Category Archives: Roundup

Space policy roundup – July.26.2021

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:

** Episode 44: Let’s Talk About AstronautsSpace Thoughts (YouTube) – Space Law & Policy Solutions/Michael Listner

Discussing some of the issues around the use of the word “astronaut” as it relates to commercial space activities.

** Episode 43 – Update: ViaSat Motion to StaySpace Thoughts (YouTube) – Space Law & Policy Solutions/Michael Listner

Update on the Order issued on ViaSat’s Motion to Stay (Preliminary Injunction) in D.C. Court of Appeals.

** Stellar Decisis – Case No. 1 –  Space Court Foundation – YouTube

Stellar Decisis examines how courts in the not too distant future might handle disputes in space, using real international law to argue hypothetical but plausible cases involving future space activity. In the premiere of the pilot episode, one nation uses its nuclear arsenal to destroy an asteroid threatening Earth in the year 2050, with the unfortunate consequence of raining radioactive debris down on the far side of the Moon. A mix of governments and private companies file claims against that nation for damages suffered by lunar industry, and bring the first case to call for the Space Court.

Special Guest Justices: President Dr. Alissa Haddaji, Justice David Koplow, and Justice Chris Newman, PhD.
Advocate for the Applicant: Ryan Noble
Advocate for the Respondent: Jessica Noble

** Chongqing Builds Space-based Solar Power Base, EO Analytics Startups & Henan Disaster Relief EffortDongfang Hour – YouTube

Hello and welcome to another episode of the Dongfang Hour China Space News Roundup! A kind reminder that we cover a lot more stories every week in our Newsletter (newsletter.dongfanghour.com). This week, we discuss:

1) China officially kicks off the construction of the country’s first space-based solar power industry base in Chongqing
2) Chinese Earth observation data analytics startups participate in Henan disaster relief effort after the recent floods
3) A new series of Yaogan satellites launched on board a Long March 2C, with Tianqi-15 as secondary payload.

** The Space Show – Sunday, July.25.2021 – Dr. Kelly Weinersmith talked about “the future of humans in space, settlement, space tourism, policy, suborbital and more“.

** The Space Show – Friday, July.23.2021Andrew Chaikin talked about “his new space book folio, Apollo 15, space tourism, commercial space and more“.

** The Space Show – Tuesday, July.21.2021Rand Simberg discussed

the significance of July 20th, 52 years ago with Apollo. We talked about www.evoloterra. com (see blog to hear the show referenced) Blue Orgin and their flight earlier in the day, suborbital companies, going to space for the wrong and right reasons and much more.

** The Space Cafe Podcast #32: Jacques Arnould, a tricky question for the entire space industry – SpaceWatch.Global

Jacques Arnould is paid to ask uncomfortable questions. As an ethicist at the French space agency CNES, Jacques puts his fingers on places that people sometimes like to ignore: such as the question: why we do what we do. Why money is spent on this mission and not on another, and above all, why we want to do spaceflight in the first place.

** E67: Building Normentum – Norms of Behavior in SpaceAerospace Corp Space Policy (Vimeo) – Center for Space Policy & Strategy (CSPS)

** Edmund Burke – What Does It Take To Get On The Test Launch Schedule At Vandenberg AFB? – CSP S02E81Cold Star Technologies – YouTube

What does it take to get on the test launch schedule at Vandenberg Air Force Base? How do so many organizations unnecessarily delay their time because of unexpected but avoidable issues? Edmund Burke of Space Information Labs joins host Jason Kanigan on the Cold Star Project to explain range safety compliance – happenings, trends, success, and failure. We discuss:

– The shift to Autonomous Flight Termination and Space Based Range
– Brief explanation of flight termination systems
– Advantages and necessity of intelligent lithium battery systems
– RadTol BMS, and radiation tolerant avionics
– Testing and documentation required to fly (RCC 319-19)
– A decade of watching companies fall short on promises because the didn’t understand what it takes
– Danger of vertical integration for startups
– Important lessons learned.

Edmund Burke served as an Air Force Program Manager and Project Director for many years prior to founding Space Information Laboratories in 2004. He served as the Space Lift Range System, Range Instrumentation and Metric Track lead for both Vandenberg AFB and Cape Canaveral, FL.

** Space Café WebTalk – Thomas Schildknecht – 1. June 2021spacewatch. global – News Room – YouTube

In this week’s Space Café WebTalk Prof. Thomas Schildknecht, Director of Swiss Optical Ground Station and Geodynamics Observatory Zimmerwald and Vice-Director of Astronomical Institute of the University of Bern, Switzerland, talked about Sustainability beyond (our) planet protection from the perspective of an astronomer.

Human-caused climate change, global pandemics, ocean acidification and species extinctions may eventually threaten the collapse of humanity, while others argue that for political or economic reasons we should allow industrial development to continue without restrictions.

Can we afford that?

What role plays space?

** July 23, 2021 Zimmerman/Batchelor podcast – Behind The Black/Robert Zimmerman

** July 21, 2021 Zimmerman/Batchelor podcast – Behind The Black/Robert Zimmerman

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Space policy roundup – July.12.2021

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:

** China Performs Spacewalk at the Chinese Space Station, Plethora of Launches in a Single Week – Ep 41Dongfang Hour – YouTube

Hello and welcome to another episode of the Dongfang Hour China Space News Roundup! A kind reminder that we cover a lot more stories every week in our Newsletter (newsletter.dongfanghour.com).

This week, we discuss:
1) China’s 1st EVA with Tianhe (and 2nd ever Chinese EVA)
2) A Plethora of launches in a Single Week
3) Guangzhou & Tianjin Add Satellite Internet to their Development Plans

A summary of the program is provided here: Dongfang Hour China Aerospace News Roundup 5 July – 11 July 2021 – SpaceWatch.Global.

** Episode 42 – What is Going on With This Idea of Space PollutionSpace Thoughts (YouTube) – Space Law & Policy Solutions/Michael Listner

** T+193: Marcia Smith, SpacePolicyOnline.com – Main Engine Cut Off

Marcia Smith of SpacePolicyOnline.com joins me for a round up of space policy news, including how the Biden and Nelson administrations are doing so far, things that are being overlooked or sidelined, the Senate’s NASA Authorization bill, NASA’s Human Landing System contract and the battle for funding, the space tourism learning period, and we finish with a quick look at what China and Russia have been up to lately.

** The Space Cafe Podcast #31: Ian Carnelli, Preparing for the worst – SpaceWatch.Global

Episode 031 features a special guest Ian Carnelli. Next year, a small spacecraft will head for the double asteroid Didymos to slam into it with its brakes off. The name of the mission gives free rein to the imagination: Planetary Defense Mission. It is a joint mission between ESA and NASA, and it wants to test for the first time what has long been a topic in science fiction: can a deadly chunk of rock be deflected from its collision course with the earth or is a second event that took away the dinosaurs only a matter of time? The Planetary Defense Mission will find an answer. Whether it is the one we would like remains to be seen. Mission Director Ian Carnelli paints a fascinating picture of this unique mission.

** Space Policy and History Forum: The History and Politics of Space JunkNASA Video

The exponential rise in debris cluttering Earth orbits poses formidable technical, political, financial, and legal challenges, from threatening satellites and space stations to impacting Earth to potentially provoking international conflict. How is the space debris situation evolving? Who is responsible for the management of Earth orbit? How should we approach debris removal and growth mitigation? Can the history of orbital debris help us achieve a safe and sustainable future in space? Join the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum and NASA for a virtual Space Policy and History Forum featuring a panel discussion on the politics of orbital debris within a historical context. Panelists include: • Jonathan McDowell, Astrophysicist, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics • Lisa Ruth Rand, Assistant Professor of History, California Institute of Technology • Gabriel Swiney, Attorney Advisor, International Space Lawyer, U.S. State Department Moderated by Bhavya Lal, Senior Advisor for Budget and Finance, NASA.

** The Space Show – Friday, July.9.2021Dr. Matthew Weinzierl, a Harvard space economist, discussed “commercial space through the eyes of an economist”. See the paper, The Commercial Space Age Is Here – Harvard Business Review by Matt Weinzierl and Mehak Sarang.

** Hotel Mars: – The John Batchelor Show/The Space Show – Wed. July.7.2021Leonard David talked with John Batchelor and Dr. David Livingston about the upcoming Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin suborbital spaceflights and about space tourism in general

** The Space Show – Tuesday, July.6.2021Aaron Bateman spoke about “national space security issues and history“.

** Registering Lunar Activities – Moon Dialogs Salon #14 – Moon Dialogs

This salon was part of our Sustainable Moon series and features the first public workshop of The Registration Project and featured a number of space law experts. The Registration Project was launched to address the shortcomings of existing law and practice regarding registration as humankind returns to the Moon. The Project is a joint venture of the Moon Village Association (MVA) and the Global Space Law Center (GSLC) at Cleveland State University.

** Insight – 3rd Summit for Space Sustainability | Secure World

** Space Café WebTalk – Katherine Courtney – 18. May 2021spacewatch. global – News Room – YouTube

During this week’s Space Café, SpaceWatch.Global publisher Torsten Kriening met with space strategist and former Chief Executive for the UK Space Agency, Katherine Courtney, to discuss space sustainability and her role as founder of education charity PrimarySpace.

Katherine is the current strategic adviser for Arqit, an encryption platform based in London. She was previously the regulator for UK License Space Operations and has worked with organisations such as Avascent, the Global Network on Sustainability in Space and MULTIPLY Space to create clear strategies, manage risks and multiply returns on innovation investment; bring government, researchers and businesses together to apply innovation to key policy aims; and support start-ups to scale-up.

This week, she and Torsten discuss the biggest risk of all – what will our contemporary use of space mean for future generations, and are we sleepwalking into the next catastrophe?

** Operating in a new space age: Does space security matter to industry?  Space Court Foundation – YouTube

** July 7, 2021 Zimmerman/Batchelor podcast – Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman

** July 9, 2021 Zimmerman/Batchelor podcast – Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman

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Space policy roundup – July.5.2021

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:

** Episode 41: What’s Hot 2nd Quarter 2021Space Thoughts (YouTube) – Space Law & Policy Solutions/Michael Listner

** Operating in a new space age: Does space security matter to industry?Space Court Foundation – YouTube

** New Footage from Chinese MARS Rover, Nebula M Static Fire Test, Landspace Completes Rocket FactoryDongfang Hour – YouTube

Hello and welcome to another episode of the Dongfang Hour China Space News Roundup! A kind reminder that we cover a lot more stories every week in our Newsletter (newsletter.dongfanghour.com). This week, we discuss:

1) China’s Zhurong Mars Rover Sends Back Additional Footage
2) LandSpace Completes the First Phase of the Its Small and Medium Rocket Factory in Jiaxing (and article by GoTaikonauts! : https://www.thespacereview.com/articl…)
3) Deep Blue Aerospace Prepares Static Fire Test for the Nebula M Demonstrato
4) Multiple Satellites Launched On-Board Long March 2D

** Deep Dive into China’s Space Station Cameras & Relay Satellites – Dongfang Hour – YouTube

Welcome to the Dongfang Hour (literally “Eastern Hour”)! This episode is an experiment with trying something shorter, less “news-like” and more on the entertaining side of things, to complement our weekly news updates. This episode was inspired from a Chinese media article (https://www.sohu.com/a/474392163_1001…), from which I added some addition facts, thoughts, and visuals. Credits of the footage are from: CCTV, CASC, ESA, NASA.

** The Space Show – Friday, July 2, 2021John Bucknell discussed “new SSP commercial venture, Virtus Solis Technologies, SSP R&D, SSP commercial readiness, markets, competition, manufacturing on Earth versus on orbit or on the Moon, cislunar development, SSP financing, nuclear energy alternatives.

** The Space Show – Tuesday, June.29.2021Alfred Anzaldua discussed “space debris, problem solving, and suggested solutions“.

** Protecting Critical Information, Contracting with DoD and CMMC – the New Paradigm for BothConstellations Podcast

In this Constellations Podcast episode, we’ll discuss what the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification, otherwise known as CMMC, is and how it will change the requirements for contracting with the DoD. The recent spate of data breaches affecting both government and commercial organizations underscores the need for more robust security measures to protect critical information. For DoD, this means increased protection of FCI and CUI data. CMMC will be a critical component of heightened security as all companies will need to pass strict CMMC security assessments before being awarded DoD contracts. During this episode, Justin Padilla, Director, Cybersecurity Services, Kratos will explain what CUI, FCI mean and how they will all be affected by CMMC. He’ll discuss how companies will need to be assessed by a Third-Party Assessment Organization – a C3PAO. As Kratos is one of the first C3PAOs to be authorized, Justin can break down the whole process for you.

** June 30, 2021 Zimmerman/Batchelor podcast

** Space Café WebTalk – REGIONAL Canada – 7. May 2021spacewatch. global – News Room – YouTube

Space Café Canada is hosted by our friend Dr. Jessica West, a Senior Researcher at the Canadian peace and security research institute, Project Ploughshares.

Does space need more Canada?

Her first guest was Dr. David Kendall. Dr. Kendall is a remarkable leader in the space community both here in Canada and internationally. He culminated a long career at the Canadian Space Agency as its Director-General. He represented Canada at the United Nations, specifically at the Committee for the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space as a delegate, then Head of Delegation, and between 2016 and 2018 as Chair of the Committee. Recently he is a founding member of the Outer Space Institute at the University of British Columbia. And throughout he has been an active member of the International Space University, having just been awarded the position of Faculty Emeritus following more than thirty years of service.

Canada has a long history as a spacefaring nation, but whether it will lead to a new era of space activity is not clear. Together, Jessica and David explore the question of whether space needs more Canada.

Canada’s lagging legacy in space

** E66: Force Design – Lessons from the Marine CorpsAerospace Corp Space Policy (Vimeo) – Center for Space Policy & Strategy (CSPS)

** Protecting Critical Information, Contracting with DoD and CMMC – the New Paradigm for BothConstellations Podcast

In this Constellations Podcast episode, we’ll discuss what the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification, otherwise known as CMMC, is and how it will change the requirements for contracting with the DoD. The recent spate of data breaches affecting both government and commercial organizations underscores the need for more robust security measures to protect critical information. For DoD, this means increased protection of FCI and CUI data. CMMC will be a critical component of heightened security as all companies will need to pass strict CMMC security assessments before being awarded DoD contracts. During this episode, Justin Padilla, Director, Cybersecurity Services, Kratos will explain what CUI, FCI mean and how they will all be affected by CMMC. He’ll discuss how companies will need to be assessed by a Third-Party Assessment Organization – a C3PAO. As Kratos is one of the first C3PAOs to be authorized, Justin can break down the whole process for you.

** National Space Society‘s International Space Development Conference 2021 – June 24-27, 2021. There were many space policy related talks and panels and most of these are available in the videos below from the first three days. See the YouTube captions or the ISDC Schedule to select sessions of interest.

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Space policy roundup – June.28.2021

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:

** Episode 40: Virgin Galactic Launch License and New Mexico Spaceflight Informed Consent ActSpace Thoughts (YouTube) – Space Law & Policy Solutions/Michael Listner

** Major Updates for China’s Lunar Rockets, China SatNet Signs Collaboration with Chongqing – Ep 39Dongfang Hour – YouTube

Hello and welcome to another episode of the Dongfang Hour China Aero/Space News Roundup! A kind reminder that we cover a lot more stories every week in the DFH Newsletter (getrevue.co/profile/dongfanghour).
This week, we discuss:

1) Massive Design Changes for China’s Super Heavy Rocket the Long March 9 (Long Lehao Presentation at the University of Hong-Kong)

2) Assorted Updates on China SatNet

3) Satellite Industry Fund of 50B RMB to be Set Up in Shenzhen

See also Dongfang Hour China Aerospace News Roundup 21 June – 27 June 2021 – SpaceWatch.Global

** The Space Show – Sunday, June.27.2021Dr. Scott Pace discussed “a wide range of space policy issues including space situational awareness, Artemis, the National Space Council directives and space in the new Biden Administration“.

** Hotel Mars – John Batchelor Show/The Space Show – Wed. June.23.2021Dr. Haym Benaroya of Purdue Univ. spoke with John Batchelor and Dr. David Livingstonabout lunar habs, Venus, China and Russian lunar development and more“.

** The Space Show – Tuesday, June.22.2021Mark Whittington spoke about his new book, Why is America Going Back to the Moon [Amazon commission link] and a variety of other space policy issues and news items.

** Hotel Mars – John Batchelor Show/The Space Show – Wed. June 16.2021Dr. David Grinspoon spoke with John Batchelor and Dr. David Livingston about “the new planned missions to Venus plus the new photos coming back of the Jupiter moon, Ganymede. The photos are being taken and sent back to Earth by the Juno mission.

** The Space Cafe Podcast #30: Yvette Hopkins, Shetland Space Center – SpaceWatch.Global

Episode 030 features a special guest Yvette Hopkins.

In the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, a little north of Scotland, there is a small island that you can cross by car in just two and a half hours. In the far north, there is not much going on, lush meadows as far as the eye can see. And sheep, of course. On closer inspection, however, there is one place with a most curious combination of buildings that piqued our interest: a spaceport with its own pub. Naturally, we got curious and did a little research and uncovered a most fascinating story.

** E65 – Partnership Across the National Labs & AcademiaAerospace Corp Space Policy (Vimeo) – Center for Space Policy & Strategy (CSPS)

** Space Café WebTalk – Laura Seward Forczyk – 11. May 2021spacewatch. global – News Room – YouTube

During this week’s Space Café, SpaceWatch.Global publisher Torsten Kriening met with space professional, author, scientist, analyst and millennial, Laura Seward Forczyk.

Laura is the founder and CEO of Astralytical, a space science, industry and policy consultancy that provides space career coaching services, big-picture market trends, startup and stealth company strategies, astronomy and planetary science mission analysis, as well as an advisory for space tourism, spaceport development and education… just to name a few.

She is also a NASA Subject Matter Expert for planetary science missions, the author of a book, Rise of the Space Age Millennials: Aspirations of a Rising Generation, and a prolific volunteer for organisations such as For All Moonkind: Science, Industry and Education Council and the Lifeboat Foundation.

This week, she and Torsten discuss the one thing we all want to know: how close are we to commercial human space travel?

** June 25, 2021 Zimmerman/Batchelor podcast

** June 23, 2021 Zimmerman/Batchelor podcast

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Space policy roundup – June.21.2021

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:

** China & Russia Announce Roadmap for Lunar Station, Shenzhou-12 Docks with Tianhe Core Module – Ep 38 – Dongfang Hour – YouTube

Hello and welcome to another episode of the Dongfang Hour China Aero/Space News Roundup! This week, we will only cover two stories in more detail, because they are both pretty beastly stories. A kind reminder that we cover a lot more stories every week in the DFH Newsletter (getrevue.co/profile/dongfanghour)!

The topics of the week are:
1) Shenzhou-12 launched on-board a Long March 2F, and successfully docks with the Tianhe Core Module

2) China and Russia announce (relatively) detailed roadmap for the ILRS (a.k.a. International Lunar Research Station)

See also: Dongfang Hour China Aerospace News Roundup 14 June – 20 June 2021 – SpaceWatch.Global

** Space Café WebTalk – REGIONAL Greater Bay Area China – 30. April 2021spacewatch. global – News Room – YouTube

The end of April saw the beginning of a new Space Café series, the Space Café Greater Bay Area, hosted by me, Blaine Curcio. Having spent around 10 years in Greater China, and with most of that time spent in Hong Kong and Shenzhen, I have seen firsthand the rapid evolution of China’s space sector, and also the innovation and resources in the Greater Bay Area. Through my work with my own company Orbital Gateway Consulting (OGC), and my ongoing affiliate work with Euroconsult, I have been covering the Chinese space sector specifically for several years, and more recently, have witnessed the rise of a space industry in the Greater Bay Area. That being the case, it is my pleasure to host the Space Café Greater Bay Area, and in particular its first edition, with none other than my friend and longtime industry colleague (and fellow longtime Hong Kong resident), Mr. Gregg Daffner. Here is a recap of our conversation:

First, what is the Greater Bay Area? Greater Bay Area refers to the 9 cities in Guangdong Province surrounding the Pearl River Delta, as well as the SARs of Hong Kong and Macau. Among the 9 cities are several megacities among themselves (Shenzhen and Guangzhou), and the area has a total population of more than 70 million people. Historically one of China’s most dynamic regions, with many manufacturers and private enterprises, the GBA has punched under its weight in the space sector, due in part to its extremely far distance from Beijing, China’s traditional space industry heart. During our Space Café GBA, we will strive to have guests from different parts of the GBA, or discuss topics on different elements of space in the broader GBA.

For our first episode, we welcomed Mr. Gregg Daffner, CEO of GapSat and President of APSCC. Gregg brought to the Space Café perspectives from his broad experience in the satellite, broadcast, and advertising/filmmaking industries, and his perspectives on a changing space sector in Asia-Pacific. …

** Space Café WebTalk – Temidayo Oniosun – 4. May 2021spacewatch. global – News Room – YouTube

During this week’s Space Café, SpaceWatch.Global publisher Torsten Kriening caught up with Nigerian-born Temidayo Oniosun, the Managing Director and Founder of Space in Africa, an African media platform, analytics and consulting company that works in the space and satellite sector.

There are two things you need to know about Temidayo: the first is he has a grand plan, and the second, although in his early career, he has already accomplished more than most do in a lifetime. Since 2011 he has completed degrees at the University of Technology Akure, Bath Spa University and the University of Strathclyde, and is currently studying a doctorate in the United States.

On top of his extensive studies, has also worked on the Space Generation Advisory Council, was co-founder of RadikalHUB, a consultancy for start-ups, and is also the Chief Technology Officer of Ideal Space Technologies, which operates Space in Africa. Temidayo believes now is the time for a home-grown commercial space ecosystem in Africa that is free of vested interests and preconceptions, and that is driven by data analytics.

During this week’s Space Café, he and Torsten discuss the launch of Space in Africa’s new report on global space budgets. …

**  E64: NASA & Space Nuclear PropulsionAerospace Corp Space Policy (Vimeo) – Center for Space Policy & Strategy (CSPS)

** The AFRL Exchange Program, Aligning Military and Commercial Needs, and the Difference Between AFWERX and SPACEWERXConstellations Podcast

Listen to Captain Jake Singleton from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) describe an exchange program with the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence (UK MOD). The U.S. has exchange agreements with 16 different countries around the world. Captain Singleton discusses the gap that exists between emerging commercial space technologies and government requirements and activities the AFRL is pursuing to close that gap. He defined the term “dual technologies” and how they can bring value to both commercial and military markets, especially those in support of space capabilities. Huge changes have been made to better engage with new companies developing technologies for the Air Force and Space Force. Captain Singleton discusses those changes and programs going forward to enable even more collaboration between the U.S. and commercial vendors both domestic and abroad.

** The Space Show – Sunday, June.20.2021Michael Listner discussed multiple space policy and legal topics.

** The Space Show – Friday, June.18.2021Dr. Ken Davidian talked about what actually defines a commercial space company, which he outlined in his new Acta Astronautica paper, What makes space activities commercial?

** The Space Show – Tuesday, June.14.2021Dr. Kevin Cannon talked about “lunar geology and resource usage, Mars and resources plus asteroids“.

** Chinese-Russian Moon base video:

** Break the Ice: Masten designs Rocket Mining System to extract lunar water – Masten Space. See

Masten teamed up with Honeybee Robotics and Lunar Outpost to design a new Rocket Mining System that can rapidly extract frozen volatiles from the Moon. This method disrupts lunar soil with a series of rocket plumes that fluidize ice regolith by exposing it to direct convective heating. It utilizes a 100 lbf rocket engine under a pressurized dome to enable deep cratering more 2 meters below the lunar surface. During this process, ejecta from multiple rocket firings blasts up into the dome and gets funneled through a vacuum-like system that separates ice particles from the remaining dust and transports it into storage containers. The small, low mass system, including the rocket fuel, engine, collapsible dome, and storage containers, can be attached to a rover and delivered to the Moon on Masten’s lunar landers. The system is projected to mine up to 12 craters per day and produce 100 kg of ice per crater. That would allow us to recover more than 420,000 kg of lunar water per year!

See also Break the Ice: Masten designs Rocket Mining System to extract lunar water.

** June 18, 2021 Zimmerman/Batchelor podcast 

** June 16, 2021 Zimmerman/Batchelor podcast

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