert was sent out due to human error,” said an official from South Korea’s Ministry of Public Safety and Security. “We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.”

Read more at: channelnewsasia

NASA Head Worried China Will Steal Us Space Technology

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson has expressed concern that China will steal US space technology and use it for military purposes. Nelson says that China is already making significant investments in space technology and that the US needs to do more to protect its intellectual property.

“We have got to protect our intellectual property,” Nelson said during a recent interview with CNN. “China is investing heavily in space technology, and we don’t want them stealing our technology for their own military purposes.”

read more at: yahoo

Richard Branson Made Around $1.4 Billion From Insider Trading At Virgin Galactic

Richard Branson made around $1.4 billion from insider trading at Virgin Galactic, according to reports from Bloomberg News. The reports say that Branson sold shares in the company just before it announced that it had won a contract from NASA.

“Branson sold about $300 million worth of shares in Virgin Galactic just before it announced that it had won a contract from NASA,” Bloomberg reported.

Read more at: aerotime

European Space Agency Joins Race To Take The World To Orbit

The European Space Agency (ESA) has announced plans to develop its own reusable rocket system as part of an effort to compete with SpaceX and Blue Origin in the global space industry. The new rocket system will be designed to carry both people and cargo into space.

“The goal is clear: Europe must have access to space,” said ESA Director General Jan Woerner.

Read more at: national

Mars Declared Unsafe For Humans To Live As No One Can Survive For Longer Than Four Years

For years, there’s been talk of one day mankind living on Mars. And in recent times, with the likes of Elon Musk seemingly on a one-man crusade to get there first, it looks like it might happen fairly soon. But according to one of the most recent studies into the viability of human life on the Red Planet, it might not be as easy as you’d think.

Read more at: Unilad