Global

Two powerful X-class solar flares emitted by the Sun, in less than 12 hours on June 1, 2024.

The first flare was classified as an X1.4 flare and peaked at 4:48 a.m. ET. The second flare was classified as X1.0 and peaked at 2:36 p.m. These flares originated from a hyperactive sunspot region, which was also responsible for May’s incredible auroras.

Solar flares are powerful bursts of electromagnetic radiation that blast from the surface of the sun. They’re categorized by strength into lettered groups, with X-class being the most powerful. Within each class, numbers from 1-10 (and beyond for X-class flares) describe a flare’s relative strength.

Radio blackouts were observed across the sunlit portion of Earth during the time of both solar flare eruptions. The first blackout was over the Western U.S. and the Pacific, and the second was over Europe, Africa, and Asia.

The ‘hole’ on Mars is a pit crater that may be significant for future Mars exploration.

This pit, which is only a few meters across, was imaged by NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. It is located on a lava flow on the extinct volcano Arsia Mons and appears to be a vertical shaft.

It could potentially open into a larger cave or a deep lava tube formed underground long ago when the volcano was still active. These underground structures could provide a sheltered environment for both astronauts and hypothetical Martian life. Researchers hope future robotic missions to Mars can offer more insights into the pits.

“Global temperatures are still heading in the wrong direction and faster than ever before,” according to the second annual Indicators of Global Climate Change report, led by the University of Leeds.

The report is accompanied by an open data, open science platform, the Climate Change Tracker dashboard, for readily accessible updates on key climate indicators. Some of the key findings of the report are as follows:

• Human-induced warming has risen to 1.19 °C over the past decade (2014-2023), an increase from the 1.14 °C seen in 2013-2022.

• In 2023 alone, warming caused by human activity reached 1.3 °C.

• The remaining carbon budget, which is the amount of carbon dioxide that can be emitted before committing us to 1.5 °C of global warming, is only around 200 gigatonnes (billion tonnes), around five years’ worth of current emissions.

• In 2020, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) calculated the remaining carbon budget for 1.5 °C was in the 300 to 900 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide range, with a central estimate of 500.

• At the start of 2024, the remaining carbon budget for 1.5 °C stood at 100 to 450 gigatonnes, with a central estimate of 200.

Scientists have discovered the slowest spinning neutron star, ASKAP J1935+2148, taking 54 minutes to complete a full rotation.

According to a research published in the journal Nature Astronomy, this radio wave emitting object is significantly slower than typical neutron stars that can spin hundreds of times per second. The object emits highly polarized, coherent pulses and shows three distinct emission states. This discovery challenges current theories about the behavior of these dense stellar remnants and could provide valuable insights into the physics of these extreme objects.

Neutron stars are the collapsed cores of massive stars that have undergone supernova explosions. They are incredibly dense, with a mass greater than 1.4 times that of the Sun (Chandrashekhar Limit) but a size of only about 10-20 kilometers in diameter. NASA estimates that one sugar cube of neutron star material would weigh about 1 trillion kilograms (or 1 billion tons) on Earth.

62 Starlink satellites launched on three separate SpaceX’s Falcon 9 flights, in June 2024, so far.

The mission on June 7, Starlink 10-1, was the was the first to send Starlink satellites to a new shell of the mega constellation, which as of May 2024 consists of over 6,000 active satellites in low Earth orbit. The first two missions on June 4 and 7, were launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida and the third, on June 8, was launched from Vandenberg Space Force Station in California.

Africa

Nigeria announced its initiative to deploy domestically-built satellites aimed at fostering sustainable development.

The plan was unveiled at a workshop jointly organized by the European Union in and Nigeria’s National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA). The satellites will have ground stations and data collection centers located in Nigeria. This initiative is a significant step towards enhancing Nigeria’s capabilities in space technology and its applications for sustainable development.

Nigeria’s National Space Research & Development Agency (NASRDA) is partnering with the Chinese Academy of Sciences Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIR/CAS) to bolster Nigeria’s satellite development.

The collaboration will ensure Nigeria’s access to vital satellite data, the establishment of a secure Ground Station within Nigeria for improved data management, and facilitate the exchange of technical expertise and equipment. This partnership is set to significantly advance Nigeria’s space sector and contribute to the nation’s broader developmental objectives.

Senegal is preparing to launch its first satellite, GaindéSat-1A, in July 2024.

This 1U nanosatellite, integrated into Exolaunch’s Exopod NOVA deployer, marks a significant milestone in the nation’s space exploration efforts. The GaindéSat-1A project was initiated by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation under the guidance of Dr. Gayane Faye, Coordinator of the Senegalese Space Programme (SENSAT), in 2019. The satellite has two primary missions: connecting with measuring stations during each pass to collect critical environmental data, and capturing imagery of Senegal.

A CubeSat class of nanosatellite, 1U is a cube-shaped structure measuring 10x10x10 centimeters with a mass between 1 and 1.33 kilograms. Exolaunch is a provider of mission management and integration services, including satellite launch.

AALTO, an Airbus Aerospace subsidiary, intends to commence experimental missions from its inaugural AALTO Port in Kenya in 2024.

AALTO, has raised USD 100 million from a consortium of Japanese companies, including NTT Docomo, the Development Bank of Japan, Mizuho Bank, and Space Compass. This funding will accelerate the development of Aalto’s Zephyr drone, a stratospheric pseudo satellite designed to provide connectivity in remote areas. The investment is subject to regulatory approvals and aligns with a 2022 Memorandum of Understanding between Aalto, NTT Docomo, and Space Compass.

The funds will be used to launch customer missions, establish Zephyr launch and landing sites, and advance certification processes, aiming to commence global commercial services by 2026. Aalto plans to conduct experimental missions from its first port in Kenya in 2024, subject to Kenyan government approval. The port will include launch and landing facilities, maintenance and assembly lines, an operations centre, and customer support facilities.

African nations have budgeted USD 465.34 million for their space programs in 2024, says report.

According to the 2024 African Space Budget Analysis Report published by Space in Africa, a consulting and media firm, this represents a decrease of 27.86% from the revised allocation of USD 643.13 million in 2023. The budget includes contributions from the African Union to operationalize the African Space Agency (AfSA). The report also provides insights into the factors influencing these budgetary decisions, including technological priorities and national strategic objectives.

Asia

China’s Chang’e 6 mission has made history by successfully landing on the far side of the Moon, before part of the vehicle blasted off with rock and soil samples to bring back to Earth.

The mission, which launched on May 3, 2024, touched down in the South Pole-Aitken Basin at 06:23 Beijing time on Sunday, June 2, 2024. The Chang’e 6 is China National Space Administration’s (CNSA) second mission to land on the lunar far side.

The probe captured footage of its approach to the lunar surface as well as its touchdown. The video shows a region of the moon that humanity never gets to see from Earth, as the moon is tidally locked, meaning one of the lunar hemispheres perpetually faces our planet while the other always faces away into space.

The Chang’e 6 mission is significant as it aims to retrieve samples for analysis on Earth. After landing, the spacecraft unfurled China’s red and gold flag for the first time on the far side of the moon before a part of the vehicle departed for earth. This mission represents a significant advancement in China’s space exploration efforts and contributes to the global understanding of the Moon’s geology.

UAE’s flagship satellite solutions provider Yahsat, has signed an MoU with the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies of The Republic of South Africa.

This MoU between South Africa and UAE’s Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat), aims to boost cooperation across a wide range of satellite communication fields. The agreement focuses on collaboration in areas including satellite and ICT-related services, satellite broadband connectivity, Internet of Things, geospatial applications, High-Altitude Pseudo Satellites (HAPS), and Earth Observation Satellites. It also explores the potential of building ground stations in South Africa to operate satellites, collaboration on manufacturing of devices and antennae, skills exchange and investment. The MoU signing followed a successful high-profile visit by a delegation from the Government of South Africa, led by Deputy President Paul Mashatile, in May.

Agnikul Cosmos, an Indian space startup, has successfully launched India’s first 3D-printed rocket engine.

The launch, which took place on May 30, marks a significant step towards reducing the time and costs associated with building rockets. The launch vehicle, propelled by the 3D-printed engine, was India’s second private rocket launch and the first to showcase a semi-cryogenic engine. Semi-cryogenic engines, unlike their cryogenic counterparts, substitute liquid hydrogen with refined kerosene, which requires less storage space and can be stored at normal temperatures. This allows for an increased payload capacity and higher thrust. This launch was the fifth attempt by the startup, with previous attempts being called off due to technical difficulties. The data from this test flight will contribute to the development of Agnikul’s orbital launch vehicle, Agnibaan, potentially by the beginning of next year.

Japan is set to launch the world’s first wooden satellite, LignoSat, in September.

Developed by researchers at Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry, LignoSat is a compact cuboidal satellite measures 10 centimeters per side and weighs slightly over 900 grams. The satellite will be launched to the International Space Station (ISS) and then deployed into orbit.

Instead of aluminium the satellite is constructed from magnolia wood. The research team will monitor the satellite’s performance in the extreme conditions of space, gathering data on the expansion, contraction, and degradation of the wood, as well as the internal temperature and the functioning of the electronic equipment. The primary objective of this venture is to mitigate the environmental impact caused by the reentry of satellites.

Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA), South Korea’s inaugural national space agency, has been officially established, as announced by the country’s President, Yoon Suk Yeol.

The agency is set to oversee space policy and promote space-related enterprises. A significant goal for KASA is to land on Mars by 2045, a mission that is expected to cost 100 trillion KRW or 73 billion USD. This ambitious plan is part of South Korea’s broader strategy to expand its presence in space. The launch of KASA and the planned Mars mission underscore the rise in Asian space ambitions.

Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa has cancelled his planned private flight around the moon on SpaceX’s Starship.

The mission, known as dearMoon, was initially booked in 2018 with the expectation of launching by the end of 2023. However, due to delays with SpaceX’s Starship megarocket, the launch date remained uncertain. This uncertainty led Maezawa to cancel the flight, expressing regret for the impact on the crew members who had been selected to join him. The cancellation has been met with disappointment from the dearMoon crew.

Europe

The European Space Agency’s ESA new heavy-lift rocket, Ariane 6, developed by ArianeGroup, is scheduled to make its inaugural launch on July 9.

This next-generation rocket, which will lift off from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, has been subject to a series of delays. The Ariane 6 is a versatile launch vehicle, capable of launching multiple missions on different orbits in a single flight. It is set to replace the Ariane 5, which was retired last July after over a quarter-century of service and more than 100 successful launches. The initial plan was to have the Ariane 6 operational by 2020, but the project faced delays due to technical issues, COVID-19, and design changes. The data from the upcoming test flight will be used to develop the Ariane 6 for commercial operations.

North America

United States Space Force wants reservists from the Air Force to consider transitioning to full-time, active-duty roles as Guardians.

This move is a component of the Space Force Personnel Management Act, which was enacted towards the end of 2023. The period for application submission spans from June 1 to November 30, 2024. Eligible officers from fields such as space operations, cyberspace operations, intelligence, developmental engineering, acquisition management, and science are encouraged to apply. Similarly, enlisted members from various career fields, including space systems operations, intelligence, imagery analysis, signals intelligence, cryptologic language analysis, network intelligence analysis, targeting analysis, cyberdefense operations, spectrum operations technician, and cable and antennae defense operations, are also eligible. In the foreseeable future, the Air Force Reserve and the Air Force will cease to maintain space operations as career fields. Consequently, reservists with the Air Force Specialty Codes of 13S and 1C6, denoting space operations officer or space operations specialist, will be required to either transfer to the Space Force to retain their current roles or undergo retraining for a different field.

Starship, SpaceX’s megarocket’s fourth flight test launched after it secured a launch license from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The mission took off from SpaceX’s Starbase facility near Boca Chica Beach in South Texas, on June 6. This marks the fourth test flight of the company’s Starship and Super Heavy launch vehicle, after experiencing setbacks in previous launches, in a bid to proving that the Starship can reach orbit. The data from this upcoming test flight will be used in the development of the Starship for commercial operations.

Boeing’s new astronaut transport for NASA - Starliner, has successfully embarked on its first-ever astronaut mission on June 5 after multiple delays.

The spacecraft was launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Launch Complex 41 on June 5. This event represents a significant achievement in nearly two decades of planning for commercial crew missions. The spacecraft, which carried NASA astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Suni Williams, was launched using a United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V rocket. This marked the first instance of astronauts being launched using an Atlas V in its 22-year operational history. The Starliner reached the International Space Station (ISS) on June 6, where Wilmore and Williams will spend approximately eight days conducting a series of tests for operational crew certification. Th flight was originally scheduled for May 6

Virgin Galactic has successfully launched its VSS Unity space plane on its final suborbital spaceflight, carrying a crew of six.

The mission, known as Galactic 07, took off from Spaceport America in New Mexico and reached an altitude of 87.5 kilometers. This marked the seventh commercial spaceflight by Virgin Galactic on Unity, which is being retired to make way for the company’s new “Delta” class of spacecraft rolling out in 2026. The flight carried a Turkish researcher and three private astronauts. The successful mission is a significant step towards Virgin Galactic’s goal of revolutionizing space travel.

Research Paper Spotlight

Researchers from Harvard, Montana Technological University propose that Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP), commonly known as UFOs, could be evidence of an unknown, technologically advanced civilization hiding among us on Earth.

This civilization, referred to as “cryptoterrestrials”, could be concealed underground, on the Moon, or even walking among us disguised as humans. The researchers acknowledge that this is an exotic hypothesis that will likely be met with skepticism by most scientists, but they argue that it deserves consideration. They suggest various possibilities for these cryptoterrestrials, including remnants of an ancient human civilization, an intelligent species that evolved independently of humans, beings from another planet or time period, or even entities that are more magical than technological. The researchers point to UFO sightings near potential underground access points as possible evidence of these cryptoterrestrials.

Read the full paper here. 

Anticipated Futures

The Europa Clipper Mission is a highly anticipated NASA mission set to launch in October 2024.

The mission’s primary goal is to determine whether Jupiter’s icy moon, Europa, hosts conditions suitable for extraterrestrial life. The spacecraft will perform nearly 50 flybys of Europa at closest-approach altitudes as low as 16 miles (25 kilometers) above the surface, soaring over a different location during each flyby to scan nearly the entire moon. The mission’s three main science objectives are to understand the nature of the ice shell and the ocean beneath it, along with the moon’s composition and geology.