Amateur/Student Satellite, Education, Space Systems

Student and amateur CubeSat news roundup – Aug.19.2020

A sampling of recent articles, press releases, etc. related to student and amateur CubeSat / SmallSat projects and programs (find previous smallsat roundups here):

** US Dept. of Education opens CubeSat mission competition for high school students: U.S. Department of Education Launches Space Mission Challenge for High School Students: CTE Mission: CubeSat Challenge seeks to inspire, prepare students for a future in aerospace | U.S. Department of Education

Building on the Administration-wide commitment to expand student interest in the booming science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, the U.S. Department of Education today launched CTE Mission: CubeSat, a national challenge to inspire students to build technical skills for careers in space and beyond. High school students from across the country are invited to design and build CubeSat (cube satellite) prototypes, or satellites that aid in space research, bringing space missions out of the clouds and into the classroom.

“This is such an exciting way to rethink education and get students engaged in hands-on learning in the growing aerospace and technology fields,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. “I look forward to seeing the innovative prototypes students develop and hope this challenge inspires our next generation of American space explorers.”

Investors predict that space will be the next trillion-dollar industry, and as missions in space continue to expand, so do the career opportunities. This multi-phase challenge offers high school students across the United States the chance to build CubeSat prototypes while learning creative, collaborative, and technical skills for 21st century careers.

Schools interested in entering CTE Mission: CubeSat should form a team and submit a mission proposal by 5:59 p.m. ET, on Oct. 16, 2020 — no in-person collaboration or prior experience with CubeSats is required. The online submission form asks for school information, a team profile, a project proposal, and anticipated learning outcomes. Curated educational resources are available to students and teachers online in the CTE Mission: CubeSat resource hub. To learn more, schools can join a virtual information session on Sept. 1.

Up to five finalists will be selected to receive prizes and participate in Phase 2, which runs from January to May 2021. Finalists will have access to expert mentorship and additional virtual resources as they build CubeSat prototypes and plan flight events to launch their prototypes. The Department understands that due to current conditions, schools will need flexibility to safely collaborate when designing and building prototypes during the challenge. The Department looks forward to the creative solutions in the mission proposals it receives as challenge entries.

Each finalist will receive an equal share of the $25,000 cash prize pool, as well as satellite development, hardware, and software kits. Challenge sponsors include Arduino, Blue Origin, Chevron, EnduroSat, LEGO Education, Magnitude.io, MIT Media Lab, and XinaBox.

Find more about the competition at the CTE Mission: CubeSat blog. See, for example, Small yet mighty: CubeSats are transforming the future of space discovery — and education – CTE Mission: CubeSat

Diagram of the primary components of a CubeSat.

** Norwegian university team building HYPSO-1 CubeSat to study ocean algae blooms.The NTNU SmallSat Lab at the Norwegian University of Science & Technology is developing a miniature hyper-spectral camera system for the mission. The 6U CubeSat is to be launched later this year.

The HYPer-Spectral smallsat for Ocean observation (HYPSO) will observe oceanographic phenomena via a small satellite with a hyperspectral camera, intelligent on-board processing and robots

Why?

The Ocean is of great interest to understand the effects of climate change and human impact on the world.

Traditional EO satellites are very expensive and take several years to develop and launch.

Dedicated SmallSats can be used to provide images of small areas of interest with short revisit times.

The information can be downloaded, and communicated to unmanned vehicles which can investigate the areas of interest further.

The Norwegian company KSAT ( Kongsberg  Satellite Services ) will provide ground support for the mission: KSAT will support Norway’s first hyperspectral Smallsat mission – KSAT

At NTNU Small Satellite Lab, a multi-disciplinary team of master students, PhD-students and professors are currently working on a small satellite with a miniaturized hyperspectral camera for detection of toxic algae blooms along the Norwegian coast. KSAT will as part of this contract, provide commercial ground station services from the Svalbard Ground Station for this mission, called HYPSO-1. KSAT is well known for providing fast and reliable space to ground services. By using the unique ground station at Svalbard, KSAT ensures fast access to the time-critical data.

…

In combination with drones and autonomous vehicles both on surface and subsea, the goal is to be able to detect and alert the fish-farms about toxic algae blooms in the area. In 2019 a sudden upwelling of toxic algae killed close to 8 million salmon in Norwegian fish farms, wiping out more than half of the annual sales growth in just over a week. The hope is that with the contribution of this mission, one can avoid this in the future.

As a significant provider of maritime monitoring services KSAT had an active role during the algae bloom last year and together with partners in Tromsø they are currently exploring how to discriminate between different types of algae by combining different sensors and applying advanced algorithms.

** The Orbit student smallsat group at NTNU is developing SelfieSat as their first mission.

The SelfieSat, our first project, started out as a simple satellite project; we wanted to make an operational satellite that is able to communicate while it is orbiting earth. However, we wanted to make things a bit more interesting. While SelfieSat is in orbit it will be able to display a selfie of any person on earth, which will be uploaded from our ground station at NTNU. A robotic arm with a camera attached will photograph the screen with the earth in its background. Finally this picture will be sent back to the selfie-taking individual!

A rendering of the SelfieSat CubeSat in development by the Orbit student group at NTNU.

Launch is targeted for the 2020/2021 time frame.

** Univ. of Georgia‘s Small Satellite Research Laboratory (SSRL) building 2 CubeSats for ocean studies: Smallsat Lab @ University of Georgia Building Two For Orbit – SatNews

The primary scientific goals of these cubesat missions are to develop and operate the first moderate resolution coastal ecosystem and ocean color CubeSats in Georgia.

The AFRL mission, the Mapping and Ocean Color Imager (MOCI) will use an onboard RGB camera to take images from multiple perspectives to create a 3D point cloud of land features.

The NASA mission, the SPectral and Ocean Color Satellite (SPOC Sat), will generate hyperspectral moderate resolution imaging products to monitor coastal wetlands status, estuarine water quality, and near-coastal ocean productivity in compliance with some of the NASA’s strategic objectives. The designing and building of the hyperspectral imager for SPOC is being done in house and will have 60 bands to acquire image data between 400 and 850 nm. In addition, the SPOC mission has been chosen as a candidate of NASA’s eight CubeSat Launch Initiative, meaning that SPOC will be launched to the International Space Station for deployment between 2018 and 2020.

Undergraduate students are deeply involved in the two projects:

The two missions and the establishment of the lab have the primary goals of teaching and developing students for STEM careers by training undergraduates in a broad range of fields through hands-on, experiential learning and creating a pipeline for high school students to attend UGA through the Physics and Astronomy Department. While the majority of members in the lab are undergraduates, there are graduate students that serve as mentors. The team currently consists of 45 students from around campus.

Checkout the SSRL poster (pdf) created for the recent Smallsat 2020 conference.

** AMSAT news on student and amateur CubeSat/smallsat projects: ANS-229 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin

  • Two-Minute Engineering Video Update Available [See the video below]
  • CubeSat.org Announced CubeSat Design Specification Rev.14
  • US Department of Defense to Share 3450 – 3550 MHz with 5G Commercial Operations
  • QSO Today Virtual Expo Satellite Presentations Still Available
  • Chinese Mars probe Tianwen-1 successfully received by AMSAT-DL
  • SmallSat 2020 Virtual Conference Proceedings Available Online
  • Upcoming Satellite Operations
  • ARISS News
  • Satellite Shorts from All Over

General CubeSat/SmallSat info:

** AMSAT Engineering Two Minute Update

A light-hearted presentation of the latest status update from AMSAT Engineering.

** Bhutan-1 CubeSat. Bhutan’s first satellite

** SmallSat 2020- Achieving compact and effective thermal solutions for small satellites – Advanced Cooling Technologies Inc. – YouTube

ACT’s Bryan Muzyka hosts a side meeting for Small Satellite 2020 in a virtual platform. He walks through some of options available for small satellite thermal control. Q&A finishes up the presentation with questions related to CTE mismatch, custom tubing for 3U cards, electric propulsion systems and if heat pipes are suitable for RF environments.

** Hypergiant Galactic Systems SEOPs: Affordable Access to Low Earth Orbit – Galactic – Hypergiant

With the advent of mobile phones and mass-produced miniaturized electrical components, satellite construction has become much more affordable. Hypergiant Galactic Systems SEOPs has built a foundation to provide access to space utilizing the International Space Station infrastructure with two launch systems servicing the CubeSat and MicroSat markets. The organization has also built several launch vehicle agnostic products such as dispensers and separation systems with five successful missions.

** The Space Show – Fri. Aug.14.2020 – Charles Miller discussed “his new company, Lynk Global, connecting mobile phones to [small] satellites for global coverage. We discussed other topics as well, including some of the commercial space history made by our guest.”

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Activism, Roundup

Space policy roundup – Aug.17.2020

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):

International space

Webcasts:

** E28 – Responsible use of PNT [Precision, Navigation, & Timing] for National Resilience – Aerospace Corp CSPS on Vimeo

** The Space Show – Fri. Aug.14.2020 – Charles Miller discussed “his new company, Lynk Global, connecting mobile phones to satellites for global coverage. We discussed other topics as well, including some of the commercial space history made by our guest.”

** The Space Show – Tues. Aug.11.2020 – Brian Barnett, CEO of Solstar Space Company, discussed “their satellite communication business, wifi hotspots in space, and much more”.

** Erin Miller – Creating Space ISAC: Info Sharing and Security for the Space Industry – Cold Star Technologies – YouTube

VP of Operations for the Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Space ISAC) Erin Miller is on the Cold Star Project to discuss this new organization and her role in it. Space ISAC is part of the US National Cybersecurity Center. With host Jason Kanigan, Erin answers:

– What’s your mission? Your field is acronym-heavy…let’s begin with what an ISAC is…then can you share the need for this Public-Private Partnership (P3), called Space ISAC?
– How do you view your role as VP Ops?
– What are your recommendations for getting the trust necessary for people to let you “fly the plane”?
– Has the US Presidential Executive Order on Securing the Information and Communications Technology and Services Supply Chain (May 2019) affected you and the organization?
– What do the member-partners of Space ISAC contribute…what are the expectations? Who are you looking for as a member?
– What’s the “nitty-gritty” for Space ISAC? In terms of integrating with those you want to share info and conduct analysis with, how do you go about it?
– What sorts of space info & asset security concerns and concepts have your attention for the future?

Space ISAC website: https://s-isac.org/

** Hallmark Transitions Key Strategies for Space Situational Awareness, Management – DARPA TV

The space domain is critical to national security. It also has become increasingly chaotic and crowded over the past decade as the burgeoning space industry launches constellations of satellites. To conduct their missions, military commanders need timely and accurate information from space assets, as well as robust and reliable communications.

Since its inception in 2015, DARPA’s Hallmark program has successfully developed tools providing increased space situational awareness and strategies for asset management and protection, similar to the approach the Air Force has been perfecting for the air domain over the past 100 years. As Hallmark concludes at DARPA, discussions are ongoing with multiple Department of Defense and other national security organizations, as well as commercial entities, to incorporate elements of the program into future efforts.

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Activism, Space Policy, SpaceCasts

The Space Show this week – Aug.17.2020

The guests and topics of discussion on The Space Show this week:

1. Monday, Aug. 17, 2020; 7 pm PDT (9 pm CDT, 10 pm EDT: No special programming.

2. Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020; 7 pm PDT (9 pm CDT, 10 pm EDT): No show today.

3. Wednesday, Aug.19, 2020: Hotel Mars on  John Bachelor Show/The Space Show – John Batchelor and David Livingston will talk with Dr. Alan Stern about the dark side of Pluto as described in a new Nature Journal article.

4. Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020; 7-8:30 pm PDT (9-10:30 pm CDT, 10-11:30 pm EDT): No special program today.

5. Friday, Aug.21, 2020; 9:30-11 am PDT (11:30 am-1 pm CDT, 12:30-2 pm EDT): We welcome back Dr. Louis Friedman on his new book, Planetary Adventures: From Moscow to Mars[Amazon commission link]. Lou is the former head of The Planetary Society, now retired.

6. Sunday, Aug.23, 2020; 12-1:30 pm PDT (3-4:30 pm EDT, 2-3:30 pm CDT): We welcome back Dr. Jason Reimuller to discuss EVA space suit testing, gravity offset, PMC-Turbo, STEM outreach competitions, chasing NLCs with the Canadian Air Force, plus more.

Some recent shows:

** Sun. Aug.17.2020 – Dr. Anthony Paustian discussed his book on leadership, which uses the Apollo program for examples. The book,  A Quarter Million Steps: Creativity, Imagination, & Leading Transformative Change[Amazon commission link]. has won 7 awards.

** Fri. Aug.14.2020 – Charles Miller discussed “his new company, Lynk Global, connecting mobile phones to satellites for global coverage. We discussed other topics as well, including some of the commercial space history made by our guest.”

** Tues. Aug.11.2020 – Brian Barnett, CEO of Solstar Space Company, discussed “their satellite communication business, wifi hotspots in space, and much more”.

** See also:
* The Space Show Archives
* The Space Show Newsletter
* The Space Show Shop

The Space Show is a project of the One Giant Leap Foundation.

The Space Show - David Livingston
The Space Show – David Livingston

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Rockets, Space transport roundup

Space transport roundup – Aug.15.2020

A sampling of recent articles, videos, and images dealing with space transport (find previous roundups here):

** Ariane V set to launch today following  two week delay. The window for the launch from the Guiana Space Center is 5:33pm – 6:20 pm EDT (21:33 – 22:20 UTC). The rocket will carry Intelsat’s Galaxy 30 communications satellite, the Northrop Grumman Mission Extension Vehicle-2 (MEV-2),  and the BSAT-4b for MAXAR and Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT). The MEV-2 will attached itself to the nozzle of Intelsat 10-02, which is running out of station keeping fuel. MEV-2 will keep the comm-sat operating in GEO for some number of years before undocking and going on to assist another satellite.

Loaded with three commercial satellites, a European Ariane 5 rocket returned to its launch pad in French Guiana Thursday after a two-week launch delay to resolve a technical issue that forced an abort to a countdown July 31. Arianespace says the mission has been rescheduled for launch Saturday due to unfavorable upper level winds in the forecast for Friday.

The 179-foot-tall (54.8-meter) rocket rolled out of its final assembly building at the Guiana Space Center Thursday for the trip to the ELA-3 launch zone. Riding a mobile launch platform, the rocket was tugged by a diesel-powered Titan tug for the 1.7-mile (2.7-kilometer) journey.

Arianespace, the French company responsible for selling and launching Ariane 5 rockets, planned to send the launch vehicle into orbit July 31 with three U.S.-made satellites. But a suspect reading from a sensor on the Ariane 5’s first stage liquid hydrogen tank stopped the countdown around two minutes prior to liftoff.

** Some other upcoming launches:

** Blue Origin reportedly will fly New Shepard in September: Source: Blue Origin targeting September for 1st New Shepard sub-orbital flight of 2020 – Space Explored

Blue Origin last launched New Shepard in December 2019 with educational and NASA-sponsored research payloads. The successful launch and landing was the sixth mission to use the same New Shepard 3 rocket. Hardware reusability is a challenging goal being met by the likes of Blue Origin (and on a larger scale, SpaceX) in the interest of reducing total spaceflight cost.

The upcoming NS-13 mission will mark Blue Origin’s 10th commercial flight using New Shepard. The company celebrated its 100th payload customer to date during New Shepard’s previous mission.

** Firefly planning first launch of Alpha rocket in fall: Firefly aims to debut its Alpha rocket for small satellites this fall | Space.com

Firefly Aerospace’s advanced rocket for small satellites should be ready to launch for the first time this fall, company representatives said.

The two-stage rocket, known as Alpha, was originally scheduled to debut in early 2020. But the coronavirus pandemic intervened and delayed things at Firefly, as well as at other space companies around the world. Some suppliers had to delay shipments, and work slowed due to necessary physical distancing measures.

The impacts at Firefly extended beyond the Firefly project. The company is also working on a larger rocket, called Beta, and a robotic moon lander in support of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services program. Still, Firefly continued to grow amid the pandemic, expanding from 250 employees in January to 310 employees today, largely via funding from company co-founder Max Polyakov.

Here is a preview of a film doc about Firefly: Upcoming Documentary on Firefly Aerospace | A behind the scenes preview

From setbacks to success, get a sneak peek into the upcoming documentary that follows Firefly’s incredible journey to possibly become one of the next big names in private space exploration. A film by Merit Entertainment in association with Edwards Media. Follow the film @untitled_firefly_movie

**** Skyroot Aerospace of India tests cryogenic LOC/LNG upper stage engine: Skyroot Aerospace first [Indian] private company to test upper stage rocket engine | Business Standard News

Spacetech startup Skyroot Aerospace has successfully test fired an upper stage rocket engine, becoming the first Indian private company to demonstrate the capability to build a homegrown rocket engine.

Meanwhile, the company is planning to raise around Rs 90 crore.

Founded by Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka, both former scientists at the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro), Skyroot plans to build a family of rockets.

The first rocket, which can hurl satellites of 250-700 kgs into a lower earth orbit, is expected to be launched by end-2021. This is a major milestone for us in a path towards our first launch targeted for December 2021, said Daka, Co-Founder & COO, Skyroot Aerospace.

** Rocket Lab ready to recover a first-stage booster via parachute: Rocket Lab ready to attempt Electron booster recovery – SpaceNews

The second launch pad at their New Zealand facility appears to be nearly completed:

** Briefs:

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The latest issue:
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Vol. 15, No. 5, July 24, 2020

Space Frontier Foundation Award for NewSpace Journalism

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** SpaceX:

*** First operational Crew Dragon mission now set for no earlier than Oct. 23rd: NASA, SpaceX Targeting October for Next Astronaut Launch – Commercial Crew Program/NASA

NASA and SpaceX are targeting no earlier than Oct. 23 for the first operational flight with astronauts of the Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket to the International Space Station as a part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program. NASA’s SpaceX Crew-1 mission will be the first of regular rotational missions to the space station following completion of NASA certification.

The mission will carry Crew Dragon commander Michael Hopkins, pilot Victor Glover, and mission specialist Shannon Walker, all of NASA, along with Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) mission specialist Soichi Noguchi for a six-month science mission aboard the orbiting laboratory following launch from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Crew-1 will launch in late October to accommodate spacecraft traffic for the upcoming Soyuz crew rotation and best meet the needs of the International Space Station…

*** Crew Dragon Endeavour starts refurbishment for another flight next year: Back at Cape Canaveral, SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule preps for next mission – Spaceflight Now

Fresh off a 64-day test flight to the International Space Station with astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken, SpaceX’s first human-rated Crew Dragon spaceship is back at Cape Canaveral for inspections, refurbishment and upgrades before flying to the station again with a four-person crew next spring.

The crew capsule — named “Endeavour” by Hurley and Behnken — arrived at Port Canaveral on Aug. 7 aboard SpaceX’s “Go Navigator” recovery ship after sailing from the Gulf of Mexico, where the Dragon spacecraft splashed down under parachutes Aug. 2 south of Pensacola, Florida.

The splashdown punctuated a successful demonstration flight to the International Space Station. The test flight, designated Demo-2, was the first Crew Dragon mission with astronauts on-board. NASA plans to review data from the Demo-2 mission before formally certifying the Crew Dragon for regular crew rotation flights to the space station beginning later this year.

*** Falcon 9 booster from Starlink 9 mission returned to Port Canaveral: SpaceX returns five-flight Falcon 9 booster to port as next reuse milestone nears – Teslarati

*** Starship

Following its recent test hop, the Starship SN5 prototype was moved back to the Mid-Bay hangar in the assembly area and then SN6 was moved to the launch site. After installing systems on the launch mount structure needed for pressure testing, SN6 was lifted onto the mount. In the next few days, the vehicle will go through a series of pressure tests. If those go well, then a Raptor engine (perhaps three) will be installed and then test fired.

Before a test hop, a dummy payload mass may be set on top of SN6 as was done for SN5. This is needed to prevent the high thrust of the Raptor from accelerating the vehicle beyond the level needed for the short low altitude flight. However, it’s possible that the propellant tanks will be completely filled rather than partially as was believed done for the SN5 hop. This might provide sufficient weight to keep the Raptor from sending the SN6 skyward in a hurry.

The first SN6 flight will likely be a repeat of the SN5 hop in terms of altitude. Elon Musk said following the SN5 test that there will be “several short hops to smooth out launch process”. Once the launch prep procedures are well practiced, they will start flights to “high altitude with body flaps“. The SN8 prototype is expected to be the first to get the flaps and presumably a nosecone payload section as well.

There appears to be a SN7.1 structure with a scaled down propellant tank section like SN7 in construction. Pressurizing SN7.1 would test new improved techniques for wielding the iron components together.

Lots of construction activities underway including the building of the High Bay hangar where the Super Heavy booster will be assembled. A launch pad section for the Super Heavy is also under construction. See the videos below for views of the many activities happening in parallel at the Boca Chica site.

[ Update: A new prototype is emerging:

]

** A comparison of fairing size and payload mass for several types of rockets:

Elon Musk responded:

Starship fairing will actually have more height than shown here. Dome will be flatter & more of tip is accessible. Usable volume ~1000 cubic meters.

And when asked if there will be a header tank (a small propellant tank used to help with adjusting the center of mass of the ship on reentry) in the top of the nose, he responded:

Yes, integrated with the tip of the nose

**** SpaceX disagrees with the USAF on Starship development time: Space Business: Space Force Majeure — Space Business — Quartz

And perhaps most intriguing, the Air Force didn’t agree with SpaceX’s estimate that it would be ready to fly a next generation vehicle (now known as Starship and then as “BFR,” for Big Falcon Rocket) within five years. The service and SpaceX also disagreed about whether the Space Shuttle was a good analogy to the new vehicle.

**** SpaceX plans for resort facilities at Boca Chica for visitors and eventually for space tourists : SpaceX reveals plans for a Texas spaceport resort in new job ad – TechCrunch

The job posting seeks a manger to “oversee the development of SpaceX’s first resort from inception to completion,” with the ultimate aim of turning Boca Chica into a “21st century Spaceport.” That would include overseeing the entire design and construction process, as well as getting all necessary work permits and regulatory approvals, and completing the ultimate build of the facility.

**** Aug. 8: SpaceX Boca Chica – The first ever Starship Post Flight Processing Flow – NASASpaceflight – YouTube

A full video showing how the SpaceX teams took care of Starship SN5 following her hop on to the landing pad. This is the first time – for Starship – that there’s been a post-flight processing flow. Video and Pictures from Mary (@BocaChicaGal). Edited by Jack Beyer (@TheJackBeyer).

**** Aug. 9: SpaceX Boca Chica – Full Spaceport Overview – Drive Past, Cranes and Starships – NASASpaceflight – YouTube

A lengthy video covering all elements of the SpaceX Boca Chica spaceport, from the Production Facility to the launch site, including drive pasts and focused areas. Video and Pictures from Mary (@BocaChicaGal). Edited by Jack Beyer (@TheJackBeyer).

**** Aug. 10: SpaceX Boca Chica – TPS X on show as Starships position themselves for test series – NASASpaceflight – YouTube

While Starships SN5 and SN6 prepare for a potential hop tag team test campaign, a sign of the future was seen in the form of TPS installation, suitably provided in the pattern of an X. Video and Pictures from Mary (@BocaChicaGal). Edit: Theo Ripper (@theoripper).

**** Aug.11: SN5 Transported Back To Shipyard – LabPadre – YouTube

08.11.2020 This morning SpaceX moved Starship SN5 back to the Boca Chica Shipyard for assessment and possible future flights.

**** Aug.11: SN6 Prep & Rollout Time Lapse – LabPadre – YouTube

08.11.2020 Time lapse: 9am- 12am SpaceX Boca Chica preps SN6 and the launch stand for upcoming testing. Things are really starting to pick up.

**** Aug.12: SN6 Prepped for Action – StarshipBocaChica/Maria Pointer – YouTube

SN6 is being readied for thrust pressure testing to make sure the structure can withstand one (or maybe three) Raptor engine(s) pushing up from the bottom of the thrust puck with at least 440,000 lbs of force. After one of the most active days ever witnessed at Boca Chica, SN5 is back at the production facility and SN6 rolled to the launch site all within 12 hours. SpaceX will load liquid nitrogen into the tanks to pressurize them and stiffen the entire structure then hydraulic rams will push upwards and test the strength of the engine mounts. If all goes well, the thrust simulator will be removed and Raptor engines will be installed. Then it gets real interesting with Wet Dress Rehearsals (WDR) and static fire testing before launch. SN6 is expected to perform one or more hops as SpaceX refines their power and balancing algorithms. At 14:14 you’ll see the SoilMec SR-45 piling drill. More info here https://www.soilmec.com/en/products/p…

**** Aug.13: SpaceX Boca Chica – The Full Starship Mounting Processing Flow – NASASpaceflight – YouTube

A long video that shows the entire process of installing a Starship (SN6) on to the launch mount. Includes fascinating highlights such as landing leg retraction. Video and Pictures from Mary (@BocaChicaGal). Edited by Jack Beyer (@thejackbeyer).

**** Aug.14: SpaceX Boca Chica Build Site Flyover 08/14 – RGV Aerial Photography

**** Aug. 14: SpaceX Boca Chica Launch Site Flyover 08/14 – RGV Aerial Photography

**** Aug.14:  SpaceX Boca Chica – High Bay Level 4 and Super Heavy Pad Work – NASASpaceflight – YouTube

Level 4 of the High Bay begins to go up and the work on the Orbital Launch Pad picks up speed. SpaceX is laying the foundations for its future in Boca Chica and that future is all about Super Heavy. Deliveries of huge pipes to the launch site foreshadow the scale of the coming construction, while SN6 is prepared for cryo proofing. Video and Pictures from Mary (@BocaChicaGal). Edited by Theo Ripper (@TheoRipper).

**** Other Starship reports:

***** Aug. 15 – SpaceX Starship SN6, SN7.1 & SN8 updates, Crew 1/2 update & US launch service contracts awarded – Marcus House

Even though we’ve had the flight of the prototype starship Serial Number 5 just over a week ago, the progress at Boca Chica Texas has not stopped, we’ll talk about SpaceX Starship SN6, SN7.1 & SN8 updates, Crew 1/2 update & US launch service contracts awarded to SpaceX. Serial Number 6 which has since rolled to the launch pad gets ready for a pressure test and the vision for Serial Number 8 which is really coming together. We have some interesting information on the recently awarded launch service contracts for SpaceX and United Launch Alliance. Very exciting to see SpaceX being involved in future launch capability for the US military there. Now that the dust has settled with Crew Dragons Demo 2 with Doug and Bob’s mission, we can focus now on the amazing Crew 1 and Crew 2 missions. Crew 1, of course, coming up faster than you may think with a possibility there launching at the end of October.

***** Aug. 14: SpaceX Starship Updates – Starship Flight Phase Explained – What about it!?

Welcome to Episode 112 of What about it!? Today I will tell you what’s next for Boca Chica and the SpaceX Starship program. What’s coming in the next few days and weeks and what kind of milestones can we expect next? I’ll also show you, what kind of effect the lately aquired NSSF contracts will have on the launch industry and SpaceX.

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Videos: “Space to Ground” ISS report – Aug.14.2020

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

** A Bridge Above: 20 Years of the International Space Station – NASA

“What if we built a bridge, between and above all nations, to jointly discover the galaxy’s great unknowns?” Join us this fall as we prepare to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the International Space Station. As a global endeavor, 240 people from 19 countries have visited the unique microgravity laboratory, which has hosted more than 2,800 research investigations from scientists in over 100 nations.

** NASA Astronaut Chris Cassidy Answers Recorded Questions from Girl Scouts of the USA – NASA

** Additive Manufacturing In Space Workshop 7/28/2020 – ISS National Lab

The 2020 International Space Station (ISS) U.S. National Laboratory Additive Manufacturing in Space Workshop was an online, half-day event hosted by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS), manager of the ISS National Lab. The workshop discussed how rapid developments in additive manufacturing create new opportunities for advanced materials research and development (R&D) that could drive manufacturing innovation for applications both on Earth and in space.

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