Important Innovations

World 1st: NASA & CA Partnership Targets Solo Emissions Sites From Space                        Source:  Greenhouse Gas Emissions Stock Image         Source: NASA Curiosity Image of Methane Outbreaks on Mars $100 Million  Greenhouse Gas Tracking System From Space   NASA and California, with financial backing from philanthropist Michael Bloomberg, are launching a $100 million satellite tracking system to pinpoint individual sources of large greenhouse gas emissions.  For the first time, these new satellites, with new technologies developed at NASA's Jet Propulsion Labs (JPL), will be able to both see and measure emissions at the level of individual facilities like a specific oil refinery. Currently, the measurements have been at the scale of large geographic areas. Methane Emissions Tracked By Carbon Mapper The top greenhouse gas target for the satellites is methane, which is 80 times more potent than other greenhouse gas emissions like carbon dioxide during the first twenty yea

  SpaceX Successful Launch of Another Batch of 60 Satellites                                                                      Source:  SpaceX/NASA More Than 1,200 Satellites in Starlink Constellation & Counting Early this morning, at Cape Canaveral, Florida, SpaceX launched another 60 Starlink internet satellites.  That brings the total in the Starlink internet constellation to more than 1200.  The system promises to provide inexpensive broadband services to the globe and particularly to remote and underserved areas.  SpaceX CEO Elon Musk wants to have a threshold of 1,440 Starlink satellites deployed in low Earth orbit to deliver optimum broadband services.  He has also petitioned the Federal Communications Commission for permission to launch tens of thousands of more satellites.  Musk has the internet service in beta-testing along stretches of the US-Canadian border and in Germany, the UK and New Zealand. Customers can also sign up on line for future service when it becomes a

  Second Launch This Week of Fleets of Satellites Today                                                       Source: SpaceX Promise of Inexpensive, High Speed Internet SpaceX today successfully launched into orbit another fleet of 60 internet satellites.  It was the second Starlink launch this week as SpaceX and CEO Elon Musk continue to build their growing mega-constellation of satellites to deliver inexpensive, high speed internet from space.  Musk now has in orbit more than 800 Starlink satellites. Remarkable Technology The technology that Musk has developed at SpaceX is remarkable.  Today, nine minutes after launch, the Falcon 9 rocket's 1st stage booster that boosted the satellites into space returned to Earth and successfully landed on one of SpaceX's drone ships, known as Just Read the Instructions,  in the Atlantic Ocean.  The precision of the landing is awesome. The 60 satellites continued into space for their low Earth orbits.   This is the 19th launch for SpaceX in

  SpaceX & Microsoft Tie-Up to Win Space Customers                                                  Source:  Tesla Starlink Starlink and Azure Cloud Computing This technology combination between Elon Musk's SpaceX and Microsoft is fascinating.  Microsoft is expanding its Azure cloud computing platform into space through a partnership with SpaceX's growing constellation of low earth orbiting satellites for inexpensive, global broadband internet - Starlink.  Starlink is a big space-based internet opportunity and is already being beta-tested in the northern US, in tribal communities and in southern Canada.  Starlink can give Microsoft's Azure a potentially big edge over rival Amazon's cloud computing platform for business. Cloud Business Demand Is Soaring Because of the restrictions of COVID-19, demand for cloud services are soaring as adults and children work from home.  Microsoft has tested its Azure cloud with satellites in space and established a space venture addr

  Grows to 835 Satellite System                                                                      Source:  SpaceX Starlink Launch Moderate Coverage for North America SpaceX launched 60 more Starlink internet satellites into orbit on Sunday with another batch ready to launch on Wednesday.  The Sunday launch to build an inexpensive global internet service brings the total sats deployed to 835 satellites.  That is enough to reach CEO Elon Musk's target of 800 deployed satellites in low Earth orbit to start testing for moderate internet coverage for parts of North America.  This was Space X's 14th launch of Starlink satellites.  To achieve global broadband coverage, Musk says he plans to launch 120 new Starlink satellites per week. Incredible Technology Not just the Starlink technology is incredible, so too is the rocket technology for launch that's being deployed.   The Sunday launch was aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket's sixth flight.  After the successful launch, the f

  Satellite Launching Business                                                  Source:  Virgin Orbit Targets $1 Billion Valuation Richard Branson's satellite launching business Virgin Orbit hopes to raise $200 million in a round of funding.  That would place the valuation of the company at $1 Billion.  The money will be used to fund satellite launches and for capital expenditures.   The Wall Street Journal first reported Branson's target of $200 million in funding. 747 Jumbo Jet Approach Branson is using highly modified 747 jumbo jets to launch, from mid air, rockets carrying satellites and place them in orbit.  The target market is small satellites ranging from the size of a toaster to a household refrigerator.  The satellites are placed in low Earth orbit for highly sophisticated services ranging from commercial applications to national security information gathering.  Launches can originate from any airports capable of 747 take-offs and landings. Space Competition Virgin Or

SpaceX To Build Hypersonic and Ballistic Missile Tracking Satellites                            Source: Artist Image of Hypersonic Missile New, Highly Advanced Satellite Technology The US Department of Defense has awarded SpaceX a $149 million contract to build hypersonic and ballistic missile tracking and warning satellites.  The satellites will be positioned in low-Earth orbit similar to Starlink.  Starlink is SpaceX CEO Elon Musk's mega-constellation of satellites to provide the world broadband internet at inexpensive prices.  The Pentagon contract is a first for SpaceX and yet another major win for CEO Elon Musk.  This contract comes 3 weeks after US Defense Secretary Mark Espey announced that China and Russia have weaponized space with killer satellites and directed energy weapons. New, Advanced Satellite Technology The new satellites for the military will have wide field of vision, infrared sensors that can pinpoint and track potential missile threats coming in from space at

Internet for Everyone, Everywhere Source:  OneWeb OneWeb The United Kingdom and an Indian telecom giant are going into the satellite business together.  The British government and Bharti Enterprises have bought OneWeb satellite company for $1 billion. The company was founded by US entrepreneur Greg Wyler with the purpose of providing internet everywhere to everyone with 648 low Earth satellites in orbit. Rolling the Space Dice This is a new lease on life for OneWeb and a gamble with potentially big payouts for the UK and Bharti.  OneWeb was purchased out of bankruptcy by the UK and Bharti within the past week.  OneWeb filed for backruptcy late in March 2020 after its biggest financial backer SoftBank refused to provide anymore funding.  At the time of the filing, OneWeb had 74 satellites in orbit. UK Mission and Goals The UK is looking to add positioning technology to new satellites in order to beef up the American GPS system it uses.  It's also replacing bandwid

ESA SAT To Explore Jupiter & Its Moons Source:  ESA JUICE'S Search for Signs of Alien Life The European Space Agency (ESA) is putting the final touches on a new spacecraft specifically designed to search for alien life.  The first place that it will search for extraterrestrial life is Jupiter and its Moons . The spacecraft is called JUICE or Jupiter  Icy Moons Explorer.  JUICE's purpose is to find alien life or determine if the planet and its Moons are capable of sustaining life. This is yet another example of how seriously global space agencies, are taking the search for life beyond Earth. NASA with its upcoming Mars probe is leading the exploration along with ESA. JUICE's Timeline Right now in Germany, JUICE is being outfitted with highly advanced communications systems, navigation sensors and onboard computers. Next stop is The Netherlands, where it will go through rigorous testing. JUICE's lau

Starlink Constellation of Internet Satellites Source:  NASA Launchdate - Tomorrow April 22 SpaceX plans to launch its seventh group of Starlink Satellites on April 22, 2020. The batch of 60 new satellites will join thousands already in orbit.  Starlink is entrepreneur Elon Musk's system to deliver broadband internet  connectivity to the world and provide faster and stronger communications services. New FCC Request From Musk for Starlink Musk has just sought US Federal Communications Commission approval to operate all of his 4,400 first generation Starlink sats at a lower  level than previously approved.  The request is for approved orbits at 550 kilometers for some  of the launched satellites. Most of his sats had  been okayed for about 1200 kilometers orbit above the Earth.   One reason cited by SpaceX for this request is that it will result in  less space debris. B ecause at a lower altitude, expended satellites

Robotic Satellite Fixing Systems Source:  NASA SAT  New DARPA Space Initiative The US Department of Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, DARPA, has launched an innovative program to extend the life of US satellites orbiting in space.  In essence, DARPA is creating a robotic system to inspect, service, repair, improve and extend the lives of US satellites in orbit.  The program promises significant money savings and much longer and efficient use of satellites. Space Logistics DARPA is partnering with Space Logistics, a subsidiary of Northrup Grumman, to develop and deploy advanced robotic capabilities in space.   The first step is to develop what DARPA is calling a "DEXTEROUS ROBOTIC SERVICE".  The technology needed would increase satellite life spans, improve their reliability and resilience.  All of which would save the US government and space companies significant money lost when a satellite's operations breakdown and are currently unf

China's Geely Auto Group Building Network of SATs for Self-Driving Cars Source:  Satellite in space image Your Car in Contact with Space Chinese automaker Geely has a space-based plan for "steering"autonomous cars.  It is in the process of building its own network of satellites to provide advanced geolocation and connected vehicle functions for self-driving cars. This is a first in China and Geely's satellites will be solely used to support its autonomous driving vehicles.  It's a very innovative concept to use satellites to track, communicate with and help guide self-driving cars. Global Operations Geely is a huge automotive player.  It owns Sweden-based Volvo cars, US flying car startup Terrafugia, Malaysia's Proton and has a $9 billion stake in Daimler, the owner of Mercedes Benz. Geely hopes to share and benefit from Daimler automotive technology.  Geely is currently integrating Volvo with Geely operations, which will create a huge,

New NASA, ESA, South Korea Virtual Network to Monitor Air Pollution Source:  UK Government - Air Pollution in Europe Hourly Air Quality, Air Pollution Updates NASA, the European Space Agency and South Korea are joining forces to create a new constellation of satellites with highly advanced instrumentation to monitor global air quality and air pollution.  The system is so advanced it is capable of monitoring, tracking and providing hourly updates on air quality anyplace on Earth. South Korea Launch The environmental watch from space was just kicked off by South Korea's launch of its Geostationary Environment Monitoring Spectrometer, aboard its ocean monitoring satellite.  NASA will launch similar instruments in 2022.  The European Space Agency will launch its own satellites and instruments in 2023.  It will be the world's first, real time, air quality monitoring system covering the globe with updates every hour. Global Air Quality Monitoring Networ

Spacecom Satellite Providing Vital Communications Services to Africa Source:  Spacecom AMOS-17 I srael’s AMOS-17 satellite, manufactured by Boeing, blasted into space aboard a SpaceX rocket in late October 2019.   The communications satellite is now successfully deployed and fully operational, providing advanced communications services to Africa.   AMOS-17 has provided Israel and satellite designer and operator Spacecom a triumphant return to Space, three years after a launchpad explosion destroyed another one of its satellites AMOS-6. Communications Services for Africa The demand for the communications services AMOS-17 is providing to Africa is huge.   The continent suffers from a lack of internet access infrastructure with some parts of Africa underserved or completely unconnected to any communications infrastructure.   Meanwhile demand for access is growing.   More than half of the African population is under 18 years old.   And the number

BAE System's PHASA-35 Solar Aircraft Source:  BAE Systems Potential to be Airborne for a Year  British defense giant BAE Systems just unveiled and test flew a solar powered, unmanned aircraft called the PHASA-35.  The plane, designed for the military, has the potential, according to BAE, to remain airborne for a year without ever touching down.  PHASA stands for Persistent High Altitude Solar Aircraft.  It's a unique EV that could usher in a new form of green flying. Satellite Replacement One of the many things fascinating about this new solar electric aircraft is the potential uses.  BAE says it's an affordable and persistent replacement for satellites.  They add it can be used for communications, 5G networks and surveillance.  The highly advanced EV can avoid bad weather by soaring into the stratosphere. Maiden Flight The plane was built in collaboration with BAE subsidiary Prismatic that is located in Slovenia.  It has a 35 meter wingspan.  Incredibly, t

China is in the Reusable Rocket Race Chinese Startup LinkSpace Successfully Tests Reusable Rocket A global race to get a big piece of what's expected to be a highly lucrative boom in satellite launches is on.  China is pushing for a big part of the business by developing reusable rockets that enable cheaper satellite launches.  Chinese startup LinkSpace successfully tested a reusable rocket today and expects to launch in 2020.  Elon Musk's SpaceX has been leading the way in recoverable, reusable rockets since 2017 and companies in China, the US, Russia and Europe are trying to follow suit.  For a great news blog on this, go to Important Innovations Collection: China's In the Reusable Rocket Race : Future of Cheap Satellite Launches Source:  LinkSpace Chinese Startup LinkSpace For the third time in five months, Chinese startup L...

Twin Spacecrafts Working Together Source:  NASA Powered by Old Fashioned Steam The maneuvers of two cubesats in space today is a big success for NASA.  The twin, small satellites are powered by steam. Their fuel tanks are filled with water, converted into steam by thrusters to enable flight. One of the satellites, with some help from NASA on the ground, commanded the other satellite to close the 5.5 mile gap between them.  It did so successfully.  NASA says this demonstrates that cubesats can work together and even swarm on missions in deep space.  For a great news blog on this, go to Important Innovations Collection: Steam Powered Twin Spacecrafts : Cubesats in Command Source:   NASA Cubesat High Theater in Low Earth Orbit Two cubesats (small satellites) powered by steam performe...