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5. Commerce Department
to Rely on DoD Data for Space Safety System
The US Department of Commerce is currently developing
a space safety system to track the increasing number of satellites orbiting
Earth. The department is looking to use data from the US Department of Defense
(DoD) to help with this task. The DoD currently tracks thousands of objects in
space and has extensive experience in space situational awareness.
The
Commerce Department's space safety system will focus on providing warnings for
potential collisions in space, and will be the first of its kind to be created
in the US. The system will use data from a variety of sources, including
satellite operators, to provide real-time information about objects in space.
The
system is set to be created in two phases. The first phase will rely heavily on
the DoD's data to provide initial space situational awareness. This will
include information about objects in orbit, as well as data about the
environment in space that could affect satellites.
The
second phase will focus on enhancing the system's capabilities, including
improving the accuracy of tracking and providing more detailed information
about objects in space. The Commerce Department is also looking to partner with
other countries to expand the system's capabilities and create a more
comprehensive global space safety network.
This
space safety system is a significant step forward in improving space
situational awareness and reducing the risk of collisions in space. With the
increasing number of satellites being launched into orbit, it is essential to
have a system in place to track these objects and provide warnings when
necessary. By relying on the expertise of the DoD and partnering with other
countries, the Commerce Department's space safety system is sure to make space
a safer place for everyone.
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/04/commerces-initial-space-safety-system-will-lean-heavily-on-dod-data/
4. China's Long March
9 Rocket to Achieve Full Reusabilit
China is planning to develop a fully reusable version
of its Long March 9 rocket, which is expected to become one of the most
powerful rockets in the world. The Long March 9 is set to be capable of
carrying payloads of up to 140 metric tons into low Earth orbit, making it a
key player in future missions to the Moon and beyond.
The Long March 9 will have a
two-stage design, with both stages being reusable. This means that the rocket
will be able to be used multiple times, greatly reducing the cost of
spaceflight. The first stage will use liquid hydrogen and oxygen as fuel, while
the second stage will use methane and oxygen. The use of these fuels will make
the Long March 9 more environmentally friendly than current rockets.
The Long March 9 is still in
the design phase, and it is expected to be launched for the first time in 2030.
China's space agency is also planning to build a new launch site on Hainan
Island specifically for the Long March 9 rocket.
The development of a fully
reusable rocket is a significant step forward in space exploration, as it will
make space travel more affordable and accessible. It will also reduce the
amount of space debris in orbit around Earth, as the rocket can be retrieved
and reused instead of being discarded after a single launch.
Overall, China's plans for the
Long March 9 rocket show that they are committed to being a major player in the
global space industry. The rocket's impressive capabilities and innovative
design are sure to make it a key player in future space missions.
https://spacenews.com/china-plans-full-reusability-for-its-super-heavy-long-march-9-rocket/
3. Asteroid Phaethon
Has a Sodium Tail, Not Dust, New Study Shows
A recent study has revealed that asteroid Phaethon,
which is known for producing the Geminid meteor shower, has a sodium tail
instead of a dust tail as previously believed. The study used data from the
Zadko Telescope in Western Australia and found that the tail was composed of
sodium atoms that had been stripped from the asteroid's surface by the Sun's
intense radiation.
Phaethon
is an unusual asteroid, as it has a highly elliptical orbit that takes it
closer to the Sun than any other named asteroid. As a result, it is subjected
to extremely high temperatures, which can cause the release of gases and dust
from its surface. This has led scientists to believe that Phaethon has a dust
tail, similar to a comet.
However,
the new study suggests that the sodium tail is the result of the asteroid's
interaction with the solar wind, a stream of charged particles that emanates
from the Sun. As the solar wind hits the asteroid, it strips away sodium atoms,
which then form a tail behind the asteroid.
The
discovery of the sodium tail is significant because it provides new insights
into the behavior of asteroids and how they interact with their environment. It
also highlights the importance of studying asteroids in detail, as they can
provide clues about the formation of our solar system and the conditions that
existed during its early history.
Overall,
the study is a fascinating example of how new observations can challenge
existing assumptions and lead to new discoveries. The sodium tail of Phaethon
is a testament to the complex and dynamic nature of our solar system, and it is
sure to inspire further research and exploration in the years to come.
https://www.space.com/asteroid-phaethon-sodium-tail-not-dust
2. US Department of
Defense Considers Commercial Space Reserve
The US Department of Defense (DoD) is exploring the
possibility of creating a commercial space reserve to provide additional launch
options for national security payloads. The reserve would consist of commercial
launch providers who would be available to launch DoD payloads at short notice
in case of any unforeseen issues with the primary launch vehicle.
The concept of a commercial
space reserve has been around for several years, and the DoD is now considering
various options to make it a reality. One option being considered is to have a
pool of commercial launch providers who would be pre-qualified to launch DoD
payloads, with contracts awarded on an as-needed basis.
Another option is to create a
dedicated reserve of commercial launch vehicles, which would be maintained and
operated by the DoD. This would provide additional redundancy and flexibility
for national security launches, but would require a significant investment in
infrastructure and personnel.
The DoD's interest in a
commercial space reserve comes at a time when the commercial space industry is
rapidly expanding, with more launch providers entering the market and offering
innovative launch solutions. The DoD sees this as an opportunity to leverage
this growth and innovation to enhance its own capabilities and ensure the
continued security of the United States.
Overall, the creation of a
commercial space reserve would be a significant development in the US national
security space program. It would provide additional options for launching
critical payloads, increase resilience and redundancy, and potentially lower
costs over the long term. However, it is still early days, and it remains to be
seen how the DoD will move forward with this concept in the coming years.
https://spacenews.com/dod-weighing-options-to-create-commercial-space-reserve/
1. Virgin Galactic's
SpaceShipTwo Returns to Flight After Two-Year Hiatus
Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo, named VSS Unity,
completed its first flight in nearly two years on April 26, 2023. The
suborbital spaceplane took off from the Spaceport America facility in New Mexico,
and the flight lasted for just under an hour.
The flight was the first since
the tragic accident in 2019 that resulted in the death of a test pilot and
caused significant damage to the vehicle. Since then, Virgin Galactic has made
significant changes to the vehicle's design and testing procedures to enhance
safety and reliability.
During the flight, the VSS
Unity reached a maximum altitude of 89 kilometers (55 miles) and achieved a top
speed of Mach 3.0. The flight also included a test of the vehicle's new
in-flight communication system, which allows the crew to communicate more
effectively during flight.
This flight is a significant
milestone for Virgin Galactic, which is aiming to become a leading provider of
suborbital space tourism experiences. The company has already sold over 600
tickets for its spaceflights, which will provide customers with a few minutes
of weightlessness and stunning views of Earth from space.
Virgin Galactic faces
competition in the space tourism market from Blue Origin and SpaceX, both of
which are also developing suborbital space vehicles. However, Virgin Galactic's
focus on providing a premium, personalized experience for customers could set
it apart from its competitors.
The successful flight of
SpaceShipTwo is a significant achievement for Virgin Galactic and a promising
sign for the future of suborbital space tourism. As the company continues to
test and refine its vehicle, we can expect to see more exciting developments from
this spaceflight innovator in the coming years.
https://spacenews.com/spaceshiptwo-makes-first-flight-in-nearly-two-years/
https://parabolicarc.com/2023/04/26/virgin-galactics-spaceshiptwo-flies-time-2-years/
Thank you for joining me. Links to all the stories are in the description. The world of Space law, policy and business is changing every day. Keep ahead of all of the most important things happening by watching the other recent episodes I have put together for you. I would love to hear your thoughts on everything I talked about here today. If you feel like This information has been helpful for you, please consider giving it a like or a rating, and subscribing and following the content. I am honored to be a part of this community of citizens in this Undiscovered Country of ours. I’ll see you again next time.
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