Did NASA Just Turn Lunar Dust into Gold? | ESA Focuses on Nuclear Rockets | Artemis II is Go!

A $30 million contract was just awarded to Lockheed Martin and Raytheon to develop ground systems for the Space Force's Evolved Strategic Satcom program.  The European Space Agency is making big investments into nuclear propulsion.  And NASA just unlocked a process to turn lunar dust into oxygen.!  All this and more, on today's space brief.

5.  Lockheed Martin and Raytheon to Develop Ground Systems for Next-Gen Space Comms Network

The US Space Force has awarded $30 million contracts to both Lockheed Martin and Raytheon to develop competing ground systems for the Evolved Strategic Satcom (ESS) program. ESS is a classified satcom system designed to operate in the event of a nuclear war and is part of the nation's nuclear communications architecture.

The ESS program is aimed at augmenting and eventually replacing the current Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) network of nuclear-hardened geostationary satellites made by Lockheed Martin. Northrop Grumman developed the AEHF XDR payload. Boeing and Northrop Grumman are currently developing competing satellite designs for the program.

Lockheed Martin's team includes Stratagem, Integrity-Communications-Solutions, Infinity, and BAE Systems. Raytheon’s team includes Dell, Seed Innovations, Infinity, Kratos, Northrop Grumman, Rocket Communications, Parsons, Polaris Alpha, Quantum Research, Koverse, Caliola Engineering, Kythera, Northstrat Inc., Optimal, RKF Engineering, and Ascension Engineering.

Both companies will have 18 months to demonstrate their prototypes before the Space Systems Command selects one for further development. The Pentagon plans to spend $6.5 billion on the ESS program over the next five years.

This development is crucial as it ensures that the US military can communicate effectively even in the event of a nuclear attack. The development of the ESS program will improve the reliability and resilience of US national security communications. What are your thoughts on the competition between Lockheed Martin and Raytheon? Do you believe that this program will strengthen US national security? Let us know in the comments below.

https://spacenews.com/lockheed-raytheon-to-develop-ground-systems-for-nuclear-hardened-satellite-communications/

4.  Exploring Space with Nuclear Propulsion: ESA Funds Studies to Power Deep Space Missions

The European Space Agency (ESA) is investing in research to explore the use of nuclear propulsion for deep space exploration. One of the studies ESA is funding is being led by scientists from the University of Prague, the University of Stuttgart, and engineers from OHB Czechspace and OHB System in Bremen. The project, called the Preliminary European Reckon on Nuclear Electric Propulsion for Space Applications (RocketRoll), will explore the possibilities of using nuclear fuel for demanding space logistics and exploration missions.

Nuclear propulsion can be more efficient than chemical propulsion or solar-limited electric propulsion, enabling exploration of places no other technology can reach. New methods of power and propulsion are essential as humanity aims towards more sustainable space missions, habitats, and bases on the moon and beyond, which require the delivery of equipment and supplies.

The study will also deliver a conceptual design of a nuclear electric propulsion engine while considering the safety constraints of a NEP system from the early stages of the design. When the results of RocketRoll are delivered next year, they could form the basis of further ESA programs that look at the feasibility of NEP spacecraft that could be operational by 2035, if all goes according to plan.

NASA is also studying the use of nuclear rockets and is partnering with the Pentagon's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to develop a nuclear thermal engine and fly in an in-space demonstration as early as 2027. What are your thoughts on the use of nuclear propulsion for deep space exploration? Share your comments below!

https://www.space.com/european-space-agency-nuclear-propulsion

3.  NASA Creates Oxygen from Lunar Dust

NASA has successfully produced oxygen using simulated lunar soil in a vacuum. The test involved melting moon dust in a special reactor that can reach very high temperatures. The team detected carbon monoxide being released from the soil, from which oxygen can then be separated. The capability to produce oxygen directly on the moon is crucial to support the space agency's plans for a long-term lunar outpost as part of the Artemis program.

JSC senior engineer Aaron Paz praised the success, saying "This technology has the potential to produce several times its own weight in oxygen per year on the lunar surface, which will enable a sustained human presence and lunar economy."

The test was conducted by NASA's Carbothermal Reduction Demonstration (CaRD) team, using JSC's Dirty Thermal Vacuum Chamber to simulate lunar conditions. A high-powered laser was used to simulate concentrated sunlight to melt the simulated regolith, or powdery moon dust, in a process known as carbothermal reduction.

The successful test certifies the technology at a level six on NASA's technical readiness standards scale, which means the technology is ready for use during NASA's Artemis missions. The successful extraction of oxygen from lunar regolith has many applications, including the production of breathable oxygen and even rocket fuel.

The ability to produce oxygen directly on the moon will reduce the cost of space travel by enabling a sustained human presence and lunar economy. It also opens up the possibility of humans colonizing other planets, such as Mars. What are your thoughts on this exciting development in space exploration? Let us know in the comments!

https://www.space.com/nasa-moon-dust-harvest-oxygen-artemis-program

2.  Meet Emily Nelson: NASA's New Chief Flight Director

NASA has named Emily Nelson as its new chief flight director. In this role, Nelson leads the group that directs human spaceflight missions from the Mission Control Center at the agency's Johnson Space Center in Houston. She manages 31 active flight directors and flight directors-in-training who oversee a variety of human spaceflight missions involving the International Space Station and Artemis missions to the Moon.

Nelson has been with NASA since 1998 when she started as a flight controller in the space station's thermal operations group. She became a flight director in 2007 and has since led several missions, including the station's fourth utilization and logistics flight with the space shuttle, Atlantis, in 2010. She also served as the deputy chief flight director and has been acting as the chief flight director since Holly Ridings' departure in 2022.

NASA's director of flight operations, Norm Knight, said, "Emily's tenure leading our flight control teams has proven that she is remarkably knowledgeable on the realities of human spaceflight and eminently composed when facing daunting challenges."

The chief flight director plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and success of human spaceflight missions. Nelson's appointment comes at a pivotal time for NASA, as they prepare to push the boundaries of human spaceflight exploration and commercialize low Earth orbit.

https://www.spacedaily.com/reports/NASA_selects_Emily_Nelson_as_Chief_Flight_Director_999.html

1.  Artemis II goes from Planning to Mission Prep

NASA's Artemis II mission, the first crewed mission under the Artemis program, is set to begin training for the mission in June 2023, around the same time as the mission integration review.

This mission is a lunar flyby mission and will use the SLS Block 1 rocket to launch the Orion spacecraft with a crew of four into high Earth orbit. The apogee of the second high Earth orbit will go out to the Moon, making a single flyby before returning to Earth approximately 10 days after liftoff.

This mission is set to launch at the end of 2024, and NASA has locked down the mission requirements and is preparing for the mission.

Matt Ramsey, NASA's Artemis II Mission Manager said in an April 7 interview with NASA Space Flight that "“We’ve kind of locked the mission down. . . You’re trying to hone in on what the mission solution really looks like and we’re to the point now where we can kind of draw line in the sand and say here are the mission requirements and we’re going to start preparing all of these products that we’re going to need for Artemis II, so it’s the mission prep phase.”

NASA has also made some changes from the Artemis I mission, which was uncrewed, such as removing daylight constraints for launch and recovery, and increasing the capacity for liquid hydrogen storage. The mission has a similar launch opportunity pattern as Artemis I, with alternating two-week periods of launch opportunities and no opportunities.

While the first human flight around the moon in over 50 years is a huge accomplishment, I'm interested in what you think the chances are of a smooth build-up and mission execution. Be a part of the conversatin and let me know in the comments..

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2023/05/artemis-ii-update/

 

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