Archive for the ‘Space News’ Category
Author: 
January 18th, 2023
China’s Queqiao-1 relay satellite in need of replacement. Image credit: Radboud Radio Lab of the Radboud University, the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy (ASTRON) and Innovative Solutions in Space (ISIS).
China’s Moon exploration program calls for launch next year of a new Queqiao-2 relay satellite.
That relay spacecraft is slated to provide key relay communication services for its future Chang’e lunar missions over the next decade, according to the China National Space Administration (CNSA).
According to China Central Television (CCTV), the design life of China’s current Queqiao relay satellite is set to expire. Its replacement is to serve phase-4 lunar probe missions: Chang’e-6, Chang’e-7, and Chang’e-8 missions. These Moon missions are to be carried out successively in the next 10 years.
Queqiao relay spacecraft is in a halo orbit around the second Lagrangian (L2) point of the Earth-Moon system, utilized to set up a communication link between the Earth and the Moon’s farside.
Credit: CNSA
Relay improvements
“We need to launch a relay satellite to support the work of Chang’e-6 as it will land on the far side of the Moon. So we will send Queqiao-2 at the beginning of 2024 to support the Chang’e-6 mission,” said Hu Hao, chief designer of the third phase of the China Lunar Exploration Project.
Queqiao-2 is to have a greater improvement in overall performance and capability compared to its predecessor, Hu added.
Chang’e-6 is expected to be hurled Moonward sometime within the next two years, tasked with returning to Earth select specimens from the lunar far side.
Phase-4 missions
“Chang’e-6 will land on the far side of the Moon, discovering and collecting lunar samples of different ages in different regions,” Wang Qiong, deputy chief designer of the upcoming Chang’e-6 mission told CCTV.
Credit: CNSA/CLEP
“The engineering goal of Chang’e-6 is to make breakthroughs in orbital design and control technology of the Moon’s retrograde orbit and intelligent sampling, take-off and ascent technologies on the dark side of the Moon, automatic sampling and return from the Moon’s far side, and carrying out effective international cooperation,” Wang said.
In November of last year, the CNSA released plans for the phase-4 lunar probe missions: the retrieval of lunar samples from the far side of the Moon by Chang’e-6, a detailed survey of the Moon’s south pole resources by the Chang’e-7, and the testing of key technologies in preparation for the construction of a proposed lunar research station during the Chang’e-8 mission.
Posted in 
Image credit: Roscosmos/NASA
Due to the compromised nature of Russia’s Soyuz MS-22, a seat liner from that craft has been transferred to the SpaceX Dragon Endurance spacecraft. Doing so provides lifeboat capabilities in the event NASA astronaut Francisco Rubio would need to return to Earth because of an emergency evacuation from the International Space Station.
Russian cosmonauts Dmitry Petelin, Sergei Prokopyev and NASA astronaut Francisco Rubio.
Image credit: Roscosmos
The change allows for increased crew protection by reducing the heat load inside the MS-22 spacecraft for cosmonauts Sergei Prokopiev and Dmitry Petelin in the event of an emergency return to Earth.
According to Russia’s Roscosmos, to maintain the alignment of the Soyuz MS-22 descent vehicle, a stack with loads was placed in Rubio’s chair.
Be seated…on a Soyuz.
Image credit: Roscosmos
Once the replacement vehicle – an uncrewed Soyuz MS-23 — arrives at the space station on Feb. 22, Rubio’s seat liner will be transferred to the new Soyuz and the seat liners for Prokopyev and Petelin will be moved from MS-22 to MS-23 ahead of their return in the Soyuz.
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Chinese scientists precisely confirmed the latest volcanic activity on the Moon took place about 2 billion years ago.
This confirmation is based on returned-to-Earth lunar samples, collected by China’s Chang’e-5 lunar probe in 2020.
For a China Central Television video, go to:
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Earth’s Moon as seen from the International Space Station.
Image credit: NASA
NASA’s Office of Inspector General has issued a report — NASA’s Partnerships with International Space Agencies for the Artemis Campaign – making several observations and recommendations.
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) report notes the interest in NASA’s back-to-the-Moon Artemis campaign by international space community. That is evidenced by NASA’s 54 Artemis-related international instruments and the 23 signatories to the Artemis Accords.
Image credit: NASA
“However, the Agency lacks an overarching strategy to coordinate Artemis contributions from international space agencies and entities. Except for the Gateway Program, the Artemis campaign does not have comprehensive forums – boards, panels, and working groups — for its international partners to routinely discuss topics such as flight and mission planning, safety, and research integration.”
Effectiveness and affordability
That said, the NASA OIG has recommended increasing the effectiveness and affordability of Artemis integration efforts with international partners, by these steps:
- NASA senior leadership establish a coordination strategy with NASA’s international partners that includes recurring forums specifically for Artemis Accords signatories interested in participating in the Artemis campaign;
- establish NASA-led Artemis campaign boards and working groups for partners with agreed-upon commitments and provide opportunities for liaison representation from international partner agencies;
- issue a detailed strategy and architecture for missions beyond Artemis IV that considers potential international partner roles and responsibilities;
- perform a detailed gap analysis and cost estimate for Artemis missions beyond Artemis IV that will help inform a cost-sharing strategy with international partners;
- establish a full-time export control team dedicated to Artemis programs in support of space flight developments;
- review export control requirements and consider additional roles for partner astronauts to increase their utilization in NASA space flight operations;
- establish a fulltime export control team dedicated to the Artemis programs in support of space flight operations;
- coordinate with other federal agencies to develop a unique Export Administration Regulations (EAR) classification for the Gateway program;
- execute Artemis agreements with key international space agency partners to ensure partner roles and responsibilities are clearly understood and allow for efficient and timely partnerships in support of Artemis; and
- develop an automated routing method for processing international agreements within NASA to increase timeliness.
To read the full report — NASA’s Partnerships with International Space Agencies for the Artemis Campaign – go to:
https://oig.nasa.gov/docs/IG-23-004.pdf
Curiosity Right B Navigation Camera photo taken on Sol 3711, January 14, 2023.
Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover at Gale Crater is now performing Sol 3712 duties.
The robot is safe and sound, but a recent downlink glitch slowed down research plans, reports Kristen Bennett, a planetary geologist at the USGS Astrogeology Science Center in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Curiosity Right B Navigation Camera photo taken on Sol 3711, January 14, 2023.
Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
“All we need to do is wait for the missing data and keep going! We have enough images to look at the terrain that is in the distance, but not enough to see what is in front of the rover right now,” Bennett notes. “This means we cannot do contact science or drive, but we can take in the view with plenty of long distance images in today’s plan.”
Curiosity Right B Navigation Camera photo taken on Sol 3711, January 14, 2023.
Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
Distant terrain
Several Mastcam mosaics are included in a recent two sol plan, drafted for Sols 3710-3711.
Curiosity Right B Navigation Camera photo taken on Sol 3711, January 14, 2023.
Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
“First, Mastcam is characterizing some distant terrain at the base of Chenapau that we expect to drive to soon. There is also a Mastcam mosaic that covers Amapa from a different angle. The plan also includes the “Tupaquim” and “Uaiu” mosaics, which both target features that are exposed below the marker band. Tupaquim targets dark-toned bands, and Uaiu targets potentially wavy layers,” Bennett adds.
Curiosity Chemistry & Camera Remote Micro-Imager (RMI) photo acquired on Sol 3711, January 14, 2023.
Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/LANL
Curiosity Chemistry & Camera Remote Micro-Imager (RMI) photo acquired on Sol 3711, January 14, 2023.
Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/LANL
Two planned Chemistry and Camera (ChemCam) Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) observations were to occur a little closer to the rover on targets “Iracoume” and “Moreiru.”
These targets are to characterize the closest bedrock that is visible in the images that were downlinked, Bennett notes. The plan also includes two long distance Remote Micro-Imager (RMI) observations: one on the flank of Chenapau and another on the marker band.
Curiosity Chemistry & Camera (ChemCam) RMI taken on Sol 3710, January 13, 2023.
Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/LANL
Image credit: Roscosmos
Russia’s Roscosmos and NASA continue to work on ensuring the safety of the International Space Station crew due to the now-docked — but compromised — Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft.
That craft suffered a coolant leak in mid-December of last year. Due to a possible meteoroid strike, the vehicle’s radiator pipeline spewed its coolant out into space, putting to question the overall integrity of the craft to return crew members safely to Earth.
Coolant spraying instrument-assembly compartment of the Soyuz spacecraft.
Image credit: NASA
Earlier, Roscosmos and a special team of experts did decide that the crippled Soyuz should be brought back to Earth without a crew. Furthermore, the launch of an uncrewed Soyuz MS-23 to the ISS is being expedited, now slated for liftoff on February 20th.
Due to the situation with the Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft, Sergey Prokopiev, Dmitry Petelin and NASA’s Francisco Rubio will return to Earth on the fresh Soyuz MS-23. That craft is due to dock to the ISS in unpiloted mode on February 22.
Image credit: Roscosmos/NASA
Emergency evacuation
The ISS partner countries have taken measures to ensure the safe return of the station crew to Earth in the event of an accident before the arrival of a newly launched Soyuz MS-23 spacecraft.
While the systems of the ISS and the Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft are operating normally, according to Roscosmos, in the event of an accident, the crew will need an emergency evacuation to Earth before the Soyuz MS-23 arrives.
It has been decided to temporarily move the seat of Francisco Rubio from the Soyuz MS-22 to a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft.
NASA astronaut and Expedition 68 Flight Engineer Frank Rubio is pictured inside the cupola of the ISS.
Image credit: NASA/Frank Rubio
That work will take place on January 17-18.
Return two cosmonauts
However, in the event of a crisis on the ISS, the compromised three-seater Soyuz MS-22 may be used to bring home two cosmonauts – sure to be a palm sweating event.
“If an emergency evacuation is necessary, Francisco Rubio will return to Earth on it, and Roscosmos cosmonauts on the Soyuz MS-22,” according to the official Telegram channel of the State Corporation Roscosmos. “The descent of two astronauts instead of three will be safer, as it will help reduce the temperature and humidity in the Soyuz MS-22.”
“After Soyuz MS-23 arrives on the ISS, the seats of all three cosmonauts, including Francisco Rubio, will be transferred to it,” the Telegram posting from Roscosmos explains.
Up and going: Tim Dodd, the “Everyday Astronaut”
Image credit: Everyday Astronaut
The “Everyday Astronaut” turns out to be a not so every day kind of person.
Talented Tim Dodd is the central spark plug behind the Internet-streamed show, dedicated to “bring space down to Earth for everyday people.”
I recently caught up with Dodd. Indeed, his future looks bright – particularly thanks to the glow of a SpaceX Starship lighting up and launching. He was selected to participate in a lunar spaceflight as part of the dearMoon project crew, one of the eight selected to take the journey in the near-future aboard a Starship.
Go to my exclusive interview with Dodd for Space.com – “Tim Dodd, the ‘Everyday Astronaut,’ gets down to Earth about SpaceX moon trip – ‘I like things that go fast … and nothing goes faster than a rocket'” – at:
Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
NASA’s Ingenuity Mars helicopter continues to chalk up new stats at Jezero Crater, flying above the Red Planet on its 39th flight hop.
On this trek the micro-device flew on January 11, 2023, reaching 33 feet (10 meters) in altitude and flying roughly 456 ft (139 meters) northeast. Overall, the flight lasted around 79 seconds, returning to its takeoff spot.
The goal of the flight was to test new software.
The aerial device acquired images using its navigation camera mounted in the helicopter’s fuselage and pointed directly downward to track the ground during flight. Images were acquired on Jan. 11, 2023, the date of Ingenuity’s 39th flight.
Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
Meanwhile, the Perseverance rover’s Mastcam-Z camera imaged Ingenuity at the Flight 38 landing zone, sitting silently on the side of a sand ripple.
Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech /ASU
A new, just-released report on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) highlights the greater awareness of airspace and increased opportunity to resolve UAP events.
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 required the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, to submit an annual report to Congress on unidentified aerial phenomena. ODNI has submitted the classified annual report to Congress and published an unclassified annual report.
New reports
In summary, the report explains that, in addition to the 144 UAP reports covered during the 17 years of UAP reporting included in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) preliminary assessment, there have been 247 new reports and another 119 that were either since discovered or reported after the preliminary assessment’s time period.
Credit: Scientific Coalition for UAP Studies (SCU)
This totals 510 UAP reports as of 30 August 2022.
Additional information is provided in the classified version of this report.
Possible threats
An All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) was established on July 20, 2022.
AARO and ODNI assess that the observed increase in the UAP reporting rate “is partially due to a better understanding of the possible threats that UAP may represent, either as safety of flight hazards or as potential adversary collection platforms, and partially due to reduced stigma surrounding UAP reporting.”
Shown at Congressional hearing, Video 1 2021 flyby movie showing a purported UAP.
Credit: Counterterrorism, Counterintelligence, and Counterproliferation Subcommittee/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Given this increased reporting, it allows more opportunities to apply rigorous analysis and resolve events, the new report adds.
The document adds that UAP events continue to occur in restricted or sensitive airspace, “highlighting possible concerns for safety of flight or adversary collection activity.”
Collection bias?
“We continue to assess that this may result from a collection bias due to the number of active aircraft and sensors, combined with focused attention and guidance to report anomalies,” the report notes.
An executive summary explains that there will be continuing investigation to gather any evidence of possible foreign government involvement in UAP events.
“We are confident that continued multi-agency cooperative UAP prosecution activities will likely result in greater awareness of objects in and across the air, space, and maritime domains, as well as the nature and origin of UAP in the
future,” the document states.
Urgent and critical need
In response, Ryan Graves, a former Navy F/A-18 pilot and Chair of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Unidentified Aerospace Phenomena Integration & Outreach Committee, said:
“With 247 new incidents of UAP since the 2021 report, including events in sensitive airspace, it is clear that there is an urgent and critical need to improve aerospace safety by dedicating scientific research into UAP.”
“I am glad to see the government is taking the accounts of pilots and other witnesses seriously,” Graves said in a statement, “and I am heartened by ODNI’s acknowledgement of the profound, harmful effect stigma has in preventing the necessary data collection we need to understand UAP.”
Graves said that there’s need to “stop unscrupulous speculation, break stigma, and invest in science to address this national safety threat.”
To access the full, unclassified report — 2022 Annual Report on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena – go to:
https://www.dni.gov/files/ODNI/documents/assessments/Unclassified-2022-Annual-Report-UAP.pdf
Image credit: Virgin Orbit
The recent Virgin Orbit launch mishap is being analyzed with preliminary data under review that already sheds some light on the premature shutdown of the “Start Me Up” air-launched rocket mission.
Virgin Orbit has begun an internal investigation into root causes of the failure after the mission departed on January 9th from the newly commissioned Spaceport Cornwall in the UK.
After release from the aircraft, Cosmic Girl, the rocket ignited its first stage engine, quickly going hypersonic and successfully completed the stage one burn.
Image credit: Virgin Orbit
Initial data assessments indicate that the first stage of the rocket performed as expected. Following that stage separation, ignition of the upper stage, and fairing separation similarly occurred per the planned mission timeline, according to a Virgin Orbit statement issued today.
Safety corridor
However, later in the mission, at an altitude of approximately 112 miles (180 kilometers), the rocket’s upper stage experienced an anomaly.
“This anomaly prematurely ended the first burn of the upper stage,” the statement adds. “This event ended the mission, with the rocket components and payload falling back to Earth within the approved safety corridor without ever achieving orbit.”
Image credit: Virgin Orbit
Virgin Orbit has initiated a formal investigation into the source of the second stage failure that led to the loss of 9 satellites. All required corrective actions identified during the investigation of the anomaly will be completed prior to the next flight.
Next flight
That next flight by Virgin Orbit is planned to occur from the Mojave Air and Space Port in California.
“Virgin Orbit also anticipates returning to Spaceport Cornwall for additional launches, and is in active discussions with key government and commercial stakeholders in the UK to start planning mission opportunities for as soon as later this year,” the statement explains.
Virgin Orbit was founded in 2017 by business tycoon, Sir Richard Branson.
