Space News thread

[Takeovers]

UK space mission fails after rocket 'anomaly' - BBC News

Space mission fails after 'rocket anomaly'.

Virgin Orbit is a Richard Branson company, like Virgin Galactic with their tourist space plane launch plan. Richard Branson actually did go on a flight.

After an initial launch failure, which is not unusual for a first launch, they had 3 successful orbital launches. Now a failure again. I am not sure they have a future. They do have a number of launch contracts lined up.

[Takeovers]

SpaceX today launched their second launch for One Web.

SpaceX launches OneWeb Flight #16 mission from Florida - NASASpaceFlight.com

One Web initially planned and contracted all of their launches with Soyuz rockets. All flights already paid for. But after the begin of the Ukraine war Russia demanded a declaration the satellites would not be used for military purposes, which One Web refused. Then Russia stole one set of satellites. No more Soyuz launches for One Web.

One Web then contracted a number of flights, including a few from India. But most from SpaceX their competitor with Starlink. You may want to watch the launch, because it includes one of the rare return to launch site first stage landings back to the Cape in Florida.

[Topper]

Does anyone think SpaceX's ability to land boosters hyper accurately has been adapted for kinetic weapons? A few concrete telephone poles with some nitrogen tanks and fins seems like it's all that's needed.

[Takeovers]

Does anyone think SpaceX's ability to land boosters hyper accurately has been adapted for kinetic weapons?

Crashing something with high speed is much more efficient than landing and it is easier.

[harrybarracuda]

Once-in-a-lifetime green comet approaching closest point to Earth

The green comet named C/2022 E3 (ZTF) was only discovered on 2 March 2022, spotted from the Zwicky Transient Facility in California. But this year it's been more widely visible and could be seen with the naked eye when it makes its closest fly-by.


A once-in-a-lifetime green comet not seen since the Stone Age will make its closest approach to Earth next week.
Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) has already been visible through binoculars and telescopes this month, but could become visible with the naked eye as it gets ever nearer to our planet.


Experts say those without equipment should try to catch it on 1 and 2 February, when the green comet will look its brightest against the night sky.
At its closest point (a mere 28 million miles away), it will be visible from the northern and southern hemisphere.
NASA described the comet's rare fly-by as an "awesome opportunity to make a personal connection with an icy visitor from the distant outer solar system".


Until now, the visibility has been at its best before dawn.
But as January winds down and February begins, the comet will be visible from the evening onwards.
The comet will be at its nearest and brightest between next Wednesday and Thursday.


However, the Royal Observatory at Greenwich suggests you check what time the moon will rise where you live, so to avoid its bright light drowning out the comet's shine.
And while C/2022 E3 (ZTF) has been tipped to be one of the very best comet sightings of 2023, it won't be quite as stunning as the Neowise comet from three years ago.
That one left a picturesque streak behind it as it flew by Earth.

Once-in-a-lifetime green comet approaching closest point to Earth | Science & Tech News | Sky News

[harrybarracuda]

A radio signal from a galaxy almost 9billion light-years away from Earth has been captured by scientists.

Researchers in Canada and India were able to capture the signal from the galaxy named 'SDSSJ0826+5630', with the help of a giant telescope in India.

The radio wave could allow astronomers to peer back into the past and understand the early universe - which is thought to be around 13.7billion years old.

Radio signal sent from galaxy nearly nine billion light years away is received by scientist on earth | Daily Mail Online

[malmomike77]

Nasa to test nuclear rockets that could fly astronauts to Mars in record time

Project, in concert with US government agency Darpa, aims to develop pioneering propulsion system for space travel

Nasa has unveiled plans to test nuclear-powered rockets that would fly astronauts to Mars in ultra-fast time.

The agency has partnered with the US government’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa) to demonstrate a nuclear thermal rocket engine in space as soon as 2027, it announced on Tuesday.

The project is intended to develop a pioneering propulsion system for space travel far different from the chemical systems prevalent since the modern era of rocketry dawned almost a century ago.

“Using a nuclear thermal rocket allows for faster transit time, reducing risk for astronauts,” Nasa said in a press release.

“Reducing transit time is a key component for human missions to Mars, as longer trips require more supplies and more robust systems.”

An additional benefit would be increased science payload capacity, and higher power for instrumentation and communication, according to the agency.

Nasa, which successfully tested its new-era Artemis spacecraft last year as a springboard back to the moon and on to Mars, has hopes of landing humans on the red planet some time in the 2030s as part of its Moon to Mars program.

Using current technology, Nasa says, the 300m-mile journey to Mars would take about seven months. Engineers do not yet know how much time could be shaved off using nuclear technology, but Bill Nelson, the Nasa administrator, said it would allow spacecraft, and humans, to travel in deep space at record speed.

“With the help of this new technology, astronauts could journey to and from deep space faster than ever - a major capability to prepare for crewed missions to Mars,” Nelson said.

Nuclear electric propulsion systems use propellants much more efficiently than chemical rockets but provide a low amount of thrust, the agency says.

A reactor generates electricity that positively charges gas propellants like xenon or krypton, pushing the ions out through a thruster, which drives the spacecraft forward.

Using low thrust efficiently, nuclear electric propulsion systems accelerate spacecraft for extended periods and can propel a Mars mission for a fraction of the propellant of high-thrust systems.

In a statement, Darpa’s director, Dr Stefanie Tompkins, said the agreement was an extension of existing collaboration between the agencies.

“Darpa and Nasa have a long history of fruitful collaboration in advancing technologies for our respective goals, from the Saturn V rocket that took humans to the moon for the first time to robotic servicing and refueling of satellites,” she said.

“The space domain is critical to modern commerce, scientific discovery and national security. The ability to accomplish leap-ahead advances in space technology… will be essential for more efficiently and quickly transporting material to the moon and, eventually, people to Mars.”

Nasa’s Artemis 2 mission, which will send humans around the moon for the first time in more than half a century, is scheduled for 2024. The subsequent Artemis 3 mission, which could come the following year, will land astronauts, including the first woman, on the moon’s surface for the first time since 1972.

Nasa to test nuclear rockets that could fly astronauts to Mars in record time | Mars | The Guardian

[Takeovers]

Nasa to test nuclear rockets that could fly astronauts to Mars in record time

I am 72 years old. Since I don't expect to live much past 100 years, I will never see that fly.

If anything, maybe direct fusion drives will get there sooner and would be much more efficient, if we can master that technology.

[malmomike77]

I am 72 years old. Since I don't expect to live much past 100 years, I will never see that fly.

exploration is much about hope and dreams - stick around TOs

[misskit]

Thailand to send its first Earth exploration satellite into orbit this year

Thailand plans to launch its first industrial-grade Earth exploration satellite this year, Deputy Government Spokesman Rachada Dhnadirek said on Thursday.


The main satellite, THEOS-2, is the product of joint cooperation between 20 Thai satellite engineers, international organisations specialised in space technology and the Geo-Informatics Space Technology Development Agency of Thailand, she said.


The THEOS-2 satellite weighs about 425kg and is equipped with a high resolution camera. It was designed to be used to explore the Earth, for public disaster management and security.


A smaller satellite, THEOS-2A, weighs about 100kg and is a resource survey satellite.


Rachada said that the satellite program is divided into three parts, the first being the satellites; the second is the National Assembly Integration and Test facility, which is located at the Space Krenovation Park in Si Racha district of Chon Buri. The third concerns the development of geo-informatics applications and integrated solutions relating to agricultural and food security, water management, public disaster management, natural resources and the eco system, national security and urban planning.


Rachada said that the space sector is one of ten future industries which will enable Thailand to increase the country’s competitiveness.

Thailand to send its first Earth exploration satellite into orbit this year | Thai PBS World : The latest Thai news in English, News Headlines, World News and News Broadcasts in both Thai and English. We bring Thailand to the world

[malmomike77]

^ i wonder if it will allow the National Park organisation to accurately map and assess each NP and finally manage to determine where encroachment is occurring, something hitherto seemingly impossible for those on the ground to ascertain.

[Takeovers]

exploration is much about hope and dreams - stick around TOs

Full nucelar drives are a long way off. I wish for exploration of the outer planets with a mix of chemical and nuclear electric drive. We had only flyby missions of Uranus, Neptun and Pluto which allows for only hours to few days close observation. What we need is orbiters around the three planets (I do ignore that Pluto has lost planet status).

Starship will be able to send very heavy probes to the outer planets. NASA has the kilopower nuclear reactors that can produce 10kW electric power for ion drives that would slow down the probes to orbital speeds on arrival. That way not only power for achieving orbit will be available but also power for high capability transmitters that can beam back a lot of data volume.

[OhOh]

Thailand plans to launch its first industrial-grade Earth exploration satellite this year, Deputy Government Spokesman Rachada Dhnadirek said on Thursday.

Thailand has rockets to launch the satellite?

[harrybarracuda]

Thailand has rockets to launch the satellite?

Of course. Don't you know anything?

[OhOh]

The agency has partnered with the US government’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa) to demonstrate a nuclear thermal rocket engine in space as soon as 2027, it announced on Tuesday.

It sounds similar to The Russian "Space Tug 'Zeus' ".

Allegedly touted for a 2030 "launch", although whether that is a launch from earth or after being assembled in earth orbit, is not clear.

Russia reveals a formidable nuclear-powered space tug

[harrybarracuda]

Russia's state-owned space corporation, Roscosmos, reported Saturday that a Progress supply ship attached to the International Space Station has lost pressure in its external cooling system.

In its statement, Roscosmos said there was no threat to the seven crew members on board the orbiting laboratory. NASA, too, said the hatch between the Progress MS-21 vehicle and the space station was open. Notably, the incident with the supply ship came within hours of the safe docking of another Progress ship, MS-22, which is in good health.

Although the initial Roscosmos statement was vague about the depressurization event, Dmitry Strugovets, a former head of space agency Roscosmos' press service, later clarified it was a coolant leak. "All of the coolant has leaked out," he said via Telegram.

This is the second Russian spacecraft to suffer a cooling system leak in less than two months at the space station.

Another Russian spacecraft docked to the space station is leaking | Ars Technica

[Takeovers]

This is the second Russian spacecraft to suffer a cooling system leak in less than two months at the space station.

Which makes their story, the first leak was caused by a micrometeorite, quite unlikely. It was sloppy workmanship with both leaks, that's almost certain.

It is way past time to terminate cooperation with Russia in space.

[Takeovers]

Just read in the German space forum. Roskosmos was preparing Soyuz MS-23 as the replacement for defective Soyuz MS-22 to provide a safe return vehicle for stranded Cosmonauts.

They have now stopped launch preparations. Must be that they think it has the same flaw that condemned MS-22 and the Progress transporter MS-21.

I have stated it before. Roskosmos and the Russian space program are in a downward spiral.

[harrybarracuda]

It seems a recent coronal mass ejection meant even people in Cornwall could see the Northern Lights...

Northern Lights stun sky-gazers - even southern England treated to rare display Aurora | UK News | Sky News

[Simon43]

Thailand to send its first Earth exploration satellite into orbit this year

---
The main satellite, THEOS-2, is the product of joint cooperation between 20 Thai satellite engineers, international organisations specialised in space technology and the Geo-Informatics Space Technology Development Agency of Thailand, she said.
---

This satellite is wholly the design from UK company Surrey Satellite Ltd (SSL), and is constructed in the UK. The Thai engineers are being mentored in the UK by experienced SSL engineers so that they can design and build a future satellite in Thailand.

THEOS-2 SmallSAT mission | Small Satellite supplier | Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd | SSTL

Personally I have my doubts that the Thai engineers will be up to the task! Years ago I used to work for Alcatel Espace, the French space/satellite company. One of my tasks was to make monthly visits to the company's Spanish offshoot, where some satellite integration work was taking place. The lack of competence and work ethic (manana, manana) of the Spanish staff was scary!

[Takeovers]

Chinese private space company Space Pioneer has reached orbit with a liquid/Kerosene fueled rocket. If things continue to go well for them, they will be able to copy the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with first stage reuse, maybe in 5 years. That's about a decade behind SpaceX today, who is making the next huge step right now. But they at least try to design reusable rockets unlike most.

[Takeovers]

Japanese lunar lander loses contact moments before touchdown

I note that this lander is called hakuto, which means white rabbit.
The Chinese moon rover was named yutu, which means jade rabbit.
Just a coincidence or is the rabbit somehow connected with the moon in asian cultures?

Landing on the Moon is still hard. We had a string of failures. An Israeli lander failed. An Indian lander failed, now the Japanese lander failed. All failures happened in the last phase of landing, shortly before touchdown.



https://astronomy.com/news/2023/04/japanese-lunar-lander-loses-contact-moments-before-touchdown

Japanese lunar lander loses contact moments before touchdown
The Tokyo-based company that developed the lander, ispace, still hopes to eventually provide commercial services to both private companies and space agencies alike.

The Japanese start-up ispace attempted to become the first private company to successfully soft-land a commercial spacecraft on the Moon today (Tuesday, April 25). However, it now appears that the landing attempt — like several other such attempts in recent years — has failed.


The company’s car-sized lander, called M1, first set forth for the Moon late last year, launching aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral in Florida on Dec. 11. After a multi-month trip to lunar orbit, the spacecraft today fired its main thrusters to carry out a pre-programmed series of commands aimed at gently lowering the lander to the lunar surface.


But when the craft got within just a few dozen meters of the Moon’s surface, ispace lost contact with the lander. Attempts to reestablish contact have so far failed, suggesting ispace’s M1 lander did not touch down softly and safely as intended, but instead likely crashed into the Moon’s surface.


"We have to assume that we did not complete the landing on the lunar surface," said ispace founder Takeshi Hakamada during the company's webcast. "We will keep going, never quit in our quest."


Ispace currently plans to attempt at least two more lunar landings over the next few years, applying lessons learned during today's landing attempt to increase their odds of success.

A potentially lucrative moonshot
The Tokyo-based company ispace was first founded in 2010 to compete in Google’s Lunar X Prize competition, which offered $20 million to the first private spacecraft to successfully land on the Moon. The Lunar X Prize expired before any company was able to cash in on the prize, but over the past decade, ispace has been working hard to develop the technology needed to make commercial operations on the Moon a reality.


The overarching goal of ispace’s so-called Hakuto-R mission — Hakuto means “white rabbit,” a reference to Japanese folklore that says a white rabbit lives on the Moon — was to set the stage for future commercial operations on the Moon. According to ispace, these money-making operations include “providing high-frequency, low-cost transportation services to the Moon,” as well as harvesting and selling lunar resources to commercial companies and national space agencies alike.


The Hakuto-R mission was expected to last about 10 days after reaching the lunar surface. And during that time, ispace’s M1 lander planned to release a rover built by the United Arab Emirates named Rashid, as well as a two-wheeled, transformable lunar robot built by the Japanese space agency JAXA.


Additional payloads that would have been tested include a prototype solid-state battery built by NGK Spark Plug Company, 360-degree cameras from Canadensys Aerospace, an artificial intelligence based flight computer from Mission Control Space Services, and a crater-based autonomous navigation system from NGC Aerospace.


Not the first, not the last
In 2019, another privately funded lunar lander, the Israeli Beresheet spacecraft, attempted to touch down on the Moon. However, a failure of the craft’s main engine during the landing sequence resulted in Beresheet instead slamming into the lunar surface, destroying the craft. That same year, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) also lost a lunar lander, Virkam, that was attempting to make a soft landing but instead crashed into the Moon’s south polar region.


Ispace may not have secured the title of the first private company to land on the Moon today. However, two U.S.-based companies — Astrobotic and Intuitive Machines — are both aiming to land on the lunar surface sometime later this summer.


Astrobotic says its lander is ready now, but the company is currently waiting on the United Launch Alliance to finish development of the Vulcan rocket that will send the lander to the Moon. Meanwhile, Intuitive Machines is still working to complete its lander, but the company has already booked a flight on one of SpaceX’s reliable Falcon 9 rockets.


Both of these companies are sponsored in part by NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, which aims to spur the development of technology needed to carry out science, exploration, and commercial development of the Moon.

[Takeovers]

[Edmond]

Just a coincidence or is the rabbit somehow connected with the moon in asian cultures?

Yes.

The Tranquillitatis basin is a giant rabbit, in Asian folklore, due to the shape.

You may remember the Chinese spacecrafts 'Chang-E', they were named after the Chinese princess that went to the moon with the rabbit.

Something about being given two pills, and she took them at the same time, and they were so powerful that they flew her and her rabbit to the moon, or something like that.

[harrybarracuda]

Chinkystan has lost contact with its Mars rover. Apparently no-one considered that dust might cover up the solar panels.