Short Takes – 8-5-24 – Space Geek Edition

NASA’s science mission spacecraft are at risk from hackers, but a new law could help protect them. TheConversation.com article. Pull quote: “One significant challenge is the burden on smaller operators and contractors. The legislation must provide support and guidance to help these companies comply with cybersecurity requirements without stifling innovation. This support could include financial incentives, technical assistance, and a phased implementation approach to allow smaller companies time to adapt to new standards.”

Allocation of Spectrum for Non-Federal Space Launch Operations; Federal Earth Stations Communicating With Non-Federal Fixed Satellite Service Space Stations; and Federal Space Station Use of the 399.9-400.05 MHz Band. Federal Register FCC final rule. Summary: “In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) adopts a new secondary allocation in the 2025-2110 MHz band for non-Federal space operations, removes the restriction on use of the 2200-2290 MHz secondary non-Federal space operation allocation to four specific sub-channels to make the entire 2200-2290 MHz band available, adds a non-Federal secondary mobile allocation to the 2200-2290 MHz band, and adopts licensing and technical rules for space launch operations. Additionally, the Commission amends the allocation for the 399.9-400.05 MHz band to permit the deployment of Federal space stations.”

SDA is set to award satellite servicing contracts. SpaceNews.com article. Pull quote: ““That’s what we’re prepared to spend,” Tournear said. “As the technology matures, we’ll increase the capability and keep the price constant over time. What that means is any dollar that I don’t have to spend to over-engineer or provide redundancy on my propulsion and deorbit systems is funding that can be put back into the capabilities of the payload. That’s the cost trade that we’re looking at.””

Space: Russia Makes War In Orbital Space. StrategyPage.com article. Click-bait headline, actually about competing GPS systems. Pull quote: “Use of multiple global positioning satellite systems can also increase the accuracy and reliability of the signals, as well as provide redundancy and interoperability in case of failures or attacks. Having too many systems can also pose challenges, such as spectrum congestion, signal interference, and coordination difficulties. Moreover, some countries may use their systems for strategic or political purposes, such as denying access to rivals or asserting territorial claims. Therefore, it is important to establish international norms and regulations for the peaceful and responsible use of global positioning satellite systems.”

Scientists pin down the origins of the moon's tenuous atmosphere. ScienceDaily.com article. Pull quote: “"With impact vaporization, most of the atoms would stay in the lunar atmosphere, whereas with ion sputtering, a lot of atoms would be ejected into space," Nie says. "From our study, we now can quantify the role of both processes, to say that the relative contribution of impact vaporization versus ion sputtering is about 70:30 or larger." In other words, 70 percent or more of the moon's atmosphere is a product of meteorite impacts, whereas the remaining 30 percent is a consequence of the solar wind.”