China Releases Images Of Tiangong Space Station From Shenzhou 16

China Plans Tiangong Space Station Expansion 

Tiangong

In Space

SpaceX is seeking authorization from the FCC to tests there Starlink Direct To Cell service.
In an FCC filing made this week SpaceX is seeking "special temporary authority" to commence the test on December 10, with a testing period lasting 180 days.
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The primary objective is to assess the system in collaboration with T-Mobile, utilizing the carrier&rsquo;s licensed radio spectrum to transmit satellite connectivity to 2,000 test devices. The application for an experimental license comes amidst ongoing considerations by the FCC regarding granting full authorization for SpaceX to operate the innovative communication service.
According to the filing, "Over the 180-day experimental STA period, SpaceX expects to operate approximately 840 satellites with direct-to-cellular payloads". The application further details that during the experimental period, around 60 of the 840 satellite payloads will serve handsets in the United States. SpaceX plans to beam satellite connectivity to 13 locations across the country, including Mountain View, California; Kansas City, Kansas; and Houston, Texas.
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This experimental STA will permit SpaceX to connect its direct-to-cellular antennas to cellulartest devices using the 1910-1915 MHz and 1990-1995 MHz bands (the &ldquo;PCS G Block&rdquo;) in cooperationwith T-Mobile USA, Inc
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SpaceX is hoping to launch the cellular Starlink service next year, with plans to operate the technology with a total of 7,500 satellites. This isn't the first time SpaceX has applied to test the proposed cellular Starlink system.
In October, SpaceX filed a separate application for a similar test over a 60-day period starting in December. However, this faced resistance from AT&amp;T and the Rural Wireless Association, arguing that SpaceX should have sought approval through an experimental license from the FCC&rsquo;s Office of Engineering and Technology. Responding to the concerns, the new application from SpaceX adheres to the recommended process.
SpaceX has previously assured the FCC that the cellular Starlink system poses no radio signal threat. Nonetheless, the new application emphasizes the company's commitment to conducting real-world tests to assess potential interference risks. This includes measuring signal strength from Starlink satellites and T-Mobile handsets on the ground.
&ldquo;SpaceX certifies that its direct-to-cellular system will operate without causing harmful interference to or requiring protection from any other service duly licensed in these bands or adjacent bands,&rdquo; the application states. In case interference occurs, both SpaceX and T-Mobile pledge to take &ldquo;all reasonable steps&rdquo; to rectify the issue.
SpaceX urges the FCC to approve the application, stating, &ldquo;These tests will enable SpaceX to more quickly realize the consumer benefits of its direct-to-cell technology without causing harmful interference to other licensed operators."
The outcome of this filing will be closely monitored as SpaceX continues to push the boundaries of satellite communication technology with Starlink.

In an FCC filing made this week SpaceX is seeking "special temporary authority" to commence testing of there Starlink Direct To Cell service on December 10, with a testing period lasting 180 days. 

SpaceX Targeting Early 2024 For Launch Of Starlink Direct To Cell Service

SpaceX Looks To Begin Testing December 10th

SpaceX Ready To Test Starlink Direct To Cell Service

American Airlines has revealed plans to outfit nearly 500 regional jets starting in 2024 with their cutting-edge multi-orbit Wi-Fi connectivity provided by Intelsat.
Intelsat's terminals are capable of connecting to both their geostationary fleet and low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites from Eutelsat OneWeb.
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The key advantage of utilizing LEO satellites lies in their proximity to Earth, enabling lower latency and high-speed broadband services. Eutelsat OneWeb's LEO network, comprising over 600 satellites, operates in polar orbits, facilitating broader global coverage compared to geostationary satellites fixed along the equator.
Geostationary orbit (GEO) satellites, though larger and more powerful, can provide greater capacity to high-traffic areas such as airports. American Airlines, having already rolled out high-speed connectivity on 900 aircraft in its mainline fleet earlier in 2023, aims to extend similar capabilities to its regional fleet.
The Intelsat terminals are based on advanced antenna technology developed by Ball Aerospace and integrate designs and hardware from Stellar Blu Solutions.
Terminals are currently undergoing rigorous testing, and are expected to be deployed across American Airlines' regional fleet, which includes a mix of Bombardier CRJs and Embraer E-Jets.
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Intelsat has secured similar deals earlier this year, extending its multi-orbit, electronically steered array antennas to other major airlines, namely Alaska Airlines, Air Canada, and Aerolineas Argentina.
American Airlines believes that Intelsat's multi-orbit antennas will enable its regional aircraft to match the fast Wi-Fi speeds currently available on its mainline aircraft. No specific speeds have been released but American Airlines has assured passengers of the ability to stream, browse, check email, and use virtual private networks (VPNs) while in flight.
SpaceX's Starlink LEO network poses a similar promise of high-speed services, positioning itself as a competitor in the aviation connectivity market.
While American Airlines partners with Intelsat, smaller airlines have recently inked contracts with SpaceX for similar solutions.
Intelsat is not without rivals in the multi-orbit connectivity domain, with companies like Hughes Network Systems gaining traction. Delta Air Lines, for instance, recently chose Hughes to connect 400 Boeing 717 and smaller regional jets, currently using Intelsat's air-to-ground connectivity service.
Hughes is set to provide antennas capable of connecting to its geostationary fleet, as well as future non-geostationary satellites operating in Ka-band, exemplified by Telesat Lightspeed and SES O3b mPower.
The race for superior in-flight connectivity continues, with airlines and satellite operators vying to provide seamless and high-speed internet services to passengers, reflecting the growing importance of connectivity in the aviation industry.

American Airlines has revealed plans to outfit nearly 500 regional jets starting in 2024 with their cutting-edge multi-orbit Wi-Fi connectivity provided by Intelsat.

Intelsat To Bring OneWeb Internet To Regional American Airlines Jets

Angola officially signed the Artemis Accords on November 30, solidifying its commitment to best practices in space exploration.
The signing ceremony occurred during the official visit of Angola's President, Jo&atilde;o Louren&ccedil;o, to the White House, where he met with President Joe Biden.
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While the signing was briefly mentioned in White House statements about the meeting, it marks a significant step for Angola as the third African nation to join the Artemis Accords, following Rwanda and Nigeria.
During a background briefing on the meeting, a senior administration official emphasized Angola's importance in signing the accords, despite having a relatively small space program. The official stated, "One of the hallmarks of President Biden&rsquo;s administration&rsquo;s policy towards Africa is incorporating our African partners in the most important conversations that affect the future of this very decisive decade in space &mdash; space norms." The official further highlighted the critical role of African nations in shaping discussions on how countries behave and operate in outer space.
With 33 countries now signatories to the Artemis Accords, Angola's decision reflects a growing global consensus on the importance of establishing guidelines for space exploration. Ten nations, including Angola, have joined the accords this year alone.
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"By signing the Artemis Accords, Angola is taking its space ambitions beyond Earth orbit, while supporting norms of behavior that will lead to a peaceful and prosperous future in space for all of humanity to enjoy." - Mike Gold, Chief Growth Officer at Redwire
Angola's engagement with the Artemis Accords follows a meeting between U.S. and African space industry officials at the International Astronautical Congress in October in Baku, Azerbaijan.
"It is exactly this type of outreach that I think is critical to achieving our goals in space diplomacy in this new and collaborative space era." - Valda Vikmanis Keller, Director of the Office of Space Affairs within the State Department
As Angola embraces the Artemis Accords, the nation positions itself as a key player in the evolving landscape of international space cooperation, contributing to the formulation of guidelines that will shape the future of space exploration for years to come.

Angola officially signed the Artemis Accords on November 30, solidifying its commitment to best practices in space exploration. 

Angola 33rd Nation To Sign Artemis Accords

Angola Signed Artemis Accords During Visit To White House

10 Nations Joined Artemis Accords In 2023

Angola Signs Artemis Accords

In a surprising turn of events, NASA-funded researchers have been given the green light to apply for access to lunar samples collected by China's Chang'e-5 mission, marking a rare exception to the longstanding prohibition on bilateral activities between the two space agencies.
An internal email circulated on November 29 informed NASA researchers of the opportunity to apply to the China National Space Administration (CNSA) for access to portions of the samples recently made available to the international scientific community.
The email stated, "NASA has certified its intent to Congress to allow NASA-funded researchers to apply to the China National Space Administration for access to lunar samples returned to Earth on the Chang'e-5 mission."
This potential collaboration, comes despite NASA Administrator Bill Nelson's firm stance against China and his support for maintaining restrictions on joint efforts. The "Wolf Amendment" in annual NASA appropriations bills heavily limits bilateral cooperation with entities of the People's Republic of China.
China's Chang'e-5 mission, launched in late 2020, undertook a complex four-spacecraft mission involving lunar landing, ascent from the lunar surface, docking in lunar orbit, and high-speed atmospheric reentry.
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The mission successfully collected 1,731 grams of material from a geologically young area of Oceanus Procellarum, using a scoop and drill.
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China had initially stated its intention to make the samples available internationally after allowing Chinese researchers and institutions access. CNSA formally opened applications to internationally-led groups in August of this year, more than 2.5 years after the Chang'e-5 mission landed.
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"The Chang'e-5 samples originate from regions of the Moon not yet sampled by NASA and are expected to provide valuable new scientific insight on the geological history of the Moon" t
Applications for the seventh round of access to Chang'e-5 samples can be submitted until December 22, 2023, through CNSA webpages.
Researchers are encouraged to contact NASA officials for guidance if their applications are selected. Importantly, the allowance is specific to Chang'e-5 mission samples, and the standard prohibition on bilateral activity with China on NASA-funded projects remains in place.
This development raises questions about how CNSA will respond to applications from NASA researchers. China, having recently built its own Tiangong space station after being excluded from the International Space Station, may see this as an opportunity for international collaboration.
The potential benefits for NASA's Artemis project and China's International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) are also worth considering.
While the collaboration may be a significant step forward, it remains uncertain whether it will lead to deeper engagement between the U.S. and China in future lunar missions. Previous statements from NASA officials and Administrator Bill Nelson suggest that transparency from Beijing would be a crucial factor in determining the extent of cooperation.
However, some experts see this as a potential opening for collaboration on future missions, including the Chang'e-6 lunar farside sample return mission in 2024 and possibly even missions beyond the Moon, such as China's Tianwen-3 Mars sample return mission.
The unexpected development in lunar exploration has ignited hopes for increased scientific cooperation and mutual benefit between the United States and China in the realm of space exploration.

In a surprising turn of events, NASA-funded researchers have been given the green light to apply for access to lunar samples collected by China's Chang'e-5 mission, marking a rare exception to the longstanding prohibition on bilateral activities between the two space agencies.

1,731 Grams Of Material Were Returned To Earth

The 7th Round Of Sample Applications Close On December 22, 2023

NASA Researchers Authorized To Apply For China's Moon Samples

Amazon has inked a deal with SpaceX for three Falcon 9 launches with the missions scheduled to commence in mid-2025.
The launch contract announcement comes on the heels of Project Kuiper's recent milestone &ndash; the successful launch of two prototype satellites. The partnership with SpaceX is unique as SpaceX will be for the first time launching a competitor to there Starlink, to orbit, continuing to reflect SpaceX's stance of will fly basically anything for anyone.
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Tests conducted during the mission have played a crucial role in validating the satellite design and network architecture. With the groundwork laid, Project Kuiper is gearing up for satellite manufacturing, set to precede a full-scale deployment slated to commence in the first half of 2024.
Designed with flexibility in mind, Project Kuiper's satellites are engineered to accommodate multiple launch providers and vehicles, reducing schedule risks and enabling a swift execution of the mission.
Amazon had previously secured heavy-lift rockets from Arianespace, Blue Origin, and United Launch Alliance (ULA) with the procurement of 77 rockets, providing substantial capacity for the majority of the satellite constellation. The newly established contract with SpaceX adds even more capacity to expedite the deployment schedule. SpaceX's Falcon 9, a reliable and reusable two-stage launch vehicle, has a proven track record with over 270 successful launches to date.
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Early customer pilots are expected to kick off in the second half of 2024 as Project Kuiper aims to bridge the digital divide and extend high-speed internet access to areas where traditional infrastructure is lacking.
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As the world eagerly awaits the deployment of Project Kuiper, Amazon continues to encourage Project Kuiper enthusiasts to stay informed about the program's progress by checking out the latest mission updates on their website.

Amazon has inked a deal with SpaceX for three Falcon 9 launches with the missions scheduled to commence in mid-2025.

SpaceX To Launch Amazon Project Kuiper Satellites In 2025

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is gearing to land humans on the moon for the first time since 1972 under the Artemis program; however, a recent report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reveals significant challenges that may impede the planned Artemis III crewed lunar landing in 2025.
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Since the GAO's September 2022 report, NASA and its contractors have made commendable progress in the Artemis III mission. Several crucial milestones have been completed, but the focus of the GAO report centers on persistent challenges with the development of the Human Landing System (HLS) and space suits.
<h3>Ambitious Schedule = Unlikely 2025 Mission</h3>
The GAO's report indicates that despite progress the delays and challenges in the HLS program and space suit development are contributing factors, and a Artemis III crewed lunar landing is unlikely to happen in 2025. 
GAO deems this timeframe unrealistic, emphasizing that if development aligns with the NASA project average, the Artemis III mission would likely occur in early 2027.
<h3>SpaceX HLS Delays</h3>
The ambitious schedule of the SpaceX Human Landing System program was set for 79 months from project start to launch, which is 13 months shorter than the average for NASA major projects.
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As of September 2023, the Human Landing System program has experienced delays in eight of its 13 key events, with two events being pushed into 2025.
The delays are attributed in part to issues during the Orbital Flight Test, causing a setback and reliance on a successful second test for subsequent progress.
The Orbital Flight Test was delayed by 7 months to April 2023. It was then terminated early when the vehicle deviated from its expected trajectory and began to tumble. SpaceX has since conducted a 2nd Orbital Flight Test and are reviewing the data. Subsequent tests rely on a successful Orbital Flight Test.
SpaceX faces a substantial amount of technical work to support the Artemis III lunar landing mission, including the development of propellant transfer capabilities in orbit.
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Limited progress in maturing these technologies raises concerns about meeting mission requirements and timelines.
<h3>SpaceX Remaining Technical Work</h3>
- Raptor Engine Development -&nbsp;SpaceX plans to utilize the Raptor engine in both the lander and booster stages of the human landing system (HLS). The company considers the technology relatively mature due to extensive prior development. However, the HLS Program Office identifies engine development as a top risk. SpaceX employs an iterative approach in designing the Raptor engine and, as of September 2023, has assembled and tested numerous engines. There is a concern that if the Raptor engine does not meet performance requirements, potentially delaying certification, the new main engine for the HLS might not be ready to support the planned mission in December 2025, as stated in a February 2023 interview with HLS officials. 
- On-Orbit Propellant Transfer Technology - SpaceX faces remaining technical challenges in developing on-orbit propellant storage and transfer technology for the Human Landing System (HLS). The program documentation highlights that these technologies have not been integrated into a propulsion-like system before, and SpaceX has made limited progress in their maturation. Key systems include docking sensors and mechanisms, propellant measurement, and storage capability to prevent fuel loss in space. SpaceX plans an in-space Propellant Storage and Transfer test, contingent on the success of preceding flights. Although the fundamental technology isn't new, it requires significant engineering and testing efforts. If the docking hardware underperforms during testing, substantial vehicle modifications may be needed, potentially delaying the Artemis III mission.
<h3>HLS Over/Under Schedule</h3>
Despite SpaceX and NASA's goal to accelerate development, key events in the HLS program are progressing more slowly.
Reaching the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) took SpaceX over 50% of its total schedule, while NASA major projects averaged about 35%. Additionally, the HLS program is lagging in reaching the Key Decision Point C (KDP C), the subsequent crucial review after PDR, compared to other NASA major projects.
Compounding the challenges, the HLS program is moving forward with development without formal approval of a cost and schedule baseline; planning to use nearly 14% more of its total schedule to progress from PDR to KDP C, whereas the average for NASA major projects is only 4.2%.
As a consequence of these delays, SpaceX aims to complete eight crucial events between November 2023 and the planned date of Artemis III.
The delays have resulted in a compressed timeline for NASA to ensure HLS compliance with human spaceflight safety requirements before the mission begins. Notably, the HLS Design Certification Review, originally planned further in advance, is now closer to the Artemis III mission. This review, scheduled 9 months before launch, is crucial for ensuring design compliance and human spaceflight certification.
Flight Readiness Reviews for the depot, tanker, and lander versions of the Starship were also initially planned within the same 9-month period before Artemis III.
Any additional delays to these events will intensify the schedule pressure on both NASA and SpaceX, limiting the time available to address issues identified during these reviews before the mission's
<h3>Axiom Spacesuit Design Challenges</h3>
Axiom Space is tasked with developing modernized space suits and have encountered design challenges which will require resolution before the Artemis III mission.
Axiom Space Spacesuit Remaining Work
- Emergency Lift Support Required By NASA -&nbsp;NASA has mandated that Axiom develop an advanced spacesuit capable of providing a record-breaking 60 minutes of emergency life support. Axiom is facing challenges as the government reference design from NASA doesn't meet the requirement for storing the necessary amount of oxygen. Axiom are considering redesigning portions of the suit, particularly the life support system package. This may involve shrinking the size and reorganizing components to accommodate larger oxygen tanks. Alternatively, if this proves unfeasible, Axiom is prepared to modify the existing life support system, although this would entail additional time. 
- Parts Obsolescence + Improvements -&nbsp;Axiom have outlined their plans to incorporate, design, and certify new technologies, such as batteries, pumps, and electronic components, to address supply chain and obsolescence issues. They emphasize the importance of designing modular space suits, allowing the integration of new technologies to meet mission-specific requirements and facilitate incremental system upgrades. Axiom is actively modifying all three sub-systems of their space suits: Power, Avionics, and Controls; Pressure Garment System; and Life Support System.
The company is also enhancing the government reference design, with a focus on the less mature heat exchanger component. Despite being in the early stages, Axiom reports superior performance in their heat exchanger through testing compared to the government reference design.
Axiom is developing its own evaporative fibers for the space suit water membrane evaporator, showing promising results that NASA has yet to independently assess.
These component modifications may require additional testing for maturity, pending NASA's assessment of the proposed fibers.
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- Mature Critical Technologies - Axiom, in its mission to meet NASA requirements, aims to mature critical technologies, such as the Life Support System and Pressure Garment System. As of January 2023, NASA evaluated these systems at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4. Axiom's assessment revealed that over half of its critical technologies were below TRL 6, with the Regenerable CO2 Scrubber rated at TRL 3 due to deviation from the government reference design. NASA expects critical technologies to reach TRL 6 by the August 2024 Critical Design Review (CDR). However, as of May 2023, both the life support and pressure garment systems had not significantly advanced since January 2023. Axiom plans to conduct a Crew Capability Assessment for the pressure garment system before the November 2023 Preliminary Design Review (PDR). Human testing of the life support system is scheduled for CDR in a NASA vacuum chamber facility. To mitigate supply chain risks, Axiom plans to produce some components in-house. However, NASA officials caution that using a different source may decrease TRL, requiring reassessment due to uncertainties associated with a new manufacturer. Components with design changes are also rated at a lower TRL and must be matured for use in the Artemis III mission. Axiom personnel are actively developing multiple test rigs for various life support system components to support technology maturation efforts.
- Procure Suit Components -&nbsp;Axiom faces potential delays in developing and procuring components for space suits, risking the compression of its delivery window to NASA to less than 2 years by September 2025. Critical components, particularly those supporting the life support system, have long lead times of 12-18 months for procurement. Axiom plans to outsource certain parts, like oxygen regulators, due to limited specialized suppliers. Procuring components for the life support system is crucial for Axiom's schedule, with complex and specialized parts requiring qualification and acceptance testing upon delivery. To mitigate supply chain issues, Axiom now produces 40 out of 61 parts in-house, enhancing control over design and schedule. 
- Qualify The Suit For Flight -&nbsp;Axiom is responsible for qualifying space suits for flight readiness before crew use, but potential issues with testing facilities may impact the timeline for the Artemis III mission. Axiom initially planned a crew capability assessment at NASA's ARGOS facility in November 2023, but equipment issues led to a shift to the Partial Gravity Simulator facility in October 2023. Axiom is also preparing supporting documentation for this facility. Moreover, a vacuum test for the space suit will be conducted at another NASA facility during the Critical Design Review (CDR) phase.
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<h3>Cross Program Risks</h3>
- Lander Software + Hardware Integration -&nbsp;The HLS program is grappling with a significant cross-program risk associated with integrating its software and hardware with the Orion program. The HLS system utilizes software spread across various hardware systems, making comprehensive end-to-end software testing on flight-like hardware in mission-relevant environments challenging. To address this, HLS risk management officials emphasize the necessity of emulators and simulators for joint verification testing with the Orion program. Although agreements have been made between the Orion and HLS programs to share emulator and simulator hardware and software, concerns have arose in July 2023. NASA documentation reveals that the HLS development pace is not aligning with Orion program integration milestones, potentially jeopardizing the planned December 2025 launch readiness date. The integration of software developed for diverse hardware platforms, operating systems, and heritage software poses challenges and the risk of introducing defects. HLS risk documentation underscores the need for adequate test facilities and campaigns to avoid late discovery of critical software defects during integration and testing with flight hardware. The absence of thorough testing may lead to missed critical software defects, resulting in potential cost overruns, schedule delays, or, in the worst-case scenario, mission or crew loss. The HLS program has drawn insights from the Starliner first Uncrewed Flight Test by Boeing, which failed due to software issues, emphasizing the importance of increasing resources dedicated to software insight and oversight. These lessons learned have been incorporated into guidelines for NASA personnel to evaluate SpaceX-provided data on software development, aiming to identify defects earlier in the development process.
- Lunar Dust Contamination -&nbsp;NASA's Artemis III program, involving offices such as HLS, EHP, and Orion, are actively addressing the risk of lunar dust intrusion which poses potential hazards to both crew members (inhalation causing respiratory irritation and direct contact leading to eye irritation) and equipment (adversely affect system performance). Failure to mitigate this risk early in the design process may result in increased costs and retrofitting delays. Various components of the program are independently working on limiting dust exposure. The HLS program is testing cleaning techniques for lander hatches, Axiom Space is developing tools to clean space suits post-moonwalk, and SpaceX aims to demonstrate the HLS Starship's capability to maintain lunar dust at an acceptable level for crew health. Despite individual efforts to meet dust contamination requirements, there remains a residual risk of crew injury or illness. The Moon to Mars Program Office, overseeing the integration of all Artemis III systems, is actively addressing performance and safety risks associated with lunar dust, drawing on lessons learned from the Apollo mission and subsequent research. Collaboration with other NASA programs has led to the development of a long-term mitigation plan by the HLS program, focusing on enhancing knowledge of south pole lunar dust and its properties.
<h3>NASA's Oversight and Mitigation Strategies</h3>
In response to these challenges, NASA plans to take multiple steps to ensure SpaceX's and Axiom Space's systems meet mission needs and crew safety standards. This includes a supplemental process not required by policies to assess contractors' systems before the mission and insight clauses in contracts providing visibility into crucial aspects of development work.
<h3>NASA Artemis Readiness Plan</h3>
NASA's Artemis Campaign Development Division has unveiled an implementation plan outlining the strategy for Artemis missions. The plan highlights the scheduled technical and programmatic reviews.
Following individual program design certification reviews, there will be an additional review focusing on the integrated architecture requirements for Artemis III. This assessment will evaluate the ability of the combined HLS, EHP, Orion, SLS, and EGS systems to meet requirements across various configurations and environments.
NASA will undergo a certification of flight readiness process to ascertain the preparedness of these programs for executing the mission, with the exact details of this process yet to be determined.
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As NASA faces many hurdles in the Artemis III mission timeline, the agency remains committed to overcoming challenges, emphasizing safety and mission success.
The GAO report underscores the need for careful consideration of development timelines, technical challenges, and ongoing oversight to achieve the ambitious goals set for the Artemis program.

NASA is gearing to land humans on the moon for the first time since 1972 under the Artemis program; however, a recent report by the GAO reveals significant challenges that may impede the planned Artemis III crewed lunar landing in 2025.

NASA GAO "Artemis III crewed lunar landing is unlikely to occur in 2025"

SpaceX HLS Starship Taking Longer To Develop Then Planned

Axiom Space Considering Spacesuit Redesign To Meet New NASA Requirements

SpaceX Starship, Axiom Spacesuit Delays Likely To Push 2025 Artemis III to 2027 Says NASA GAO Report

The European Space Agency (ESA) has marked the successful completion of a core stage hot-fire test which has paved the way for the much-anticipated first launch of Ariane 6.
On November 30th in a media briefing the ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher, announced a launch window for the inaugural Ariane 6 flight. The launch window is scheduled between June 15 and July 31, 2024. A more precise launch date will be determined after qualification reviews in the spring of 2024.
The announcement follows a crucial long-duration test firing of a model of the core stage on November 23 at the Kourou launch pad in French Guiana. The simulation aimed to replicate a full burn by the core stage.
"It became pretty clear right after the test that this was going very well." - Josef Aschbacher, ESA Director Genera
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During the test, the core stage's Vulcain 2.1 engine was intended to fire for 470 seconds but shut down after 426 seconds due to a faulty sensor.
Officials clarified that this was a result of "very conservative" test thresholds meant to protect the launch pad and would not have occurred during an actual launch. Toni Tolker-Nielsen, ESA's director of space transportation, emphasized that despite this glitch, all test objectives were achieved.
The core stage test followed a September 1 test of the Ariane 6 upper stage in Germany, confirming its performance in a nominal flight.
"We've got all the hot-fire tests which are needed for the qualification of the maiden flight." - Martin Sion, Chief Executive of ArianeGroup
While additional tests are planned before the first launch, including an upper stage test on December 7 in Germany and a fueling test in Kourou on December 15, preparations for the first launch are underway.
The flight hardware for the first Ariane 6 launch, named FM1, is set to arrive in French Guiana in February, transported by ship from Europe. Final tests, including a wet dress rehearsal, will be conducted on-site.
The inaugural launch will carry several small satellites, providing an opportunity for smaller payloads to enter space. If successful, ESA and Arianespace aim for a second launch before the end of 2024, with plans to carry the CSO-3 reconnaissance satellite for the French military.
St&eacute;phane Isra&euml;l, Chief Executive of Arianespace, expressed the company's ambition to conduct "as many flights as possible" in 2025, including launches for Amazon's Project Kuiper constellation. The long-term goal is to achieve 9 to 10 Ariane 6 launches per year.

ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher has announced a launch window for the inaugural Ariane 6 flight; targeting between June 15 and July 31, 2024. 

ESA Targets June 15 - July 31, 2024 Launch Window For First Ariane 6 Launch 

Full Duration Core Stage Hot Fire Completed November 23rd

ESA Targets Summer 2024 For First Ariane 6 Launch

The House Science Committee has voted on party lines to move forward with H.R. 6131, the Commercial Space Act of 2023.The contentious markup process, initiated on November 15, concluded with a 21-17 vote, with Republicans in favor and Democrats in opposition. The legislation is now set to proceed to the full House for consideration, albeit with the possibility of modifications. The bill aims to streamline regulatory processes, ensure compliance with international treaty obligations, reduce administrative burdens, and promote best practices in orbit.“H.R. 6131 is critical to supporting America’s commercial space economy, as it streamlines the regulatory environment, ensures compliance with international treaty obligations, reduces administrative burdens and promotes best practices in orbit...Promoting a transparent, responsible environment here at home will strengthen our domestic industry and encourage an arena rife with innovation.” - Chairman Rep. Frank Lucas (R-Okla.)Democrats on the committee raised concerns during the initial markup, emphasizing the timing of the bill’s consideration just after the White House released its proposal for "mission authorization" of novel space activities not currently regulated by other agencies. The Democratic concerns were not explicitly detailed, leaving room for negotiations and potential amendments. The National Space Council's proposal differed significantly from the House bill's mission authorization process.“We have concerns and questions about some of this...We hope to work with the majority between now and the floor so all of us can be confident that this is the consensus of where we should move,” - Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.)The House bill aligns more closely with industry preferences for mission authorization. The Commercial Spaceflight Federation, in a letter addressed to the leadership of the House Science Committee and the Senate Commerce Committee this week, expressed opposition to the White House proposal. The federation cited potential confusion on agency responsibility for regulating certain activities and the burden it could place, particularly on the Federal Aviation Administration.The Commercial Spaceflight Federation supports an approach assigning mission authorization to the Office of Space Commerce, a provision included in the House bill.The legislative process is now expected to unfold as both parties navigate potential modifications and compromises ahead of a vote in the full House.

The House Science Committee has voted on party lines to move forward with H.R. 6131, the Commercial Space Act of 2023.

House Science Committee Sends Commercial Space Bill To House

China has released photos by the crew of Shenzhou 16, who captured unprecedented images as they departed the station, before returning to Earth.
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The high-definition images provide a mesmerizing glimpse of the Tiangong Space Station, imaging the entire structure since its arrival in orbit.
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The Shenzhou 16 crew consisted of commander Jing Haipeng, Zhu Yangzhu, and Gui Haichao, who safely returned from low-Earth orbit on October 30th. The Tiangong station command was handed over to Shenzhou 17 prior to Shenzhou 16's departure.
During their homeward journey, the Shenzhou 16 crew directed their cameras toward the Tiangong Space Station, revealing breathtaking views of the orbital laboratory suspended above Earth at altitudes ranging from 217 to 280 miles (340 to 450 kilometers).
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Tiangong, meaning "Heavenly Palace," saw its inaugural module, Tianhe, reach low-Earth orbit in 2021.
The Shenzhou 12 crew became its first occupants on June 16, 2021, marking a 90-day stay&mdash;three times longer than any prior taikonaut mission. Subsequent launches of Wentian and Mengtian in 2022 and 2023, respectively, completed the 180-foot (55-meter) long, 77-ton space station, constituting approximately 20% of the International Space Station's size.
Since achieving full capacity, Tiangong has hosted a rotating crew of three Taikonauts, engaging in a myriad of crucial scientific experiments. The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) aims to sustain this research momentum for at least a decade.
The Shenzhou 16 mission, the fifth crew to inhabit the space station, continued the station's scientific legacy. Their activities included a spacewalk, cultivation of vegetables, and a live lecture from space that demonstrated the unique challenges of lighting a match in microgravity.
Despite the breathtaking imagery captured by Shenzhou 16, CMSA has ambitious plans for Tiangong's future. Announced on October 4 at the 47th International Astronautical Congress in Baku, the space agency unveiled intentions to expand the station with an additional three modules, elevating the total unit count to six.
CMSA plans to accompany Tiangong with a Hubble-class space telescope named "Xuntian." This telescope will orbit Earth alongside the space station, equipped to rendezvous for repairs, refueling, and upgrades&mdash;an initiative poised to further elevate China's presence in orbital research and exploration.

China has released photos by the crew of Shenzhou 16, who captured unprecedented images as they departed the station, before returning to Earth.

Firefly Aerospace successfully conducted the inaugural hot-fire test of its cutting-edge Miranda engine at the company's Texas test site. During the test Firefly hot-fired up to 65% power, with the aim to validate the engine's startup sequence, laying the foundation for future testing phases.Miranda, designed to utilize liquid oxygen and kerosene propellants, demonstrated its capability by generating an impressive 230,000 pounds-force of thrust during the test. Firefly plans to incrementally progress toward a full-duration test in the coming months, with a target run time of 206 seconds.The Miranda engine will play a pivotal role in Firefly's upcoming projects, particularly as the powerhouse for the Antares 330's first stage. The Antares 330, a collaboration between Firefly and Northrop Grumman, will feature seven Miranda engines and is slated to replace the Ukrainian-built first stage on Northrop Grumman's Antares rocket. The joint venture anticipates the Antares 330 to make its maiden flight by mid-2025.A parallel application of the Miranda engine is planned for Firefly's Medium Launch Vehicle (MLV), where seven engines will be integrated into the first stage. The MLV, expected to debut in late 2025, boasts a significant payload capacity of up to 16,000 kilograms into low Earth orbit, surpassing the Antares 330's 10,000-kilogram capability. Additionally, the MLV's second stage will feature a single vacuum-optimized Miranda engine."Upgrading the first stage of Antares in parallel with developing the Medium Launch Vehicle enables our two companies to bring a new launch vehicle to market more rapidly while also reducing risk in the design process." - Scott Lehr, Vice President and General Manager of Northrop Grumman Launch and Missile Defense Systems"Building on the legacy of Firefly’s rapidly developed Reaver and Lightning engines, Miranda is the fastest propulsion system we’ve built and tested to date," - Bill Weber, Firefly Chief ExecutiveWeber outlined Firefly's ambitious launch schedule, stating that the company aims for the first MLV launch to align with eligibility for the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase Three program. The goal is to position themselves for the program’s "lane one" for emerging launch vehicles by late 2025.Amidst these endeavors, Firefly is concurrently ramping up production of its Alpha launch vehicle. With a recent successful launch on September 14 for the U.S. Space Force's Victus Nox mission, Firefly plans four Alpha launches in 2024, followed by at least six launches in 2025. Firefly's existing facilities have the potential to support the production of up to 24 Alphas annually, provided there is sufficient demand.In terms of financial backing, Firefly remains robust, having closed a third tranche of a Series C round on November 10, bringing the total funds raised since February to $300 million at a pre-money valuation of $1.5 billion. "We’re capitalized and we’re funded for our foreseeable future" - Bill Weber, Firefly Chief Executive

Firefly Aerospace successfully conducted the inaugural hot-fire test of its cutting-edge Miranda engine at the company's Texas test site. During the test Firefly hot-fired up to 65% power, with the aim to validate the engine's startup sequence, laying the foundation for future testing phases.

 Firefly Conducts First Hot-Fire Test of Miranda Engine

SpaceX has acquired Pioneer Aerospace, a renowned leader in spacecraft parachute manufacturing. Pioneer Aerospace, widely acknowledged for its expertise in parachute technology, has played a pivotal role in the triumphs of SpaceX's Dragon capsules. The company's cutting-edge parachutes have been instrumental in facilitating the safe return of crew and cargo modules from space to Earth.The acquisition process was formalized on November 22nd, a consequential development following Pioneer's bankruptcy filing in Florida earlier in the month. The deal, valued at $2.2 million, became imperative due to the financial challenges faced by Pioneer's parent company. This acquisition stands as a noteworthy and rare stride for SpaceX, following its significant $524 million acquisition of satellite startup Swarm in 2021, aimed at bolstering its Starlink satellite network.SpaceX's acquisition of Pioneer Aerospace not only signifies a significant expansion of its operational scope but also represents a strategic move towards securing a robust and reliable supply chain, a critical factor for the success of its upcoming space missions.This acquisition is poised to fortify SpaceX's standing in the aerospace industry, strategically cementing its control over an indispensable component of its spacecraft – the parachute system. <h3>About Pioneer Aerospace</h3>Established in 1938, Pioneer Aerospace boasts a rich history in the field of aerodynamics and has been a key supplier for both SpaceX and NASA missions. Their contributions encompass numerous crewed flights to the International Space Station and the groundbreaking "Osiris Rex" mission, which successfully retrieved samples from an ancient asteroid.As one of the world's largest manufacturers of aerodynamic deceleration systems, Pioneer Aerospace brings decades of experience to SpaceX, specializing in the design and production of parachutes and parafoils for military, leisure, and NASA missions. The company's primary manufacturing and distribution hubs are situated in Columbia, Mississippi, and Bloomfield, Connecticut.

SpaceX has acquired Pioneer Aerospace, a renowned leader in spacecraft parachute manufacturing. 

SpaceX Acquires Dragon Parachute Maker Pioneer Aerospace In $2.2 Million Bankruptcy Deal 

Astra Space has successfully raised $2.7 million from existing investors, according to a filing submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The funding, characterized as a "subsequent financing," involved contributions from JMCM Holdings LLC, Sherpa Ventures Fund II, and Astra's co-founders, Chris Kemp and Adam London. The financing structure encompassed modifications to existing loans, the initiation of a new $3 million loan, and the sale of stock warrants. Astra, in its filing, clarified that the net proceeds from this round, after accounting for associated expenses, amounted to $2.7 million.This move follows Astra's recent efforts to secure financial backing amid reported cash constraints. On November 6, the company secured $13.4 million in "initial financing" from JMCM Holdings LLC and Sherpa Ventures Fund II. This initial financing was linked to a non-binding term sheet unveiled on October 23, with ambitions to raise between $15 million to $25 million.Astra faced a critical deadline with a bridge loan due on November 17, which was later extended by four days to November 21 as the company engaged in negotiations for a more comprehensive funding agreement. However, the recent filing does not provide any updates on the progress of securing a long-term financing deal.<h3>Astra Going Private?</h3>Amidst the financial challenges, Astra made headlines on November 9 when co-founders Chris Kemp and Adam London proposed taking the company private at a price of $1.50 per share. While Astra acknowledged the proposal, no subsequent updates have been provided by the company or its co-founders. Kemp and London would need to mobilize an estimated $60 million to $65 million in capital. This figure includes acquiring outstanding shares, covering associated expenses, and offering bridge financing to the company.The proposal by Kemp and London initially offered a substantial premium of approximately 100% on the value of Astra's shares at the time of announcement. However, Astra's shares have since experienced an increase, closing at $1.57 on November 24, further complicating the financial landscape and potentially impacting the terms of any future deal. The company remains in a delicate financial position, and stakeholders await further developments on both short-term financial arrangements and the potential privatization bid.

Astra Space has successfully raised $2.7 million from existing investors, according to a filing submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. 

Astra Secures $2.7M In Funding As Future Still Unclear

United Launch Alliance (ULA) and Aerojet Rocketdyne have announced a revamped version of the 60-year-old RL10 rocket engine called the RL10C-X will make its inaugural flight on the Vulcan Centaur rocket in 2025.
"We are targeting in the 2025 timeframe, subject to integrating it with the vehicle and assigning a mission to it." - Gary Wentz, Vice President of Government and Commercial Programs at ULA
A significant transformation for the RL10C-X lies in its manufacturing process. Jim Maus, Vice President of Program Execution and Integration at Aerojet, revealed, "It relies heavily on additive manufacturing."
While the current RL10 utilizes additive manufacturing for its injector, the RL10C-X takes it a step further by using additive manufacturing to produce the entire thrust chamber. This alteration results in cost reductions, a pivotal factor in ensuring the engine's continued competitiveness in the market. Specific figures regarding the cost reductions were not disclosed.
The RL10C-X incorporates a carbon-silicon nozzle, enhancing its specific impulse, a metric that measures efficiency. Other components of the engine, including its turbomachinery, remain unchanged from previous iterations of the RL10.
The RL10C-X was selected by ULA in 2018 to power the Centaur upper stage on the Vulcan rocket through a competitive procurement process, and ULA ordered 116 RL10C-X engines solidifying its commitment to the upgraded design in 2022.
Aerojet currently holds a contracted backlog of "north of 150" RL10 engines, encompassing both the RL10C-X and older versions. While the ULA order dominates the backlog, deliveries of the older RL10 design are expected to continue until 2026. The overall production of RL10 engines is projected to increase from the current 16 to 18 engines per year to 40 engines per year.
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Following the retirement of the Atlas 5 and Delta 4 Heavy, the RL10 will power the Vulcan and the Space Launch System. The Exploration Upper Stage (EUS) of the Space Launch System, set to debut on Artemis 4 in the late 2020s, which is expected to use four RL10 engines. However, NASA has not yet determined whether the new RL10C-X engine will be utilized on the EUS.

United Launch Alliance (ULA) and Aerojet Rocketdyne have announced a revamped version of the 60-year-old RL10 rocket engine called the RL10C-X will make its inaugural flight on the Vulcan Centaur rocket in 2025.

New RL10C-X Rocket Engine To Debut On Vulcan In 2025

Firefly is preparing for the next launch of their Alpha rocket. Scheduled for December, Firefly will launch Lockheed Martin's 300 pound Electronically Steerable Antenna Payload as part of a technology demonstration aimed at showcasing the capabilities of electronically steered antennas.
Lockheed Martin had previously announced a contract awarded to Firefly in June for the launch of a small satellite. Now the company has revealed that the upcoming launch will carry a spacecraft housing a cutting-edge electronically steerable antenna.
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The antenna, with no moving parts, has been integrated into a Terran Orbital Nebula bus, enhancing its efficiency and adaptability for various applications in space.
The demand for electronically steered antennas is on the rise, particularly in broadband communications applications like in-flight satellite connectivity.
Unlike traditional antennas with mechanical components, electronically steered antennas leverage digital beam-forming technology, enabling them to generate multiple beams simultaneously. This technology allows satellites to dynamically adjust and steer communication beams, focusing bandwidth on high-traffic areas and significantly improving overall performance.
"This payload was specifically designed for mission speed in space applications. The goal is to launch this payload into orbit and prove that we can calibrate it and make it operational faster than previous sensors." - Paul Pelley, Senior Director of Global Security at Lockheed Martin Space
The innovative nature of this electronically steerable antenna extends beyond its operational speed. Lockheed Martin aims to showcase its high producibility, meaning that the satellite can be manufactured swiftly using commercially available technology. This characteristic not only emphasizes efficiency but also underscores the adaptability of the technology to meet the demands of the growing space industry.
As the launch date approaches, the industry will be closely watching this mission, anticipating the successful demonstration of Lockheed Martin's electronically steerable antenna technology.
If successful, this advancement could mark a pivotal moment in the evolution of satellite communication capabilities, opening new possibilities for faster and more efficient space missions in the future.

Firefly set to launch their next Alpha rocket in December, carrying Lockheed Martin Electronically Steerable Antenna Payload Tech Demo

Firefly Set to Launch Lockheed Martin Tech Demo In December

The Director of NASA&rsquo;s Planetary Science Division has announced a one-year delay in the launch of the Dragonfly mission to Saturn&rsquo;s moon Titan. The postponement is attributed to budget uncertainties, and a key milestone in the mission's development has been pushed back.
In a recent presentation at a meeting of NASA&rsquo;s Outer Planets Assessment Group (OPAG), Lori Glaze revealed that the formal confirmation of the mission, a milestone where NASA sets an official cost and schedule, was delayed earlier this month by the Agency Program Management Council (APMC).
The decision to postpone confirmation was made due to significant uncertainties surrounding the funding available for the mission and other components of NASA&rsquo;s planetary science portfolio, amid broader budget pressures on the agency.
"Because of these incredibly large uncertainties in FY &rsquo;24 and FY &rsquo;25 funding and budgets, the decision was made at that APMC to postpone the official confirmation&rdquo; - Lori Glaze, NASA&rsquo;s Planetary Science Division Director
The APMC is set to reconvene after the release of NASA&rsquo;s fiscal year 2025 budget proposal in early 2024. The agency plans to revisit Dragonfly's confirmation decision in the spring of that year. However, NASA will allow certain elements of the mission's final design and fabrication to proceed during this period, a departure from the usual practice that delays such activities until after the confirmation review.
NASA had initially requested $327.7 million for the Dragonfly mission in fiscal year 2024. This amount represented an 18% reduction compared to the mission's 2023 funding but was projected to keep the mission on track for a launch readiness date of June 2027. However, concerns were raised in May when project officials warned that the requested funding might be insufficient, leading to an evaluation of cost and schedule options.
Glaze disclosed that a "replan" of the mission over the summer, incorporating a revised budget profile, resulted in a new launch readiness date of July 2028, a one-year delay from the previous plan.
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The Dragonfly mission delay coincides with broader funding challenges facing NASA's planetary science division. The agency requested $3.38 billion for planetary science in 2024, but proposed House and Senate bills offer $3.1 billion and $2.68 billion, respectively. The Senate bill suggests allocating $327.7 million for Dragonfly in 2024, while the House report remains silent on the mission.
Despite these budgetary hurdles, Dragonfly continues to be supported within the agency. Dragonfly, selected by NASA in 2019 as part of its New Frontiers line of medium-class planetary missions, aims to send a drone to Titan to explore regions that may provide insights into the moon's potential to have once supported life.
NASA had initially planned to launch Dragonfly in 2026 but announced a one-year delay in 2020, citing external pressures on the agency's budget, including those linked to the COVID-19 pandemic.
NASA has limited options available to address reduced budgets; the completion of the Europa Clipper mission and launching it in October 2024 remains a top priority for the division. Any delay to Europa Clipper would have its own budget repercussions. Other priorities include confirmed missions such as the NEO Surveyor spacecraft and the VIPER lunar rover, as well as ongoing research funding.
In addition to the Dragonfly mission, NASA has postponed calls for future New Frontiers and Discovery missions and slowed the start of the Uranus Orbiter and Probe flagship mission.
"Anything in the portfolio that is not confirmed right now is at risk. We're waiting to see what happens." - Lori Glaze, NASA&rsquo;s Planetary Science Division Director

The Director of NASA’s Planetary Science Division has announced a one-year delay in the launch of the Dragonfly mission to Saturn’s moon Titan. 

NASA Delays Dragonfly Mission To Titan

The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has selected Joshua Kutryk to serve on the upcoming Starliner-1 mission.
Joshua Kutryk is scheduled to launch aboard the Boeing CST-100 Starliner no earlier than the beginning of 2025, on what is planned to be the Starliner's first operational mission.
This will be Joshua's first mission to space, making him the fourth Canadian to stay on the ISS for a long duraction mission. He is also set to be the first Canadian to fly under NASA's new Commercial Crew Program, and first to fly on Starliner.&nbsp;
Canada has had 2 Canadians on the ISS in the last 5 years, with CSA Astronaut David Saint-Jacques flying in 2019 and Mark Pathy's private visit to the ISS with AX-1 in 2022.
During an event at the CSA HQ in Quebec, the CSA President and Honourable Grancois-Philippe Champagne made the annoucement surrounded by CSA employess students and media representatives.
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During the event, CSA also announced that Jenni Gibbons has been assigned to the Artemis II Backup Crew.&nbsp;
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The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has selected Joshua Kutryk to serve on the Starliner-1 crew, a upcoming long duration ISS mission.

Canada Assigns Joshua Kutryk To Starliner-1 Crew

The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has selected Jenni Gibbons to serve on the Artemis II Backup Crew.
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Should Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist on Artemis II be unable to be on his mission for any reason, Jenni Gibbons will be ready to step in for Canada. Securing Canada's position in the first crewed lunar mission in over 50 years.
Jenni's role as part of the Artemis II Backup Crew will be instrumental in shaping and validating astronaut training and processes for the entire Artemis program.
Jenni will also be trained to provide support to Artemis missions from the ground as a lunar capcom, a new role for Canada&nbsp;
During an event at the CSA HQ in Quebec, the CSA President and Honourable Grancois-Philippe Champagne made the annoucement surrounded by CSA employess students and media representatives.
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During the event, CSA also announced that Joshua Kutryk has been assigned to the Starliner-1 Crew, a long duration mission aboard the ISS.
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The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has selected Jenni Gibbons to serve on the Artemis II Backup Crew. 

Canada Assigns Jenni Gibbons To Artemis II Backup Crew

Sierra Space has marked a significant milestone in their companies history, with the completion of the first Dream Chaser vehicle, named Tenacity on November 2nd at their facility in Louisville, Colorado.
The spacecraft, designed to serve as a cargo transportation vehicle for the International Space Station (ISS), is now set to undergo environmental testing at NASA&rsquo;s Neil A. Armstrong Test Facility in Ohio. Should Tenacity pass testing Sierra Space aims to launch the vehicle on a demo mission to the ISS no earlier than Spring 2024
Just days after announcing the completion of Tenacity, Sierra Space confirmed on November 17th that it had laid off 165 employees who had been instrumental in assembling the Tenacity. The company cited a workforce realignment initiative aimed at redirecting efforts towards other projects.
Sierra Space underwent a "surge hiring" over the past six to eight months to expedite the completion of Tenacity, including bringing certain work in-house. With this phase of development complete, the company is now turning its focus towards preparing for the spacecraft's inaugural mission in spring 2024.
A spokesperson for Sierra Space stated that the company also released some contractors who had supported the assembly of Dream Chaser, without specifying the number of affected individuals.
Dream Chaser, has been in development for over a decade. The spacecraft will be launched atop United Launch Alliance&rsquo;s Vulcan Centaur rocket from Cape Canaveral and is designed to return to Space Florida&rsquo;s Launch and Landing Facility runway at the Kennedy Space Center.
Once at NASA's Armstrong facility, Dream Chaser will undergo environmental testing at utilizing the thermal vacuum chamber. Ken Shields, the Senior Director of Business Development at Sierra Space, anticipates the completion of these tests and the subsequent shipment of Dream Chaser to Cape Canaveral by the end of the year.
Dream Chaser, born out of a Commercial Resupply Services 2 contract award in 2016, has a minimum of seven missions to the ISS. Sierra Space is also planning a crewed version, rekindling a concept it previously worked on for NASA&rsquo;s commercial crew program in 2014.
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Additionally, the company is considering the development of a separate version of the vehicle for undisclosed national security applications.
Dream Chaser is a cornerstone of Sierra Space&rsquo;s contributions to the Orbital Reef commercial space station concept, developed in collaboration with Blue Origin and other partners.
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Despite reports of tensions and resource shifts, executives from both companies affirm their commitment to the project, emphasizing its complementary nature, combining Blue Origin's heavy-lift vehicle, New Glenn, with Sierra Space's transportation system for crew and cargo.
While Sierra Space has not disclosed a specific launch date, during the American Astronautical Society&rsquo;s von Braun Space Exploration Symposium on October 27th, Shield did mention that the first mission is tentatively scheduled for "some time in March." The actual launch date will hinge on the readiness of both Dream Chaser and the Vulcan launch vehicle.
&nbsp;

Just days after announcing the completion of Tenacity, Sierra Space confirmed on November 17th that it had laid off 165 employees who had been instrumental in assembling the Tenacity. 

Sierra Space Complete First Dream Chaser Vehicle Named Tenacity

Tenacity Is Headed To NASA Neil A. Armstrong Test Facility in Ohio For Environmental Testing

Sierra Space Hopes To Complete Testing and Ship To Cape Canaveral Before End Of Year

Sierra Space Targeting NET March 2024 For Launch

Sierra Space Completes First Dream Chaser, Lays Off 165 Employees

As SpaceX reviews the outcomes of its 2nd test flight, a NASA official has voiced concerns over the number of launches needed for the spacecraft's involvement in Artemis lunar landings.
During a presentation of the NASA Advisory Council&rsquo;s Human Eploration and Operations Committee on November 17, Lakiesha Hawkins, Assistant Deputy Associate Administrator in NASA&rsquo;s Moon to Mars Program Office stated that the use of Starship for Artemis will require "in the high teens" of launches, a figure significantly higher than previous estimates.
SpaceX's proposed concept of operations for the Starship lunar lander under the Human Landing System (HLS) program involves multiple launches of the Starship/Super Heavy system.
This includes placing a propellant depot into orbit, followed by multiple launches of tanker versions of Starship to transfer methane and liquid oxygen propellants into the depot. Subsequently, the lander version of Starship will rendezvous with the depot to fill its tanks before embarking on the mission to the moon.
The high number of launches is driven by concerns about boiloff, the loss of cryogenic liquid propellants at the depot.&nbsp;The exact number of launches required for this process has been a topic of debate since Starship was selected by NASA for the HLS award in 2021.&nbsp;
"In order to be able to meet the schedule that is required, as well as managing boiloff and so forth of the fuel, there&rsquo;s going to need to be a rapid succession of launches of fuel" - Lakiesha Hawkins, Assistant Deputy Associate Administrator in NASA&rsquo;s Moon to Mars Program Office
The proposed launch schedule will necessitate launches from both SpaceX's current Starship pad in Starbase, Texas, and the one under construction at Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39A with Hawkins mentioning a "six-day rotation" for launches from both sites to meet the demanding schedule.
Critics of NASA's decision to select Starship for HLS have pointed to the high number of launches as a potential weakness in the overall architecture.
The Government Accountability Office, in response to protests by Blue Origin and Dynetics, noted that SpaceX required 16 launches for a Starship lunar lander mission.
Elon Musk, SpaceX's CEO, disagreed with this assessment, stating in an August 2021 social media post that the need for 16 launches was "extremely unlikely." He suggested a maximum of eight tanker launches might be required to fuel the Starship lander, possibly as few as four.
The ongoing development of the Starship lander is considered critical for the Artemis 3 mission, but there are various factors that will contribute to the mission's success including the development of new spacesuits by Axiom Space, and the addition of a docking port on the Orion spacecraft.
NASA has reportedly considered changing Artemis 3 to a Lunar Gateway mission, with Artemis 4 becoming the landing mission; but at this time no official decision to change the current plans have been made.

SpaceX's proposed concept of operations for the Starship lunar lander under the Human Landing System (HLS) program involves multiple launches of the Starship/Super Heavy system, which will require rapid turn around of both Starship launch facilities.

NASA Concerned SpaceX HLS To Require "High Teens" Number Of Launches For Artemis Mission

World View, the Stratospheric ballooning company known for its innovative approach to applications ranging from remote sensing to space tourism, has officially terminated its plans to go public through a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) merger.
In a joint statement World View and Leo Holdings Corp II declared that the decision to abandon the merger was mutual, citing challenging market conditions as the primary reason.
The companies, while not providing specific details on the challenges faced, acknowledged the strong interest from potential investors that World View had garnered throughout 2023. Despite this interest, World View and Leo Holdings jointly determined that, given the current market conditions, proceeding with the previously announced transaction would not be in their best interest at this time.
<h3>The Deal</h3>
The merger, initially announced in January 2022, outlined a deal that would have provided up to $121 million for World View, valuing the company at $350 million.
Expectations were set for the deal to be concluded in the second quarter of the year. However, as subsequent months passed, there were limited updates on the status of the merger, raising concerns.
Facing an October deadline to finalize the deal or liquidate the company, Leo Holdings held a shareholder meeting on October 12. During this meeting, shareholders approved an extension of up to one year, with Leo Holdings explaining the need for additional time to complete the merger with World View.
The announcement of the World View deal coincided with a downturn in the popularity of SPACs, following a peak in 2021 when about a dozen space companies went public through SPAC mergers. Many of these companies have since experienced substantial declines in their share prices, with some facing financial challenges. Virgin Orbit, for instance, declared bankruptcy in April, and others, like Astra, are grappling with financial constraints.
With the termination of the World View merger, Leo Holdings has concluded that it will not be able to pursue a merger with another company. Consequently, the SPAC will liquidate, with proceeds returned to its shareholders.
The ending of this deal reflects the ongoing volatility and challenges within the space industry, particularly for companies seeking alternative routes to the public market.
<h3>About World View</h3>
World View, founded over a decade ago, has been a pioneer in the development of stratospheric balloons designed for applications traditionally associated with satellites, including remote sensing and communications. The company's ambitious plans also involved offering a spaceflight experience to individuals through balloon flights.
In a February investor presentation filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), World View disclosed its performance metrics for 2022, which included four balloon flights and $3 million in revenue. The company projected a significant revenue increase to $17 million in 2023, albeit with an adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) loss of $11.6 million.

World View has officially terminated its plans to go public through a special purpose acquisition company merger with Leo Holdings.

World View Expected To Loss $11.6 Million in 2023 after $17 Million Revenue

Leo Holdings To Liquidate Following Deal Cancellation

World View SPAC Merger Fails, No Longer Going Public 

An eventful morning at Starbase Texas this morning the SpaceX Starship team celebrated the launch of the second integrated flight test of Starship, marking a substantial leap forward in the development of returning humans to deep space. At 7:02 am CT, Starship 25, accompanied by Booster 9, lifted off from the launch pad, showcasing the power of all 33 Raptor engines on the booster&mdash;a historic moment as it marked the first time all engines ignited and successfully powered to stage separation.
&nbsp;
Booster 9 debued a new electric Thrust Vector Controller (TVC) system, outshining the hydraulic TVC utilized on Booster 7 during the initial integrated flight test (IFT 1) in April earlier this year.
&nbsp;
A notable feature of this launch was the introduction of SpaceX's new hot staging separation method. Distinct from Falcon 9's hydraulic pushers, hot staging involves the first stage shutting down most of its engines while the ship lights all six of its Raptors to accelerate away from the top of the booster.
&nbsp;
To safeguard the launch pad from the intense power of Super Heavy's 33 Raptor engines, a water-cooled plate was incorporated into the design of the launch pad. Activated a few moments before liftoff, the plate effectively shields the pad from Starship's engines.
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Fueling operations commenced a few hours before launch, with a brief hold at T-40 seconds to carry out pre-launch checkouts. At T-5 seconds, the water-cooled plate was activated, protecting the pad from Starship's ignition.
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&nbsp;Starship powered through Max Q, and executed a successful hot staging event. Unfortunately, Booster 9 visibly faced issues during its attempted relight for a boost-back, resulting in the Flight Termination System (FTS) terminating the vehicle.
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Ship 25 continued its journey past hot staging, reaching an impressive T+ 8 minutes and 10 seconds into flight. A brief flash observed on SpaceX's livestream indicated a potential termination by the FTS. If the mission had progressed further, Ship 25 would have coasted for around an hour and a half before attempting to reenter over Hawaii.
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Despite the challenges faced, the second integrated flight test outperformed IFT-1, with Starship reaching approximately 150 km above Earth's surface, compared to IFT-1's ascent of only 39 km. The data collected from this test will contribute to SpaceX's development of Starship, enhancing their capabilities for later flights.
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Todays flight reinforces SpaceX's rapid and iterative development strategy, a crucial component of their goal to make life multiplanetary.&nbsp;

On November 18th at 7:02am CT, SpaceX launched the second integrated flight test of Starship.

Ship 25 experiences potential RUD 8 minutes into flight, concluding the mission.

Starship conducts successful hotstage, Booster experiences RUD

SpaceX Launches Second Flight Test of Starship rocket

SpaceX is targeting back-to-back Starlink launches from the east and west coasts this weekend as its launch cadence continues to ramp up. Starlink Group 6-28 is currently scheduled to liftoff from SLC-40 in Cape Canaveral, Florida later tonight. The 45th Weather Squadron predicts a 60% chance of acceptable weather for launch. The four hour launch window opens at 11 pm EST. This Starlink launch is slated to send 23 Starlink V2 mini satellites to orbit. Falcon 9 will be following a southern trajectory with a ~43-degree inclination along the east coast down to the Bahamas. The Falcon 9 first stage supporting this mission will attempt its 11th launch and landing on SpaceX&rsquo;s droneship &ldquo;Just Read The Instructions,&rdquo; positioned in the Atlantic.&nbsp;
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Meanwhile, on the west coast, the teams in Vandenberg, California, are gearing up for a 10:55PM PST launch on Saturday of 22 Starlink V2 mini satellites, which will be deployed at a ~53 degree inclination. The booster supporting this mission will be flying for its 15th time and will attempt a landing on the droneship &ldquo;Of Course I Still Love You,&rdquo; positioned a few hundred miles downrange in the Pacific Ocean.&nbsp;
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What is Starlink?
&nbsp;Starlink is SpaceX's broadband internet service, aiming to provide fast and reliable internet worldwide, especially in areas with limited or no coverage. SpaceX received approval for its Gen-1 network in early 2018 and currently operates nearly 4000 satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) today. The company continues to launch new batches of Starlink satellites regularly, which contributes to the expansion of its global internet coverage. To combat mobile phone dead zones, SpaceX is partnering with cell service providers like T-Mobile, utilizing the Starlink V2 satellite. Due to the increased weight of V2, the original plan to launch it on their Starship rocket faced delays. In response, SpaceX developed a smaller "mini" V2 satellite, to be compatible with the Falcon 9 rocket
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SpaceX is looking to launch back to back Starlink launches from Florida and California this weekend.

SpaceX targeting 10:55PM PST for launch of Starlink from California

SpaceX targeting 11:15PM EST for launch of Starlink.

SpaceX targets back-to-back Starlink launches from East and West coasts

Excitement is building in the aerospace community as SpaceX gears up for the second flight test of its fully integrated Starship vehicle from Starbase, Texas. Liftoff is currently scheduled for Saturday, November 18th after Elon stated that one of Booster 9&rsquo;s grid fin actuators needed to be replaced.The new 20-minute launch window opens at 7:00 a.m. CT, meaning the expected T-0 may vary due to the circumstances of the test. 
This flight will mark a crucial step in SpaceX's pursuit of making life multiplanetary, and will further the development of NASA&rsquo;s Artemis program which plans to send humans back to the Moon to stay.&nbsp;
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Ahead of launch, Starship 25 and Booster 9 have been integrated to assume a fully stacked position on the orbital launch platform. SpaceX has recently received its second launch license after some delays involving the Fish and Wildlife Service. With this final step in the list of items needed for flight, Starship is go for launch on the 18th.
Building on the insights gained from Starship's initial flight test, SpaceX has implemented a series of upgrades to both the vehicle and ground infrastructure. These enhancements aim to improve the likelihood of success in future flights. Among the key upgrades featured in the upcoming test is the introduction of a hot staging separation system and a new electronic Thrust Vector Control (TVC) system for the 33 Super Heavy Raptor engines.&nbsp;
Additionally, reinforcements to the pad foundation and the incorporation of a water-cooled steel flame deflector are part of the comprehensive set of improvements. This rapid, iterative development strategy employed by SpaceX has proven to be crucial in the evolution of groundbreaking technologies such as the Falcon 9, Dragon, and Starlink projects. This type of approach is key to SpaceX's goal of constructing a fully and rapidly reusable transportation system capable of carrying both crew and cargo to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and beyond.
<h3 dir="ltr">The Countdown</h3>
Two hours prior to liftoff, the Launch Director will assess weather, vehicle status, and other factors with the launch team to poll go or no go for propellant load and launch. At T-1 hour and 37 minutes, the booster begins to get loaded with liquid methane and Liquid Oxygen (LOX), initiating the propellant loading process. Shortly after, at T-1 hour and 17 minutes, methane is loaded into the Ship, followed by liquid oxygen at T-1 hour and 13 minutes. After propellant loading is complete, Starship will have been fueled with roughly 10 million pounds of propellant.&nbsp;
Approximately 20 minutes before liftoff, the 33 Raptor engines on the booster will undergo chilling to optimize their temperature for ignition. As liftoff approaches, at T-10 seconds, the newly installed water cooled steel plate activates, dampening acoustic energy and protects the pad from most of the damage dealt from Booster 9&rsquo;s 33 Raptor engines. In the final moments, T-3 seconds, the 33 Raptor engines on Starship&rsquo;s first stage light up to propel the rocket off the pad.
Assuming Starship has a successful test flight, SpaceX has provided an in flight timeline explaining what critical milestones Starship will encounter during its flight test. This test will give SpaceX valuable data and expand their knowledge of the vehicle. At approximately T+52 seconds, the rocket wil encounter Max Q, experiencing peak loads as it powers through the Earth's atmosphere&mdash;a crucial phase in its ascent.
Moving forward to T+2 minutes and 39 seconds, most of Booster 9&rsquo;s engines shut down, enabling the new hotstaging separation system. This efficient maneuver allows Ship 25 to separate by powering off of the booster&rsquo;s recently installed hotstaging ring. A few seconds after a successful hotstage, the booster initiates a boostback, returning to land offshore of the launch pad, with a landing expected at T+7 minutes.
As the mission takes a suborbital route, Starship plans to reenter over Hawaii at T+1 hour and 17 minutes, showcasing its heat shield&rsquo;s high temperature durability. After reentry, Ship 25 is set to bellyflop into the Ocean which is expected to occur at T+1 and a half hours after launch.
The Starship program stands as a testament to SpaceX's commitment to pushing the boundaries of space exploration. When operational, Starship will aid humanity's return to the Moon and ultimately enable interplanetary travel to Mars, with each iteration of Starship representing a step closer to fulfilling their goal.

Liftoff is currently scheduled for Saturday, November 18th after Elon stated that one of Booster 9’s grid fin actuators needed to be replaced.

Launch Delayed 24 Hours Due To Booster 9 Grid Fin Actuator

New T-0 is Saturday, November 18th at 7:00am CT

UPDATE! SpaceX Starship Almost Ready For Launch

The European Space Agency (ESA) has inked an agreement with aerospace giants Airbus and Voyager Space to explore the potential of the Starlab commercial space station as a successor to the International Space Station (ISS).
The memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed on November 9, during the European Space Summit held in Seville, Spain.
The collaboration marks a significant step forward in the quest for continued European access to space, especially in the wake of the planned retirement of the ISS in 2030. Airbus and Voyager Space, in conjunction with ESA, will initiate studies on how the Starlab space station can serve as a platform for various space activities.
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The envisaged utilization of Starlab includes ESA astronaut missions, ESA-supported research, and potential cargo and crew transportation services provided by the agency. ESA's recent announcement of a commercial cargo initiative, slated to have a vehicle ready for missions by 2028, adds a new dimension to the collaboration. The cargo vehicle, part of this initiative, may evolve into a crewed vehicle in the future.
"ESA appreciates the transatlantic industry initiative for the commercial Starlab space station, and the potential that its strong European footprint holds for significant European industrial and institutional contributions to, and use of, said station." - Josef Aschbacher, Director General of ESA
"This agreement with the European Space Agency is critical as we continue to foster international collaboration in the space domain and move towards succeeding the International Space Station with Starlab. We look forward to working with Airbus and ESA to extend Europe&rsquo;s footprint in space and ensure they remain a leader in the new generation of commercial space exploration." - Matthew Kuta, President of Voyager Space
Voyager Space had taken a significant step towards enabling European access to space in August by announcing a joint venture with Airbus to develop Starlab. Airbus's involvement is seen as beneficial not only for the technical aspects but also for business development.
"Our collaboration on this next-generation space station builds on a long and successful partnership between ESA and Airbus in developing and operating a wide range of crewed and uncrewed spacecraft," - Mike Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space.
In addition to the Airbus joint venture, Voyager Space has expanded its partnerships, with an announcement in October of a collaboration with Northrop Grumman. The partnership with Northrop Grumman includes providing a version of its Cygnus cargo spacecraft, capable of autonomously docking with Starlab, along with other potential contributions.
As both commercial space station developers and ISS partner nations explore the transition to commercial stations post-ISS, this agreement highlights the need for new contracts and partnerships, departing from the bartering services approach currently employed.

The European Space Agency has inked a memorandum of understanding with Airbus and Voyager Space to explore the potential of a Starlab commercial space station as a successor to the ISS.

ESA Signs Starlab Commercial Space Station Agreement With Airbus and Voyager Space

Bulgaria has officially joined the U.S.-led Artemis Accords, marking its commitment to principles for cooperative space exploration. In a signing ceremony, held at NASA Headquarters; Bulgaria's Minister of Innovation and Growth, Milena Stoycheva, put pen to paper making Bulgaria the 32nd nation to sign the Accords since their initiation three years ago.
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&ldquo;It is a historical moment for Bulgaria to join the Artemis Accords...we believe that pushing the boundaries of human quest in space with the support of AI and deep technologies will ensure peaceful and sustainable coexistence on Earth.&rdquo; - Minister Stoycheva&nbsp;
Bulgaria's participation adds momentum to the growing European involvement in the Accords. Recent signatories from the continent include the Czech Republic, Spain, Germany, and the Netherlands. With Bulgaria's accession, a total of 10 member states of the European Union and 11 member states of the European Space Agency have now joined the Accords.
&ldquo;Bulgaria has a long and proud tradition of space exploration, including two astronauts and microgravity plasma studies dating back to the 1970s. Bulgaria will add even more diversity, expertise, and creativity to the rapidly growing Artemis Accords family of nations.&rdquo; - Mike Gold, Chief Growth Officer of Redwire &amp; Former NASA Official
The Artemis Accords, developed by the United States in collaboration with a core group of nations who joined in 2020, aim to operationalize the Outer Space Treaty and other international space laws. The document outlines details on various topics, including the registration of space objects and the deconfliction of space activities. It is important to note that signing the Accords does not necessarily commit nations to participate in NASA's Artemis lunar exploration campaign.
&ldquo;The global partnerships made in the Artemis era will create possibilities that benefit members of the Artemis Generation in both our countries and around the world. Bulgaria&rsquo;s leadership will help ensure humanity&rsquo;s journey to the Moon and beyond is done peacefully, safely, and transparently.&rdquo; - NASA Administrator Bill Nelson
Bulgaria's decision to join the Accords comes as the third country to do so in recent weeks. The Netherlands signed on during a Nov. 1 ceremony, and it was revealed that Iceland had also recently joined, with the signed copy delivered to the State Department on Oct. 31.&nbsp;

Bulgaria is the 32nd country to officially joined the U.S.-led Artemis Accords, marking its commitment to principles for cooperative space exploration. 

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