Short Takes – 4-29-24 – Space Geek Edition

Gravitics plans to leverage space station architecture for $1.7M Space Force project. Geekwire.com article. Pull quote: ““Developing and manufacturing commercial space station modules will continue to be at the core of our company mission,” Doughan said. “Gravitics is thrilled to have the opportunity to offer these commercial capabilities to the Department of Defense.””

Regulation of Commercial Human Spaceflight Safety: Overview and Issues for Congress. CRS report. Pull quote: “Congress may consider whether to extend the learning period again, for a fixed amount of time or indefinitely, or to allow the learning period to lapse. The FAA and some other stakeholders have suggested that, given the growth of the commercial human spaceflight industry, the learning period should be allowed to lapse and the FAA should begin the process of developing regulations.”

SpaceX making progress on Starship in-space refueling technologies. SpaceNews.com article. Pull quote: “The in-space propellant transfer test will be followed by an uncrewed demonstration mission of the HLS Starship, including fueling the vehicle and sending it to the moon for a landing. That mission will also feature an “ascent demo” not originally included in the plan, he said, to prove Starship can lift off the lunar surface.”

Spacecraft approaches metal object zooming around Earth, snaps footage. Mashable.com article. Pull quote: “The experimental spacecraft will now continue to closely approach the rocket, which Japan launched in 2009, gathering more data on the rocket's condition and motion. The following mission, with this information in hand, will "then remove and deorbit the rocket body using in-house robotic arm technologies," the company said in a statement.”