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.
On Christmas Eve 1968 three Americans became the first humans to visit another world. What they did to celebrate was unexpected and profound, and will be remembered throughout all human history. Genesis: the Story of Apollo 8, Robert Zimmerman's classic history of humanity's first journey to another world, tells that story, and it is now available as both an ebook and an audiobook, both with a foreword by Valerie Anders and a new introduction by Robert Zimmerman.
The print edition can be purchased at Amazon. from any other book seller, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit.
The ebook is available everywhere for $5.99 (before discount) at amazon, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit. If you buy it from ebookit you don't support the big tech companies and the author gets a bigger cut much sooner.
The audiobook is also available at all these vendors, and is also free with a 30-day trial membership to Audible.
"Not simply about one mission, [Genesis] is also the history of America's quest for the moon... Zimmerman has done a masterful job of tying disparate events together into a solid account of one of America's greatest human triumphs."--San Antonio Express-News
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.
On Christmas Eve 1968 three Americans became the first humans to visit another world. What they did to celebrate was unexpected and profound, and will be remembered throughout all human history. Genesis: the Story of Apollo 8, Robert Zimmerman's classic history of humanity's first journey to another world, tells that story, and it is now available as both an ebook and an audiobook, both with a foreword by Valerie Anders and a new introduction by Robert Zimmerman.
The print edition can be purchased at Amazon. from any other book seller, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit. The ebook is available everywhere for $5.99 (before discount) at amazon, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit. If you buy it from ebookit you don't support the big tech companies and the author gets a bigger cut much sooner.
The audiobook is also available at all these vendors, and is also free with a 30-day trial membership to Audible.
"Not simply about one mission, [Genesis] is also the history of America's quest for the moon... Zimmerman has done a masterful job of tying disparate events together into a solid account of one of America's greatest human triumphs."--San Antonio Express-News
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.