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  • Breaking Space News: August 11 - 17, 2024

Breaking Space News: August 11 - 17, 2024

Explore Contrails Warming the Atmosphere, ISS Cancer Research, New Space Drugs, Water on Mars, and Universe Expansion Insights. Discover Space Advances in Morocco, Botswana, Senegal, China, and India. Learn About US Efforts to Combat Satellite Light Pollution and Fund Lunar Lamp-posts, and More.

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Lagrangian Despatch
August 18, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 28 minutes

Dear Lagrangian,

Welcome, and thanks for joining us this week! We covered a bit more than usual this week, so for the best reading experience, we recommend viewing this newsletter in your web browser.

Have other questions? Talk to us, we talk back. Also feel free to join our Discord and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIN, and TikTok.

Enjoy reading!

SPACE SCIENCE

 

Private Jets and Contrails: A New Climate Challenge, the Unseen Impact of Modern Aviation

A recent study led by scientists at Imperial College London has revealed that modern commercial aircraft, despite emitting less carbon than older models, may contribute more to climate change through their contrails. Contrails, or condensation trails, are thin clouds formed by aircraft exhaust fumes that trap heat in the atmosphere. The study found that modern aircraft flying at higher altitudes create longer-lived contrails, which have a greater warming effect than the carbon emissions from jet fuel combustion.

Using machine learning to analyze satellite data on over 64,000 contrails, researchers discovered that these high-altitude contrails take longer to dissipate, thereby trapping heat for extended periods. This finding presents a significant challenge for the aviation industry, which has been striving to reduce its carbon footprint by designing more fuel-efficient aircraft. The study also highlighted that private jets produce more contrails than previously thought, potentially leading to outsized impacts on climate warming.

A C-141 Starlifter leaves a contrail over Antarctica. (Credit: USAF)

While more efficient aircraft reduce carbon emissions per passenger-mile, the unintended consequence of increased contrail formation complicates the path to sustainable aviation. The study was published in the journal Environmental Research Letters.

Hydrated Minerals on Psyche Add New Twist to Metallic Asteroid’s History and Planetary Core Theory

Recent observations from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have revealed hydroxyl molecules on the surface of the metallic asteroid Psyche, suggesting the presence of hydrated minerals. Hydrated minerals contain water or hydroxyl (a molecule made of one oxygen and one hydrogen atom) within their structure. This discovery, led by a team from the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), challenges the long-held belief that Psyche is a remnant core of a protoplanet, indicating a more complex history possibly involving external impacts or endogenous hydration.

This illustration depicts the 140-mile-wide (226-kilometer-wide) asteroid Psyche, which lies in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. (Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU)

Psyche, a massive object in the main asteroid belt, was initially thought to be a protoplanet's remnant core due to its high iron content. However, JWST findings suggest a more complex history. If Psyche's hydration is endogenous, it may have originated beyond the minimum distance from the Sun where volatile compounds condense into solids, before migrating to its current position.

Set to launch in Oct. 2023, the Psyche mission will explore a metal-rich asteroid of the same name that lies in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. (Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU)

These findings provide important context for NASA’s Psyche mission, which launched in October 2023 and is set to arrive at the asteroid in August 2029. The mission aims to study Psyche’s composition and history in greater detail, potentially reshaping our understanding of the early solar system.

Protecting Astronauts: New Drugs Show Promise in Combating Muscle Degeneration in Space

Recent research has highlighted the potential of new drugs to mitigate muscle loss caused by microgravity, a significant concern for long-duration space missions. A study led by scientists at Stanford University and published in Stem Cell Reports involved sending bioengineered muscle chips to the International Space Station (ISS) to observe the effects of microgravity on muscle cells. The results showed that microgravity impairs muscle regeneration and promotes gene activities associated with age-related muscle loss, known as sarcopenia.

Astronauts conducting experiments on muscle chips. (Credit: NASA)

However, the study also found that certain drugs could partially counteract these adverse effects. The drugs tested on the muscle chips helped prevent a metabolic shift towards fat formation and maintained gene activity patterns closer to those of muscle cells grown on Earth. This discovery has important implications not only for astronauts but also for treating muscle loss in older adults on Earth.

Origami-Inspired Transformer Bots for Future Space Habitats

Engineers at North Carolina State University have developed innovative “transformer bots” inspired by the art of origami. These robots, composed of 36 3D-printed plastic cubes, can transform into over 1,000 configurations using just three active motors. The design allows the bots to morph into various shapes, such as tunnels, bridges, and multi-story structures, and move in multiple directions without feet.

Transformer bots can form more than 1,000 shapes. (Credit: Jie Yin, NC State University)

The potential applications for these transformer bots in space are significant. Their modular nature means they can be launched flat and assembled in space to serve as shelters or habitats. This capability could revolutionize the construction of space habitats, making them more adaptable and easier to deploy. The bots can also carry loads up to three times their weight, further enhancing their utility in space missions. The study was published in the journal Nature Communications.

Mars’ Underground Ocean: Seismic Data Unveils Deep Liquid Water Reservoir

Recent seismic data from NASA’s InSight lander has revealed a vast underground reservoir of liquid water on Mars, enough to cover the planet’s surface to a depth of 1-2 kilometers. This water is located in tiny cracks and pores within fractured igneous rock, 11.5 to 20 kilometers below the surface. While this discovery is significant for understanding Mars’ geological history and water cycle, it presents a challenge for future human exploration, as drilling to such depths is currently impractical.

A comparison of Arizona’s Grand Canyon, right, with Mars’ Nanedi Valles, left. The images suggest that a river once cut through Nanedi Valles much like the Colorado River cuts through the Grand Canyon. (Credit: NASA/JPL)

The presence of this deep reservoir suggests that much of Mars’ ancient surface water, which disappeared over 3 billion years ago, may have been sequestered underground rather than lost to space. This finding also raises the possibility of habitable environments existing deep within the Martian crust, offering new avenues for the search for life on Mars. The findings from the study were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Space-Based Cancer Research: Five Innovative Projects Selected for ISS

The International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory, in partnership with NASA’s Biological and Physical Sciences (BPS) division, has selected five projects to advance cancer research through space-based R&D. This initiative, part of the inaugural Igniting Innovation solicitation, provides over $7 million in funding to harness the unique microgravity environment of the ISS to benefit cancer patients on Earth. The selected projects include research from Eascra Biotech, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, University of California, San Diego, Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Eascra Biotech aims to produce cancer therapeutics using Janus base nanomaterials (JBNs) for targeted drug delivery to tumors. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center will model cardiovascular disease and test cancer drugs' effects on the heart using cardiac spheroids. The University of California, San Diego, will study T cell changes in microgravity to improve immunotherapy. Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine will explore tissue engineering in space for better cancer treatments. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center will investigate microgravity's effects on cancer cell growth and drug resistance.

In the past, the ISS has been a catalyst for biomedical research, offering insights that are not possible on Earth, such as the behavior of cells in 3D forms and the effects of reduced fluid shear.

SPACE GOVERNANCE

 

India’s Latest Earth Observation Satellite with Commercial Ambitions, Launched to Orbit

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) successfully launched the EOS-08 Earth Observation Satellite on August 16, 2024. The satellite was deployed using the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)-D3 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. This mission marks the third developmental flight of the SSLV, which aims to provide cost-effective and reliable launch solutions for small satellites.

The EOS-08 satellite, weighing approximately 175.5 kg, is designed to operate in a circular low Earth orbit at an altitude of 475 km. It carries three advanced payloads: the Electro Optical Infrared Payload (EOIR), the Global Navigation Satellite System-Reflectometry payload (GNSS-R), and the SiC UV Dosimeter. These payloads will support various applications, including satellite-based surveillance, disaster monitoring, environmental observation, and more.

The successful launch completes the SSLV Development Project and enables operational missions by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) and the Indian industry. NSIL, ISRO's commercial arm, promotes and commercializes Indian Space Programme products and services, facilitating Indian industry participation in high-tech space activities.

Russia’s Progress 89 Docks at ISS: Crucial Resupply Mission for Expedition 71 and Starliner Crew

The uncrewed Russian Progress 89 cargo ship successfully docked at the International Space Station (ISS) on August 17, 2024, delivering nearly three tons of essential supplies. Launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the spacecraft carried food, gear, propellant, water, and nitrogen for the ISS’s seven-person Expedition 71 crew and two Boeing Starliner astronauts. The docking occurred at 1:53 a.m. EDT at the station’s Russian-built Zvezda service module, as both spacecraft orbited 260 miles above the South Pacific Ocean.

This mission underscores the ongoing collaboration and logistical efforts required to sustain the ISS. The Progress 89 will remain docked for six months, eventually being filled with trash and unneeded items for disposal by burning up in Earth’s atmosphere.

U.S. Senate Introduces Bill to Combat Satellite Interference with Astronomy Amid Petitions to Halt Megaconstellation Launches

Legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate aims to address the growing concern of satellite interference with astronomical observations. The Dark and Quiet Skies Act of 2024, proposed by Senators John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), seeks to establish a “center of excellence” under the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to mitigate light and radio-frequency interference caused by satellite constellations. This center would collaborate with astronomers and satellite operators to develop best practices and conduct research to reduce interference.

A long-exposure image of the Orion Nebula with a total exposure time of 208 minutes showing satellite trails in mid-December 2019. (Credit: A.H. Abolfath/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA)

The bill, which authorizes $20 million in funding for the center from 2025 to 2029, comes in response to the increasing number of satellites launched by companies like SpaceX, whose Starlink constellation has raised concerns among astronomers. The proposed center would join existing initiatives, such as the International Astronomical Union’s Centre for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky from Satellite Constellation Interference, in efforts to protect the integrity of astronomical research, SpaceNews reports.

Meanwhile, a coalition of U.S. and Canadian nonprofit organizations has petitioned the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to halt the launch of satellite megaconstellations until their environmental impact can be thoroughly assessed. The petition highlights concerns about the potential damage to Earth’s atmosphere, climate, orbital safety, and astronomical research due to the chemicals released during satellite reentry. This comes as SpaceX, Amazon, and Chinese ventures plan to deploy tens of thousands of satellites, significantly increasing the number of spacecraft in orbit.

SpaceX’s Ambitious Missions Amid Environmental Scrutiny, FAA Hearings: Senegal’s Gaindesat, Nvidia AI and Maxar Satellites in Focus

SpaceX continues to dominate the space sector with a mix of technological advancements and ambitious missions. Recently, SpaceX has been under scrutiny for alleged environmental violations at its Starbase facility in Texas. Reports claimed that the company’s water deluge system, used during Starship launches, discharged industrial wastewater into nearby bodies of water without proper permits. SpaceX has strongly refuted these claims, asserting that the water used is potable and that they have been in consultation with regulatory bodies.

At the same time, the FAA has postponed public hearings on an environmental review related to SpaceX’s plans to increase Starship launches from its South Texas facility. The hearings were intended to gather input on a draft environmental assessment, but have been delayed as the FAA seeks additional information from SpaceX.

Meanwhile, SpaceX’s Transporter-11 mission marked a significant milestone by launching 116 satellites into orbit. Among these payloads was Senegal’s first satellite, Gaindesat-1A, an earth observation nanosatellite, developed by Senegal and its technical partner, the University Space Centre of Montpellier (CSUM). The payload also included the first space-hardened Nvidia AI GPU, shielded by a novel nanocomposite material developed by Cosmic Shielding Corporation. This mission aims to demonstrate the GPU’s capability to operate in space with minimal errors, potentially revolutionizing AI applications in space.

SpaceX's Transporter-11 payloads are seen before launch. (Credit: SpaceX)

In the same week, SpaceX announced the Fram2 mission, set to launch later this year. This mission will be the first human spaceflight to explore Earth’s polar regions. The crew, consisting of four spaceflight “rookies”, will conduct scientific research, including studying aurora-like phenomena and capturing the first-ever X-ray image of a human in space.

Additionally, SpaceX successfully launched two WorldView Legion Earth-imaging satellites for Maxar Technologies. These satellites are part of a constellation that will significantly enhance Earth observation capabilities, providing high-resolution imagery and frequent revisits over populated regions.

Botswana to Utilize Azerbaijan’s Azercosmos Satellite Data for Key Sectors

Azercosmos, Azerbaijan’s space agency, has partnered with Botswana's Civil Aviation Authority (CAAB) to provide satellite data services via the Azerspace-1 telecommunication satellite. This is Botswana's first use of Azercosmos’ services, enhancing its data capabilities in agriculture, environmental monitoring, and disaster management. The agreement was announced on August 12, 2024.

Credit: Azercosmos, CAAB

Azercosmos aims to expand in Southern Africa, already serving nearly half of the 13 countries there. Using the Azerspace-1 satellite's African C-band coverage, the partnership will enhance data access and reliability for Botswana's government and private sectors.

LUNARSABER: DARPA-Funded Streetlights to Aid Lunar Missions

Researchers from Honeybee Robotics, a subsidiary of Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin, have proposed an innovative solution to the challenges posed by the long, dark lunar nights: towering “streetlights” on the moon. These structures, known as LUNARSABER, would stand taller than the Statue of Liberty and serve as solar-powered batteries, storing energy during the lunar day and providing illumination during the two-week lunar night. Funded by the U.S. government’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), these lights aim to support future lunar exploration and habitation by mitigating the risks associated with prolonged darkness.

Artist’s rendering of a DARPA-funded LUNARSABER light tower on the moon, taller than the Statue of Liberty. (Credit: Honeybee Robotics)

The LUNARSABER project is part of a broader push to establish permanent human settlements on the moon, which includes plans for nuclear reactors and a levitating train system. This initiative underscores the growing interest in lunar infrastructure as a stepping stone for deeper space exploration and the potential for commercial and scientific advancements on the moon.

MILITARY IN SPACE

 

Leveraging Technology and Trust to Enhance Space Arms Control: Lessons from the Antarctic Treaty

A recent report by the Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy, authored by Dr. Michael P. Gleason, delves into the complexities of verifying space arms control agreements. Verification, in the context of arms control, is the process of determining whether parties (nations, private entities) are complying with the terms of an agreement. This involves the collection, collation, and analysis of information to detect non-compliance, deter potential violators, and build confidence among parties.

Gleason argues that advancements in technology and new stakeholders in the space sector have improved verification capabilities. He highlights satellite technology, remote sensing, and data analytics for their role in monitoring compliance with arms control agreements, providing unprecedented detail and accuracy. The paper stresses the importance of information-sharing and international collaboration, noting that trust and transparency are crucial for successful verification. By fostering openness and cooperation, nations can build trust, enhance verification effectiveness, and reduce misunderstandings and conflicts.

Gleason’s study suggests that leveraging new space situational awareness technologies and data collection methods can enhance verification capabilities. This approach involves integrating data from commercial and academic sources with government monitoring systems, potentially building broader trust and redundancy in space verification information. The study also highlights the ambiguity surrounding what constitutes a “space weapon” due to the dual-use nature of many space technologies.

It should be noted that the Antarctic Treaty, signed in 1959, offers a precedent for arms control verification in uninhabited areas. The treaty established Antarctica as a demilitarized zone, banning military activity, nuclear weapons, and nuclear testing. It also pioneered a verification system that allowed for inspections anywhere and at all times. This mutual observation and transparency system mirrors Gleason's space arms control verification mechanisms. Both the Antarctic Treaty and space arms control measures emphasize international cooperation, transparency, and trust, using advanced technologies for monitoring and confidence-building to reduce conflict risks. Policymakers can use the Antarctic Treaty's success to develop effective space arms control verification regimes.

Morocco Acquires Advanced Israeli Spy Satellites to Boost Defense

Morocco has entered into a significant agreement with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to acquire two advanced spy satellites, the Ofek 13, in a deal worth $1 billion. This acquisition marks a strategic move to enhance Morocco’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, replacing existing Airbus and Thales satellites. The Ofek 13 satellites, equipped with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology, offer high-resolution imaging capabilities, even in adverse weather conditions, making them invaluable for national security.

The Ofek 13 satellite, with its radar antenna folded up in launch configuration. (Credit: Israel Aerospace Industries / Israel Ministry of Defense)

This deal is part of a broader defense cooperation between Morocco and Israel, formalized in 2021, which includes intelligence sharing and military industry collaboration. The acquisition underscores Morocco’s growing ambitions in space-based surveillance and its strategic shift towards Israeli defense technology.

SPACE COMMERCE

 

Satellite Tech and Infra Advancements:
AST SpaceMobile’s New Satellites, Apex’s GEO Aries, and Redwire’s Defense Expansion with Hera Systems Acquisition

Several US based companies are making significant strides in satellite technology and infrastructure. AST SpaceMobile, Texas, US-based, satellite designer and manufacturer, has commenced the production of 17 larger direct-to-smartphone satellites, leveraging its increased capital from a recent stock surge. These Block 2 BlueBird satellites, set to launch in early 2025, are designed to enhance broadband connectivity with ten times the capacity of their predecessors. This initiative aims to provide continuous text, voice, and data coverage globally.

Meanwhile, satellite manufacturing startup, California, US-based, Apex has introduced a geostationary version of its Aries satellite bus. The GEO Aries, adapted for geostationary orbit missions, is priced at $13.5 million and caters to both commercial and government demands. This new version retains the core features of the original Aries bus but includes modifications for enhanced performance in geostationary orbit. Apex’s move to offer a GEO version reflects the growing demand for versatile satellite platforms capable of supporting a wide range of applications.

In another significant development, Florida, US-based Redwire Corporation announced its acquisition of Hera Systems, a manufacturer of small satellites focused on national security space missions. This acquisition aligns with Redwire’s strategy to bolster its defense portfolio and support specialized missions in geostationary orbit. Hera Systems’ advanced satellite platform, selected for the U.S. Space Force’s Tetra 5 in-orbit refueling experiment, will enhance Redwire’s capabilities in space domain awareness, rendezvous and proximity operations, and in-orbit servicing.

China’s Space Developments: Yaogan-43 Satellite Launch and Reusable Kinetica-2 Rocket Progress

China’s space sector continues to make significant strides with two notable developments. On August 16, 2024, China successfully launched the first of a new group of Yaogan satellites using a Long March 4B rocket. This mission aims to test technologies for a low Earth orbit constellation, potentially integrating communications and optical capabilities. The Yaogan-43 (01) satellites, developed by various Chinese space entities, are primarily intended for remote sensing, including land survey, crop yield estimation, and environmental management.

Artist's impression of CAS Space's Kinetica-2 rocket lifting off. (Credit: CAS Space via X)

Simultaneously, the Chinese commercial space firm CAS Space is progressing on its reusable rocket, Kinetica-2. The company is preparing for the rocket’s first launch next year, with plans to recover and reuse the first stage and boosters by 2028. This reusable rocket, designed to launch satellites for China’s planned megaconstellations and cargo to the Tiangong space station, represents a significant step towards reducing launch costs and increasing efficiency.

Telesat Secures $1.6 Billion Canadian Government Loan for Lightspeed Broadband Constellation

Telesat, the Ottawa, Canada-based satellite operator, is on the verge of securing significant government funding for its ambitious Lightspeed project, a low Earth orbit (LEO) broadband constellation. The Canadian government has agreed to provide a loan worth 2.14 billion Canadian dollars ($1.6 billion) to support the 198-satellite constellation, with additional funding expected from the government of Quebec and an undisclosed vendor. This financial backing will cover more than half of the $3.5 billion budget for Lightspeed, which aims to enhance global broadband connectivity.

Telesat has already invested 980 million Canadian dollars in the project since its inception in 2020 and plans to inject up to 1.4 billion Canadian dollars into the program this year. The Lightspeed satellites, being built by Canada’s MDA, are set to launch in 2026. This funding milestone is crucial for Telesat as it navigates the challenges of inflation and supply chain issues, positioning the company to play a pivotal role in the global broadband market.

China’s Deep Blue Aerospace Secures Funding for Reusable Rocket Development

Deep Blue Aerospace, a Chinese commercial rocket firm, has secured strategic funding to advance its reusable rocket technology. The company announced the successful completion of its B3 financing round, led by Zhengyue Investment and Zhenghe Yunfan Fund, with participation from Xiamen City and its Jimei District. This funding will support the development and commercialization of Deep Blue Aerospace’s “Nebula” series of reusable rockets, with a 100-kilometer-level vertical takeoff, vertical landing (VTVL) test scheduled for later this month.

A 100-meter-altitude vertical takeoff, vertical landing test at Tongchuan, Shaanxi Province, conducted by Deep Blue Aerospace, October 13, 2021. (Credit: Deep Blue Aerospace)

The new funding supports China's focus on technological advancement and industrial modernization, with commercial space as a key future industry. Deep Blue Aerospace aims to be the first Chinese company to launch and safely land a rocket first stage from an orbital launch with its Nebula-1 rocket.

RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT

 

JWST Data Sheds Light on Universe’s Expansion Rate

Recent data from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has provided new insights into the long-standing debate over the universe’s expansion rate, known as the Hubble tension. The Hubble tension arises from discrepancies between two primary methods of measuring the universe’s expansion: one using the cosmic microwave background (CMB) and the other using Cepheid variables and Type Ia supernovas.

The cosmic microwave background (CMB) is the afterglow of the Big Bang, offering a glimpse of the early universe. Analyzing CMB patterns helps scientists determine the universe’s early expansion rate. On the other hand, Cepheid variables are pulsating stars used to measure distances to nearby galaxies, while Type Ia supernovas, as “standard candles,” measure distances to distant galaxies. Comparing these distances with galaxy redshifts reveals the current expansion rate. The Hubble tension is the discrepancy between expansion rates measured by these two methods.

The JWST data, analyzed by a team led by University of Chicago cosmologist Wendy Freedman, found that the new measurements align closely with the standard model of cosmology, the Lambda Cold Dark Matter (ΛCDM) model. This model describes the universe as being composed of approximately 70% dark energy, 25% dark matter, and 5% normal matter. It has been successful in explaining a wide range of observations, from the cosmic microwave background (CMB) to the large-scale structure of the universe. Recent observations had posed challenges to this model. For instance, the discovery of very bright, early galaxies by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) suggested that galaxies formed much earlier and grew much larger than the ΛCDM model predicted.

Using new data from the JWST, scientists measured the universe’s expansion rate by analyzing light from 10 galaxies, including NGC 3972. (Credit: Yuval Harpaz, data via JWST)

However, the new findings suggest that the Hubble tension may not be as significant as previously thought, with the JWST data indicating an expansion rate of 69.96 kilometers per second per megaparsec. This value means that for every megaparsec (approximately 3.26 million light-years) of distance from Earth, the universe is expanding at a rate of 69.96 kilometers per second. The pre-print paper can be found here.

 

Despatch Out. 👽🛸