Ian McCubbin

NASA is soliciting industry proposals to carry out rapid studies of mission designs and mission elements capable of delivering samples collected by the Mars Perseverance rover from the surface of Mars to Earth. NASA recognizes that U.S. industry has innovative ideas and substantial capabilities that may be relevant to a Mars Sample Return campaign. This Rapid Mission Design Studies for Mars Sample Return program element (henceforth “program element”) seeks to establish whether there are viable mission designs or mission element options, such as a smaller Mars Ascent Vehicle, to return samples from Mars that offer benefits (e.g., less complexity, lower overall cost, lower annual cost, earlier sample return, and/or lower risk; see Section 3.4) compared to NASA’s reference mission design. Studies may be for complete mission designs, for mission designs that include elements of NASA’s Mars Sample Return Program or NASA’s Artemis Program as Government Furnished Equipment (GFE), or for individual mission elements; see Section 3.2. The results of these studies may inform revisions to NASA’s Mars Sample Return Program and may result in future procurements. go.nasa.gov/rasmsr24

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In SciAm news today:(trimmed) July 2, 2024: Plans to dismantle the International Space Station, life experiences impact energy production in the brain, and how Hurricane Beryl turned into a monster. —Andrea Gawrylewski, Chief Newsletter Editor TOP STORIES End of An Era The International Space Station is beloved, an icon of scientific cooperation and achievement. It has been continuously inhabited since 2000, is spread over an area the size of a football field and weighs more than 450 tons. But NASA just awarded SpaceX a $843-million contract to design and build a new vehicle able to destroy the orbiting laboratory sometime around 2031. Why this is happening: NASA has to act(….2030, an emergency might shorten that timeline. And an “uncontrolled reentry” is out of the question for something so large and whose orbit covers land where some 90 percent of Earth’s population lives. How it works: …would be prohibitively expensive, NASA says. And the station wasn’t built to be taken apart. Unfortunately, deorbiting an object as massive and unwieldy as the ISS is tricky business. The vehicle NASA builds—which a NASA official has said will be based on the design of the Dragon capsule that ferries cargo and people to the station—will need to firmly control the facility all the way down through the tumultuous atmosphere to deposit the station in the southern Pacific Ocean. --Meghan Bartels, Senior News Writer The International Space Station photographed above Earth Beyond sheer scientific value, the ISS holds tremendous “symbolic” significance. It was built and is being maintained through global cooperation of nations with varied cultural and governance philosophies. Unlike Salyut, Skylab or Mir which were symbols of national prestige, or the Chinese station in orbit now, scutttling the ISS would send our species backwards rather than enhance the spirit of global collaboration. We should use our collective imagination to at least continue to service this unique facility till the next generation of stations become real. Otherwise we’ll be faced with the situation like the space transportation gap after we retired STS. If ISS is truly showing age and unsafe for crew, we should preserve it in a parking orbit, making it the centerpiece for a International Space Artifacts Museum that would include other historic assets like the Hubble. We proposed it in our Moon book. Though we suggested L1 as the spot for the Space Museum, we could begin to collect and mothball artifacts in a suitable Earth parking orbit until we mature more suitable transportation and propulsion systems. Good to be reminded that we dearly hold on to and cherish the continuum of civilization by preserving historic artifacts all over the globe. And in civil architecture philosophy, we also rehabilitate and service historically relevant buildings and infrastructure all over the world.

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The OSM 5000 is a gyrostabilized mount designed for rough marine environments. It is equipped with high-precision built-in sensors to detect movements and automatically compensate to keep the payload in a leveled position. Click below to learn more about this heavy-duty gyrostabilized mount.

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What a great use for UAV/Drones! Checking on the health of the Giant Sequoia trees including the General Sherman Tree! Do you suspect that we are going to see more of this unique type of inspection? "In May, a collaborative effort by the US National Park Service, Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition, and other groups led to a pioneering health check-up for the General Sherman tree in Sequoia National Park. This monumental project marked the first time an industrial-grade drone was used to inspect the world’s largest known living tree." "Volunteers began by scaling the tree with ropes and using satellite imagery to assess its condition. However, the highlight of the inspection was the deployment of Freefly’s Astro Prime drone, a state-of-the-art, NDAA-compliant, and Blue UAS-approved platform. This drone performed a detailed examination of the tree, which stands at an impressive 275 feet and is over 2,200 years old." "The Astro Prime drone was equipped with various swappable payloads, including a Lidar scanner and an HD video camera. These tools allowed the team to quickly and safely inspect the tree for damage, particularly from a native bark beetle. This beetle has been a significant threat to trees in the area, exacerbated by climate change and extended drought conditions. #droneinspection #uavinspection #droneservices #uavservices https://lnkd.in/eD-pFi_u

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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.

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"We're not 'stuck' - we're just not going anywhere." FUTURE #CTPSPACE #TRAVEL Future #CTPcraft won't need Reaction Control Systems (RCS) or deal with these types of systemic 'leaks' (https://lnkd.in/gWp4zfDt) such as these. All of these fuel values, hoses, thrusters are ALL potential points of failure. Each a liability (safety). In #space - not a good thing to trouble with. One major/minor fuel-line pressure/ pressurization or thruster issue and your entire craft is at risk! Those gimble points via RCS are ALL needed to orient your craft/attitude for reentry trajectory as well. Our future advanced #CTPcraft will NOT require RCS (sub)systems, monitoring systems, installation, thruster pods, thruster hose/lines, valves, fittings, flanges, or the weight or space required that could be dedicated to other ship's systems. THIS KID IS OUT OF HIS MIND! But who's listening to me? I'm just 'some freak with a 'theory'. Some nobody. Whacka-doo-froo-froo guy no one's ever heard of with some deceased obscure mentor thinks he's got the science used by #UFOs/#UAPs or the #nextbigthing. "Let's point fingers and laugh children! This 'Reso' idiot thinks #UFOtech he calls #CTPtech stands a chance to revolutionize the #spaceindustry! Nerve of that guy! And safer space travel to boot than present space capsules? Bah! What nerve!" (https://lnkd.in/e-8e6fAY) #newscience #innovation #futuretech #deeptech

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While the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2024 holds promise, especially in advancing Beyond Visual Line of Sight (#BVLOS) drone operations, there's a notable gap in addressing counter-drone technology regulations. As drone-related incidents escalate, the need to fortify public safety agencies against malicious drone activities cannot be overstated. Dedrone CEO, Aaditya (AD) D. shared insights the issue via #TheDroneGirl. Dive into the article for a deeper understanding of the implications and opportunities within counter-drone legislation. #CounterDrone #DroneLegislation #FAA2024

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This week all eyes are on the Sun as old Region 3664 (now renumbered Region 3697) returns to Earth-view. This region has already fired two X-class flares (one possibly higher than an X4!) before the full extent of it has rotated into view on the East limb. Although, I doubt it will repeat the same intensity of solar storm launches it did the last time around (remember it launched 8 solar storms at Earth within 48 hours), this region does still have the potential to produce large X-class flares and launch strong solar storms. This means we all need to stay vigilant, watch the activity unfold, and plan accordingly. In this full Space Weather News Forecast, not only do I go over all of the activity from this region in detail as it transited the farside, but I also go over some of the lesser-known, but highly impactful consequences of the recent G5-level super storm from the last time this region was in view. Learn the details of the activity surrounding this region, see why radio blackouts are back on the menu, and find out what else our Sun has in store. Note: the video is too long to natively upload to LinkedIn so a link to the forecast on You Tube will have to suffice: https://lnkd.in/gfbgPKWp

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Commerical analytics and data purchased, 100% tracking and totally agree, let industry do its thing. So now how do we ensure dissemination of this sweet, sweet, geospatial insight and data to all of the folks who need it? NGA, DOD, IC, DHS, DOJ, USGS, NOAA, State/Local first responders, etc. Data has to arrive at the right place, at the right time, in the right format, confident in its accuracy. It should be easily discoverable for download, streaming or visualizing the data/results. The tech is not the hard part, we actually have a lot of it already in place. Cloud adoption helps and being able to dictate/define how geodata is delivered will help as well, i.e. cloud optimized geotiff/point (cog/copc) and requisite metadata... We can get this done just all have to row in the same direction, #GCSGeospatial and friends can't stop won't stop until we get there...

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To propel cislunar operations forward, advanced mapping of the Moon's surface and its gravitational and magnetic fields is imperative. The Biden administration's Cislunar Science and Technology Strategy underscores the importance of NASA's role in this endeavor. Collaborative efforts with agencies like NGA and DARPA aim to establish precise lunar maps, laying the groundwork for future missions. The next step involves enhancing our understanding of gravity in cislunar space to calibrate atomic clocks crucial for PNT systems. NGA's pursuit of a lunar reference model akin to WGS 84 emphasizes its commitment to enabling accurate PNT in space. However, measuring gravity in cislunar environments presents unique challenges, particularly at Lagrange points. Industry has a pivotal role to play in advancing these initiatives. CRG stands positioned to leverage its expertise in facilitating collaboration between government agencies and industry leaders. Our roadmap includes convening technical exchange meetings to tackle critical challenges in measuring gravitational fields and fostering innovation in cislunar operations. We invite industry partners to join us in this endeavor, seizing opportunities to contribute to the future of space exploration. Together, we can drive advancements in PNT technology, ensuring the success of future cislunar missions and unlocking the potential of space exploration. CRG’s seasoned SMEs and dedicated teams excel in providing comprehensive pre- and post-award support, from BD/Capture to program execution and beyond. With innovative solutions tailored to meet the evolving needs of the defense sector, we are here to guide you every step of the way. Visit https://crgroupinc.com/ or reach out to us at contact@crgroupinc.com to learn more about how CRG can empower your organization. #CislunarOperations #SpaceExploration #SpaceMapping #LunarResearch #PNTTechnology #GravityMeasurement #SpaceInnovation #NASA #USSF #DARPA #NOAA #SpaceCollaboration #CislunarDevelopment #SpaceTech #IndustryPartnerships #USGovernment #InternationalIndustry #DIB #DoD #SpaceIndustry #SpaceCollaboration #CislunarMission #FutureSpace #SpaceEcosystem #SpaceScience #TechExchangeMeeting #SpacePartnerships #SatelliteTech #Spacecraft #PNTSolutions #GPSTechnology #RocketScience #SpaceFuel #SpaceEquipment #SpaceInstruments #SpaceEngineering #SpaceTechDevelopment #SpaceIndustryLeaders #SpaceInnovation #ISS #SpaceCollaboration #SpaceResearch #SpaceExploration #SpaceCommerce #SpacePartnerships #CislunarDevelopment #InternationalSpaceIndustry #SpaceEconomy

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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

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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

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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

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Autonomy Prime will be accepting submissions for the First Fly-Off (Call 001) solicitation opportunity through August 1. If you have a novel autonomous technology focused on alternate navigation solutions designed for small unmanned aircraft leveraging techniques such as timing propagation via signals, solar/astronomical, and other novel solutions for navigation, consider applying! The purpose of each Fly-Off released as part of Autonomy Prime’s overarching Innovative Capabilities Offering (ICO) solicitation will be to competitively request solutions for prototype and fielding resulting from the initial submissions in response to the calls associated with this ICO. Similar to other Prime programs, Autonomy Prime will partner with the private sector to accelerate the development and testing of game-changing technology to deliver to the warfighter. Find information on the ICO solicitation structure, Fly Off #1 opportunity, and submit here: https://ow.ly/N3iO50S2t9V . . . #AFWERX #Prime #AutonomyPrime #autonomy #autonomous #UAS #funding #futureofflight #innovation

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It's complicated. Check Federal Aviation Administration TFRs before you launch! This includes all #publicsafety aircraft operations. The System Operations Support Center (SOSC) for government agencies that require access to the restricted areas, and can be reached at 202-267-8276. #uas #drones #firstresponders #fireservice #lawenforcement #aviationsecurity

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