SpaceX's Starship GROUNDED | Planetary Defense gets Upgrade | Space Brief

SpaceX's Starship prototype has been grounded by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the United States' recently updated its National Near-Earth Object (NEO) Preparedness Strategy, and the United States and South Korea has a new agreement to enhance space cooperation.  All this and more on today's space brief.

5.  FAA Grounds SpaceX's Starship: What Happened and What's Next?

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has grounded SpaceX's Starship prototype after its explosive landing during a test flight in Texas on March 30. The FAA stated that the investigation into the incident is ongoing, and the company must demonstrate compliance with safety regulations before any further test flights can take place.

The Starship is a next-generation spacecraft designed for deep space exploration and travel. SpaceX plans to use the Starship to send humans to Mars in the near future. The prototype that exploded was a high-altitude test vehicle, designed to reach an altitude of approximately 10 kilometers before landing.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk stated that the Starship's rocket engines failed to ignite properly during separation to the second stage, leading to the rocket losing control and subsequent explosion. Despite the setback, Musk remains optimistic about the Starship's potential, stating that the incident was a necessary step in the development process.

This incident marks the latest setback for SpaceX in its pursuit of deep space exploration. The company's previous attempts at Starship prototypes have also resulted in explosions during landing. However, the Starship's potential to revolutionize space travel and exploration remains high.

The FAA's investigation will likely result in increased scrutiny of SpaceX's testing and development processes. However, the agency's decision to ground the Starship is a necessary step to ensure the safety of future test flights. SpaceX will need to demonstrate compliance with safety regulations before any further testing can take place.

While this setback is significant for SpaceX, the company remains committed to its mission of deep space exploration. The FAA's investigation will provide valuable insights into the incident and will likely lead to improvements in SpaceX's testing and development processes. The Starship's potential to revolutionize space travel and exploration remains high, and we can expect to see more exciting developments from SpaceX in the future.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-faa-grounds-starship-after-explosion-spelling-bigger-troubles-for-spacex

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/space/spacex-launch-faa-investigation-rocket-explosion

https://www.ign.com/articles/faa-grounds-spacexs-starship-prototypes-pending-mishap-investigation-of-explosive-launch-attempt

4.  US Upgrades Planetary Defense Strategy Against Asteroids

The United States has updated its National Near-Earth Object (NEO) Preparedness Strategy to better protect Earth from asteroid impacts. This new strategy focuses on improving the detection, tracking, and characterization of near-Earth objects, as well as developing technologies to deflect potentially hazardous asteroids.

Asteroids are small, rocky objects that orbit the Sun, and some of them can pose a threat to Earth. If an asteroid were to impact our planet, it could cause widespread devastation, similar to the event that killed the dinosaurs 66 million years ago. While the chances of such an impact are low, they are not zero, and the consequences could be catastrophic.

To address this threat, the updated NEO strategy includes several new initiatives. These include increasing the number of ground-based telescopes and space-based observatories to detect and track asteroids, improving the accuracy of asteroid characterization, and developing new technologies to deflect hazardous asteroids away from Earth.

One such technology is the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART), which is scheduled to launch in November 2021. DART is designed to collide with a small asteroid called Dimorphos, which orbits a larger asteroid named Didymos. The collision is expected to change Dimorphos' orbit, demonstrating the effectiveness of asteroid deflection technologies.

The updated NEO strategy also includes plans to improve international cooperation on asteroid detection and mitigation efforts. The United States will work with other countries to share data, expertise, and resources to better protect our planet from potential asteroid impacts.

The updated National Near-Earth Object Preparedness Strategy is an important step forward in protecting Earth from the threat of asteroid impacts. By improving detection and tracking capabilities and developing new asteroid deflection technologies, the United States is taking proactive measures to safeguard our planet. With international cooperation and continued investment in planetary defense, we can ensure a safer future for our planet.

https://www.space.com/us-updates-planetary-defense-strategy-asteroids

3.  SpaceX Takes Over Former ULA Launch Pad for West Coast Launches

SpaceX has been approved to take over a launch pad at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, previously used by United Launch Alliance (ULA). This marks the fifth launch site that SpaceX has been approved for in the United States.

The launch site, Space Launch Complex 6 (SLC-6), was originally built for the Space Shuttle program in the 1980s but was later modified for use by ULA's Delta IV rocket. However, the pad has been dormant since 2018, and SpaceX has been eyeing it as a potential location for future launches.

The approval to use SLC-6 comes after SpaceX successfully completed two launches from Vandenberg in 2021, and it is expected to provide the company with increased flexibility for launching missions to polar orbits.

Polar orbits are useful for Earth observation missions and are typically launched from Vandenberg due to its location on the West Coast. However, the limited availability of launch sites capable of supporting polar launches has led to a backlog of missions waiting for a launch opportunity.

With the addition of SLC-6, SpaceX now has five launch sites in the United States, including three in Florida and one in Texas. The company's California launch site, Space Launch Complex 4E, has been primarily used for launches to low Earth orbit.

Overall, the addition of SLC-6 is a significant development for SpaceX as it expands its launch capabilities and provides greater flexibility for polar launches from the West Coast. As the company continues to push the boundaries of spaceflight, having access to multiple launch sites is crucial for meeting the growing demand for launch services.

https://spacenews.com/spacex-to-take-over-west-coast-launch-pad-previously-used-by-ula/

https://seekingalpha.com/news/3960015-spacex-is-approved-for-fifth-launch-site-in-us

https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-take-over-space-launch-complex-6-vandenberg-space-force-base/

2.  United States and South Korea Strengthen Space Cooperation

The United States and South Korea have signed a new agreement to enhance space cooperation between the two countries. The agreement was signed during a meeting between U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and South Korean President Moon Jae-in in Washington D.C.

Under the agreement, the two countries will work together on a range of space-related initiatives, including scientific research, technology development, and space exploration. The cooperation is aimed at strengthening the space capabilities of both nations and advancing the global space agenda.

South Korea has been rapidly expanding its space program in recent years, launching its first domestically developed satellite in 2013 and sending its first astronaut to the International Space Station in 2008. The country is also planning to launch its first lunar orbiter in 2023.

The new agreement with the United States is expected to provide South Korea with access to advanced space technologies and expertise, while also providing the United States with a valuable partner in the Asia-Pacific region.

The U.S.-South Korea space cooperation agreement builds on a long history of collaboration between the two nations. The United States has previously supported South Korea's space program through the provision of satellite technology and training for South Korean space scientists.

The agreement is a significant step forward for both countries in their efforts to advance space exploration and strengthen their space capabilities. As space becomes increasingly important for a range of economic, scientific, and national security reasons, cooperation between nations is crucial for achieving progress and unlocking the full potential of space exploration.

https://spacenews.com/united-states-and-south-korea-agree-to-enhance-space-cooperation/

1.  AST SpaceMobile Conducts First Direct-to-Device Voice Test

AST SpaceMobile, a company that aims to provide global broadband service from space, has successfully completed its first direct-to-device voice test using its innovative satellite technology. The company is developing a constellation of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to provide broadband connectivity to people in remote and underserved areas around the world.

The direct-to-device voice test is a significant milestone for AST SpaceMobile, as it demonstrates the potential of its technology to provide a range of communication services beyond just internet access. The test involved sending a voice call directly from a mobile device to an AST SpaceMobile satellite in orbit, which then transmitted the call back down to another mobile device on the ground.

The success of the test shows that AST SpaceMobile's technology is capable of providing direct-to-device voice calls, without the need for any additional hardware or infrastructure. This has the potential to revolutionize communication in remote and underserved areas, where traditional infrastructure is often lacking or expensive to deploy.

AST SpaceMobile plans to launch its first set of satellites in 2023, with the goal of having a full constellation in place by 2025. Once operational, the constellation will be able to provide broadband internet and other communication services to people around the world, including those in rural areas, on ships, and in airplanes.

Overall, the successful direct-to-device voice test is a major step forward for AST SpaceMobile, as it demonstrates the potential of its technology to revolutionize global communication and connectivity. As more people around the world rely on digital communication for work, education, and social interaction, innovations like AST SpaceMobile's could help bridge the digital divide and connect people who are currently underserved by traditional communication infrastructure.

https://spacenews.com/ast-spacemobile-conducts-first-direct-to-device-voice-test/

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