9-13 May 2022
UK space sector set for growth, seeds grown in Moon dust and can innovation lead the way for peaceful space?
Samples taken during the Apollo missions used to grow plants. (Image: Unsplash)
Throughout the world consumers and households are becoming increasingly concerned about rising prices, and the effect on the cost of living. We have to wonder how long this can continue, and what governments and industry can do to avoid spiralling inflation and a severe economic downturn. Whilst nothing can detract from the pain that some people are feeling at the moment, it has to be noted humanity’s ability to innovate in times of crisis. During these times, it could be space that we once more look towards; for communications, energy, raw materials and innovation.
As we’ve already observed over the previous weeks, the private sector is, week upon week, impressing us with their innovation and development. This week we’ve seen another Chinese startup carry out tests for their reusable rocket tech, SpaceX preparing for their first spacewalk and an Indian startup working on efficient, eco-friendly rocket fuel. But in particular this week, the UK has made a series of announcements regarding the expansion of their space sector. China, the US and Europe also had positive news.
We have also sadly seen a continuing divide amongst the major space nations, and further confrontation between SpaceX, China and Russia, in what could be an unfortunate sign of things to come.
UK space sector going from strength to strength
The UK hasn’t been quiet this year about its intentions in the space economy, and this week went to prove just that. Virgin Orbit will be carrying out the first commercial launch from UK soil later this year, with a satellite payload, including Prometheus-2, a cooperative GPS satellite between the UK and US governments. Also, UK based rocket company Orbex unveiled their economically-friendly reusable rocket, slated to launch possibly later this year, in what could be the first vertical launch from the UK, in northern Scotland. Similarly, US launch company Astra have announced that they will work with spaceport SaxaVord (Scotland) to provide vertical launch capabilities for satellites.
Protolaunch, Cambridge-based space firm, have revealed their ambitions with new new rocket engine, designed for small satellites and micro-launchers, but claim could one day power a lunar lander. There will surely be more to come from the UK in the coming weeks.
Chinese, US & Indian commercial innovations
There were more examples of this kind of innovation from other parts of the world too. Chinese startup “Deep Blue Aerospace” tested their reusable rocket technology, sending a test stage rocket up to 1 kilometre, before performing a powered, vertical landing. This is another step forwards for reusable tech in China, and also another step forwards for the private sector. Indian startup Bellatrix Aerospace are in the process of developing an eco-friendly rocket fuel, that would apparently also be more efficient. They claim the fuel could be used for both satellite and human launches. This could be a massive leap forwards in an industry that is increasingly focussed on sustainability.
Also, in the US, SpaceX are beginning their preparations to reach another milestone. They will begin training for the first commercial spacewalk mission, taking the Polaris Dawn private mission to three times the height of the ISS, aboard a Dragon space module.
Due to all this commercial innovation and increasing competition in the private sector, bringing down costs and development time, some former NASA officials have claimed that the Artemis missions could be last time that NASA builds moon rockets on such a scale, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Artemis gets a new date, China and ESA also announce intentions
Leading space agencies are still pressing on with their plans for the near and further future. NASA announced that they will try again for the “wet dress rehearsal” and fuelling of the SLS rocket in early to mid June, and say that August could be a possible launch date. Scientists in a NASA funded study have also announced that they have successfully been able grow seeds (cress) in lunar dust. The dust samples were taken during the original Apollo missions, and whilst the cress plants were stunted in their growth, this could be another milestone in the quest for extended lunar habitation.
The ESA have also said that their Vega-C launcher is set for its first flight from French Guiana in the second half of June. Vega-C boats an increased payload to 2.2 metric tons, for the same costs as their previous Vega rocket.
Lastly, China continued with construction of their Tiangong space station. The Tianzhou 4 cargo ship successfully docked with the station, bringing supplies, fuel and scientific experiments. China wants to finish the station by the end of year, needing another five launches to take place.
Asteroid mining has also been contemplated again this week. With the almost immeasurable bounty of resources available on them, asteroids are becoming increasingly monitored by the major space powers. China has already announced an asteroid impactor/deflection plan, designed to closely observe asteroids and change the orbit of any that may be threatening. They want to have this operational by 2025. NASA want to launch their Psyche-1 asteroid observation mission on August 1st.
Off-Earth resource mining may seem like something from fiction, but it is becoming reality, and with this reality, sadly comes the threat of conflict. Throughout the short history of humanity we have constantly fought over resources, from water to oil, and now possibly space. We’re now in a position where we will write the rules for future generations, and it appears that right now, with the establishing of different space alliances, we don’t seem to be in a position to establish a universal set of rules. We have incredible talent in the private sector, but even these companies could now be in threat of becoming involved in international conflicts. All major space nations say they will abide by the rules of the Outer Space Treaty, but how can we be sure of that when they so often seem to be standing off against each other?
We are in difficult times at the moment, but during hard times we are also capable of brilliant innovation. Maybe through this innovation we can find a way forwards, to help humanity, protect Earth and build a peaceful future in space.
Want to keep up to date? Follow ANASDA
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*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
Samples taken during the Apollo missions used to grow plants. (Image: Unsplash)
9 - 13 May, 2022
UK space sector set for growth, seeds grown in Moon dust and can innovation lead the way for peaceful space?
Throughout the world consumers and households are becoming increasingly concerned about rising prices, and the effect on the cost of living. We have to wonder how long this can continue, and what governments and industry can do to avoid spiralling inflation and a severe economic downturn.
Whilst nothing can detract from the pain that some people are feeling at the moment, it has to be noted humanity’s ability to innovate in times of crisis. During these times, it could be space that we once more look towards; for communications, energy, raw materials and innovation.
As we’ve already observed over the previous weeks, the private sector is, week upon week, impressing us with their innovation and development. This week we’ve seen another Chinese startup carry out tests for their reusable rocket tech, SpaceX preparing for their first spacewalk and an Indian startup working on efficient, eco-friendly rocket fuel. But in particular this week, the UK has made a series of announcements regarding the expansion of their space sector. China, the US and Europe also had positive news.
We have also sadly seen a continuing divide amongst the major space nations, and further confrontation between SpaceX, China and Russia, in what could be an unfortunate sign of things to come.
UK space sector going from strength to strength
The UK hasn’t been quiet this year about its intentions in the space economy, and this week went to prove just that. Virgin Orbit will be carrying out the first commercial launch from UK soil later this year, with a satellite payload, including Prometheus-2, a cooperative GPS satellite between the UK and US governments. Also, UK based rocket company Orbex unveiled their economically-friendly reusable rocket, slated to launch possibly later this year, in what could be the first vertical launch from the UK, in northern Scotland. Similarly, US launch company Astra have announced that they will work with spaceport SaxaVord (Scotland) to provide vertical launch capabilities for satellites.
Protolaunch, Cambridge-based space firm, have revealed their ambitions with new new rocket engine, designed for small satellites and micro-launchers, but claim could one day power a lunar lander. There will surely be more to come from the UK in the coming weeks.
Chinese, US & Indian commercial innovations
There were more examples of this kind of innovation from other parts of the world too. Chinese startup “Deep Blue Aerospace” tested their reusable rocket technology, sending a test stage rocket up to 1 kilometre, before performing a powered, vertical landing. This is another step forwards for reusable tech in China, and also another step forwards for the private sector. Indian startup Bellatrix Aerospace are in the process of developing an eco-friendly rocket fuel, that would apparently also be more efficient. They claim the fuel could be used for both satellite and human launches. This could be a massive leap forwards in an industry that is increasingly focussed on sustainability.
Also, in the US, SpaceX are beginning their preparations to reach another milestone. They will begin training for the first commercial spacewalk mission, taking the Polaris Dawn private mission to three times the height of the ISS, aboard a Dragon space module. Due to all this commercial innovation and increasing competition in the private sector, bringing down costs and development time, some former NASA officials have claimed that the Artemis missions could be last time that NASA builds moon rockets on such a scale, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Artemis gets a new date, China and ESA also announce intentions
Leading space agencies are still pressing on with their plans for the near and further future. NASA announced that they will try again for the “wet dress rehearsal” and fuelling of the SLS rocket in early to mid June, and say that August could be a possible launch date. Scientists in a NASA funded study have also announced that they have successfully been able grow plants (cress) in lunar dust. The dust samples were taken during the original Apollo missions, and whilst the cress plants were stunted in their growth, this could be another milestone in the quest for extended lunar habitation.
The ESA have also said that their Vega-C launcher is set for its first flight from French Guiana in the second half of June. Vega-C boats an increased payload to 2.2 metric tons, for the same costs as their previous Vega rocket.
Lastly, China continued with construction of their Tiangong space station. The Tianzhou 4 cargo ship successfully docked with the station, bringing supplies, fuel and scientific experiments. China wants to finish the station by the end of year, needing another five launches to take place. Asteroid mining has also been discussed again this week. With the almost immeasurable bounty of resources available, asteroids are becoming increasingly monitored by the major space powers. China has already announced an asteroid impactor/deflection plan, designed to closely observe asteroids and change the orbit of any that may be threatening. They want to have this operational by 2025. NASA want to launch their Psyche-1 asteroid observation mission on August 1st.
Off-Earth resource mining may seem like something from fiction, but it is becoming reality, and with this reality, sadly comes the threat of conflict. Throughout the short history of humanity we have constantly fought over resources, from water to oil, and now possibly space. We’re now in a position where we will write the rules for future generations, and it appears that right now, with the establishing of different space alliances, we don’t seem to be in a position to establish a universal set of rules. We have incredible talent in the private sector, but even these companies could now be in threat of becoming involved in international conflicts. All major space nations say they will abide by the rules of the Outer Space Treaty, but how can we be sure of that when they so often seem to be standing off against each other?
We are in difficult times at the moment, but during hard times we are also capable of brilliant innovation. Maybe through this innovation we can find a way forwards, to help humanity, protect Earth and build a peaceful future in space.
Want to keep up to date? Follow ANASDA
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.
9-13 May 2022
UK space sector set for growth, seeds grown in Moon dust and can innovation lead the way for peaceful space?
Samples taken during the Apollo missions used to grow plants. (Image: Unsplash)
Throughout the world consumers and households are becoming increasingly concerned about rising prices, and the effect on the cost of living. We have to wonder how long this can continue, and what governments and industry can do to avoid spiralling inflation and a severe economic downturn. Whilst nothing can detract from the pain that some people are feeling at the moment, it has to be noted humanity’s ability to innovate in times of crisis. During these times, it could be space that we once more look towards; for communications, energy, raw materials and innovation.
As we’ve already observed over the previous weeks, the private sector is, week upon week, impressing us with their innovation and development. This week we’ve seen another Chinese startup carry out tests for their reusable rocket tech, SpaceX preparing for their first spacewalk and an Indian startup working on efficient, eco-friendly rocket fuel. But in particular this week, the UK has made a series of announcements regarding the expansion of their space sector. China, the US and Europe also had positive news.
We have also sadly seen a continuing divide amongst the major space nations, and further confrontation between SpaceX, China and Russia, in what could be an unfortunate sign of things to come.
UK space sector going from strength to strength
The UK hasn’t been quiet this year about its intentions in the space economy, and this week went to prove just that. Virgin Orbit will be carrying out the first commercial launch from UK soil later this year, with a satellite payload, including Prometheus-2, a cooperative GPS satellite between the UK and US governments. Also, UK based rocket company Orbex unveiled their economically-friendly reusable rocket, slated to launch possibly later this year, in what could be the first vertical launch from the UK, in northern Scotland. Similarly, US launch company Astra have announced that they will work with spaceport SaxaVord (Scotland) to provide vertical launch capabilities for satellites.
Protolaunch, Cambridge-based space firm, have revealed their ambitions with new new rocket engine, designed for small satellites and micro-launchers, but claim could one day power a lunar lander. There will surely be more to come from the UK in the coming weeks.
Chinese, US & Indian commercial innovations
There were more examples of this kind of innovation from other parts of the world too. Chinese startup “Deep Blue Aerospace” tested their reusable rocket technology, sending a test stage rocket up to 1 kilometre, before performing a powered, vertical landing. This is another step forwards for reusable tech in China, and also another step forwards for the private sector. Indian startup Bellatrix Aerospace are in the process of developing an eco-friendly rocket fuel, that would apparently also be more efficient. They claim the fuel could be used for both satellite and human launches. This could be a massive leap forwards in an industry that is increasingly focussed on sustainability.
Also, in the US, SpaceX are beginning their preparations to reach another milestone. They will begin training for the first commercial spacewalk mission, taking the Polaris Dawn private mission to three times the height of the ISS, aboard a Dragon space module.
Due to all this commercial innovation and increasing competition in the private sector, bringing down costs and development time, some former NASA officials have claimed that the Artemis missions could be last time that NASA builds moon rockets on such a scale, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Artemis gets a new date, China and ESA also announce intentions
Leading space agencies are still pressing on with their plans for the near and further future. NASA announced that they will try again for the “wet dress rehearsal” and fuelling of the SLS rocket in early to mid June, and say that August could be a possible launch date. Scientists in a NASA funded study have also announced that they have successfully been able grow seeds (cress) in lunar dust. The dust samples were taken during the original Apollo missions, and whilst the cress plants were stunted in their growth, this could be another milestone in the quest for extended lunar habitation.
The ESA have also said that their Vega-C launcher is set for its first flight from French Guiana in the second half of June. Vega-C boats an increased payload to 2.2 metric tons, for the same costs as their previous Vega rocket.
Lastly, China continued with construction of their Tiangong space station. The Tianzhou 4 cargo ship successfully docked with the station, bringing supplies, fuel and scientific experiments. China wants to finish the station by the end of year, needing another five launches to take place.
Asteroid mining has also been contemplated again this week. With the almost immeasurable bounty of resources available on them, asteroids are becoming increasingly monitored by the major space powers. China has already announced an asteroid impactor/deflection plan, designed to closely observe asteroids and change the orbit of any that may be threatening. They want to have this operational by 2025. NASA want to launch their Psyche-1 asteroid observation mission on August 1st.
Off-Earth resource mining may seem like something from fiction, but it is becoming reality, and with this reality, sadly comes the threat of conflict. Throughout the short history of humanity we have constantly fought over resources, from water to oil, and now possibly space. We’re now in a position where we will write the rules for future generations, and it appears that right now, with the establishing of different space alliances, we don’t seem to be in a position to establish a universal set of rules. We have incredible talent in the private sector, but even these companies could now be in threat of becoming involved in international conflicts. All major space nations say they will abide by the rules of the Outer Space Treaty, but how can we be sure of that when they so often seem to be standing off against each other?
We are in difficult times at the moment, but during hard times we are also capable of brilliant innovation. Maybe through this innovation we can find a way forwards, to help humanity, protect Earth and build a peaceful future in space.
Want to keep up to date? Follow ANASDA
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.