A.C. Charania

Doubling Down: Progress on Space Debris Mitigation and Remediation The recent article by Ian Christensen highlights significant strides in space debris mitigation and the ongoing challenges of remediation. As a space journalist, I find these developments crucial for space sustainability. Key Developments: - **European Space Agency**: 12 countries and 40+ companies signed the Zero Debris Charter, aiming for no net addition of debris by 2030. - **India's ISRO**: Committed to “Debris Free Space Missions” by 2030. - **US FCC**: Refining orbital debris mitigation requirements to protect current and future services. The Challenge of Existing Debris: While mitigating future debris is essential, we can't ignore the risks posed by over 25,000 tracked objects already in orbit. Efforts to remediate these face technical, political, and economic hurdles. However, advancements in satellite servicing and in-space logistics are paving the way for active debris removal (ADR). Promising Initiatives: - **Europe, Japan, UK**: Leading ADR pilot programs. - **NASA**: Policy shift to fund debris remediation technologies. Need for Government Action: Further government action is needed to sustain and scale these programs. NASA's recent study suggests debris remediation can offer comparable risk reduction per dollar spent as mitigation efforts, highlighting the value of investing in these technologies. Looking Ahead: The upcoming 6th Summit for Space Sustainability in Tokyo will explore key questions on debris remediation, aiming to catalyze operational deployment and ensure a sustainable orbital environment. Ensuring sustainable and scalable outcomes in debris remediation, coupled with strong mitigation commitments, is crucial for the future of space activities. Ian Christensen, Senior Director, Private Sector Programs at the Secure World Foundation, encapsulates the urgency and necessity of these efforts. Let's continue pushing for progress in both space debris mitigation and remediation to secure our space future. https://lnkd.in/edycqHjy

1

#Climate readiness is mission readiness. #Defense contractors need to stay on the leading edge, including urgent low-carbon innovation. We filed a resolution with Lockheed Martin and RTX (formerly Raytheon) requesting plans to reduce full value chain emissions aligned with the Paris Agreement. Here are the encouraging vote totals: • 32% of Lockheed shareholders voted for the proposal • 25% of Raytheon shareholders supported the proposal We expect these strong results to give management additional impetus to act on climate change.

4

I just listened to this again - if you're in the autonomy or automotive spaces - give it a listen! We cover lots of topics from the business and technology side of this new regulation that will affect us all.

12

Take a look at our paper on global forecasting of storm surges at ungauged locations through ML techniques. Our work will be preseted at the #CVPR #EarthVision workshop.#ai4eo

18

This is a great tool for getting to grips with the potential costs of debris remediation. Mitigation of debris is a major part of tackling this tragedy of the commons but until we begin to remediate legacy debris we will not be able to declare ourselves net zero debris. We're working on the means to collectively fund remediation as an industry. A lot of money is made in space and to clean it up will be a fraction of the profits people make but there is still hesitancy. https://kmi.privateer.com/

4

Looking back on AFWERX and SpaceWERX's March announcement of the Program Year 2024 Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI), a contract award selections from its Phase II eligible applicants... We're proud that 24% of the selected startup companies are Starburst Aerospace portfolio companies, affiliated with our US-based accelerator programs and Venture fund, Starburst Ventures, including: AFWERX STRATFI selections supporting the U.S. Air Force: • Advanced Tactical Augmented Reality System, Red 6 Aerospace, Inc. • Model One, Istari Digital Federal LLC SpaceWERX STRATFI selections supporting the U.S. Space Force are: • GEO Satellite Servicing Vehicle, Starfish Space, Inc. • Hybrid Space Optical SATCOM, Skyloom Global Corp Red 6, Istari Digital, Starfish Space, and Skyloom Global were collectively AWARDED MORE THAN $100M! We look forward to continuing to support the disruptors that are redefining the aerospace, aviation, defense and enabling technologies ecosystem, and working towards creating a safer, greener, and more sustainable world. Read the full article 👉 https://bit.ly/49UP2Tg cc: François Chopard, Benjamin Zeitoun, Robert L. Ganim, Kadi Silde, Nate Mason #space #defense #aerospace #innovation #technology #funding #invest

36

1 Comment

Solving the space plus critical infrastructure challenge is a big next step in protecting the future. Check this out 

2

Join ATA Engineering at the annual NSMMS (National Space & Missile Materials Symposium) & CRASTE (Commercial and Government Responsive Access to Space Technology Exchange) Joint Symposia, taking place next week in Madison, Wisconsin. The ATA team is excited to participate in this year’s co-hosted events of NSMMS, which focuses on advancements in aerospace and advanced materials technology, and CRASTE, which unites experts dedicated to improving space access by reducing costs, increasing responsiveness, and integrating emerging technologies to enhance systems for both government and commercial applications. We are eager to join these discussions on advanced materials development, and we value the opportunity to attend these symposia, where we can connect with other small businesses pursuing innovative defense technologies in space, missiles, and hypersonic systems. Learn more about NSMMS and CRASTE: https://lnkd.in/gFgD3Yb6 #AdvancedMaterials #Hypersonics #Engineering #Aerospace #Defense

9

Cor-Tuf managers come from construction. Techlink knows DOD research. These two partners aligned on the perfect vision to change the concrete industry and improve how we build and repair infrastructure. https://bit.ly/41DXDHM #PublicPrivatePartnership #ReadymixUHPC #Technologytransfer #Infrastructurerepair #UHPC #concrete

22

1 Comment

This news article is about the #LOSSAN #Rail Relocation Project in #SanDiego County. Here are the key points I've gathered: 1. The project aims to relocate the rail tracks off the eroding #DelMar bluffs to improve safety and efficiency. 2. #SANDAG has released a "Notice of Preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Report," marking the start of an 18-month environmental review process. 3. Three alignment options are being considered, all involving tunnels due to the steep grade in Del Mar. 4. The public can provide input on the project through July 19, 2024, and attend a meeting on June 18, 2024, for more information. 5. The environmental process is expected to be complete by the end of 2025, with the design-build phase beginning in 2026 and completion slated for 2035. 6. The LOSSAN rail corridor is crucial for both passenger and freight transportation, with 3.7 million daily users and over $1 billion in goods transported annually. 7. The project has received significant funding from state and federal grants to support the construction of new tracks, a special events platform, and the replacement of the San Dieguito Lagoon rail bridge. This project appears to be a significant undertaking that will address long-standing safety and operational issues along the LOSSAN rail corridor. The public input process and environmental review will be critical in determining the best alignment option and minimizing the project's impact on the community and environment.

2

The acquisition of Orbital Insight by Privateer represents a significant milestone in the realm of space situational awareness, marking a convergence of expertise and technology aimed at unlocking new frontiers of understanding. As a space journalist, witnessing this union between two pioneering entities is akin to witnessing the alignment of celestial bodies, heralding a new era of innovation and collaboration. Privateer's focus on space objects, complemented by Orbital Insight's terrestrial insights, creates a synergy that promises to revolutionize our understanding of both the cosmos and Earth. Orbital Insight's TerraScope, a bastion of geospatial intelligence, stands as a testament to the power of data fusion and analysis. From tracking automobile traffic during the COVID-19 pandemic to providing crucial insights for a diverse array of clients including governmental agencies and multinational corporations, Orbital Insight's contributions to our understanding of the world are nothing short of transformative. Meanwhile, Privateer's Wayfinder, a brainchild born from the visionary minds of Alex Fielding, Steve Wozniak, and Moriba Jah, represents the pinnacle of data visualization and integration. By combining data from the U.S. Space Command with satellite imagery, Wayfinder charts a course towards unparalleled insights across domains, from the depths of the ocean to the expanse of space. The possibilities engendered by this union are as boundless as the cosmos itself. As Privateer aptly notes, the integration of TerraScope with Wayfinder heralds a new dawn of cross-domain intelligence, promising a wealth of applications limited only by our imagination. In conclusion, the acquisition of Orbital Insight by Privateer transcends mere business transactions; it represents a celestial symphony of innovation and collaboration, poised to redefine the boundaries of knowledge and exploration. As we embark on this journey together, let us gaze skyward with anticipation, for the stars themselves seem to whisper of the wonders yet to unfold.

1

In a move to streamline technology transitions, Heidi Shyu, Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, has inaugurated the Transition Tracking Action Group (TTAG). This advisory body, established March 13, is set to harness advanced data analytics to track how the Department of Defense (DoD) delivers capabilities to the field. Chaired by the R&E's chief data officer, Cyrus Jabbari, and comprising senior representatives from the military services and offices under the Secretary of Defense, TTAG aims to improve the visibility and management of the DoD's technology transition processes. The goal of this initiative seeks to ensure the timely and cost-effective delivery of state-of-the-art systems and equipment to military personnel. To do this, the department will seek understand what the primary obstacles to transition are and if the measures it undertakes to improve outcomes are yielding desired effects. The TTAG will create a department-wide method to track technology transition and determine the reasons capability-enhancing technologies do or do not transition, to enable the Joint Force to deter and, if necessary, prevail in contested environments.

8

I haven't really drilled down into this one yet, but I gather that the problem is rooted in CFCs, where the news is good and (with a final treaty-based phaseout of the least-bad ozone-eaters) getting better. It seems that aluminum oxides from satellite-reentry incinerations tend to reboost chlorine in the high upper atmosphere, and its the thousands of reactions per chlorine atom that eat ozone. But chlorine is highly reactive. How does it even get up there as individual atoms? Well, CFCs are the transport medium, and once at high-enough altitude, UV chops up the CFCs, liberating chlorine. Still, it's troubling that we could be losing some years of ozone recovery. But I think there's a silver lining in the satellite cloud if people take satellite design sooner in a direction it should probably go anyway. And that direction is to do final assembly of satellites in orbit. The mass savings could be dramatic, because a lot of a satellite is structural mass that's required only to survive the stresses of rocket launch. Once in orbit, you need far less structural mass, which also would save on orbit-adjustment propellant. The satellites need to be carried to orbit on an upper stage anyway. Why not sacrifice a little of the payload volume to robotic assembly equipment? It could easily pay for its own mass by enabling reductions in the mass of the satellites. For that matter, it could more than pay for itself in payload volume. If, for example, structural components could be made of plastic that's fed into injection molders and additive manufacturing systems ("3D printing"), a tub of plastic takes up less payload volume than if the structural components were finished products awaiting orbital assembly. Problems create opportunities. OSAM for preserving the ozone layer could have the pleasing effect of goosing constellation cost-performance to a whole new level.

1

Fascinating and a must-read by Harrison Durland from Georgetown Security Studies Review ! ----->Even if autonomous systems could not achieve high reliability for lethal action in the coming decade, errors are much more tolerable for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) activities (especially where the alternative would be nothing), and the United States is already using at least weakly-autonomous systems for ISR. If autonomous platforms become very cheap to produce and automated video analysis capabilities improve, AMS could enable widespread monitoring for contraband smuggling and military equipment movement, observing IED/AMS placement or ambush preparations, locating and tracking persons of interest, drawing fire to reveal enemy positions, etc. Insurgents may also be able to access and utilize such technology, but AMS seem more likely to benefit regular forces given the asymmetries in operational openness (e.g., government buildings vs. mountain caves or urban tunnels) and possibly also due to the need for large data storage and analysis infrastructure. #defense #defense #drones #warfare #isr #ie #ams Campaign Catapult. Pravo Consulting

18

1 Comment

CisLunar Industries has been awarded a contract with DARPA (The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) for the LunA-10 (The 10-Year Lunar Architecture) capability study to advance critical technology efforts in lunar infrastructure development. CisLunar Industries will facilitate the development of the METAL framework (Material Extraction, Treatment, Assembly & Logistics), in collaboration with 13 other visionary companies. The LunA-10 program aims to study the rapid development of non-terrestrial technology concepts designed to move away from individual scientific efforts within isolated, self-sufficient systems and toward a series of shareable, scalable, resource-driven systems that can operate jointly, creating monetizable services for future lunar stakeholders. https://lnkd.in/eV_zNCCc

1

If you own a Drone and are considering using it commercially you definitely should review these Drone regulations, Remember 'Its all about the risk'. There is also, along with the regulation explanations, an attached 'FREE' infographic, (available at https://lnkd.in/erxKupz9). It describes, in straightforward language, the path for drone certification in both the US and the EU. Even if you are just a drone hobbyist, it is useful to understand the basic pathway to regulations ..... "The time is near when drone operators will no longer dread the topic of regulation and will instead focus on optimizing their drone certification applications. To be clear, the topic of regulation will never be “easy”, and the certification process is still time-consuming. But those who work with drones or at least follow the industry’s development have long been waiting for necessary regulations to be approved and take effect. Considering the latest and upcoming regulatory advancements, the focus will finally begin shifting toward drone certification to carry out advanced operations." 'A certification asserts the airworthiness of a particular category of an aircraft/drone or component, according to its manufacturing design and based on national standards. In the grand scheme of things, drone certification has only recently played a role in drone legislation. Before, there were only general rules for the operation of drones (or worse: no defined rules). However, after the development of stricter regulations as well as the introduction of risk classes, drone certification has become an important step for carrying out any advanced drone operation." "Today, the certification of drones varies between different operational risks. Generally, low-risk drone operations do not require any drone certification. But the higher the risk, the more likely it is that certification(s) is required. By and large, aviation authorities around the globe tend to follow the lead of either or both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). For low-risk operations in the US, the FAA Part 107 does not require any certified drones because its operational limits are basic. Meanwhile, in Europe, the EASA “open category” requires class-certified drones according to (EU) 2019/945." "Nevertheless, most [commercial] drone operations are higher than small risk and therefore do require certification of drones (i.e. type certification), operations, and/or pilots. Interestingly, certification of drone operators and drone pilots themselves is less at the forefront of efforts than drone certification, though operators often still need to at least be registered in some way." #droneregulations #dronecertification #commercialdrones https://lnkd.in/erxKupz9

3

Dann Hayes shares insights into human spaceflight testing in our latest blog post titled, “Satellite Test Operations - Human Spaceflight”. Learn about the unique challenges and rigorous requirements involved in acoustic testing for crewed missions and how our DFAN technology is meeting these demands with unparalleled efficiency. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eV4p3nAq #directfieldacoustictesting #aerospace #spacetech #directfieldacousticnoise #dfan #environmentaltesting

7