May 23, 2024 Quick space links
Courtesy of BtB’s stringer Jay. This post is also an open thread. I welcome my readers to post any comments or additional links relating to any space issues, even if unrelated to the links below.
- Amazon touts the completion of its Kuiper satellite demo mission
As Jay notes, the company still has to launch more than 1,600 satellites by July 2026. So far they have launched two, but those don’t count in the total as they are being de-orbited.
- Astrobotic wins two NASA studay contracts for developing a lunar electrical grid
The company in 2022 proposed such a system. I guess NASA has decided to help fund its development.
- Intelsat and Northrop Grumman agree to an extended satellite servicing deal
The deal means Northrop’s two MEV robots will continue to serve Intelsat satellites for an additional four years, keeping them functional by providing fuel and power.
- ULA’s CEO claims the company is now receiving two BE-4 engines per month from Blue Origin, and expects the pace to rise to 1.5 per week shortly
No pictures included with the tweet, and as Jay notes, “I would like to see pictures.”
- Viasat looking to partner with LEO constellations like Starlink and OneWeb
The company thinks the capabilities of its geosynchronous satellites complement those LEO constellations, and think a partnership would be a win-win for all. We shall see if any LEO constellations agree.
Readers!
Please consider supporting my work here at Behind the Black. Your support allows me the freedom and ability to analyze objectively the ongoing renaissance in space, as well as the cultural changes -- for good or ill -- that are happening across America. Fourteen years ago I wrote that SLS and Orion were a bad ideas, a waste of money, would be years behind schedule, and better replaced by commercial private enterprise. Only now does it appear that Washington might finally recognize this reality.
In 2020 when the world panicked over COVID I wrote that the panic was unnecessary, that the virus was apparently simply a variation of the flu, that masks were not simply pointless but if worn incorrectly were a health threat, that the lockdowns were a disaster and did nothing to stop the spread of COVID. Only in the past year have some of our so-called experts in the health field have begun to recognize these facts.
Your help allows me to do this kind of intelligent analysis. I take no advertising or sponsors, so my reporting isn't influenced by donations by established space or drug companies. Instead, I rely entirely on donations and subscriptions from my readers, which gives me the freedom to write what I think, unencumbered by outside influences.
You can support me either by giving a one-time contribution or a regular subscription. There are four ways of doing so:
1. Zelle: This is the only internet method that charges no fees. All you have to do is use the Zelle link at your internet bank and give my name and email address (zimmerman at nasw dot org). What you donate is what I get.
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You can also support me by buying one of my books, as noted in the boxes interspersed throughout the webpage or shown in the menu above.
Courtesy of BtB’s stringer Jay. This post is also an open thread. I welcome my readers to post any comments or additional links relating to any space issues, even if unrelated to the links below.
- Amazon touts the completion of its Kuiper satellite demo mission
As Jay notes, the company still has to launch more than 1,600 satellites by July 2026. So far they have launched two, but those don’t count in the total as they are being de-orbited.
- Astrobotic wins two NASA studay contracts for developing a lunar electrical grid
The company in 2022 proposed such a system. I guess NASA has decided to help fund its development.
- Intelsat and Northrop Grumman agree to an extended satellite servicing deal
The deal means Northrop’s two MEV robots will continue to serve Intelsat satellites for an additional four years, keeping them functional by providing fuel and power.
- ULA’s CEO claims the company is now receiving two BE-4 engines per month from Blue Origin, and expects the pace to rise to 1.5 per week shortly
No pictures included with the tweet, and as Jay notes, “I would like to see pictures.”
- Viasat looking to partner with LEO constellations like Starlink and OneWeb
The company thinks the capabilities of its geosynchronous satellites complement those LEO constellations, and think a partnership would be a win-win for all. We shall see if any LEO constellations agree.
Readers!
Please consider supporting my work here at Behind the Black. Your support allows me the freedom and ability to analyze objectively the ongoing renaissance in space, as well as the cultural changes -- for good or ill -- that are happening across America. Fourteen years ago I wrote that SLS and Orion were a bad ideas, a waste of money, would be years behind schedule, and better replaced by commercial private enterprise. Only now does it appear that Washington might finally recognize this reality.
In 2020 when the world panicked over COVID I wrote that the panic was unnecessary, that the virus was apparently simply a variation of the flu, that masks were not simply pointless but if worn incorrectly were a health threat, that the lockdowns were a disaster and did nothing to stop the spread of COVID. Only in the past year have some of our so-called experts in the health field have begun to recognize these facts.
Your help allows me to do this kind of intelligent analysis. I take no advertising or sponsors, so my reporting isn't influenced by donations by established space or drug companies. Instead, I rely entirely on donations and subscriptions from my readers, which gives me the freedom to write what I think, unencumbered by outside influences.
You can support me either by giving a one-time contribution or a regular subscription. There are four ways of doing so:
1. Zelle: This is the only internet method that charges no fees. All you have to do is use the Zelle link at your internet bank and give my name and email address (zimmerman at nasw dot org). What you donate is what I get.
2. Patreon: Go to my website there and pick one of five monthly subscription amounts, or by making a one-time donation.
3. A Paypal Donation or subscription:
4. Donate by check, payable to Robert Zimmerman and mailed to
Behind The Black
c/o Robert Zimmerman
P.O.Box 1262
Cortaro, AZ 85652
You can also support me by buying one of my books, as noted in the boxes interspersed throughout the webpage or shown in the menu above.
Kupier has its first two satellites tested and de-orbited.
SpaceX is on its 5th version of satellites? (1.0, 1.0 light shaded, 1.5, 2.0 Mini, 2.0 mini with direct to cell antenna)
5600 in orbit, vs 0. Aiming for 7500 vs 1600.
Fun times to watch indeed.
The Viastat proposal is interesting…. On one hand smaller satellites beaming traffic for other parts of the world up to GEO orbit and back would be an easy way to transit, but it does away with the time advantages of LEO orbits.
Meanwhile, Starlink is developing satellite meshes to route traffic around the world….
So my bet is Amazon will temporarily partner with Viastat to fill in the service which has far fewer satellites than Starlink, but long term also go to mesh communication.