The ISS Will Be “Buried” At Point Nemo… What Is Point Nemo?

NASA 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?
Featured

The Skylab Program: Pioneering NASA’s Human Spaceflight

The 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 Spaceflight
Featured

Time in Space: A Review of Typical Milestones and NET/NLT Designations in Space Projects

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 Projects
Featured

US Space Force Programs: Space Prime

The 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 Prime
Featured

Orbital Satellites and Their Use of GPS

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
Featured

The New Space Race: Counterspace Capabilities and Satellite Defense

Satellite counterspace capabilities have become increasingly important in the modern world, as space has become an integral part of various sectors, such as communication, navigation, military, and scientific research. With nations vying for dominance in the space domain, this article provides an overview of the various counterspace capabilities and reviews satellite counterspace defensive options.

Read More The New Space Race: Counterspace Capabilities and Satellite Defense
Featured

Report: Technology Assessment Large Constellations of Satellites (GAO 2022)

This report: (1) describes the potential effects from projected increases in large constellations of satellites, (2) assesses the current or emerging technologies and approaches to evaluate and mitigate these effects, along with challenges to developing or implementing these technologies and approaches, and (3) identifies policy options that might help address the challenges as well as the opportunities and considerations that accompany these options.

Read More Report: Technology Assessment Large Constellations of Satellites (GAO 2022)