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Amazon confirms 100% success rate for Project Kuiper Protoflight mission

Amazon’s Project Kuiper has validated all systems and subsystems on board its prototype satellites and has also demo’d the first, two-way video call over Amazon’s end-to-end communications network.

Within 30 days of sending two prototype satellites into space, Project Kuiper has achieved a 100% success rate for its Protoflight mission.

The mission validated key technologies that underpin the network and moving the program another step closer toward that long-term vision.

On October 6, 2023, an Atlas V rocket from United Launch Alliance (ULA) lifted off from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.

Every major system and subsystem on board the two prototypes—from flight computers and solar arrays to our propulsion system and advanced radio frequency (RF) communications payload—demonstrated nominal or better performance following launch. Together, these tests have allowed the team to validate the architecture and design of the satellite constellation and to conduct demonstrations of 4K video streaming and two-way video calls over the network. With initial testing complete, Project Kuiper is on track to begin mass satellite production ahead of a full-scale deployment starting in the first half of 2024, before entering beta testing with select customers later in the year.

“Kuiper was an idea on a piece of paper a few years ago, and everything we’ve learned so far from our Protoflight mission validates our original vision and architecture,. We still have a lot of hard work ahead, and scaling for mass production won’t be easy. To get these results on your very first mission though—and so quickly after launch—is an incredible feat, and it’s only possible because of the expertise and dedication of our team here at Amazon.” — Rajeev Badyal, Vice President of Technology, Project Kuiper

The Protoflight mission allowed the team to test the full range of hardware, software, and infrastructure that underpin our network. This includes the key systems and subsystems that allow our satellites to operate safely and reliably in space—satellite structures and mechanics, flight computers, propulsion systems, solar power generation and distribution systems, batteries, reaction wheels, and more—as well as the advanced RF communications payload we use to send and receive data through the Kuiper network.

The mission has also allowed for technology and infrastructure on the ground validation, including prototypes of the customer terminal; telemetry, tracking and control (TT&C) stations located in locations such as Hawaii and Mauritius; the ground gateway station in Texas; and connection points to the terrestrial internet via Amazon Web Services (AWS).

The most recent Protoflight tests involved the RF communications payload, which includes a combination of parabolic antennas, phased array antennas, and additional innovations that allowed the team to send customer data traffic across the network. This was the last major satellite system that was set out to be proven in space, and through a series of experiments during the week of November 5, end-to-end network functionality was successfully demonstrated. Data traffic was also sent in both directions from the internet over an AWS fiber-optic connection to the ground gateway station, up to the satellites, and then down to a customer terminal at the test location.

The tests were designed to showcase different performance characteristics of the Project Kuiper network, on top of the basic functions of transmitting and receiving data. In the first demonstration, an Amazon Prime account was logged onto, searched for a product, added it to the cart, and then checked out.

In the second demonstration, Prime Video was logged onto and a search conducted for the Amazon Original movie A Million Miles Away, and then streamed that title as an ultra-high definition (UHD) 4K video. This test highlighted network throughput and low latency.

For the third demonstration, the team conducted a two-way video call over Amazon Chime between the test site in Texas and the mission operations center in Washington. In addition to requiring low latency for a smooth video call, this test involved “full duplex” performance, with the antennas simultaneously sending and receiving data.

Three images of Project Kuiper's customer terminal with a blue background.
Project Kuiper’s customer terminals, photo courtesy of the company.

The demonstrations occurred during brief contact windows each day as the prototype satellites’ elliptical orbits took them over the test site, and a link was successfully established to receive internet connectivity. Each contact window ranged from approximately 30-120 seconds, based on the satellites’ position relative to the test site. That experience was unique to the Protoflight mission as there are only two satellites on-orbit. When commercial service starts, there will always be a satellite within range of customers, and the software-defined network will seamlessly hand off the data link from one satellite to the next as they pass overhead for uninterrupted connectivity.

An image of the Kuiper team testing their bandwidth for the prototype satellites.

The mission also gave the teams on the ground a chance to demonstrate and refine procedures for satellite processing, launch, and mission operations—critical experiences as we prepare for a rapid launch cadence beginning in 2024. Although validation of the core satellite and network design has already been accomplished, the Project Kuiper will continue running experiments over the next several months under different conditions and observe how these prototype satellites hold up to the extremes of space.

When Amazon initiates beta testing of Project Kuiper in the second half of 2024, early partners such as Vodafone and Verizon will be among the first to participate in those service pilots. Additional enterprise, telecommunications, and government customers and partners seeking to take part in our pilot program can register interest through early 2024.

Article written by Amazon staff.

STARSHIP UPDATE #2: Starship’s second launch a success using helpful data from first launch

UPDATE #2: “We have liftoff,” as Starship returned to integrated flight testing with it’s second launch from Starbase in Texas. While it didn’t happen in a lab or on a test stand, it was absolutely a test. What we did will provide invaluable data to continue rapidly developing Starship.

During this morning’s preparation to the launch the on air hosts at SpaceX informed us that helpful data learned after the first launch resulted in modifications such as design changes and ultimately hardware changes. The delay yesterday was to replace a grid fin actuator on the launch stack, and then it was decided to also replace two other actuators as a precaution.

Starship successfully lifted off under the power of all 33 Raptor engines on the Super Heavy Booster and made it through a successful stage separation. The booster experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly after stage separation and boostback burn while Starship’s engines fired for several minutes on its way to space.

With a test like this, success comes from what we learn, and today’s test will help us improve Starship’s reliability as SpaceX seeks to make life multiplanetary.

Cheers heard all around with today’s successful stage separation!
“Starship successfully lifted off under the power of all 33 Raptor engines on the Super Heavy Booster and made it through a successful stage separation.”

We’ll continue to share updates here as the team reviews data from today’s test. Thank you to our customers, Cameron County, and the wider community for the continued support and encouragement. And congratulations to the entire SpaceX team on an exciting second flight test of Starship!

UPDATE #1: The second flight test of a fully integrated was originally set for November 17, but SpaceX delayed it by 24 hours to replace a grid fin actuator on the launch stack. The launch is currently scheduled to occur from the company’s Starbase site near Boca Chica, Texas.

SpaceX launched its first Starship on April 20, but the rocket was intentionally exploded after its stages failed to separate as planned. The 33 engines of the Super Heavy first stage carved a huge crater beneath its launch mount, which SpaceX spent months repairing and upgrading. 

SpaceX has since installed a water deluge system beneath the launch pad to avoid creating another crater on this launch. Additionally there is now a hot-staging technique for stage separation, in which the upper Starship stage begins firing its engines before separating from the Super Heavy.

“This is another chance to put Starship in a true flight environment, maximizing how much we learn,” SpaceX wrote in a November 16 update on X, formerly known as Twitter. “This is another chance to put Starship in a true flight environment, maximizing how much we learn. Rapid iterative development is essential as we work to build a fully reusable launch system capable of carrying satellites, payloads, crew, and cargo to a variety of orbits and Earth, lunar, and Martian landing sites.”

The second flight test of a fully integrated Starship is set to launch Friday, November 17. A two-hour launch window opens at 7:00 a.m. CT.

A live webcast of the flight test will begin about 35 minutes before liftoff, which you can watch on X @SpaceX. Be aware of possible updates as is the case with all developmental testing, the schedule is dynamic and likely to change.

As the most powerful launch system ever developed, Starship will be able to carry up to 100 people on long-duration, interplanetary flights. Starship will also help enable satellite delivery, the development of a Moon base, and point-to-point transport on Earth.

Hot-stage separation system

Starship’s first flight test provided numerous lessons learned that directly contributed to several upgrades to both the vehicle and ground infrastructure to improve the probability of success on future flights. The second flight test will debut a hot-stage separation system and a new electronic Thrust Vector Control (TVC) system for Super Heavy Raptor engines, in addition to reinforcements to the pad foundation and a water-cooled steel flame deflector, among many other enhancements.

UPGRADES AHEAD OF STARSHIP’S SECOND FLIGHT TEST

The first flight test of a fully integrated Starship and Super Heavy was a critical step in advancing the capabilities of the most powerful launch system ever developed. Starship’s first flight test provided numerous lessons learned that are directly contributing to several upgrades being made to both the vehicle and ground infrastructure to improve the probability of success on future Starship flights. This rapid iterative development approach has been the basis for all of SpaceX’s major innovative advancements, including Falcon, Dragon, and Starlink. SpaceX has led the investigation efforts following the flight with oversight from the FAA and participation from NASA and the National Transportation and Safety Board.

Starship and Super Heavy successfully lifted off for the first time on April 20, 2023 at 8:33 a.m. CT (13:33:09 UTC) from the orbital launch pad at Starbase in Texas. Starship climbed to a maximum altitude of ~39 km (24 mi) over the Gulf of Mexico. During ascent, the vehicle sustained fires from leaking propellant in the aft end of the Super Heavy booster, which eventually severed connection with the vehicle’s primary flight computer. This led to a loss of communications to the majority of booster engines and, ultimately, control of the vehicle. SpaceX has since implemented leak mitigations and improved testing on both engine and booster hardware. As an additional corrective action, SpaceX has significantly expanded Super Heavy’s pre-existing fire suppression system in order to mitigate against future engine bay fires.

The Autonomous Flight Safety System (AFSS) automatically issued a destruct command, which fired all detonators as expected, after the vehicle deviated from the expected trajectory, lost altitude and began to tumble. After an unexpected delay following AFSS activation, Starship ultimately broke up 237.474 seconds after engine ignition. SpaceX has enhanced and requalified the AFSS to improve system reliability.

SpaceX is also implementing a full suite of system performance upgrades unrelated to any issues observed during the first flight test. For example, SpaceX has built and tested a hot-stage separation system, in which Starship’s second stage engines will ignite to push the ship away from the booster. Additionally, SpaceX has engineered a new electronic Thrust Vector Control (TVC) system for Super Heavy Raptor engines. Using fully electric motors, the new system has fewer potential points of failure and is significantly more energy efficient than traditional hydraulic systems.

SpaceX also made significant upgrades to the orbital launch mount and pad system in order to prevent a recurrence of the pad foundation failure observed during the first flight test. These upgrades include significant reinforcements to the pad foundation and the addition of a flame deflector, which SpaceX has successfully tested multiple times.

Testing development flight hardware in a flight environment is what enables our teams to quickly learn and execute design changes and hardware upgrades to improve the probability of success in the future. We learned a tremendous amount about the vehicle and ground systems during Starship’s first flight test. Recursive improvement is essential as we work to build a fully reusable launch system capable of carrying satellites, payloads, crew, and cargo to a variety of orbits and Earth, lunar, or Martian landing sites.

This rapid iterative development approach has been the basis for all of SpaceX’s major innovative advancements, including Falcon, Dragon, and Starlink. Recursive improvement is essential as we work to build a fully reusable transportation system capable of carrying both crew and cargo to Earth orbit, help humanity return to the Moon, and ultimately travel to Mars and beyond.

Lockheed Martin jets into nuclear electrical spacecraft power

Hot off the heels of the DRACO announcement in July 2023, Lockheed Martin was awarded $33.7 million from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) for the Joint Emergent Technology Supplying On-Orbit Nuclear (JETSON) High Power program to mature high-power nuclear electric power and propulsion technologies and spacecraft design. The JETSON effort is now in the preliminary design review stage, with the option to go to critical design review level.

With Space Nuclear Power Corp. (SpaceNukes) and BWX Technologies, Inc. (BWXT) as our partners – both of whom carry deep expertise in nuclear power and reactor design – our JETSON team will address the escalating need for advanced spacecraft mobility, situational awareness, and power generation that far surpasses traditional spacecraft capabilities. Providing both on-board electrical power and the ability to power electric propulsion Hall thrusters used on Lockheed Martin’s LM2100 satellites, JETSON serves as a critical step forward in using nuclear electric propulsion to get humans to the Moon, Mars and beyond.

JETSON will use a fission reactor that generates heat, which is then transferred to Stirling engines to produce between 6 kWe and 20 kWe of electricity – four times the power of conventional solar arrays without the need to be in continuous sunlight. The reactor draws heavily from the design and lessons of the 2018 Kilopower Reactor Using Stirling Technology (KRUSTY) demonstration led by NASA and the DoE’s National Nuclear Security Administration.

NASA and NNSA engineers lower the wall of the vacuum chamber around the Kilowatt Reactor Using Stirling TechnologY (KRUSTY system). The vacuum chamber is later evacuated to simulate the conditions of space when KRUSTY operates. Credits: Los Alamos National Laboratory

This technology has the potential to produce much higher electrical output than spacecraft powered by solar panels, which generally garner about 600 watts of power, or the equivalent of six light bulbs. For deep space exploration missions not as close to the sun, or in shadowed regions, nuclear electric-powered subsystems are a great alternative to have in a company’s power-generation toolkit.

As on other space nuclear programs, safety is a top priority with JETSON. Uranium, prior to the start of the fission process, is benign. During launch, the reactor is in an inert, inactive configuration and is designed to not turn on and start the fission process until the spacecraft is in a safe non-decaying orbit far out from Earth.

The development work will be done across the country including at Lockheed Martin’s facility near Denver, at AFRL’s facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at SpaceNukes’ facility at Los Alamos, New Mexico and at BWXT in Lynchburg, Virginia. Several New Mexico-based national labs, facilities and suppliers will also support.

“Nuclear fission development for space applications is key to introducing technologies that could dramatically change how we move and explore in the vastness of space,” said . “From high-power electrical subsystem and electric propulsion, to nuclear thermal propulsion or fission surface power, Lockheed Martin is focused on developing these systems with our important government agencies and industry partners.” — Barry Miles, program manager and principal investigator, JETSON, Lockheed Martin

“A future JETSON flight experiment will enhance maneuver and power capabilities shaping future space force operations,” said . “The United States has not flown a reactor in space since 1965. As the first novel reactor tested in more than 50 years, we’re giving our country a technical leap – both terrestrially and on-orbit – as well as the ability to expand future space exploration.” — Andy Phelps, CEO, SpaceNukes

“BWXT’s support as the nuclear manufacturer on the JETSON program complements Lockheed Martin’s heritage space flight capabilities and SpaceNukes’ nuclear design expertise,” said . “Building upon the KRUSTY demonstration, BWXT investment and unique infrastructure, the team is well-positioned to deliver and fly a space nuclear system under the JETSON program.” — Joe Miller, President, BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC

Northrop Grumman completes CDR for the SDA’s Tranche 1 Tracking Layer

The Tranche 1 Tracking Layer is designed to detect, track and ultimately target hypersonic and ballistic missiles. (Image Credit: Northrop Grumman)

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) recently completed the company’s Critical Design Review (CDR) on a proliferated LEO constellation of 16 missile tracking satellites for the Space Development Agency (SDA), clearing the way to start production work on the space vehicles.

The CDR maintained an accelerated pace and was completed within 13 months of the award announcement.

The satellites are part of the Tranche 1 Tracking Layer (T1TRK) that will identify and track hypersonic weapons and advanced missiles from the earliest stages of launch through interception.

Once in orbit, the satellites will operate in two of four LEO planes, interconnected with Tranche 1 Transport Layer (T1TL) – another element of SDA’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) designed as a high-speed, high-volume data transport network connecting U.S. forces around the globe.

Fourteen of the satellites for T1TRK will feature a wide field-of-view sensor, three optical communications terminals and a Ka-band payload for communications. Two satellites will feature a medium field-of-view infrared sensor to demonstrate a fire-control solution.

The Tracking Layer: Focused on developing a global constellation of infrared missile warning and missile tracking satellites that integrate with the Transport Layer’s low-latency meshed communication network, enabling conventional and advanced missile tracking from proliferated Low Earth Orbit (pLEO).

The Transport Layer: Designed to provide low-latency, high-volume data connectivity supporting U.S. military missions around the world. To date, SDA has awarded Northrop Grumman 132 satellites. In March, Northrop Grumman successfully completed a Critical Design Review for T1TL. In October, SDA awarded Northrop Grumman a contract to design and build 38 satellites as part of Tranche 2 Transport Layer – Alpha (T2TL-Alpha).

“We are developing a more responsive, flexible and resilient space architecture to counter sophisticated threats. By passing this critical milestone on an accelerated timeline, we are closer to delivering critical missile defense and tracking technologies.” — Candace Givens, Vice President, Overhead Persistent Infrared and Geospatial Systems, Northrop Grumman

The 5th + 6th SES O3b mPOWER MEO sats successfully launched by SpaceX

On Sunday, November 12, at 4:08 p.m. ET, SpaceX launched the SES O3b mPOWER mission to MEO from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

This was the ninth flight of the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched CRS-26, OneWeb Launch 16, Intelsat IS-40e, and five Starlink missions.

The first stage was successfully landed on the A Shortfall of Gravitas drone ship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. This was the 245th recovery of the first stage by the company.

SES also announced the successful launch of the two additional O3b mPOWER satellites for the company aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

With the fifth and sixth O3b mPOWER satellites launched, the system is now completed with the six MEO satellites required in their slots to offer high-performance network services that will deliver high throughput, predictable low latency, unique flexibility and service availability.

Last month, SES announced it will add to the constellation two more satellites built by Boeing, bringing the total number of O3b mPOWER satellites to 13. The additional investment is expected to be covered within SES’s existing committed CapEx envelope. The first four O3b mPOWER satellites launched in the last year have arrived at their target orbital position and are undergoing in-orbit checks, including a series of system validation tests encompassing both space and ground components.

In 2023 alone, SES has rolled out and tested more than 160 O3b mPOWER terminals over the existing O3b constellation to serve mobility, telecom, government, and enterprise customers. 

“With the fifth and sixth O3b mPOWER satellites launched and going operational in the next few months, we are gearing up to deliver the high-performance connectivity services our customers need. By building resiliency into the network, we are confident our customers will be able to depend on us to deliver the reliable and secure connectivity required to run their operations.” — Ruy Pinto, CEO, SES. 

Security Space Launch Phase 2 Procurement assignments made by SSC

Space Systems Command (SSC) has assigned 21 new launch service mission assignments for the FY24 National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 2 Launch Service Procurement contract following completion of the NSSL Mission Assignment Board (MAB)’s assignment process for FY24 launch service awards — this is the fifth, and last, order year in the Phase 2 contract.

United Launch  Alliance (ULA) received 11 mission assignments and Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) received 10. These Order Year 5 (OY5) missions are scheduled to launch over the next two to three years and focus on a variety of mission areas. 

The 11 missions assigned to ULA include… GPS III-9, NROL-73, NROL-56, STP-5, SILENTBARKER 2/NROL-118, GPS IIIF-1, NROL-100, USSF-95, NROL-109, SDA T2TL-B, and USSF-25. 

Artistic rendition of a GPS III satellite on-orbit, courtesy of Lockheed Martin.

The 10 missions assigned to SpaceX include…  SDA T1TL-F, SDA T1TR-A, USSF-57, NROL-77, SDA T1TR-E, GPS III-10, USSF-75, SDA T2TL-A, SDA T2TL-C, and USSF-70.

NROL-77, NROL-73, NROL-56, NROL-109, and NROL-100 are missions being conducted in partnership with the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).

T1TL-F is the last mission of six Space Development Agency (SDA) Tranche 1 Transport Layer launches; T2TL-A, T2TL-B and T2TL-C are the first three Tranche 2 Transport Layer launches.  SDA’s Transport Layer will provide assured, resilient, low-latency military data and connectivity worldwide to the full range of warfighter platforms.  T1TR-A and T1TR-E are the last two SDA Tranche 1 Tracking Layer launches.  SDA’s Tracking Layer will provide global indications, warning, tracking, and targeting of advanced missile threats, including hypersonic missile systems.

The GPS III-9 and GPS III-10 missions are the final projected GPS III missions.  The GPS IIIF-1 is the first launch of the follow-on GPS III satellites.  GPS Block IIIF introduces several improvements and novel capabilities compared to previous GPS satellite blocks.  USSF-57 will launch the first of three Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared GEO (NGG) satellites.  These satellites will deliver survivable, resilient missile warning, tracking, and defense in a highly contested and congested space domain.  

SILENTBARKER 2/NROL-118 is a joint NRO and SSC Space Domain Awareness mission to meet DoD and intelligence community space protection needs.

Artistic rendition of the SILENTBAKER / NROL-118 satellite on-orbit, courtesy of Boeing.

USSF-25 will launch the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO). The goal of the DRACO program is to demonstrate a nuclear thermal rocket in orbit. 

USSF-95 will be the first launch of a Missile Track Custody (MTC) prototype satellite. The MTC prototype effort will evaluate the ability of various Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared sensor designs to meet missile tracking requirements.

Missile Track Custody artistic rendition is courtesy of Raytheon Intelligence and Space.

STP-5 is the latest mission in support of SSC’s Space Test Program (STP).  The STP performs mission design, payload-to-bus integration, space vehicle-to-launch vehicle integration, and on-orbit operations for Science and Technology payloads that exhibit potential military utility.  STP-5 will launch two satellites in support of the Department of Defense Strategic Capabilities Office.

Artistic rendition of STP5 on-orbit, courtesy of Sierra Nevada Corporation.

“Over the five-year Phase 2 contract, we will have ordered a total of 48 missions, a significant increase over the 34 missions originally estimated leading up to Phase 2. The increase in launch tempo is a clear reminder of how vital space-based capabilities are in providing our warfighters and our nation’s decision-makers with the information needed to stay ahead of and to deter adversarial forces.” — Brig. Gen. Kristin Panzenhagen, Program Executive Officer, Assured Access to Space

“We maintain a close partnership with our mission customers and our domestic launch industry to protect our nation. Under our Phase 2 contract, ULA and SpaceX have been committed partners, and our combined team remains dedicated to delivery of critical assets to our warfighters as we complete this phase of the NSSL program and embark on NSSL Phase 3 starting in FY25.” — Col. Chad Melone, SSC senior materiel leader, Mission Solutions Space Acquisition Delta

Space Systems Command is the U.S. Space Force’s field command responsible for acquiring and delivering resilient war fighting capabilities to protect our nation’s strategic advantage in and from space.  SSC manages a $15 billion space acquisition budget for the DoD and works in partnership with joint forces, industry, government agencies, and academic and allied organizations to accelerate innovation and outpace emerging threats.  Our actions today are making the world a better space for tomorrow.

Two Koreas race to launch first homegrown military spy satellites

South Korean (left) and North Korean flags. (123rf)

In a high-stakes race, South and North Korea are vying for success in launching their first homegrown military spy satellites, backed respectively by the United States and Russia, as a pivotal initiative aimed at enhancing their military capabilities.

The South Korean military is set to launch its domestically-developed reconnaissance satellite on Nov. 30 from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, South Korea’s new Defense Minister Shin Won-sik said Friday during his meeting with reporters.

California-headquartered US aerospace giant SpaceX’s Falcon 9 will carry South Korea’s first spy satellite.

The upcoming launch is part of South Korea’s “425 Project,” which aims to “secure the military’s own reconnaissance satellites through research and development to monitor North Korea’s key strategic targets and respond” to potential threats, the Defense Ministry explained in a separate statement issued Friday.

In pursuit of this goal, the Defense Ministry has laid out plans to launch a total of five high-resolution military satellites by the year 2025 in light of the growing importance of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance — or ISR — assets for early detection of advancing North Korean nuclear and missile threats.

The ministry emphasized that military spy satellites will be the core of ISR assets, which serve as the cornerstone for South Korea’s three-axis defense system.

Spy satellites are poised to significantly reinforce the first axis of the three-pronged defense system, dubbed the “Kill Chain” preemptive strike mechanism, by bolstering ISR capabilities across deep areas and strategic targets in North Korea.

If South Korea successfully put a spy satellite into orbit, the Defense Ministry said it would provide an opportunity to “showcase the military’s superior scientific and technological capabilities when compared to North Korea’s satellite launch failures in May and August.”

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (right) meets with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Pyongyang on Oct. 19, 2023, in this photo captured from Pyongyang’s official Korean Central Television the following day. (Yonhap)

North Korea has also sought to put “a large number of reconnaissance satellites” for military purposes by 2025 as ordered by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in March 2022. At that time, the North Korean media said the goal was to “thoroughly monitor and identify anti-DPRK and hostile military actions by the aggression troops of the US imperialism and its vassal forces on the Korean Peninsula and the surrounding area.”

Shin pointed out that North Korea might conduct a third attempt at launching what it asserts to be a “military reconnaissance satellite” in late November. This follows a failed second launch in August, after which North Korea swiftly declared its intention to proceed with another satellite launch in October, attributing the previous failure to a third-stage rocket explosion.

“Judging from the signs we’ve identified, it doesn’t appear feasible within the next one of two weeks,” Shin told reporters, declining to elaborate on indications.

“However, our assessment suggests that a launch could potentially occur toward the end of November, though we need to remain cautious and monitor the situation as it unfolds.”

Shin explained the “delay in North Korea’s launch may be attributed to the necessity for additional time to improve the third-stage engine” of a carrier rocket. The defense chief added the South Korean military puts more weight on the likelihood that the third satellite launch delay is due to “specific technological guidance from Russia.”

In September, Russian President Vladimir Putin publicly stated that he and the North Korean leader intentionally met at Russia’s primary spaceport, the Vostochny Cosmodrome, to assist North Korea in satellite development.

“The competition between South and North Korea in launching reconnaissance satellites is essentially a technology race between the United States and Russia,” said Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul.

“South Korea’s goal is to bolster its capabilities for the Kill Chain, with support from the United States. Conversely, North Korea, with Russian technological aid, is primarily oriented towards collecting intelligence on the military activities of South Korea and the United States,” he said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (second left in front) and North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un (second right in front) examine a rocket assembly hangar during their meeting at the Vostochny Cosmodrome outside the city of Tsiolkovsky, about 200 kilometers from the city of Blagoveshchensk in the far eastern Amur region, Russia on Sept. 13, 2023. (File Photo – AP)

But any launch conducted by North Korea that involves ballistic missile technology, including the use of space launch vehicles to place satellites into orbit, constitutes a breach of multiple UN Security Council resolutions.

Amidst the postponement of the preannounced satellite launch, North Korean state media on Sunday reported that the country has designated November 18 as “Missile Industry Day” to commemorate the first test launch of the intercontinental ballistic missile Hwasong-17 last Nov. 18.

The anniversary was designated at a meeting of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly, the state media said, without elaborating on the date of the meeting.

Yang suggested that North Korea might choose to conduct the third satellite launch on Missile Industry Day.

But the timing of South Korea’s upcoming satellite launch will be a crucial factor in determining North Korea’s launch date.

“The outcome will be of utmost importance if both South and North Korea proceed with their satellite launches in November. Should South Korea achieve success while North Korea faces another setback, it would cause political damage (to Pyongyang),” Yang said.

“North Korea will evaluate whether it’s more advantageous to launch our satellite before or after November 30, which is the date set for our satellite launch.”

By Ji Da-gyum from the Korea Herald

U.S. Senate passes act to support technologies to clear dangerous orbital debris endangering astronauts and satellites

A pressure vessel from SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket was found in a man’s farm last weekend.
Grant County Sheriff’s Office

The U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Orbital Sustainability (ORBITS) Act, a bipartisan bill to establish a first-of-its-kind demonstration program to reduce the amount of space junk in orbit. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Committee, joined Sens. John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) in introducing the bill in February and it passed the Committee in July. It now heads to the House.

Car-sized object lands on Australian beach. Courtesy of AP

“Nearly one million pieces of space junk pass over our heads every day,” Sen. Cantwell said. “The ORBITS Act will jumpstart the technology development needed to remove the most dangerous space junk before it knocks out a scientific satellite, threatens a NASA mission, or falls to the ground and hurts someone.”

“Space junk,” or orbital debris, currently poses a threat to human space exploration, scientific research missions and emerging commercial space services. There are approximately 8,000 metric tons of space junk currently in orbit, including at least 900,000 individual pieces of debris that are potentially lethal to satellites. Because of the magnitude of the current debris, simply preventing more debris in the future is not enough.

Every year, there are cases of space junk falling to Earth. A car-sized object landed in Australia over the summer. In Washington state, a large piece of space junk crashed into a farmer’s property in March 2021. Washington state companies, including Seattle-based satellite servicer Starfish Space, have advocated for the acceleration of space debris removal efforts. Other companies in Washington state, like SpaceX, Amazon’s Kuiper Systems and Stoke Space Technologies, are also looking for new ways to reduce debris from accumulating in space in the first place or have been threatened by debris.

The ORBITS Act would:

  • Direct the Department of Commerce Office of Space Commerce (OSC) to publish a list of debris that poses the greatest risk to orbiting spacecraft;
  • Establish a NASA program to demonstrate the removal of debris from orbit to accelerate the development of required technologies;
  • Encourage consistent orbital debris regulations by initiating a multi-agency update to existing orbital debris standards applicable to Government systems; and
  • Require OSC, with the National Space Council and Federal Communications Commission, to encourage the development of practices for coordinating space traffic, which will help avoid collisions that create debris.

Read the bill text HERE.

Sen. Cantwell has been a champion for Washington state’s space industry and oversees NASA and the space industry as Chair of the Committee. Last year, Sen. Cantwell spearheaded the passage of the CHIPS and Science Act, one of the largest five-year federal research and development investments in U.S. history. The law includes the new NASA Authorization, enshrining the NASA Artemis missions to the Moon and eventually Mars in U.S. law. The Artemis program has 42 suppliers in the Washington state. In July, Sen. Cantwell hosted a Washington state space summit with NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and talked about how the space industry has more than doubled in four years and supports more than 13,000 jobs, creating $4.6 billion in economic activity in the state. Read more on Washington state’s space economy and Sen. Cantwell’s actions here.

Virgin Galactic’s sixth successful mission in six months with a suborbital lab

Virgin Galactic’s VSS Unity space plane lights its rocket motor during the Galactic 05 suborbital mission on November 2, 2023. (Image credit: Virgin Galactic)

Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SPCE) (“Virgin Galactic” or the “Company”) today announced the completion of its sixth space mission in six months and tenth to date. The ‘Galactic 05’ mission saw Virgin Galactic’s spaceship converted into a suborbital lab for space-based scientific research for the second time. 

 Michael Colglazier, CEO of Virgin Galactic, said: “Providing researchers with reliable and repeatable access to a high-quality microgravity environment is vital to our mission of expanding human knowledge and enabling scientific discoveries. We are proud to support the work of the Southwest Research Institute and International Institute for Astronautical Sciences with today’s flight, and we will use insights from the mission to enhance the research capabilities of our future Delta-class spaceships. We look forward to playing an increasingly important role in space research in the years ahead.”  Onboard ‘Galactic 05’: 

  • Astronaut 020 – Dr. Alan Stern, U.S. Planetary Scientist and Associate Vice President in Southwest Research Institute’s (SwRI) Space Sector 
  • Astronaut 021 – Kellie Gerardi, U.S. Payload Specialist and Bioastronautics Researcher for the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences (IIAS) 
  • Astronaut 022 – Ketty Pucci-Sisti Maisonrouge, Private Astronaut 

 Dr. Stern flew with two human-tended experiments, including a biomedical harness to collect physiological data related to human spaceflight. He also conducted practice routines and procedures in preparation for a future NASA-funded suborbital research flight.  

Dr. Alan Stern, U.S. Planetary Scientist and Associate Vice President in Southwest Research Institute’s (SwRI) Space Sector, said: “The success of this mission is another important step in the development of the scientific and educational use cases for commercial suborbital vehicles. The potential here is literally astronomical.” 

Gerardi flew with three payloads, two of which evaluated novel healthcare technologies in microgravity conditions through the collection of biometric data. The third payload examined how confined fluid behaves to inform future healthcare technologies in space. 

Kellie Gerardi, U.S. Payload Specialist and Bioastronautics Researcher for the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences (IIAS), said: “The suborbital science potential for Institutes like ours is unprecedented and I’m also struck by the broader societal impact of commercial human spaceflight — after today’s mission, Virgin Galactic is now responsible for producing 10% of the world’s female astronauts, and I look forward to seeing that number soar for my daughter’s generation.”   

UPDATE: SpaceX’s Friday night launch of 23 Starlinks and breaks another re-flight record

UPDATE: On Friday, November 3 at 8:37 p.m. ET, Falcon 9 launched 23 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

SpaceX broke another re-flight record with this launch of 23 more Starlink satellites on a Falcon 9 booster making its 18th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Crew Demo-2, ANASIS-11, CRS-21, Transporter-1, Transporter-3, and now 13 Starlink missions.

Following liftoff, the booster landed on the droneship, ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas,’ about eight-and-a-half minutes into the mission.

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SpaceX is targeting Friday, November 3 at 8:37 p.m. ET for a Falcon 9 launch of 23 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. If needed, three backup opportunities are available starting at 9:01 p.m. ET until 10:22 p.m. ET. Eight backup opportunities are also currently available on Saturday, November 4 starting at 6:00 p.m. ET until 9:55 p.m. ET.

A live webcast of this mission will begin on X @SpaceX about five minutes prior to liftoff. Watch live.

This is the 18th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Crew Demo-2, ANASIS-11, CRS-21, Transporter-1, Transporter-3, and 12 Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.