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☆ A dead Russian spacecraft almost collided with a NASA satellite. The crash could have sent 7,500 bits of debris rocketing around Earth.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | Ellyn Lapointe | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

In the worst-case scenario, the collision would have ejected 7,500 bits of debris into low-Earth orbit. Satellite collisions are becoming more likely as the amount of space junk in low-Earth orbit grows. Even the tiniest debris can damage the space station and endanger astronauts, though no astronaut has lost their life due to space debris (yet). The race to clean up spaceThe consequences of space debris are very real, so much so, that the worst-case scenario has a name: Kessler syndrome. TransAstra's capture bags could help solve Earth's space debris problem.

Persons: —, LeoLabs, Darren McKnight, NASA ODPO, Kessler, Astroscale Organizations: Service, Space, NASA, European Space Agency, Federal Communications Commission, Dish Locations: Russia, India

☆ Nearly 30,000 objects are hurtling through near-Earth orbit. That’s not just a problem for space
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Bill Weir | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Then there is the space junk — nearly 30,000 objects bigger than a softball hurtling a few hundred miles above Earth, ten times faster than a bullet. Other analysts recently estimated the number likely to make it to orbit is closer to 20,000. “Ten years ago, people thought that our founder was crazy for even talking about space debris,” Ron Lopez told CNN while strolling past the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. The satellite, named “On Closer Inspection,” will observe the motions of a rocket stage that was left in low-Earth orbit in 2009. Astroscale’s mission will use cameras and sensors to study the rocket debris and figure out how to get it out of orbit.

Persons: ”, Troy Thornberry, “, ” Thornberry, Neil Armstrong’s, Donald Kessler, “ Kessler, Ron Lopez, ” Lopez, Lopez, Astroscale Organizations: CNN, Sputnik, NOAA, NOAA’s Chemical Sciences Laboratory, US, Surveillance, NASA, SpaceX, Space, Smithsonian Air, Space Museum, Rocket, Rocket Lab Locations: Washington ,, Astroscale, New Zealand, Japan

☆ Japan's MUFG Bank, two others lead $290 mln Sierra Space fundraising -Nikkei
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TOKYO, Sept 26 (Reuters) - MUFG Bank is among three Japanese firms leading a $290-million fundraising round for U.S. spaceship company Sierra Space, spearheading a commercial "spaceport" project in the southwestern region of Oita, the Nikkei daily said on Tuesday. A spokesperson of Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire, a unit of Tokio Marine Holdings (8766.T), confirmed that the three companies formed a strategic partnership with Sierra, but declined to elaborate on their investments. Sierra Space, spun off in 20221 from billionaire-owned Sierra Nevada Corp, is among a handful of space industry players attempting to build a private space station that NASA hopes will replace the two decade-old International Space Station by 2030. The Oita project took a hit this year from the bankruptcy of another U.S. space company Virgin Orbit , which had partnered with airline ANA Holdings (9202.T). MUFG Bank, one of Japan's three biggest, has invested in domestic space startups such as orbital debris-removal firm Astroscale.

Persons: Sierra, inc's, Kantaro Komiya, Clarence Fernandez Organizations: MUFG, Space, Nikkei, SpaceX, MUFG Bank, Tokio Marine, Tokio Marine Holdings, Sierra, Mitsubishi UFJ, Kanematsu Corp, CNBC, Sierra Nevada Corp, NASA, Japan Airlines, Orbit, ANA Holdings, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance, Japan Aerospace Exploration, SLIM, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, Oita, Sierra, Kanematsu, Asia's, Japan

☆ Explainer: Japan's moon landing: When is it and why is it important?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Japan aims to launch the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) into space by mid-September with a lunar landing seen starting as early as January 2024. Japan would become the fifth country to achieve a moon landing after the United States, the former USSR, China and now India. The success of India's Chandrayaan-3 moon exploration mission this month contrasts with recent setbacks in Japan's space missions. WHAT IS JAPAN'S LUNAR MISSION? WHY IS JAPAN'S SPACE PROGRAMME IMPORTANT?

Persons: India's, SLIM, Kantaro Komiya, Maki Shiraki, David Dolan, Nick Macfie Organizations: Smart, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA, Soviet Union, Epsilon, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, Japan, United States, USSR, China, India, U.S, Russia

☆ Many Americans think NASA returning to the moon is a waste of time and it should prioritize asteroid hunting instead, a poll shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Mariel Borowitz | Teasel Muir-Harmony | The Conversation | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

A new report from the Pew Research Center shows most Americans support NASA but not a moon mission. But the specific priorities of the US space program have often been at odds with public opinion. Although somewhat at odds with the national space agenda, this valuation is not new. In addition, the United Nations' open-ended working group on reducing space threats has been meeting since 2022 to help avoid conflict in space. Countries have been working within the United Nations to develop and implement guidelines for the long-term sustainability of outer space activities.

Persons: LOREN ELLIOTT, Johns Hopkins, Jon Emmerich, Elon Musk, Ryan Saunders, Codie Trimble Organizations: Pew Research Center, NASA, Service, Getty Images, Artemis, Pew, SpaceX, AP, Virgin Galactic, . Air Force, 625th Strategic Communications Squadron, Vandenberg Space Force Base, Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, US Air Force, Staff, ViaSat, United Nations, Space Agency Space Locations: Wall, Silicon, United States, AFP, States, Europe, Japan, Canada, China, Russia, Ukraine War, Ukrainian, Ukraine, United

☆ As space junk threat grows, government and investors seek solutions
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-03 | by ( Joey Roulette | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

And with no set norms for military space behavior, some fear a potential space weapon attack that could generate far more debris. U.S. Space Command on Friday released a formal list of what it views as responsible space behaviors, in a bid to steer military norms in orbit. The wide-ranging report includes a section on space debris that urges space players to dispose safely of their defunct satellites and notify other operators if any problems with their spacecraft might pose a debris hazard. Another part of the space debris mitigation equation is in-space satellite servicing, concepts in development by dozens of firms including Astroscale, Northrop Grumman (NOC.N), Maxar (MAXR.N) and Airbus (AIR.PA). Australia-based Neumann Space, for instance, is developing a technology that could help recycle old, defunct satellites into fuel - using the scrap metal to generate plasma thrust for new satellites.

But its tussle with the $620 million Toyo, Japan's third-largest marine construction firm in which it holds 27%, has been anything but whimsical. When asked for comment, Toyo Construction said it intended to set up a committee to consider the takeover proposal. It said it repeatedly requested more information to help it evaluate the offer but the Yamauchi office had not responded. The Yamauchi family office announced its all-cash offer to take Toyo private in May last year, a 30% premium to an earlier bid by Toyo's then largest shareholder. The board supported the lower offer, which later lapsed and the Yamauchi family office says it spent many months trying to engage with the board.

☆ Biden administration drafting executive order to simplify space rules
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, who chairs the National Space Council, has signaled her intention to codify new rules for private space activities, but the plan for the executive order has not been reported. The executive order is considered an early step to simplify existing regulations before new rules take shape. Companies like Blue Origin, Axiom Space and others are developing private space stations with unclear procedures for how they can court foreign governments as customers or execute their missions in space. Private space stations like Orbital Reef, which Blue Origin is developing with Boeing and Sierra Space, could be deployed by 2030. White House officials have held several "listening sessions" with space companies since Nov. 14 to discuss what rules the space industry would like to see, according to people familiar with the meetings.

☆ Exclusive: Biden administration drafting executive order to simplify space rules -sources
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Joey Roulette | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, who chairs the National Space Council, has signaled her intention to codify new rules for private space activities, but the plan for the executive order has not been reported. The executive order is considered an early step to simplify existing regulations before new rules take shape. Companies like Blue Origin, Axiom Space and others are developing private space stations with unclear procedures for how they can court foreign governments as customers or execute their missions in space. However, a lack of rules governing private in-space activities complicates space companies' ties with prospective customers, investors and insurers that need more legal certainty. Private space stations like Orbital Reef, which Blue Origin is developing with Boeing and Sierra Space, could be deployed by 2030.

☆ Японские спутники будут уничтожать космический мусор
▼ + stars: | 2021-03-25 | by ( Mld Media Srl | ) noi.md time to read: +1 min

Японская компания Astroscale хочет избавиться от облака космического мусора, которое вращается вокруг нашей планеты и представляет реальную угрозу космическим аппаратам. ELSA-d будет использовать мощный магнит, чтобы хватать другие спутники и сбрасывать их на более низкую орбиту, где они буду сгорать при входе в атмосферу. Уже выведенные на орбиту спутники практически никем не обслуживаются. Однако вскоре ситуация может измениться благодаря ELSA-d от Astroscale и инициативе по дозаправке спутников от американской военно-промышленной корпорации Lockheed Martin. Кроме того, как отмечает Quartz, компания OneWeb Satellites планирует разместить магнитные панели, как у ELSA-d, на своей системе спутников широкополосной связи.

Persons: ELSA, d, Lockheed Martin, Бен Рид Organizations: Services, NASA, Lockheed

☆ O misiune-test pentru eliminarea deşeurilor spaţiale este pregătită de lansare
▼ + stars: | 2021-03-19 | by ( Publika.Md - Aici Sunt Știrile | ) www.publika.md time to read: +1 min

Dezvoltată de Astroscale, o companie nipono-britanică, misiunea va fi operată de la centrul de control al serviciilor de pe orbită (IOCC) din apropiere de Oxford, Marea Britanie.ELSA-d (End-of-Life Services by Astroscale demonstrator) este un mic satelit conceput pentru a găsi, a se apropia de un satelit nedorit şi a-l capta. Apoi îl va împinge în atmosfera Pământului, unde acesta va arde.Îndepărtarea deşeurilor spaţiale reprezintă cheia durabilităţii în spaţiu, ceea ce va asigura posibilitatea ca sateliţii noi să poată opera fără riscul coliziunii cu cei vechi.Potrivit Agenţiei Spaţiale Europene (ESA), 3.600 de sateliţi funcţionali se află pe orbită, iar peste 28.000 de deşeuri spaţiale sunt monitorizate de Reţeaua americană de supraveghere spaţială.În următorul deceniu, peste 10.000 de sateliţi sunt programaţi pentru lansare, majoritatea ai furnizorilor de internet prin satelit, precum SpaceX sau OneWeb.Pentru acest test, satelitul ELSA-d va fi însoţit de o ''ţintă'', care va acţiona pe post de deşeu spaţial. Misiunea va executa o serie de scenarii în cadrul cărora va avea loc întâlnirea cu ''ţinta'' şi capturarea acesteia.Guvernul rus a permis săptămâna aceasta utilizarea sistemelor şi facilităţilor spaţiale militare pentru lansarea unei rachete Soiuz-2 cu sateliţi străini de pe cosmodromul Baikonur, între care ELSA-d.

Persons: ELSA Organizations: Services Locations: Oxford

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