Breaking Space News: Nov 17 - 23, 2024

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Another eventful week just went by. Explore some truly inspiring feats in science and some stunning visuals.

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• IMAGES

  • Artemis III Lunar Lander Mission Concepts

  • Close-Up of a Star Outside Our Galaxy

  • SpaceX Dragon, Aurora, City Lights from the ISS

  • High-Res Images of the Sun

• SCIENCE

  • Chinese Hypersonic Spaceplane to Trial in 2025

  • India's 2040 Lunar Space Station Vision

  • NASA Launches Challenge for Lunar Rescue System

  • China Tests Inflatable Space Module in Orbit

  • Exolaunch Plans Satellite Deployments with Universal Adapter

  • China Completes Key Test for Lunar Mission

  • NASA, Choctaw Nation Partner on Space Seeds Project

• GOVERNANCE

  • JAXA and ESA to Collaborate on Deep Space Missions

  • FAA Assessment Supports More SpaceX Starship Launches

  • US Report on China's Progress and US Response Strategies

• MILITARY

  • Vulcan Rocket National Security Launches Delayed to 2025

  • Defense Investments & US Space Force Contracts

  • US Warfigher Satellite Constellation Launch Delayed

  • Finnish ICEYE & Lockheed To Develop Military AI Tech

• COMMERCIAL

  • Lunar Outpost Picks Starship for Moon Rover Delivery

  • In a First ISRO Satellite Delivered to Orbit by SpaceX

  • ESA Awards Funding to Four European Launch Startup …

• SPOTLIGHT

  • New Analysis Challenges Organics Discovery by Mars Rover

  • Study Proposes Updated Composition for Solar System

  • DESI Study Confirms Einstein's Theory of Gravity

  • New Insights into Rapid Growth of Early Universe Black Holes

  • Milky Way is Stripping Gas from Large Magellanic Cloud

IMAGES

Artemis III Lunar Lander Mission Concepts: SpaceX, NASA

NASA and SpaceX have released renders of key moments of its Artemis lunar lander mission, highlighting the collaboration to develop the Starship Human Landing System (HLS). The Starship HLS will carry astronauts from lunar orbit to the Moon's surface and back for Artemis III and Artemis IV missions. Additionally, NASA plans to assign lunar delivery missions to SpaceX and Blue Origin to prepare for long-term exploration of the Moon. These missions will require the companies to develop cargo versions of their crewed human landing systems, with SpaceX delivering a pressurized rover and Blue Origin delivering a lunar habitat.

The upcoming Artemis II mission, scheduled for September 2025, will take four astronauts to the Moon, marking the first crewed mission of the Artemis program. The Artemis III mission, slated for 2026, will be the first time astronauts have landed on the Moon since Apollo 17 in 1972.

Red Supergiant WOH G64, Close-Up of a Star Outside Our Galaxy: GRAVITY instrument on ESO’s VLTI

SpaceX Dragon, Aurora, City Lights, “Wonky” Starlink Streaks from the ISS: Astronaut Don Pettit

High-Res Sun Images, Sunspots, Magnetic Fields, and Surface Movements: Solar Orbiter

SCIENCE

Space Transportation to Trial Hypersonic Cuantianhou Spaceplane in 2025

Beijing-based hypersonic spaceplane company Space Transportation aka Beijing Lingkong Tianxing Technology Co., Ltd., is set to test its Cuantianhou prototype spaceplane in the second half of 2025. This near-space reusable spaceplane is designed for vertical takeoff and landing, powered by a solid rocket booster. According to Space Transportation, the spaceplane will cruise at Mach 4 and can autonomously carry two passengers. In addition to Cuantianhou, the company aims to develop a larger, 50-passenger spaceplane by 2031. The project, however, faces significant technical challenges and must navigate international regulations on hypersonic travel.

A scale model displayed at the Space Tech Expo in Bremen, Germany, closely resembled the company’s Yunxing supersonic passenger jet prototype that completed a test-flight in October, though it was a smaller, nearly identical version according to SpaceNews.

ISRO Announces Plans for Lunar Space Station by 2040, Reports Chandrayaan-2's Collision Avoidance

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced plans to establish a lunar space station by 2040, marking a significant milestone in India's space exploration efforts. This ambitious project is part of a three-phase roadmap aimed at establishing a long-term human presence beyond Earth's orbit. The first phase involves robotic missions, including the upcoming Chandrayaan-4 sample-return mission scheduled for 2028. The second phase targets a crewed moon landing by 2040, followed by the construction of the lunar space station.

The lunar station will serve as a hub for scientific research and support crewed missions to the moon's surface. It is expected to be completed around the same time as India's astronauts land on the moon, with plans for a permanent lunar base before 2050. This initiative follows the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, which made India the fourth country to achieve a soft landing on the moon.

Meanwhile, according to a monthly Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) report, Chandrayaan-2 orbiter had to perform an emergency maneuver to avoid a potential collision with South Korea's Danuri spacecraft. This event highlighted the increasing traffic and complexities in lunar orbit, raising concerns about space traffic management and the need for improved coordination among space-faring nations.

NASA Launches Challenge for Lunar Rescue System Design

NASA has launched the "South Pole Safety: Designing the NASA Lunar Rescue System" challenge, seeking innovative solutions for safely transporting incapacitated astronauts on the lunar surface. The challenge focuses on developing a compact, efficient system that a single astronaut can deploy to carry a fully suited, incapacitated crew member (weighing up to 343 kg or ~755 lb) back to the human landing system. This initiative aims to enhance safety measures for future Artemis missions, starting with Artemis III, which will explore the Lunar South Pole.

China Successfully Tests Inflatable Space Module in Orbit

China has conducted a successful test of its first inflatable space module in orbit. The experiment took place aboard the Shijian-19 spacecraft, which was launched on a Long March 2D rocket in September and completed its mission with a landing in the Gobi Desert. Developed by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), the module features flexible composite materials that allow it to inflate once in orbit. This technology provides advantages such as reduced weight and increased folding efficiency, potentially offering a new approach for constructing large-scale space-sealed modules.

The organization achieved this advancement through expertise in system design, structural engineering, mechanisms, thermal regulation, and space environment. Ground-based evaluations, in collaboration with partners, tested airtightness, debris impact resistance, extreme pressure endurance, vibration, and thermal vacuum conditions.

Exolaunch Introduces Modular Adapter for Satellite Deployments in 2026

German launch services provider Exolaunch is set to deploy satellites using its new Exotube universal modular adapter starting in 2026. Unveiled at the Space Tech Expo Europe in Bremen, Germany, the Exotube adapter is designed to integrate, launch, and deploy spacecraft ranging from cubesats to 500-kilogram satellites. The first launch using Exotube is planned for the first quarter of 2026 on an American medium or heavy-lift launcher. The adapter's hexagonal base and cubic upper structure, equipped with cameras, offer flexibility and efficiency, making it compatible with various launch vehicles. Exolaunch aims to address the growing demand for small satellite launches and reduce wasted capacity through this innovative solution.

Long March 10 Fairing Test Advances China's Lunar Goals

In a crucial step towards its lunar ambitions of landing astronauts on the moon by 2030, China successfully completed a fairing separation test for its Long March 10 rocket series. Conducted by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), the test evaluated the fairing design, connection structure, and separation plan, all of which met their design requirements. The fairing, measuring 5 meters in diameter and height, is crucial for protecting the spacecraft during ascent. This test aligns with China's schedule, as the initial launch of the Long March 10A is planned for 2026. The rocket will eventually carry a new generation crew spacecraft and lunar lander to the moon.

Choctaw Nation Heirloom Seeds Return from Space for STEM Experiment

In a unique blend of cultural heritage and scientific exploration, NASA's Choctaw Heirloom Seeds project saw five varieties of heirloom seeds from the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma flown to the International Space Station (ISS) in November 2023. After spending six months in microgravity, the seeds returned to Earth in April 2024. This spring, students at the Jones Academy, a boarding school for Native Americans in Oklahoma, will plant these space-flown seeds alongside Earth-bound counterparts in the school's Growing Hope Garden. The experiment aims to inspire Native American youth to pursue careers in STEM fields while preserving heirloom varieties. The project also integrates the seeds' journey and the students' experiments into the middle school Earth-Sky STEM curriculum, developed by Oklahoma State University.

GOVERNANCE

JAXA and ESA to Collaborate on Deep Space Missions

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the European Space Agency (ESA) have formalized an agreement to expand their cooperation in deep space exploration. The joint statement, signed on November 20, 2024, outlines plans for collaborative missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. This partnership aims to combine JAXA's robotics capabilities with ESA's expertise in space science and exploration.

The agreement underscores the importance of international collaboration in tackling the challenges of deep space exploration, such as developing sustainable life support systems and advancing propulsion technologies. Both agencies have committed to sharing resources, knowledge, and technology, with the first joint mission expected to launch within the next five years.

FAA Assessment Supports More SpaceX Starship Launches in 2025

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is likely to approve SpaceX's request to increase Starship launches at its South Texas site from five to 25 in 2025. The FAA has released a 160-page draft environmental assessment (EA) that approves SpaceX's request to increase annual Starship launches from five to 25 at Starbase in South Texas. This approval supports SpaceX's goal of 25 launches in 2025, including landings for both the Super Heavy booster and the Starship upper stage. SpaceX aims to ramp up its Starship operations significantly, with the goal of eventually conducting multiple launches per day. The FAA's decision follows recent successful test flights and ongoing efforts to streamline regulatory processes.

U.S. Commission Calls for Measures Against China's Space and AI Developments

A recent report by the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission calls for urgent measures to counter China's rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, biotechnology, and space technologies. The 793 page report highlights China's state-led investments and "techno-nationalist" strategies as key drivers behind its progress in these critical sectors. Among its 32 recommendations, the commission urges Congress to prioritize space as a vital arena of competition and conduct a comprehensive review of the U.S. commercial space industry. It also suggests the U.S. establish a "Manhattan Project-like program" to develop artificial general intelligence (AGI) capabilities.

China’s expansion in military space capabilities, notably its space-based surveillance and counter-space technologies, poses significant threats to U.S. interests, the report claims. The People's Liberation Army has significantly increased its satellite presence in low Earth and geostationary orbits, enhancing its surveillance capabilities. These advancements, coupled with China's pursuit of directed energy weapons and anti-satellite systems, could disrupt U.S. satellite operations, according to the report.

In response, the commission recommends reevaluating regulations governing the U.S. commercial space sector to promote faster innovation while safeguarding sensitive technologies. It also calls for a transformative approach to AI development, emphasizing the need for the U.S. to maintain its competitive edge and prevent falling behind China in critical technology domains.

MILITARY

US National Security Launches on ULA Vulcan Rocket Postponed to 2025 by Space Force

The U.S. Space Force has adjusted its timeline for national security launches using United Launch Alliance's (ULA) Vulcan rocket, pushing the debut to 2025 due to certification delays. Despite a successful second certification launch in October, an anomaly with a solid rocket booster is still under review. The Space Force currently relies on SpaceX's Falcon rockets for these missions, highlighting the urgency of Vulcan's certification. The delay impacts the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program, which aims to diversify launch providers.

Investor Optimism Grows in Space Sector Under Trump as Space Force Contracts Enhance Surveillance Tech

Investor confidence in the space sector is rising under the incoming Trump administration, amid expectations of increased defense spending and reduced bureaucratic barriers. This sentiment was evident at the Deutsche Bank Global Space Summit in New York, where industry leaders discussed potential investment opportunities. Elon Musk's influence on Trump's space policies is considered a significant factor, with companies like RocketLab and Planet Labs witnessing stock increases following the election.

Meanwhile, a leading manufacturer of drones - Uncrewed Aircraft Systems, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Loitering Munition Systems, and Unmanned Ground Vehicle, AeroVironment's announcement of a $4.1 billion acquisition of BlueHalo marks a significant industry development, aiming to enhance AeroVironment’s capabilities in defense and space technologies. This acquisition reflects a broader trend of consolidation, as companies seek to strengthen their market positions and leverage synergies in the growing space market. BlueHalo's expertise in advanced engineering solutions for national security and critical missions is expected to complement AeroVironment's existing portfolio.

Inversion Space, a company developing space-based vehicles for on-demand cargo delivery, raised $44 million in a Series A funding round. The round was co-led by Spark Capital and Adjacent, with participation from Lockheed Martin Ventures, Kindred Ventures, and Y Combinator. This brings Inversion's total funding to $54 million. The funds will be used to develop Arc, a next-generation autonomous re-entry vehicle designed to deliver cargo from orbit to specific locations on Earth. The company plans to scale operations, including hiring and facility expansion. In September, SpaceWERX, the innovation arm of the U.S. Space Force had selected Inversion for a Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI) award in the amount of $71 million to develop the next generation of autonomous re-entry vehicles and enable precision delivery to any location on Earth in under an hour.

Anduril Industries secured a $99.7 million contract from the U.S. Space Force to modernize the Space Surveillance Network (SSN) using its Lattice platform. The five-year Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract aims to enhance space domain awareness and threat detection by replacing legacy systems with advanced AI-driven architecture. The project is part of the broader Space Domain Awareness Network (SDANet) initiative, with full deployment expected by the end of 2026.

The U.S. Space Force has also awarded Optimum Technologies (OpTech) a $4.5 million contract to develop an optical imaging payload for the Victus Surgo mission, scheduled for 2026. The Victus Surgo mission aims to demonstrate the rapid deployment and maneuverability of space assets under the U.S. Space Force's Tactically Responsive Space (TacRS) program. The mission will use Impulse Space's Mira vehicle to carry the commercial optical payload into geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO), showcasing the ability to quickly inspect, characterize and address on-orbit threats such as space debris, hostile satellites, and other potential hazards in space. The contract is a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) agreement, and the equipment will be produced at OpTech's expanded facility in Sterling, Virginia.

Launch of the US Proliferated Warfigher Satellite Constellation Delayed to 2025 Due to Supply Chain Issues

The U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA) has revised its satellite deployment timeline for the first launch of its low Earth orbit constellation, Tranche 1 of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) to March-April 2025, citing supply chain issues. These delays stem from difficulties in scaling up production of critical components such as optical terminals and specialized encryption devices, highlighting the challenges of transitioning to a more agile, networked constellation of smaller satellites. Despite optimism about meeting the revised timeline, recent setbacks have raised concerns about the SDA's ability to manage production setbacks and sustain progress in its mission to bolster advanced space capabilities. The SDA is working with lower-tier suppliers to address these bottlenecks.

Finnish Industry Consortium Partners with Lockheed Martin to Develop Military AI and Surveillance Technologies

A consortium led by ICEYE, a Finnish Earth observation company, will partner with Lockheed Martin to develop AI-powered target recognition technologies as well as Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities for Finland's military. The consortium includes other key industry players such as Insta, Huld, DA-Group, and the Finnish Meteorological Institute as a supplier.

The collaboration brings together Lockheed Martin's automated target recognition (ATR) algorithms and ICEYE's synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery to support Finland's F-35 tactical aviation program. The initiative aims to speed up decision-making with near real-time intelligence and tackle AI-related cybersecurity challenges. In May, Lockheed Martin had expanded its long-standing partnership with Maxar to develop ATR algorithms and incorporate electro-optical satellite imagery into the F-35's advanced simulation platform.

Meanwhile, Lockheed Martin is working with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop standards for measuring and certifying AI system resilience ICEYE recently secured $93 million in growth funding to enhance its SAR satellite operations, underscoring the critical role of cutting-edge technology in modern military strategy.

COMMERCIAL

Lunar Outpost Picks SpaceX's Starship for Moon Rover Delivery

Lunar Outpost has chosen SpaceX's Starship to deliver its Lunar Dawn rover, named Eagle, to the Moon. This decision is part of NASA's Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV) program, which aims to develop rovers for future Artemis missions. Lunar Outpost is one of three companies awarded contracts to mature their rover designs, with the goal of eventually delivering a rover to the Moon.

The partnership with SpaceX was driven by Starship's technological maturity and its ability to provide reliable lunar landings. The collaboration includes industry leaders like Leidos (which replaced Lockheed Martin in September as one of the partners), MDA Space, Goodyear, and General Motors, who are working together to refine the rover's design. The Lunar Dawn team has been actively testing the rover, including recent human factors testing with NASA astronauts.

While the exact launch schedule has not been disclosed, the contract marks a significant step towards establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon. The success of this mission could pave the way for future lunar exploration and commercial opportunities.

ISRO's GSAT-N2 Communications Satellite Deployed by SpaceX

SpaceX successfully launched its first mission for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on November 18, 2024, deploying the GSAT-N2 communications satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO) using a Falcon 9 rocket. This marks a significant milestone as ISRO's commercial arm, New Space India Limited (NSIL), opted for SpaceX due to the satellite's weight exceeding the capacity of India's own launch vehicles. The GSAT-N2 satellite, weighing 4,700 kg, aims to enhance communication infrastructure across India, providing internet connectivity for remote areas and in-flight services.

ESA Awards Funding to Four European Launch Startups

The European Space Agency (ESA) has awarded additional funding worth €44.22 million ($46.7 million) to four European launch startups through its "Boost!" program. The funding aims to support HyImpulse, Isar Aerospace, Orbex, and Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) in their efforts to test and develop their launch vehicles. ESA's Director of Space Transportation, Toni Tolker-Nielsen, emphasized the importance of these emerging commercial launch service providers and expressed interest in seeing their rockets deliver. The funding will help these companies advance their projects and contribute to Europe's future space access.

SPOTLIGHT

Perseverance Rover's Mars Findings: Organic or Inorganic Origins?

Last year, NASA's Perseverance rover had detected carbon-based molecules on Mars, sparking excitement and debate within the scientific community. The rover's advanced instrument, SHERLOC, identified these potential organics in Jezero Crater, an ancient lakebed, raising hopes for signs of past life.

However, recently scientists have proposed an alternative explanation: these signals could be from inorganic materials, such as phosphate and silicate defects. While the possibility of organic origins hasn't been ruled out, the findings underscore the need for laboratory analyses on Earth to conclusively determine the nature of these compounds1. This highlights the limitations of current rover-based techniques and the importance of future Mars Sample Return missions for definitive answers. The study is published in Science Advances.

New Solar System Composition Estimates Address Longstanding Discrepancies

Recent research led by the Southwest Research Institute has redefined our understanding of the solar system's composition, suggesting higher levels of carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen than previously thought. By integrating compositional data from primitive bodies like Kuiper Belt objects, asteroids, and comets with new solar data sets, the team has developed revised ratios that align more closely with recent asteroid sample returns from JAXA's Hayabusa-2 and NASA's OSIRIS-REx missions. These findings provide testable predictions for future helioseismology, solar neutrino, and cosmochemical measurements. Researchers suggest the revised chemical estimates align with recent solar data and may resolve the mismatch between spectroscopy, which examines the sun’s outer atmosphere, and helioseismology, which studies sound waves within the sun.

The study successfully reproduces the compositions of large Kuiper Belt objects and carbonaceous chondrite meteorites, enhancing our understanding of the primordial solar nebula's chemistry and the formation of numerous solar system bodies. Additionally, new measurements of solar neutrinos and solar wind composition from NASA's Genesis mission have been incorporated, offering a firmer basis for understanding element abundances in giant planet atmospheres and future exoplanet studies. The study is published in The Astrophysical Journal.

DESI Study Confirms Einstein's Theory of Gravity Over Billions of Years

Researchers using the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), have provided the most precise test to date of gravity at very large scales, confirming Einstein's theory of general relativity over 11 billion years of cosmic history. The study, involving over 900 researchers from 70 institutions, mapped the clustering of nearly 6 million galaxies and quasars, revealing that gravity behaves as predicted by Einstein. This validation supports our leading model of the universe and limits alternative theories of modified gravity, which have been proposed to explain the accelerating expansion of the universe typically attributed to dark energy.

DESI, mounted on Kitt Peak National Observatory’s Mayall 4-meter Telescope, in Arizona (U.S.), features 5,000 robotic eyes and is in the fourth year of a five-year survey, aiming to observe about 40 million galaxies and quasars.

Additionally, DESI's results offer new upper limits on the mass of neutrinos, narrowing the window for their masses and providing insights into the fundamental particles that make up our universe. The findings underscore the importance of large-scale cosmic observations in testing and refining our understanding of gravity and dark energy. "The DESI findings are detailed in multiple papers published on the arXiv research repository.

Study Reveals Unexpected Behavior in Early Supermassive Black Holes

A recent study led by researchers at the National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF) in Rome has offered new insights into the formation of supermassive black holes in the early universe. Published in the Astronomy & Astrophysics journal, the research analyzed X-ray emissions from 21 distant quasars.

The analysis of X-ray emissions revealed unexpected behavior in supermassive black holes at the centers of quasars. A connection was found between the shape of X-ray emissions and the speed of matter ejected by quasars. Wind speeds, reaching thousands of kilometers per second, were linked to the gas temperature in the corona, the X-ray-emitting region closest to the black hole. Low-energy X-ray emissions (cooler corona) showed faster winds, indicating a rapid growth phase beyond the Eddington limit, known as "super-Eddington." The Eddington Limit is the maximum luminosity a body can achieve when the outward pressure of radiation balances the inward pull of gravity. In contrast, higher-energy X-ray emissions (hotter corona) exhibited slower winds.

The study focused on quasars dating back to the universe's first billion years, a period when supermassive black holes were thought to grow too quickly to align with existing models. The researchers found that these black holes exhibited more intense growth phases than previously anticipated, driven by accretion of surrounding material. This challenges current theories of black hole formation and growth, which typically require longer timescales for such massive black holes to develop.

Hubble Observes Milky Way Stripping Gas from Large Magellanic Cloud

In a recent study, the Hubble Space Telescope has provided evidence that the Milky Way has stripped its galactic neighbor, the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), of a significant portion of its gas. This interaction has left the LMC with a much smaller gas halo compared to other galaxies of similar mass. Despite this loss, the LMC continues to form new stars, thanks to a compact bubble of remaining gas. Researchers used Hubble's ultraviolet capabilities to observe the LMC's halo and found that it retains about 10% of its original gas. This discovery offers insights into the dynamics of galactic interactions and the resilience of smaller galaxies in the face of gravitational bullying by larger neighbors. The study is yet to be published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters but a preprint can be found here.

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