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- Breaking Space News: August 18 - 24, 2024
Breaking Space News: August 18 - 24, 2024
China’s Deep Space Observatory, Lunar Timezone Updates, Nokia’s Artemis Spacesuit Tech, Astronaut Health Innovations, Stanford’s Satellite Swarms, US Space Defense Spending, and Zambia’s First Satellite Launch. Plus, Simulating Black Holes Devouring Stars and New Insights into Gravitational Waves.
Lagrangian Despatch
August 25, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 27 minutes
Dear Lagrangian,
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RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT
China’s Earth 2.0 Mission to Hunt for Earth-Like Worlds
China’s ambitious Earth 2.0 (ET) mission, set to launch in 2028, aims to pioneer the search for exo-Earths, or Earth-like planets and the origins of life. The mission, spearheaded by the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), will deploy a space observatory consisting of six wide-field transit telescopes and one micro-lensing telescope in a halo orbit at the Sun-Earth Lagrange L2 point. This strategic positioning will provide a stable orbit and a constant view of deep space, similar to the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)
The ET space observatory will monitor the blue circle area for four years to find habitable Earth-sized planets around sun-like stars. By covering the same region as Kepler, ET will enhance the discovery of long-period planets and multi-planet systems. Additionally, ET will observe the Galactic bulge (red area) using microlensing to search for long-period cold planets and free-floating Earth-mass planets. (Credit: CAS, Innovation Journal)
Predicted ET transiting planets compared with Kepler’s discoveries. For sub-Earths and super-Earths, ET will increase the sample size by about 10 times by 2033. (Credit: Ge et al)
A recent study published in the Chinese Journal of Space Science elaborates how the ET mission will utilize ultra-high precision photometry with a large field of view to conduct the first large-scale survey of terrestrial-like and free-floating planets. By combining transit and micro-lensing methods, the mission aims to discover historically significant Earth 2.0s and determine their occurrence rate. The observatory will continuously monitor approximately 2 million stars in the Kepler mission star field and other nearby regions, focusing on detecting small, rocky planets in the habitable zones around sun-like stars
As compared to NASA’s Kepler space telescope, which observed half a million stars and discovered 2,392 exoplanets, the ET mission is expected to provide more comprehensive data and potentially identify candidates for follow-up observations to determine their habitability. The mission’s high-precision, high-cadence, and long-baseline photometric data will also advance research in fields such as asteroseismology, Galactic archaeology, time-domain astronomy, binary stars, and binary black holes.
To provide a sense of what to expect, let’s compare some technical aspects of the Earth 2.0 mission with the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST):
Primary Mirror: JWST features a 6.5-meter diameter primary mirror composed of 18 hexagonal segments, providing a 25-square-meter collecting area. In contrast, Earth 2.0 will utilize six 28-centimeter-aperture wide-field optical telescopes.
Orbit: Both missions will be stationed at the Sun-Earth Lagrange point 2 (L2), offering a stable orbit and a constant view of deep space.
Wavelength Coverage: JWST covers a broad range of wavelengths from 0.6 to over 27 microns, while Earth 2.0 will focus on optical wavelengths for its exoplanet detection.
Mission Goals: JWST aims to study the early universe, galaxy formation, star lifecycle, and the potential for life in planetary systems. Earth 2.0, on the other hand, will focus on detecting Earth-like exoplanets and understanding their formation and evolution.
As the global space community continues to push the boundaries of what is possible, missions like Earth 2.0 will play a crucial role in answering fundamental questions about our place in the cosmos. Read more about the story here.
From Spaghettification to Cosmic Burps: New Insights into Black Hole Behavior
Recent advancements in astrophysics have provided unprecedented insights into the chaotic interactions between stars and supermassive black holes. A new simulation by researchers at Monash University has vividly depicted the process of a star being spaghettified and consumed by a black hole. Spaghettification refers to the vertical stretching and horizontal compression of objects into long, thin shapes due to extreme tidal forces near a black hole. This simulation, the first of its kind, reveals that only 1% of the star’s material is swallowed, while the rest is expelled in a cosmic “burp.”
Tidal shredding of a solar mass star by a black hole one million times the mass of the Sun (Credit: Price et al 2024)
The related study published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters explores the aftermath of these tidal disruption events (TDEs). It highlights that black holes often “burp” out stellar remnants years after the initial consumption. This delayed emission challenges previous assumptions and suggests a more complex interaction between the black hole and the accretion disk. An accretion disk is a rotating disk of matter formed by accretion around a massive body under the influence of gravitation.
Additionally, the simulations reveal the formation of an expanding asymmetric bubble of material known as an Eddington envelope, which has an optically thick inner region. These envelopes are hypothesized to explain optical/UV emission in TDEs. An optically thick region is one where light is readily absorbed due to a high optical depth. In such regions, the material absorbs a significant portion of the light passing through it, making it difficult for light to penetrate. This is in contrast to an optically thin region, where light passes through more easily with minimal absorption.
Beyond the Big Bang: New Insights into Low-Frequency Gravitational Waves
Recent studies have provided new insights into the origins of nanohertz gravitational waves, challenging previous assumptions. Researchers at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University have shown that these low-frequency waves, initially thought to result from supercooled first-order phase transitions shortly after the Big Bang, are unlikely to have such an origin.
A diagram illustrating the gravitational wave spectrum. (Credit: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)
Nanohertz gravitational waves are extremely low-frequency ripples in space-time, with periods ranging from months to decades. Their findings suggest that the transition rate of these supercooled events is slower than the cosmic expansion rate, making it difficult for the transition to complete. Supercooled first-order phase transitions are abrupt changes in the state of matter that occur at temperatures significantly below the normal transition temperature.
The study published in Physical Review Letters further explores the challenges of linking nanohertz gravitational waves to supercooled phase transitions. The research highlights that even if these transitions could complete, the resulting frequency would not match the observed nanohertz waves.
SPACE SCIENCE
US NIST Proposes Lunar Timekeeping System to Aid Artemis Missions
Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have proposed a precise timekeeping system for the Moon, potentially paving the way for a lunar GPS. This innovation is crucial for NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to establish a sustained human presence on the Moon. The proposed lunar coordinate time system addresses the unique challenges posed by the Moon’s weaker gravitational pull, which causes atomic clocks to tick faster by about 56 microseconds per day compared to those on Earth.
The lunar coordinate time system could lay the groundwork for a GPS-like navigation system on the Moon, essential for future crewed and robotic missions. (Credit: NASA)
The research, published in The Astronomical Journal, outlines a theoretical framework and mathematical models necessary for creating this lunar time system. This system would serve as a master “Moon time,” similar to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) on Earth, and is essential for precise navigation and communication. As space agencies and commercial companies race to the lunar surface, this development could enable reliable communication and safe spacecraft maneuvers, supporting both crewed and robotic operations.
Quantum Key Distribution: German Cubesat Tests Unhackable Communication in Space
Germany’s Qube, a 3.53-kilogram cubesat, launched on August 16 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rideshare, is set to test quantum key distribution (QKD) via optical link. Developed by the Center for Telematics, the satellite aims to demonstrate secure communication through quantum key generation and distribution, leveraging the behavior of subatomic particles to detect any interception attempts. This mission marks a significant milestone as it is the first small satellite in Earth’s orbit to enable worldwide QKD.
QUBE at Zentrum für Telematik (Center for Telematics). (Credit: Nanosats.eu)
The Qube satellite, equipped with a laser communications terminal provided by the German Space Agency DLR, will downlink quantum information to a ground station, establishing secure encryption keys. The mission’s success could pave the way for unhackable space-based communication systems, benefiting both commercial and governmental sectors. Future plans include QUBE-2, a six-unit cubesat with a stronger laser payload, slated for launch in 2025. Read more about this story at SpaceNews.
Axiom Space and Nokia to Equip Artemis III Spacesuits with Advanced 4G Communication
Axiom Space has partnered with Nokia to integrate advanced 4G/LTE communication capabilities into next-generation spacesuits for the Artemis III lunar mission. The collaboration aims to incorporate high-speed cellular network capabilities into the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU), enabling HD video, telemetry data, and voice transmission over multiple kilometers on the Moon. This advancement will allow Artemis III crewmembers to capture real-time video and communicate with mission controllers on Earth while exploring the lunar surface.
The Axiom Space AxEMU spacesuit has undergoing entry/exit simulations to conduct a spacewalk on the Moon. (Credit: Axiom Space)
Nokia’s Lunar Surface Communications System (LSCS) will be adapted for use in the AxEMU spacesuit, providing redundancy for existing UHF and Wi-Fi links and increasing bandwidth. The LSCS features a “network in a box” and user modules integrated into the suits. Nokia plans to first test its LSCS system on the Moon during the Intuitive Machines’ IM-2 mission, scheduled for launch in late 2024. This partnership marks a significant step in advancing space exploration and enhancing communication capabilities for future lunar missions.
Stanford’s StarFOX Mission Achieves Autonomous Satellite Swarm Navigation in VLEO
Stanford University’s Space Rendezvous Lab has successfully conducted the first in-orbit test of an autonomous swarm of satellites, known as the Starling Formation-Flying Optical Experiment (StarFOX). This groundbreaking test involved four small satellites navigating in very low Earth orbit (VLEO) using only visual information from onboard cameras, shared through a wireless network. The StarFOX mission demonstrated the ability to autonomously manage multiple satellites, calculating their trajectories without relying on the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) or external updates.
Artist’s illustration of the swarm. (Credit: NASA/Blue Canyon Technologies)
The experiment utilized the Absolute and Relative Trajectory Measurement System (ARTMS), which integrates novel algorithms for image processing, batch orbit determination, and sequential orbit determination. This system enabled the satellites to achieve relative positioning uncertainties of 0.6% with multiple observers. The success of StarFOX marks a significant milestone in distributed space systems, paving the way for future missions that require high degrees of autonomy and robustness. The findings were shared as a preprint to the paper repository arXiv on June 10.
Experiments Aim to Boost Astronauts’ Mental Health on the ISS
Space agencies are intensifying efforts to safeguard astronauts’ mental well-being during long-duration missions on the International Space Station (ISS). The confined space, microgravity, and packed schedules can negatively impact crew members’ performance and well-being. To address these challenges, several innovative experiments are being conducted.
One such experiment is the Circadian Light project, which tests a new lighting system designed to mimic natural Earth conditions and regulate astronauts’ circadian rhythms, thereby improving sleep and reducing stress. This system uses LED panels that automatically and gradually change the light spectrum to better mimic natural conditions on Earth. The study seeks to understand the system’s effect on circadian rhythm regulation, sleep, stress, and overall well-being of crew members.
Circadian Light experiment installed inside a crew cabin. (Credit: ESA)
CSA astronaut Chris Hadfield is wearing a forehead sensor for the Circadian Rhythms experiment. (Credit: NASA)
NASA Astronaut Kate Rubins performs operations for the NeuroMapping investigation. (Credit: NASA)
ESA astronaut Andreas Mogenson wears a VR headset. (Credit: ESA)
Another study, NeuroMapping, examines changes in brain structure and function, motor control, and multitasking abilities during spaceflight. This research measures how long it takes crew members to recover after a mission and has found significant changes in brain connectivity, although no effect on spatial working memory. Additionally, virtual reality (VR) tools are being used to help astronauts cope with isolation and confinement by simulating familiar Earth environments. These VR tools aim to reduce feelings of loneliness and stress, providing a mental escape from the synthetic environment of the ISS. The findings from these studies could also benefit people in isolated and extreme environments on Earth.
SPACE GOVERNANCE
China Successfully Launches ChinaSat-4A with Long March 7 Rocket
China successfully launched the Zhongxing-4A (ChinaSat-4A) communications satellite on August 22, 2024, from the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center in Hainan Province. The satellite was carried into orbit by a modified Long March 7A rocket, marking the 532nd flight mission of the Long March series. The ChinaSat-4A satellite is designed to provide voice, data, radio, and television transmission services.
While the launch was anticipated due to images of the rocket at Wenchang posted on Chinese social media, the payload details were not disclosed until after the successful launch. The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) revealed that the satellite was developed by its China Academy of Space Technology (CAST). The lack of detailed information about the satellite has led to speculation that it may have military or intelligence applications, despite being described as a commercial or civilian asset.
The Long March 7A carrier rocket, with the Zhongxing-4A satellite lifting off from the Wenchang Space Launch Site. (Credit: Xinhua News Agency, Du Xinxin)
SpaceNews reports that in contrast, more details were provided in November 2023, for the Zhongxing-6E, launched by a Long March 3B, with information about its satellite bus and frequency bands. The Long March 7 is designed for medium-sized satellites, like Tianzhou resupply ships for China’s space station. The Long March 7A variant, has a reignitable third stage for deploying satellites into higher orbits.
Chinese Study Proposes Satellite System for its International Lunar Station to Enable Secure Lunar Communications
China is advancing its lunar exploration efforts with the development of a dual relay satellite system for Earth-Moon communications. This system aims to mitigate geopolitical risks associated with relying on ground stations in other countries. The proposed system combines the Queqiao lunar relay satellites with the Tianlian geostationary satellites, enhancing communication coverage and reliability. The Queqiao satellites, which have supported previous lunar missions, will work in tandem with the Tianlian satellites to provide continuous, seamless communication between the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) and China’s ground control center.
A recent study published in the Chinese Journal of Space Science highlights the technical feasibility of this dual relay system. The study emphasizes the importance of integrating ground-based, space-based, and deep space tracking and control networks to achieve full-time communication coverage. By leveraging this integrated approach, China aims to reduce the risks and uncertainties associated with international ground stations, ensuring secure and reliable communication for its lunar missions.
“Once astronauts are stationed at international lunar research stations and lunar bases, this risk cannot be ignored.“
The dual relay system, if realized, would include integrated communication terminals on both the lunar Queqiao and Tianlian relay satellites. Simulations indicate that the current Tianlian constellation could provide 75% coverage for Queqiao, with additional antennas and a fourth Tianlian satellite needed to achieve continuous coverage. Read more about the story at SpaceNews.
Zambia’s Space Milestone: Ground Station Completed, Satellite Launch Next
Zambia has marked a significant milestone in its space journey by completing a ground receiving station in the Chibombo district, Central Province. This achievement, announced by the Minister of Technology and Science, Hon. Felix Chipota Mutati, signals the beginning of the second phase of Zambia’s space activities, eventually leading to the launch of the country’s first satellite. The Zambian government has invested over USD 14 million in constructing the station, underscoring its commitment to advancing the nation’s space capabilities despite financial constraints and procurement challenges.
The ground receiving station is vital for Zambia’s space ambitions, focusing on Earth Observation for groundwater and forestry management. Experts are testing the station, and the government is training local engineers to operate it. This reflects a broader African trend recognizing the strategic importance of ground stations for satellite data.
FCC Approves Starlink Enhancements as SpaceX Partners with South Korea for GEO-KOMPSAT-3 Launch
SpaceX has secured approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to upgrade its first-generation Starlink satellites with larger spacecraft designed to provide more broadband capacity. This modification allows SpaceX to deploy upgraded Starlinks under the Gen1 license, which permits up to 4,408 satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO), incorporating technology from its second-generation constellation, that has a separate license for up to 7,500 more satellites. The new satellites will feature advanced beam-forming and digital processing equipment, enabling more efficient use of licensed frequencies and increased network capacity.
SpaceX has 6,325 Starlink satellites in orbit since beginning its launch campaign in 2019, including 4,216 Gen1 spacecraft with a design life of around five years, according to astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell.
Meanwhile, South Korea has signed a contract with SpaceX to launch the GEO-KOMPSAT-3 multipurpose communications satellite to geostationary orbit in 2027. This 3.7-ton satellite, developed by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), will replace the aging GEO-Kompsat-1 and feature advanced payloads for communications, disaster prevention, maritime safety, and aviation.
MILITARY IN SPACE
U.S. Space Force Bolsters Space Defense with Multi-Billion Dollar Contracts and Partnerships
As the space domain becomes increasingly contested, U.S. Space Force’s recent investments in innovative technologies and partnerships with US-based commercial firms shed light on its plan to maintain strategic advantages and protect its national interests.
It has awarded a $200 million contract to Northrop Grumman to develop a radar site in the United Kingdom. This radar site is part of the Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) program, which aims to enhance space domain awareness by tracking objects in geostationary orbit. The radar will provide continuous coverage of the space environment, improving the detection and tracking of potential threats to U.S. and allied space assets.
In parallel, SpaceWERX, the innovation arm of the U.S. Space Force, has awarded contracts worth $146 million in Small Business Innovation Research funds, $155 million in additional government matching funds, and $217 million in private matching funds, to nine space technology firms for various defense projects. These Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI) contracts, funded by the Air Force's AFWERX, were announced at the Fed Supernova conference in Austin, Texas, as part of the Orbital Prime program for advancing on-orbit servicing, assembly, and manufacturing technologies. The selected companies include American Lithium Energy, Apex Technology, Impulse Space, Inversion Space, K2 Space, Outpost Space, Portal Space Systems, Turion Space, and Wildstar. These firms will work on developing capabilities such as debris removal, satellite refueling, and in-space construction, which are critical for maintaining and extending the lifespan of space assets.
Meanwhile, TrustPoint, a company focused on alternative positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) solutions, has separately received SpaceWERX contracts worth $3.8 million. Their technology aims to enhance military operations and critical infrastructure, underscoring the importance of reliable and secure navigation systems.
Additionally, as part of the US Military’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, Terran Orbital and York Space Systems have secured contracts, worth $254 million and $170 million, respectively, from Space Development Agency (SDA) to develop and deliver 20 small satellites for SDA’s Tranche 2 Transport Layer Gamma program. These satellites will support a range of applications, including communications, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
Planet Labs Joins NATO’s Virtual Constellation for Persistent Surveillance
Planet Labs has contracted with NATO’s Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) to provide high-resolution satellite imagery from its SkySat fleet. This is part of NATO’s Alliance Persistent Surveillance from Space (APSS) program, launched in 2023, which enhances monitoring capabilities by combining data from national and commercial satellite networks. Seventeen member nations have committed over $1 billion to this initiative over the next five years.
Planet’s imagery will aid NATO by tracking foreign military capabilities, monitoring infrastructure, detecting movements, and assessing threats. This contract highlights the strategic importance of space-based intelligence, especially amid the Ukraine conflict. Planet’s role in the APSS program enhances NATO’s surveillance.
Scout and Dawn Aerospace Team Up to Demonstrate VLEO Surveillance Capabilities
Scout Space, a Virginia-based, space domain awareness startup, is partnering with Dawn Aerospace to test their space domain awareness sensors’ ability to observe objects in very low Earth orbit (VLEO) on Dawn's Mk-II Aurora suborbital spaceplane. The test flight is scheduled for November at the Tāwhaki National Aerospace Centre in New Zealand. The Mk-II Aurora is a reusable spaceplane that operates like a conventional aircraft, requiring no dedicated launch pads.
Scout Space vLEO Proof of Concept Mission Illustration (Credit: Scout Space)
The demonstration will use Scout’s Sparrow sensors on the Mk-II Aurora to provide a responsive VLEO space domain awareness solution. If successful, Scout aims to market this low-cost intelligence-gathering technology to the U.S. government. SpaceNews provides a more detailed account of the story.
SPACE COMMERCE
AstroForge Secures $40M Boost for 2025 Asteroid Docking Mission
AstroForge, a California-based asteroid mining startup, has announced a $40 million Series A funding round led by Nova Threshold, bringing its total capital to $55 million. This funding will support AstroForge’s third mission, Vestri, set to launch in 2025 as a rideshare on Intuitive Machines’ IM-3 lunar mission. The 200-kilogram Vestri spacecraft aims to dock with a metallic near-Earth asteroid, marking the first private mission to land on a celestial body beyond the Earth-Moon system.
AstroForge’s mission is to extract valuable metals from asteroids, providing a sustainable and cost-effective solution for space resource extraction. The company previously launched its first demonstration spacecraft, Brokkr-1, in 2023, and plans to launch its second mission, Odin, later this year. Odin will capture imagery of the target asteroid for Vestri’s mission.
Despatch Out. 👽🛸