27 June - 1 July 2022
Efforts being made to make space an example of sustainability. But is it enough?
Increased spacecraft activity is thought to be damaging the ozone (image: Unsplash)
There seems to be no end in sight for the stark economic situation, impacted by supply chains and rising prices of fuel and the costs of living. Despite this, the new space economy continues to grow and innovate, with Australia this week projecting their space economy to triple by 2030, this forecast coming after NASA launched their first commercial rocket there, in what could be a sign of things to come for Australia as a new powerhouse in space.
India continue to project strong growth, with a recent survey suggesting that 24% of Indians would be willing to work in the space sector, more than double the number in the UK and US. The Indian private sector also reached a milestone this week with Dhurva Space and Dignatara Research and Technologies being the first commercial companies to launch their payloads from Indian soil. Whilst India are set to become a leader in the new space economy, the UAE have indicated their continuing intentions. Their Rashid lunar rover is set for a possible launch in November, and this week it has been announced that students in Abu Dhabi are already working on the next generation of lunar rover for the new space nation. Space is no longer the realm of a few spacefaring countries.
China also continue to expand its role in new space. China announced that their deep space exploration laboratory has started operation in “…an important step toward implementing the innovation-driven development strategy and strengthening the country's strategic strength in science and technology” said Zhang Kejian, head of the CNSA. Furthermore, Chinese launch provider Exspace has raised a further $237 million following a successful demonstration of their rocket, Kuaizhou-1A. This investment is to go towards meeting a growing demand for launch capabilities in China.
Similarly, Italian rocket maker Avio have received $358 million in funding to develop launch vehicles for the next decade. Their technology is to provide propulsion for the European Vega rocket series into the next decade, providing a boost to the Italian commercial space sector, and European launch capabilities.
This week there was also the incredible achievement of small launch provider Rocket Lab. On Tuesday they successfully launched the NASA CAPSTONE mission into orbit, and its Photon Lunar spacecraft is currently preparing to send the tiny cubesat on its way to lunar orbit. This is such a milestone; the first time a small rocket takes a private spacecraft to the moon, marking perhaps a new way in which small payloads can be taken into outer space, for a much cheaper price. The mission also marks the beginning of the lunar gateway, a huge step towards humankind’s permanent occupation of the moon. Furthermore, it also marks the use of 3D printed engine technology, with Rocket Lab using Photon’s 3D printed HyperCurie engine sending the payload on its way to lunar orbit. Relativity Space have also announced that they will be sending OneWeb’s second-generation broadband satellites into orbit using their 3D printed rockets, starting in 2025.
3D printing technology is seen as a building block towards sustainable manufacture for the space sector. It can massively reduce design and development times, allow for in-situ manufacture in space, therefore removing the costly need for launching manufactured parts into space.
UK aiming to be a leader in sustainability and debris management (image: ESA)
Efforts are being made to build a sustainable future
Whilst additive manufacture could play a key role in making space an example of sustainability, there are other efforts taking place as well. After the Secure World Foundation Summit for Space Sustainability in the UK recently, the UK has announced a series of measures aimed at increasing sustainability and tackling space debris.
The aim is to “set a global commercial framework for the insurability, the licensing, the regulation of commercial satellites… (in order to) drive down the cost for those who comply with the best standards of sustainability,” according to George Freeman, minister for science, research and innovation. Incentivising sustainable behaviour could be an effective way of utilising competition and building a framework based on responsible behaviour in space. The UK is aiming to become a leader in sustainability in space.
The ESA has also announced an ambitious plan to reduce greenhouse gasses caused by rocket launches. Partnering with the French space agency, the plan named HYGUANE (HYdrogène GUyanais A Neutralité Environnementale), would produce 130 tons of green hydrogen, which would power rockets and thus reduce the use of conventional fuels. The pilot is taking place at European spaceport in French Guiana. This could go a long way to repair the damage caused to public confidence by rocket launches currently using heavily polluting conventional fuel.
There is also huge potential of using space technology as a means of improving life on Earth, beyond current technologies like climate observation and navigation. Whilst goals such as retrieving valuable resources from space and producing energy in orbit may still be a little way off, technological applications originally designed for space may also have uses on Earth. Cochlear implants, food hygiene testing, infrared thermometers and the cameras in modern mobile phones can all trace their history back to space technologies and spin-offs. Another great example of that appears to have happened this week. Israel-based space tech startup Helios may have discovered a more efficient way to produce iron ore, after attempting to carry out research into extracting oxygen from lunar soil. They claim that the same technology could extract iron with zero co2 emissions. The company has since received a $6 million funding boost aimed at transforming the steel industry, which currently accounts for 8% of global emissions.
It’s innovations like these that could transform the future of space, and the world we live in. Space could prove to have the answers to many of our problems on Earth, especially in relation to reducing our carbon footprint, answering our energy needs and sourcing precious mineral resources.
Many remain concerned about the impact of space tech
The efforts made by industry leaders, and new space tech applications like the ones mentioned above, are vital in order to reduce any damage caused by energy consumptive launches. It’s also going to be important to prove to a concerned public, at a time when the world is focused on repairing the damage that has been caused by humankind, that the space sector can not only be sustainable, but be leading innovator of sustainability.
New research has suggested that the impact of spacecraft leaving and re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere may be causing damage to the ozone layer. The research found that soot given off by spacecraft was damaging the ozone around the planet, retaining heat of 500 times higher than that of conventional sources. Much work was done to repair the damage caused to the ozone layer during the 80s and 90s, and is a fine example of humankind’s ability to successfully repair damage it has caused. However, now leading players such as SpaceX, Virgin and Blue Origin (although Blue Origin claim the only byproduct of their fuel is water vapour) are being accused of unpicking this hard work.
A report from satellite company Inmarsat recently revealed that younger generations are more concerned about the issues on Earth, such as climate change, rather than the future of the space exploration. Only 23% of those asked in the survey said that space exploration is important, and our own research found that, when asked what concerns them most about impact of space exploration, 59% were concerned about the impact on the environment.
Space sector must be accessible, inclusive and lead by example
It’s easy to understand why the public would be so skeptical about the impact of the new space economy. Polluting rocket launches hardly look like the sorts of activities that are helping repair the damage that has been done to our planet since industrialisation, and despite the reducing costs and increasing accessibility of space, it appears to most that new space is the domain of the mega-rich, with spaceflight tickets being priced between $250,000 to $500,000. How could one be convinced that a billionaire’s polluting folly is the answer to our problems?
But space could have genuine solutions to many issues, and more must be done to encourage sustainable activities and build public outreach. The sector needs the younger generation to be on board, to provide the talent and support it needs to thrive in future. Without that support, there is a real threat that space will remain the domain of the titans, pursued and benefitted only by mega-corporations and the wealthy. Space should be for the benefit of all humankind.
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This Week
*News articles posted here are not property of ANASDA GmbH and belong to their respected owners. Postings here are external links only.
Our future in space
Increased spacecraft activity is thought to be damaging the ozone (image: Unsplash)
27 June - 1 July, 2022
Efforts being made to make space an example of sustainability. But is it enough?
There seems to be no end in sight for the stark economic situation, impacted by supply chains and rising prices of fuel and the costs of living. Despite this, the new space economy continues to grow and innovate, with Australia this week projecting their space economy to triple by 2030, this forecast coming after NASA launched their first commercial rocket there, in what could be a sign of things to come for Australia as a new powerhouse in space.
India continue to project strong growth, with a recent survey suggesting that 24% of Indians would be willing to work in the space sector, more than double the number in the UK and US. The Indian private sector also reached a milestone this week with Dhurva Space and Dignatara Research and Technologies being the first commercial companies to launch their payloads from Indian soil. Whilst India are set to become a leader in the new space economy, the UAE have indicated their continuing intentions. Their Rashid lunar rover is set for a possible launch in November, and this week it has been announced that students in Abu Dhabi are already working on the next generation of lunar rover for the new space nation. Space is no longer the realm of a few spacefaring countries.
China also continue to expand its role in new space. China announced that their deep space exploration laboratory has started operation in “…an important step toward implementing the innovation-driven development strategy and strengthening the country's strategic strength in science and technology” said Zhang Kejian, head of the CNSA. Furthermore, Chinese launch provider Exspace has raised a further $237 million following a successful demonstration of their rocket, Kuaizhou-1A. This investment is to go towards meeting a growing demand for launch capabilities in China.
Similarly, Italian rocket maker Avio have received $358 million in funding to develop launch vehicles for the next decade. Their technology is to provide propulsion for the European Vega rocket series into the next decade, providing a boost to the Italian commercial space sector, and European launch capabilities.
This week there was also the incredible achievement of small launch provider Rocket Lab. On Tuesday they successfully launched the NASA CAPSTONE mission into orbit, and its Photon Lunar spacecraft is currently preparing to send the tiny cubesat on its way to lunar orbit. This is such a milestone; the first time a small rocket takes a private spacecraft to the moon, marking perhaps a new way in which small payloads can be taken into outer space, for a much cheaper price. The mission also marks the beginning of the lunar gateway, a huge step towards humankind’s permanent occupation of the moon. Furthermore, it also marks the use of 3D printed engine technology, with Rocket Lab using Photon’s 3D printed HyperCurie engine sending the payload on its way to lunar orbit. Relativity Space have also announced that they will be sending OneWeb’s second-generation broadband satellites into orbit using their 3D printed rockets, starting in 2025.
3D printing technology is seen as a building block towards sustainable manufacture for the space sector. It can massively reduce design and development times, allow for in-situ manufacture in space, therefore removing the costly need for launching manufactured parts into space.
UK aiming to be a leader in sustainability and debris management (image: ESA)
Efforts are being made to build a sustainable future
The private sector is proving to be the backbone of the blooming space economy, with governments and national agencies becoming more reliant on their technology. Software startup Epsilon3 announced $15 million investment to expand the capabilities of their space project management software. One fifth of orbital launches used this technology in the US in the year so far. The aim is to “set a global commercial framework for the insurability, the licensing, the regulation of commercial satellites… (in order to) drive down the cost for those who comply with the best standards of sustainability,” according to George Freeman, minister for science, research and innovation.
Incentivising sustainable behaviour could be an effective way of utilising competition and building a framework based on responsible behaviour in space. The UK is aiming to become a leader in sustainability in space.
The ESA has also announced an ambitious plan to reduce greenhouse gasses caused by rocket launches. Partnering with the French space agency, the plan named HYGUANE (HYdrogène GUyanais A Neutralité Environnementale), would produce 130 tons of green hydrogen, which would power rockets and thus reduce the use of conventional fuels. The pilot is taking place at European spaceport in French Guiana. This could go a long way to repair the damage caused to public confidence by rocket launches currently using heavily polluting conventional fuel.
There is also huge potential of using space technology as a means of improving life on Earth, beyond current technologies like climate observation and navigation. Whilst goals such as retrieving valuable resources from space and producing energy in orbit may still be a little way off, technological applications originally designed for space may also have uses on Earth. Cochlear implants, food hygiene testing, infrared thermometers and the cameras in modern mobile phones can all trace their history back to space technologies and spin-offs. Another great example of that appears to have happened this week. Israel-based space tech startup Helios may have discovered a more efficient way to produce iron ore, after attempting to carry out research into extracting oxygen from lunar soil. They claim that the same technology could extract iron with zero co2 emissions. The company has since received a $6 million funding boost aimed at transforming the steel industry, which currently accounts for 8% of global emissions.
It’s innovations like these that could transform the future of space, and the world we live in. Space could prove to have the answers to many of our problems on Earth, especially in relation to reducing our carbon footprint, answering our energy needs and sourcing precious mineral resources.
Many remain concerned about the impact of space tech
The efforts made by industry leaders, and new space tech applications like the ones mentioned above, are vital in order to reduce any damage caused by energy consumptive launches. It’s also going to be important to prove to a concerned public, at a time when the world is focused on repairing the damage that has been caused by humankind, that the space sector can not only be sustainable, but be leading innovator of sustainability.
New research has suggested that the impact of spacecraft leaving and re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere may be causing damage to the ozone layer. The research found that soot given off by spacecraft was damaging the ozone around the planet, retaining heat of 500 times higher than that of conventional sources. Much work was done to repair the damage caused to the ozone layer during the 80s and 90s, and is a fine example of humankind’s ability to successfully repair damage it has caused. However, now leading players such as SpaceX, Virgin and Blue Origin (although Blue Origin claim the only byproduct of their fuel is water vapour) are being accused of unpicking this hard work.
A report from satellite company Inmarsat recently revealed that younger generations are more concerned about the issues on Earth, such as climate change, rather than the future of the space exploration. Only 23% of those asked in the survey said that space exploration is important, and our own research found that, when asked what concerns them most about impact of space exploration, 59% were concerned about the impact on the environment.
Space sector must be accessible, inclusive and lead by example
It’s easy to understand why the public would be so skeptical about the impact of the new space economy. Polluting rocket launches hardly look like the sorts of activities that are helping repair the damage that has been done to our planet since industrialisation, and despite the reducing costs and increasing accessibility of space, it appears to most that new space is the domain of the mega-rich, with spaceflight tickets being priced between $250,000 to $500,000. How could one be convinced that a billionaire’s polluting folly is the answer to our problems?
But space could have genuine solutions to many issues, and more must be done to encourage sustainable activities and build public outreach. The sector needs the younger generation to be on board, to provide the talent and support it needs to thrive in future. Without that support, there is a real threat that space will remain the domain of the titans, pursued and benefitted only by mega-corporations and the wealthy. Space should be for the benefit of all humankind.
Share this article
External Links
This Week
*News articles posted here are not property of ANASDA GmbH and belong to their respected owners. Postings here are external links only.
27 June - 1 July 2022
Efforts being made to make space an example of sustainability. But is it enough?
Increased spacecraft activity is thought to be damaging the ozone (image: Unsplash)
There seems to be no end in sight for the stark economic situation, impacted by supply chains and rising prices of fuel and the costs of living. Despite this, the new space economy continues to grow and innovate, with Australia this week projecting their space economy to triple by 2030, this forecast coming after NASA launched their first commercial rocket there, in what could be a sign of things to come for Australia as a new powerhouse in space.
India continue to project strong growth, with a recent survey suggesting that 24% of Indians would be willing to work in the space sector, more than double the number in the UK and US. The Indian private sector also reached a milestone this week with Dhurva Space and Dignatara Research and Technologies being the first commercial companies to launch their payloads from Indian soil. Whilst India are set to become a leader in the new space economy, the UAE have indicated their continuing intentions. Their Rashid lunar rover is set for a possible launch in November, and this week it has been announced that students in Abu Dhabi are already working on the next generation of lunar rover for the new space nation. Space is no longer the realm of a few spacefaring countries.
China also continue to expand its role in new space. China announced that their deep space exploration laboratory has started operation in “…an important step toward implementing the innovation-driven development strategy and strengthening the country's strategic strength in science and technology” said Zhang Kejian, head of the CNSA. Furthermore, Chinese launch provider Exspace has raised a further $237 million following a successful demonstration of their rocket, Kuaizhou-1A. This investment is to go towards meeting a growing demand for launch capabilities in China.
Similarly, Italian rocket maker Avio have received $358 million in funding to develop launch vehicles for the next decade. Their technology is to provide propulsion for the European Vega rocket series into the next decade, providing a boost to the Italian commercial space sector, and European launch capabilities.
This week there was also the incredible achievement of small launch provider Rocket Lab. On Tuesday they successfully launched the NASA CAPSTONE mission into orbit, and its Photon Lunar spacecraft is currently preparing to send the tiny cubesat on its way to lunar orbit. This is such a milestone; the first time a small rocket takes a private spacecraft to the moon, marking perhaps a new way in which small payloads can be taken into outer space, for a much cheaper price. The mission also marks the beginning of the lunar gateway, a huge step towards humankind’s permanent occupation of the moon. Furthermore, it also marks the use of 3D printed engine technology, with Rocket Lab using Photon’s 3D printed HyperCurie engine sending the payload on its way to lunar orbit. Relativity Space have also announced that they will be sending OneWeb’s second-generation broadband satellites into orbit using their 3D printed rockets, starting in 2025.
3D printing technology is seen as a building block towards sustainable manufacture for the space sector. It can massively reduce design and development times, allow for in-situ manufacture in space, therefore removing the costly need for launching manufactured parts into space.
UK aiming to be a leader in sustainability and debris management (image: ESA)
Efforts are being made to build a sustainable future
Whilst additive manufacture could play a key role in making space an example of sustainability, there are other efforts taking place as well. After the Secure World Foundation Summit for Space Sustainability in the UK recently, the UK has announced a series of measures aimed at increasing sustainability and tackling space debris. The aim is to “set a global commercial framework for the insurability, the licensing, the regulation of commercial satellites… (in order to) drive down the cost for those who comply with the best standards of sustainability,” according to George Freeman, minister for science, research and innovation. Incentivising sustainable behaviour could be an effective way of utilising competition and building a framework based on responsible behaviour in space. The UK is aiming to become a leader in sustainability in space.
The ESA has also announced an ambitious plan to reduce greenhouse gasses caused by rocket launches. Partnering with the French space agency, the plan named HYGUANE (HYdrogène GUyanais A Neutralité Environnementale), would produce 130 tons of green hydrogen, which would power rockets and thus reduce the use of conventional fuels. The pilot is taking place at European spaceport in French Guiana. This could go a long way to repair the damage caused to public confidence by rocket launches currently using heavily polluting conventional fuel.
There is also huge potential of using space technology as a means of improving life on Earth, beyond current technologies like climate observation and navigation. Whilst goals such as retrieving valuable resources from space and producing energy in orbit may still be a little way off, technological applications originally designed for space may also have uses on Earth. Cochlear implants, food hygiene testing, infrared thermometers and the cameras in modern mobile phones can all trace their history back to space technologies and spin-offs. Another great example of that appears to have happened this week. Israel-based space tech startup Helios may have discovered a more efficient way to produce iron ore, after attempting to carry out research into extracting oxygen from lunar soil. They claim that the same technology could extract iron with zero co2 emissions. The company has since received a $6 million funding boost aimed at transforming the steel industry, which currently accounts for 8% of global emissions.
It’s innovations like these that could transform the future of space, and the world we live in. Space could prove to have the answers to many of our problems on Earth, especially in relation to reducing our carbon footprint, answering our energy needs and sourcing precious mineral resources.
Many remain concerned about the impact of space tech
The efforts made by industry leaders, and new space tech applications like the ones mentioned above, are vital in order to reduce any damage caused by energy consumptive launches. It’s also going to be important to prove to a concerned public, at a time when the world is focused on repairing the damage that has been caused by humankind, that the space sector can not only be sustainable, but be leading innovator of sustainability.
New research has suggested that the impact of spacecraft leaving and re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere may be causing damage to the ozone layer. The research found that soot given off by spacecraft was damaging the ozone around the planet, retaining heat of 500 times higher than that of conventional sources. Much work was done to repair the damage caused to the ozone layer during the 80s and 90s, and is a fine example of humankind’s ability to successfully repair damage it has caused. However, now leading players such as SpaceX, Virgin and Blue Origin (although Blue Origin claim the only byproduct of their fuel is water vapour) are being accused of unpicking this hard work.
A report from satellite company Inmarsat recently revealed that younger generations are more concerned about the issues on Earth, such as climate change, rather than the future of the space exploration. Only 23% of those asked in the survey said that space exploration is important, and our own research found that, when asked what concerns them most about impact of space exploration, 59% were concerned about the impact on the environment.
Space sector must be accessible, inclusive and lead by example
It’s easy to understand why the public would be so skeptical about the impact of the new space economy. Polluting rocket launches hardly look like the sorts of activities that are helping repair the damage that has been done to our planet since industrialisation, and despite the reducing costs and increasing accessibility of space, it appears to most that new space is the domain of the mega-rich, with spaceflight tickets being priced between $250,000 to $500,000. How could one be convinced that a billionaire’s polluting folly is the answer to our problems?
But space could have genuine solutions for many issues, and more must be done to encourage sustainable activities and build public outreach. The sector needs the younger generation to be on board, to provide the talent and support it needs to thrive in future. Without that support, there is a real threat that space will remain the domain of the titans, pursued and benefitted only by mega-corporations and the wealthy. Space should be for the benefit of all humankind.
Share this article
External Links
This Week
*News articles posted here are not property of ANASDA GmbH and belong to their respected owners. Postings here are external links only.