Here is the latest episode in NASA’sSpace to Ground weekly report on activities related to the International Space Station:
** Crew-1 Astronauts Advance Research in Space – NASA Johnson
After six months aboard the International Space Station, NASA’s SpaceX Crew-1 astronauts will return home on April 28, 2021. The four crewmembers — NASA astronauts Mike Hopkins, Victor Glover, and Shannon Walker, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Soichi Noguchi — will travel back to Earth inside a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule. The crewmembers contributed to hundreds of scientific investigations and technology demonstrations while aboard the orbiting laboratory. This valuable scientific research helps to prepare humans for future space exploration missions while generating numerous innovations and benefits for humanity on Earth. Take a look at some of the scientific milestones accomplished during the Crew-1 mission: https://go.nasa.gov/3aoWxGn Learn more about the research being conducted on station: https://www.nasa.gov/iss-science
** Expedition 65 Space Station Crew Talks With CBS News – April 29, 2021 – NASA Video
Aboard the International Space Station, Expedition 65 Flight Engineers Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur of NASA discussed the early days of their planned six-month mission on the outpost during an in-flight interview April 29 with CBS News. They launched to the station on April 23 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on the Crew Dragon spacecraft “Endeavour”.
** Expedition 65 ESA Inflight Astronaut Pesquet Speaks With European Media – April 30, 2021 – NASA Video
Aboard the International Space Station, Expedition 65 Flight Engineer Thomas Pesquet of ESA (European Space Agency) discussed his ride to the complex aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon “Endeavour” and the early days of his mission during a question and answer session with European reporters April 30. Pesquet is making his second flight into space and will assume command of the station this fall in the final days of his planned six-month journey.
** Q&A with NASA’s SpaceX Crew-1 Astronauts Aboard the Space Station – NASA
Hear from NASA’s SpaceX Crew-1 astronauts ahead of their return to Earth! At 12:30 p.m. EDT, join NASA astronauts Michael Hopkins, Victor Glover, and Shannon Walker, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Soichi Noguchi for a Q&A about their six-month mission and upcoming departure from the International Space Station.
A sampling of links to recent space policy, politics, and government (US and international) related space news and resource items that I found of interest (find previous space policy roundups here):
** China’s Mars rover named Zhurong, China Space Day, Satellite Laser Comms, Tianbing Rockets – Ep 30 – Dongfang Hour – YouTube
Hello and welcome to another episode of the Dongfang Hour China Aero/Space News Roundup! Without further ado, the news update from the week of 19 – 25 April.
1) The 6th China Space Day took place in Nanjing on Saturday April 24 … 2) ChinaSat Made Some Big Statements about China’s Constellation Plans … 3) Spacety and Intane Optics complete China’s first private satellite-ground laser comms experiment … 4) Tianbing Aerospace Announces an Intelligent Rocket Manufacturing Base in Suzhou …
** Space Solar Power Incremental Demonstrations and Research Project (SSPIDR) – AFResearchLab
SSPIDR is a series of Integrated Demonstrations and Technology Maturation efforts at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Space Vehicles Directorate to address space-based power collection and transmission capabilities. Space solar power beaming is not a new concept; yet until recently, the technology did not have a clear path forward. In conjunction with primary industry partner Northrop Grumman, AFRL established the SSPIDR project to mature technology critical to building an operational solar power transmission system for providing reliable and logistically agile power to expeditionary forces. Learn more: https://afresearchlab.com/technology/…
In this Space Cafè “Black Ops by Ralph Thiele #3”, Colonel (Ret`d) Ralph Thiele, Chairman of the Berlin based Political-Military Society, President of Euro Défense-Germany, and Managing Director of StratByrd Consulting, Germany talked with his guest about the Implication for Security & Defence coming with:
Outpace, Outthink, Outmaneuver – New Technologies and Competition in Space
Geostrategic competition is global in scope and includes outer space. The boundaries between civil and military competition have become fluid and are marked by multiple hybrid threat situations, attacks on businesses and critical infrastructure, and the threat of prolonged, low-intensity or shorter, high-intensity conflict. Across the threat spectrum, space holds a critical role. In particular, Russia and China are using new, disruptive dual-use technologies as the key to advancing their own capabilities and geopolitical ambitions. Both countries have weaponized space and have repeatedly demonstrated their capabilities for precise maneuvers in space. Space is becoming increasingly contested in multiple domains-physical, cyber and electromagnetic.
A discussion about threats, new technologies such as AI and warfare in space with : Robie I. Samanta Roy, Ph.D., Vice President, Technology, Intelligence, Cyber and Technology, Lockheed Martin Government Affairs
José Achache is the founder and CEO of ALTYN, a Geneva-based Swiss company that develops space-related projects such as space security. This week, he and SpaceWatch.Global publisher, Torsten Kriening, discuss trends in space, as well as space warfare and how the industry’s increasing value is increasing the margin for threats that could affect our everyday lives.
With over 40 years of experience spanning multiple countries, José’s experience is paralleled by few. In addition to his role as CEO of ALTYN, he is the Managing Director of AP Swiss, which administers the European Space Agency’s Advanced Research in Telecommunications Programme (ARTES), and is the chair of several space company boards, including Media Lario S.r.l and Dotphoton. His previous roles include the Deputy General for France’s space agency, CNES, and Director of Earth Observation for the European Space Agency, to name a few.
Listen to Stacy Kubicek, Vice President and General Manager for Mission Solutions at Lockheed Martin talk about mission critical solutions that benefit the warfighter and support national defense. She will discuss getting data to the warfighter much faster with transformational technology that includes 5G. Ms. Kubicek discusses interoperability and battle space connectivity being critical to staying ahead of our adversaries, as well as an explanation of the types of assets that would support this kind of capability. Learn about the adoption of agile software development methods that accelerate delivery of software to address threats – hint, it is not the waterfall model. Finally, hear about the need to take a team approach to provide the best solutions for the military and the warfighter, which is essentially what matters at the end of the day.
4. Friday, Apr.30, 2021; 9:30-11 am PDT (11:30 am-1 pm CDT, 12:30-2 pm EDT): We welcome Greg Meholic of the Aerospace Corp to discuss nuclear propulsion and more, including his Mach thruster analysis.
5. Sunday, May.2, 2021; 12-1:30 pm PDT (3-4:30 pm EDT, 2-3:30 pm CDT): We welcome Dr. Kevin Cannon of the Colorado School of Mines on planetary geology news and more.
Here is the latest episode in NASA’s Space to Ground weekly report on activities related to the International Space Station:
** NASA’s SpaceX Crew-2 Astronauts Headed to International Space Station – NASA
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-2 astronauts are in orbit following their early morning launch bound for the International Space Station for the second commercial crew rotation mission aboard the microgravity laboratory. The international crew of astronauts lifted off at 5:49 a.m. EDT Friday from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket propelled the Crew Dragon spacecraft with NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur, along with JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Thomas Pesquet, into orbit to begin a six-month science mission on the space station. …
** Earth Day Q&A with Astronauts in Space | Hosted by Shawn Mendes – NASA
On April 22, NASA astronauts Mike Hopkins, Shannon Walker, Victor Glover, Mark Vandehei, and Soichi Noguchi of Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency did a live program dedicated to Earth Day. It included a Q&A with guest host Shawn Mendes.
** 4K Earth Views Extended Cut for Earth Day 2021 – NASA Johnson
Everything that happens on the International Space Station revolves around one thing: Earth, sixteen times a day! So for Earth Day 2021, NASA offers a gift you can’t get anywhere else with this leisurely view of our home planet, from 250 miles up, rendered in extraordinary ultra-high definition video. Hit play, relax and enjoy. This 4K footage was recorded between 2019 and 2020.
** The International Space Station: A Laboratory in Space – NASA
We’re doing science at 17,500 miles per hour! The International Space Station is a state-of-the-art microgravity laboratory that is unlocking discoveries not possible on Earth, and helping us push farther into deep space. We’re testing technologies that are critical to our return to the Moon and great leap to Mars. Station research has contributed to medical and social benefits on our home planet, allowing us to find new ways to combat disease back on Earth, and develop technologies to deliver clean water to remote communities in need. We’re inspiring future generations, from a platform that is one of the largest international collaborations of our time. Learn more about the research being conducted on station: https://www.nasa.gov/iss-science
A sampling of links to recent space policy, politics, and government (US and international) related space news and resource items that I found of interest (find previous space policy roundups here):
** NASA Picks SpaceX for Artemis Human Lunar Lander Development – NASA
NASA is getting ready to send astronauts to explore more of the Moon as part of the Artemis program, and the agency has selected SpaceX to continue development of the first commercial human lander that will safely carry the next two American astronauts to the lunar surface.
The agency’s powerful Space Launch System rocket will launch four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft for their multi-day journey to lunar orbit. There, two crew members will transfer to the SpaceX human landing system (HLS) for the final leg of their journey to the surface of the Moon. After approximately a week exploring the surface, they will board the lander for their short trip back to orbit where they will return to Orion and their colleagues before heading back to Earth.
** Human Landing System Announcement Media Teleconference – NASA Video – Starts at the 9:30 point
A new year has brought a new administration, power shifts in Congress and new priorities across the U.S. The Planetary Society’s advocacy for planetary science and exploration has never been more important. Planetary Radio host Mat Kaplan is once again joined by Senior Space Policy Advisor and Chief Advocate Casey Dreier, Chief of Washington Operations Brendan Curry and Society CEO Bill Nye. New to this edition of our semi-annual update is Georgia Institute of Technology planetary scientist Britney Schmidt. Dr. Schmidt is vice chair of the Society Board of Directors’ Space Policy Committee.
** Key Chinese Spaceplane Technology Tested, Probes to the Edge of the Heliosphere – Ep 29 – Dongfang Hour – YouTube
Hello and welcome to another episode of the Dongfang Hour China Aero/Space News Roundup! Without further ado, the news update from the week of 12 – 18 April.
1) CASIC Institute tests spaceplane propulsion technology … 2) Wu Weiren, chief-designer of China’s lunar exploration program, discusses China’s “Double One Hundred” goal … 3) A Report on China’s Aerospace Manufacturing Capabilities …
** TCL Joins the Space Race, a New Launch Site in Ningbo, Aerospace Propulsion Round of Funding – Ep 28 – Dongfang Hour – YouTube
Hello and welcome to another episode of the Dongfang Hour China Aero/Space News Roundup! Without further ado, the news update from the week of 5 – 11 April.
1）TCL: A New Tech Player in the Chinese Space Industry? … 2) A Few More Details Revealed on China’s Commercial Launch Site … 3) New (Pre-A) round of funding of 100M RMB from Aerospace Propulsion …
From activities in low-Earth orbit to the Artemis program, the commercial space industry is beginning to take on an increased role as innovator in both space access, commerce, and exploration. This growth of commercial space over the past decades offers the potential for a new paradigm for space exploration—one in which industry transitioned from supplier to partner. Still, many questions remain spanning from the most seemingly consequential “How will humanity explore the Moon and Mars?” to the more basic, “What is Commercial Space?” This virtually hosted symposium explores this transformation and examines the historical context for answering these questions.
Earlier this year, the UAE announced the establishment of a “Court of Space”, a tribunal dedicated to dispute resolution on matters related to space activities. This development further underscores tremendous growth in space activities and the need for legal communities to catch up. On April 14, 2021, join the Space Court Foundation and Clifford Chance for an in-depth discussion on the future of dispute resolution and how to continue applying our legal tools to our activities in a novel environment
Panel 1: Initiatives in the Dispute Resolution Sphere … Panel 2: Expectations from the Space Law World …
On 20 April 2021, ESA will host the 8th European Conference on Space Debris from Darmstadt, in Germany. Scientists, engineers, industry experts and policy makers will spend the virtual four day conference discussing the latest issues surrounding space debris. They will exchange the latest research, try to come up with solutions for potential problems and define the future direction of any necessary action.
In this week’s Space Cafè WebTalk, Dr. Jessica West, Senior Researcher at Project Ploughshares, Waterloo, Canada talked about why does peace matter in space.
This session explored the role of civil society in space governance. Jessica is a long-time editor of the Space Security Index and frequent participant at the United Nations First Committee, Conference on Disarmament, and the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. As both a researcher and an advocate for the peaceful use of outer space, her recent work involves mapping the normative landscape in outer space as a way to inform better security practices, and highlighting the civilian consequences of conflict.
Alice Gorman has brought together astrophysics and archaeology to create the fascinating field of space archaeology. She talks about what exactly it is and why it could be crucial to the future of space travel in this fascinating episode of the Space Cafe Podcast.
* The Space Show – Sunday, Apr.18.2021 – Dr. Michael Gleason discussed “his papers linked on the blog for this show. In addition, we spent significant time on space debris issues with regards to LEO and the increasing population of satellites.”
** The Space Show – Tuesday, Apr.13.2021 – Dr. Martin Elvis discussed “lunar development, getting power to the lunar sites, specifically the South Pole and building giant solar towers at the Moon’s south pole to be able to provide multiple GW of solar power to the sites. Also discussed were possible lunar governance issues.”
