Category Archives: Living in Space

The Cislunar Market Opportunities Report: In-Space Business within the Earth-Moon System was recently released by NewSpace Global. I was the primary analyst on the report, which surveys a wide array of commercial activities and opportunities within cislunar space, i.e. the region from low Earth orbit to the Moon, including the lunar surface.

The particular focus of the report is on those commercial sectors that support activities in space rather than those that deliver services to earth. In-space businesses include, for example, satellite servicing and space tugs in earth orbit and communications and navigation satellites around the Moon. Such endeavors constitute an in-space infrastructure that is forming and expanding before our eyes.

I’ve followed commercial space development closely since the 1990s yet even I’m quite surprised by the current boom in cislunar endeavors. I initially planned just a brief update on a cislunar report I wrote in 2019 but soon realized that there had been major progress since then. Rather than just concepts and plans, in almost every sector there are companies with hardware already in space or with hardware in preparation for upcoming missions to space. It took 161 pages to describe the full scope of what is happening.

I discussed the report on the Space Economy podcast with Marc Boucher, who is the President and COO of Multiverse Media Group LLC, which now owns NewSpace Global. (Dylan Taylor is the founder and chairman of Multiverse.) Check out our discussion: Insight Into the Cislunar Market Opportunities Report – SpaceQ

When we were finalizing the report, a big challenge was deciding when to stop incorporating the seemingly continuous in-flow of news and announcements of cislunar developments. Here is a sampling of cislunar in-space business news since the report was published:

The CAPSTONE spacecraft, launched by Rocket Lab and operated by Advanced Space, went into lunar orbit successfully, becoming “the first commercially owned satellite to fly to and operate at the Moon“. It will do orbital studies for NASA and also test techniques for providing navigation signals to spacecraft in orbit around the Moon.
- Advanced Space Leads First Ever Commercial Mission to Operate at the Moon | Advanced Space – Nov.21.2022
- CAPSTONE Forges New Path for NASA’s Future Artemis Moon Missions | NASA – Nov.21.2022
Advanced Space also won a $72M contract from the Air Force to send a satellite to the Moon to demonstrate technologies for monitoring and tracking objects in lunar orbit:
- Advanced Space Awarded Contract to Deliver Air Force Research Laboratory’s Mission to the Moon | Advanced Space – Nov.17.2022
Starfish Space will demonstrate in-space docking of an ion propelled Otter Pup satellite next year. The mission will test several technologies the company will use for satellite servicing.
- Starfish Space ‘Otter Pup’ to Dock With a Satellite | Starfish Space – Nov.9.2022
- Starfish books launch for in-orbit satellite docking mission next fall | SpaceNews – Nov.11.2022
General Atomics announces progress on a nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) project funded by DARPA: “The NTP system is intended to allow a nuclear thermal rocket to operate in cislunar space, the region between the Earth and the Moon.”
- General Atomics Completes DRACO Nuclear Thermal Propulsion System Design and Test Milestone | General Atomics – Nov.7.2022
The White House released a report on cislunar policy:
- OSTP Releases First National Cislunar Science & Technology Strategy | SpaceRef – Nov.17.2022
- National Cislunar Science & Technology Strategy | OSTP (PDF)
ESA will re-invigorate its support for commercial endeavors at the Moon:
- Europe looks to commercialize lunar exploration efforts | SpaceNews – Nov.22.2022

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In Space Infrastructure, Living in Space, Space Settlement

Videos: “Space to Ground” & other space habitat reports – Nov.19.2022

November 19, 2022 TopSpacer

Here is the latest episode in NASA’s Space to Ground weekly report on activities related to the International Space Station:

** U.S. Spacewalk 81 Animation – Nov. 14, 2022 – NASA Video

NASA astronauts Josh Cassada and Frank Rubio conducted a spacewalk outside the Quest airlock of the International Space Station Nov. 15 to erect a bracket on the starboard 6 truss upon which an ISS Rollout Solar Array (IROSA) will be attached after it is delivered on a future SpaceX Cargo Dragon flight. The IROSAs are being installed for six of the eight space station power channels to augment the power capability for the orbital outpost. Narration by Kieth Johnson, EVA task Flight Controller

** Spacewalk Outside the International Space Station with NASA Astronauts Josh Cassada and Frank Rubio – NASA

NASA astronauts Josh Cassada and Frank Rubio are conducting a spacewalk outside the International Space Station on Tuesday, Nov. 15, to assemble a mounting bracket on the starboard side of the station’s truss assembly. The spacewalk, which will prepare the future deployment of additional solar arrays for the station, is scheduled to begin around 8 a.m. EST (1300 UTC) and last for about seven hours.

Cassada (wearing the suit with red stripes) and Rubio (wearing the unmarked suit) are part of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-5 mission, which arrived at the station on Oct. 6, 2022. This is the first spacewalk for both astronauts.

** Russian Spacewalk 55 Animation – November 16, 2022 – NASA Johnson

Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin conducted a spacewalk outside the Poisk module of the International Space Station to prepare a radiator for its relocation from the Rassvet module to the Nauka Multipurpose Laboratory Module. The radiator and an associated airlock launched in 2010 on Rassvet on a space shuttle mission will continue the outfitting of the Nauka module for future use as both a research facility and a second airlock for Russian-segment based spacewalks. Voice over by Mitchell Harger, EVA Integration and Operations Lead

** Space Station Astronaut Discusses Life In Space With ABC’s Good Morning America – NASA Video

Aboard the International Space Station, NASA Expedition 68 Flight Engineer Nicole Mann discussed life and work aboard the orbital outpost during an in-flight interview Nov. 18 with ABC’s “Good Morning America”. The quartet is in the midst of a long duration mission living and working aboard the microgravity laboratory. The goal of the mission is to advance scientific knowledge and demonstrate new technologies for future human and robotic exploration missions. Such research benefits people on Earth and lays the groundwork for future human exploration through the agency’s Artemis missions, which will send astronauts to the Moon to prepare for future expeditions to Mars.

** SpaceX CRS-26 Research: Overview – ISS National Lab – YouTube

SpaceX’s 26th Commercial Resupply Mission to the International Space Station (ISS) features dozens of experiments that will be performed over the coming weeks. Many are sponsored by the ISS National Laboratory, and this video highlights some of those investigations. To learn more about all ISS National Lab-sponsored research and technology development investigations on this mission, visit the ISS National Lab launch page: https://www.issnationallab.org/launch…

** See Chinese spacewalkers work outside Tiangong space station in these highlights – VideoFromSpace

Chinese astronauts Chen Dong and Cai Xuzhe installed a “connection “bridge” between the three modules” of the Tiangong space station during a spacewalk on Nov. 17, 2022. It was the the third spacewalk for the Shenzhou-14 crew.

** Shenzhou-14 Crew Install Connection Device Between Space Station Modules During EAVs – CCTV Video News Agency

China’s Shenzhou-14 astronauts installed a connection device between the modules of the country’s space station on Thursday during their third extravehicular activities (EVAs).

** Gateway Overview Video – NASA Johnson

** ISS Live video stream – IBM/ISS HD Earth Viewing Experiment

Currently, live views from the ISS are streaming from an external camera mounted on the ISS module called Node 2. Node 2 is located on the forward part of the ISS. The camera is looking forward at an angle so that the International Docking Adapter 2 (IDA2) is visible. If the Node 2 camera is not available due to operational considerations for a longer period of time, a continuous loop of recorded HDEV imagery will be displayed. The loop will have “Previously Recorded” on the image to distinguish it from the live stream from the Node 2 camera. After HDEV stopped sending any data on July 18, 2019, it was declared, on August 22, 2019, to have reached its end of life. Thank You to all who shared in experiencing and using the HDEV views of Earth from the ISS to make HDEV so much more than a Technology Demonstration Payload!

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Videos: “Space to Ground” & other space habitat reports – Nov.11.2022

November 11, 2022 TopSpacer

Here is the latest episode in NASA’s Space to Ground weekly report on activities related to the International Space Station:

** Expedition 68 Northrop Grumman Cygnus Cargo Craft Arrives at Space Station – Nov. 8, 2022 – NASA Video

Loaded with food, fuel, research investigations, and supplies, the unpiloted Northrop Grumman CRS-18 Cygnus cargo craft arrived to the International Space Station November 8 where it was installed to the nadir port of the Unity module. Dubbed the “SS Sally Ride” for the late NASA astronaut who made history as the first American woman to fly in space, Cygnus launched from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on November 6 atop an Antares rocket and will remain docked to the space station for approximately two months.

** Expedition 68 Northrop Grumman Cygnus Cargo Craft Secured to Space Station – Nov. 8, 2022 – NASA Video

** S.S. Sally Ride captured by space station with only 1 solar array deployed! – VideoFromSpace

A Northrop Grumman Cygnus spacecraft, named S.S. Sally Ride, was captured by the International Space Station’s robotic arm on Nov. 9, 2022. The cargo ship made to space station powered by only one solar array as the second failed to deploy after launch. Full Story: https://www.space.com/cygnus-cargo-sp…

** Orbital Reef: Your Address, In Orbit – Blue Origin – YouTube

Orbital Reef will provide anyone with the opportunity to establish their own address in orbit. Learn more at www.orbitalreef.com

** See China’s ‘t-shaped’ space station in cargo ship undocking views – VideoFromSpace

The Tianzhou-4 cargo ship undocked from the Tiangong space station on Nov. 9, 2022. It was launched to China’s orbital outpost in May 2022.

** ‘Life-size’ Chinese space station replica unveiled at Zhuhai Airshow 2022 – VideoFromSpace

The 14th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, also known as Zhuhai Airshow 2022, features a full-size replica of the Tiangong space station.

** ISS Live video stream – IBM/ISS HD Earth Viewing Experiment

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Videos: “Space to Ground” & other space habitat reports – Nov.4.2022

November 4, 2022 TopSpacer

Here is the latest episode in NASA’s Space to Ground weekly report on activities related to the International Space Station:

** Science Launching on SpaceX’s 26th Cargo Resupply Mission to the Space Station – NASA

SpaceX’s 26th commercial resupply mission (CRS-26) is scheduled to launch to the International Space Station from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Nov. 18.

The Dragon spacecraft carries dozens of scientific experiments and technology demonstrations, including investigations to explore growing plants in space, creating nutrients on-demand, and in-space construction.

Details: https://go.nasa.gov/3WqGhLu

** Meet NG-18: The S.S. Sally Ride – Northrop Grumman – Youtube

We’re proud to name our NG-18 #Cygnus spacecraft in honor of astronaut Sally Ride. It’s our tradition to name each Cygnus spacecraft after an individual who has played a pivotal role in human spaceflight. Ride was selected in honor of her accomplishment as the first female American to fly in space, as well as her incredible work in creating STEM education opportunities for young girls through her organization, Sally Ride Science.

The Northrop Grumman S.S. Sally Ride Cygnus cargo spacecraft is set to lift off on a Antares rocket with the NG-18 re-supply mission no earlier than 5:50 a.m. EST, Nov. 6, 2022 from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) Pad 0A on Wallops Island, Virginia: NASA Commercial Resupply Mission NG-18 – Northrop Grumman.

** NG-18 Research: Overview – ISS National Lab – YouTube

Mudslides from forest fires cause catastrophic damage in their wake, and research aimed at predicting and possibly preventing them will launch to the International Space Station (ISS) onboard Northrop Grumman’s 18th Commercial Resupply Services mission (NG-18). This is one of more than 20 investigations sponsored by the ISS National Laboratory flying on this mission.

** NG-18 Research: RedWire BioFabrication Facility – ISS National Lab – YouTube

Space: is it the final frontier, or could it be the new frontier of regenerative medicine? Bioprinting human tissues for implantation in patients to treat injury or disease would be game-changing.

When Northrop Grumman’s 18th Commercial Resupply Services (NG-18) mission launches to the ISS, it will carry an upgraded version of Redwire Space’s BioFabrication Facility, or BFF, a 3D bioprinter capable of printing human tissue. The project, sponsored by the ISS National Laboratory, will pave the way for in-space bioprinting of tissues—and possibly even organs in the future—that could one day help patients back on Earth.

Videos: “Space to Ground” & other space habitat reports – Oct.28.2022

October 28, 2022 TopSpacer

Here is the latest episode in NASA’s Space to Ground weekly report on activities related to the International Space Station:

** Expedition 68 Progress 82 Cargo Ship Docks to International Space Station – Oct. 27, 2022 – NASA Video

The uncrewed Roscosmos Progress 82 cargo craft docked to the International Space Station’s Poisk module October 27 following a launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan October 25 atop a Soyuz booster rocket. Progress is filled with almost three tons of supplies and cargo and will remain docked to the space station until early next year.

** Space Station Crew Answers U.S. Naval Test Pilot, Maryland Student Questions – Oct. 27, 2022 – NASA Video

Aboard the International Space Station, NASA Expedition 68 Flight Engineers Nicole Mann, Josh Cassada and Frank Rubio answered pre-recorded questions about life and work on the orbiting laboratory during an in-flight event October 27 with students attending the United States Naval Test Pilot School in Patuxent River, Maryland. Both Mann and Cassada are graduates of the school. Mann, Cassada, and Rubio are in the midst of a science mission living and working aboard the microgravity laboratory to advance scientific knowledge and demonstrate new technologies for future human and robotic exploration missions as part of NASA’s Moon and Mars exploration approach, including lunar missions through NASA’s Artemis program.

** NG-18 Research: UCSD Mudslides Investigation – ISS National Lab – YouTube

As part of Northrop Grumman’s 18th Commercial Resupply Services mission to the International Space Station, a research team from the University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego) will send their research to the orbiting lab to better understand gravity’s effects on post-wildfire mudflow.

** Northrop Grumman’s S.S. Sally Ride spacecraft – What experiments are heading to space station? – VideoFromSpace

Learn what science experiments will launch to the International Space Station aboard the Northrop Grumman Cygnus spacecraft. The CRS-18 mission is scheduled to launch on Nov. 6, 2022. The spaceraft is named S.S. Sally Ride to honor first American woman to fly in space: https://www.space.com/northrop-grumma…

** International Space Station Dodges Debris From Russian Satellite – TODAY

The International Space Station fired its thrusters for more than five minutes on Monday to avoid a potential collision with a piece of Russian satellite debris. The debris was created by Russia’s test-firing of a missile last year that destroyed one of its old satellites.

** Designers Explain New Mission of Long March-5B Carrier Rocket – CCTV Video News Agency

Designers from China’s space program have unveiled the details of the Long March-5B carrier rocket family just as one of its members is about to carry the Mengtian lab module into the sky.