The moon, Mars, asteroids and Jupiter: China reveals ambitious space exploration plans. Space.com article. Pull quote: “China's next two lunar missions will follow in 2026 and 2028, Li said. These will be Chang'e 7 and Chang'e 8, respectively. Both will attempt to land near the lunar south pole. The first will hunt for water ice in permanently shadowed craters, while the second will carry in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) and terrestrial ecosystem experiments.”
NASA’s SpaceX 31st Resupply Mission to Launch Experiments to Station. NASA.gov article. Pull quote: “Mosses grow on every continent on Earth and have the highest radiation tolerance of any plant. Their small size, low maintenance, ability to absorb water from the air, and tolerance of harsh conditions make them suitable for spaceflight. NASA chose the Antarctic moss because that continent receives high levels of radiation from the Sun.”
Notice of Availability for a Written Re-Evaluation of the Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment for the SpaceX Starship/Super Heavy Launch Vehicle Program at the SpaceX Boca Chica Launch Site in Cameron County, Texas. Federal Register FAA notice. Summary: “In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, Council on Environmental Quality NEPA-implementing regulations, and FAA Order 1050.1F, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures, the FAA is announcing the availability of the Written Re-Evaluation for the Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment for the SpaceX Starship/Super Heavy Launch Vehicle Program regarding updates to the forward heat shield interstage, sonic boom coverage, use of the deluge system during return to launch site landings, and use of US Coast Guard Safety Zones at the SpaceX Boca Chica Launch Site in Cameron County, Texas.”
Export Administration Regulations: Removal of License Requirements for Certain Spacecraft and Related Items for Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Federal Register BIS final rule. Summary: “In this final rule, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) amends the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) by removing controls for certain spacecraft and related items for exports and reexports to Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. These spacecraft and related items involve remote sensing or space-based logistics, assembly, or servicing. Taking into account the close relations with these three allied countries, including in space collaboration, as well as their inclusion in the National Technology and Industrial Base (NTIB), this final rule removes the license requirement for these countries for these spacecraft and related items.”
Export Administration Regulations: Revisions to Space-Related Export Controls. Federal Register BIS interim final rule. Summary: “In this interim final rule (IFR), the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) makes changes to controls for spacecraft and related items under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). This IFR reduces license requirements on less sensitive items to reflect the close relations with certain countries to better facilitate space collaboration; and makes refinements and clarifications to existing controls. These changes will better enable a globally competitive U.S. space industrial base while continuing to protect U.S. national security and foreign policy interests.” Comments due November 22nd, 2024.
Export Administration Regulations: Revisions to Space-Related Export Controls, Including Addition of License Exception Commercial Space Activities (CSA). Federal Register BIS notice of proposed rulemaking. Summary: “In this proposed rule, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) proposes changes to controls for spacecraft and related items under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) that would conform to proposed changes to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) related to U.S. Munitions List (USML) Categories IV and XV. This rule also proposes the addition of a new license exception for certain Commercial Space Activities (CSA). This proposed rule is published alongside the Department of State proposed rule, “International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR): U.S. Munitions List Categories IV and XV” (1400-AE73), which includes proposed changes for certain space-related defense articles and related controls. These proposed rules are intended to better enable a globally competitive U.S. space industrial base while continuing to protect U.S. national security and foreign policy interests.” Comments due November 22nd, 2024.
Argotec inaugurates new satellite factory. SpaceNews.com article. Pull quote: “The company has set aside 1,200 square meters of the building for SpacePark HUB, which Avino described as an accelerator for startups developing technologies that Argotec could use for its spacecraft.”
Libre Space Foundation Aims To Improve Satellite Tech. Hackaday.com article. Pull quote: “The LSF maintains a huge database of their open source space projects, including this one, on their GitLab page. Although it might seem like small potatoes now, the adoption of open source software and hardware by space-fairing entities can help further the democratization of low Earth orbit.”
Giant catapult defies gravity by launching satellites into orbit without the need of rocket fuel. TheBrighterSideNews.com article. Pull quote: “SpinLaunch has already conducted multiple successful tests with this technology. "This is not a rocket, and clearly our ability to perform in just 11 months this many tests and have them all function as planned, really is a testament to the nature of our technology," said Jonathan Yaney, founder and CEO of SpinLaunch, in a 2022 Space.com report after their 10th successful launch. The company plans to launch constellations of satellites into orbits below 600 miles by 2026.” For potential downsides about throwing rocks, see Heinlein’s Moon is a Harsh Mistress”.
Scientists Studying “Trickster” Asteroid Make a Surprise Discovery Pointing to Elusive Fifth Force in Physics. TheDebrief.com article. Pull quote: ““The tight constraints we’ve achieved translate readily to some of the tightest-ever limits on Yukawa-type fifth forces,” said Sunny Vagnozzi, assistant professor at the University of Trento in Italy and co-author on the paper. “These results highlight the potential for asteroid tracking as a valuable tool in the search for ultralight bosons, dark matter, and several well-motivated extensions of the Standard Model.”” Journal article here.
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