Short Takes – 11-15-24 – Space Geek Edition

Artemis II Orion Spacecraft Undergoes Testing. NASA.gov article. Pull quote: “Engineers returned the spacecraft to the altitude chamber, which simulates deep space vacuum conditions, to complete the remaining test requirements and provide additional data to augment data gained during testing earlier this summer.”

NASA dealing with aging ISS and spacewalk hardware: 'None of our spacesuits are spring chickens'. Space.com article. Pull quote: “NASA plans to replace the ISS with commercial space stations in the early 2030s, and is also working on next-generation spacesuits in partnership with industry for both the ISS and the moon. Collins Aerospace was expected to create the newer ISS suits, but the company withdrew from its contract in June because its anticipated timeline "would not support the space station's schedule and NASA's mission objectives." NASA has not yet announced what will happen next.”

A step forward in space export control reform. SpaceNews.com article. Pull quote: ““We’re releasing three rules today the help us ensure export controls keep pace while continuing to secure these technologies and safeguard them from potential adversaries,” a senior Commerce Department official, speaking on background, said in a hastily arranged call with reporters to announce the changes. “This is about maintaining our leadership in space technology, protecting our national security, and bolstering our partnerships around the world.””

Impulse Space buys three Falcon 9 launches. SpaceNews.com article. Pull quote: “The first launch, planned for mid-2026, will be the first flight of Helios. The transfer vehicle will transport the company’s smaller Mira vehicle, carrying a commercial optical payload, from low Earth orbit to geostationary transfer orbit on the Victus Surgo mission for the Space Force and Defense Innovation Unit. Impulse Space received a $34.5 million contract for Victus Surgo and another mission, Victus Salo, Oct. 3. Impulse Space said the schedule and payloads for the other two Helios launches will be determined later.”

As ABL Space departs launch, the 1-ton rocket wars have a clear winner. ArsTechnica.com article. Pull quote: “Over the last half decade or so, three US companies have credibly vied to develop rockets in the 1-ton class in terms of lift capacity. ABL has been competing alongside Relativity Space and Firefly to bring its rockets to market. ABL never took off. In March 2023, Relativity reached space with the Terran 1 rocket, but, due to second-stage issues, failed to reach orbit. Within weeks, Relativity announced it was shifting its focus to a medium-lift rocket, Terran R. Since then, the California-based launch company has moved along, but there are persistent rumors that it faces a cash crunch.”

FAA moves forward with committee to review launch licensing regulations. SpaceNews.com article. Pull quote: “At a Sept. 16 meeting of the Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee (COMSTAC), Coleman said the FAA plans to ask companies that have gone through the Part 450 licensing process to participate in the SpARC. The FAA, in its Nov. 14 announcement, did not disclose the membership of the committee but said that it is “reaching out to invite stakeholders to participate.””

POLARIS Spaceplanes Complete First In-Flight Rocket Engine Ignition. EuropeanSpaceFlight.com article. Pull quote: “According to the company, the engine operated at a reduced chamber pressure during the three-second burn, resulting in a fuel-rich combustion. This approach enables engineers to collect initial performance data while minimizing stress on engine components. As testing progresses, chamber pressure will be gradually increased to optimize combustion efficiency and thrust.”