Space exploration has captivated our collective imagination for generations. However, it is by no means an easy feat. Among the many challenges space engineers grapple with, one particularly notorious hurdle is often referred to as the “tyranny of the rocket equation.”
Read More The Tyranny of the Rocket Equation: An In-depth ExaminationNASA announced that the ISS would be de-orbited in 2031 and that any debris that survived reentry would end up landing at Point Nemo. What is Point Nemo?
Read More The ISS Will Be “Buried” At Point Nemo… What Is Point Nemo?This article describes how the EU space program will be a key enabler Europe’s energy transition.
Read More Repowering the EU from SpaceThere are many diverse opportunities and benefits to be derived from providing open data for unrestricted use worldwide. The main reasons are compiled in this report.
Read More Report: The Value of Open Data Sharing (GEO 2015)This article provides an approximation of the Bryce Tech taxonomy used to prepare their Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Economy forecasts. The taxonomy was prepared based upon publicly available information.
Read More Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Economy Taxonomy – Bryce TechThe Skylab Program, announced by NASA in 1970, marked a significant chapter in the history of human spaceflight. It was America’s first experimental space station, designed for humans to live and work in for extended periods. The program’s ambitious scope aimed to expand our understanding of life in space; and ultimately ended up establishing the foundation for future international space stations.
Read More The Skylab Program: Pioneering NASA’s Human SpaceflightThis article reviews the role and relevance of the UCS to the growing space economy.
Read More The Union of Concerned Scientists: Relevance and Contributions to the Space EconomyThe mission of China’s space program is to protect its national rights and interests and to build up its overall strength–the space program serves China’s overall national strategy. This article provides insights into Chinese intentions.
Read More Report: China’s Space Ambitions – Drivers, Goals, and Capabilities (AFPC 2023)Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems (LAWS) are a type of military technology that can independently search for, identify, target, and engage enemies without direct human intervention. This article examines the role of space technology.
Read More The Future of Warfare: Exploring Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems and Space TechnologySpace weather was in the news when SpaceX lost 40 out of 49 Starlink satellites from a recent launch due to a solar geomagnetic storm. This article takes a look at space weather.
Read More Space Weather vs Satellites – Should We Be Worried?This paper discusses the structured life-cycle of a CubeSat project, using as a reference the authors’ recent experience of developing and operating a 2U CubeSat, called qbee50-LTU-OC, as part of the QB50 mission. This paper also provides a critique of some of the current poor practices and methodologies while carrying out CubeSat projects.
Read More Paper: CubeSat Mission From Design to Operation (2019)Throughout their life cycle, space launch vehicles impact their local and global environments on Earth and in space. Given the space industry’s projected growth, recent literature suggests that the atmospheric consequences of these activities are understudied and insufficiently addressed.
Read More Report: Space Sustainability Isn’t Just About Space Debris – on the Atmospheric Impact of Space Launches (MIT 2022)Timing is paramount, particularly in the sphere of space exploration. Each mission can be likened to a complex puzzle, requiring each piece to slot perfectly into place for the broader picture to emerge. To ensure all parts align just right, there are two significant types of checkpoints used: ‘No Earlier Than’ (NET) and ‘No Later Than’ (NLT). These terms effectively bracket the ‘earliest’ and ‘latest’ dates for task completion. This article reviews these critical markers relative to their importance in maintaining the timely progression of space missions and ensuring the successful attainment of their objectives.
Read More Time in Space: A Review of Typical Milestones and NET/NLT Designations in Space ProjectsIn this report, the Congressional Budget Office provides an introduction to the advantages of and challenges for constellations of low-altitude satellites.
Read More Report: Large Constellations of Low Altitude Satellites: A Primer (CBO 2023)This article provides an overview of the ISS National Laboratory and associated research opportunities.
Read More The International Space Station National Laboratory: A Unique Orbiting Research FacilityWhat are satellite data analytics companies? What applications do they provide? What challenges do they face?
Read More Satellite Data Analytics Companies: Applications and ChallengesThe US Department of Defense is actively investing in the development and operational testing of On-Orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (OSAM) spacecraft. The publicly stated purposes are benign, but the unspoken reality may be another thing entirely.
Read More Hidden in Plain Sight: The Weaponization of SpaceThe first Space Prime effort, Orbital Prime will invigorate the OSAM market using Active Debris Remediation (ADR) as a use case for the foundational technologies. As congestion and debris threaten the long-term sustainability of the space domain, Orbital Prime will transition agile, affordable, and accelerated OSAM space capabilities to build the foundation for space logistics while preserving the global commons. On-orbit capability will be demonstrated on an accelerated timeline in two to four years.
Read More US Space Force Programs: Space PrimeThe environmental impact of launch vehicles can be significant, with the main concerns being air pollution, noise pollution, resource consumption, and potential impact on wildlife and ecosystems.
Read More Rocket Launches: Environmental ConcernsThis report identifies 2022 US federal government spending and contracts for commercial satellite imagery.
Read More Report: National Security Space – Overview of Contracts for Commercial Satellite Imagery (GAO 2022)Published by Air University 2005
Read More Into the Unknown Together: The DOD, NASA, and Early Spaceflight – Free e-bookThis article is not an analytic piece; it is a guide, offering a curated selection of the most significant declassified materials from the MOL program. As such, this article serves as a compass, pointing you towards the most illuminating declassified documents, drawings, and photographs from the MOL program.
Read More US Air Force Manned Orbital Laboratory: The Best of the Declassified MaterialsSpace radiation can have significant effects on space technology, impacting both the performance and longevity of equipment used in space missions. This article reviews potential impacts, mitigation strategies, and past instances of satellite disruptions by space radiation.
Read More The Invisible Threat: How Space Radiation Impacts Satellite TechnologyThis article provides an overview of the launch technology used by SpaceX, Roscosmos, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic; specifically focusing on spaceflight systems and flight profiles.
Read More Human Spaceflight Launch Service Providers 2022This paper describes how the government continues to fuel the growth of the Entrepreneurial Space Age in established industries like Launch, while supporting new companies in emerging industries like Logistics and Interplanetary.
Read More Report: US Government Support of the Entrepreneurial Space Age (NASA 2019)Global Positioning System, or GPS, has evolved from a simple navigation system into a sophisticated tool with numerous applications in various sectors. One intriguing area where GPS is making a significant impact is the operation of orbital satellites. Despite the common misconception that satellites simply “provide” GPS, many satellites, especially those in low Earth orbit, also utilize GPS signals for their functionality.
Read More Orbital Satellites and Their Use of GPS