ESA Technology’s Post

With a record number of satellites shot into orbit, space debris is becoming a serious concern as an object as small as a paperclip can sabotage a spacecraft or satellite. As the risk of collisions in outer space grows, we must rethink how we use – and govern – outer space. Collaborative efforts to mitigate space debris and improve space management frameworks could increase trust and improve cooperation among spacefaring nations in other fields.  https://lnkd.in/emPHrSPr #satellites #spacedebris #outerspace #spacesecurity

With a record number of satellites shot into orbit, space debris is becoming a serious concern as an object as small as a paperclip can sabotage a spacecraft or satellite. As the risk of collisions in outer space grows, we must rethink how we use – and govern – outer space. Collaborative efforts to mitigate space debris and improve space management frameworks could increase trust and improve cooperation among spacefaring nations in other fields.  https://lnkd.in/emPHrSPr #satellites #spacedebris #outerspace #spacesecurity

Because of the weather delays for Starlink 7-18 at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California (internally known here as "Vandelay"), SpaceX plans to launch three Falcon 9 rockets in under seven hours from three different launch sites. The weather in California remains terrible, so we expect a change of T-Zero inside of the 4-hour launch window; even a date change seems legit. Here are all the launches that are on schedule. Attention: times & dates can change. The first launch attempt is from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida: SpaceX is targeting Saturday, March 30, for Falcon 9’s launch of the EUTELSAT 36D mission to a geosynchronous transfer orbit from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The three-hour 58-minute launch window opens at 5:52 p.m. EDT (21:52 UTC, 22:52 CET). A backup opportunity is available on Sunday, March 31, with the same window if needed. Our livestream: https://lnkd.in/essKniEf The second launch attempt is from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida: SpaceX is targeting Saturday, March 30 for a Falcon 9 launch of 23 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Liftoff is targeted for 9:02 p.m. ET (01:02 UTC, 03:02 CEST), with backup opportunities available until 10:00 p.m. ET. Additional opportunities are also available on Sunday, March 31, starting at 7:00 p.m. ET. Attention: On March 31, Europe will change from wintertime (CET) to summertime (CEST). Depending on your time zone, the clock will turn forward from 02:00 to 03:00. The live streams start in wintertime, and the lift-off will happen in the summertime! Our livestream: https://lnkd.in/etDuaPPQ The third launch attempt is from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California: SpaceX targets Saturday, March 30, for a Falcon 9 launch of 22 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Liftoff is targeted for no earlier than 7:30 p.m. PDT (02:30 UTC, 04:30 CEST March 31), with backup opportunities available until 11:24 p.m. PT. Our livestream: https://lnkd.in/e4Z2q_6m So: Rockets away! And for those who celebrate: Happy Easter! PS: For our Facebook stream schedule (which is the same as the YT), please visit: https://lnkd.in/ehtiMZhf

🚀 It’s launch day for #Ariane6 #VA262, taking Europe into a new era of space transportation! This pivotal launch marks a significant milestone for Europe's space industry. Ariane 6 will power Europe into space with the remarkable capability to deliver spacecraft to High Elliptical orbits. Ariane 6 must showcase its reliability to ensure Europe's independence and future success in satellite launches. In this rapidly evolving landscape, PwC understands the strategic and complex challenges faced by the space sector. We provide comprehensive services to support space industry players. Discover how our tailored solutions can help your projects succeed in this innovative field here: https://lnkd.in/dfg6ygyr #SpaceIndustry #PwCBelgium #Innovation #EuropeanSpace

Earth >> << Psyche The Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) experiment, a tech demo on #MissionToPsyche, works so well that it has graduated from sending pre-loaded test data (like cat videos) to transmitting actual spacecraft telemetry. This is a huge step toward the operational use of laser communications for deep space missions: https://lnkd.in/gapJF2Sk

This year will be full of launches of our systems, both imagers and camera systems, and one of them is the first flight of the Ariane 6 rocket 🚀 We're so happy and proud to support the amazing YPSAT Mission, whose goal is to capture phases of Ariane 6’s first-ever flight – from fairing separation to the deployment of each of its payloads, as well as views of Earth 🌏 and space from orbit! Our camera system consists of two cameras and electronics placed on the top of satellite's surface, and its job will be to record the moments of the fairing separation and the deployment of the CubeSats 🛰 Doesn't is sound pretty cool? We think so! The launch is scheduled 📅 for June–July 2024, and recordings from our camera system will be available after the launch. More information about the mission: https://lnkd.in/eEJvhhfY Image source: YPSAT European Space Agency - ESA #arianegroup #esa #cameras #space #ESTEC

🚀 It’s launch day for #Ariane6 #VA262, taking Europe into a new era of space transportation! This pivotal launch marks a significant milestone for Europe's space industry. Ariane 6 will power Europe into space with the remarkable capability to deliver spacecraft to High Elliptical orbits. Ariane 6 must showcase its reliability to ensure Europe's independence and future success in satellite launches. In this rapidly evolving landscape, PwC understands the strategic and complex challenges faced by the space sector. We provide comprehensive services to support space industry players. Discover how our tailored solutions can help your projects succeed in this innovative field here: https://lnkd.in/e8yQAbmH #SpaceIndustry #PwCBelgium #Innovation #EuropeanSpace

Building zero-debris satellites🛰️ The Low Earth Orbit (LEO) environment - between 160km and 1,600km above Earth - is quickly degrading, due to a rise in the use of this part of space🌎 That is why the European Space Agency - ESA is driving a Zero Debris strategy to be implemented by 2030, co-signed by Airbus and other key European space players. Committed to pave the way towards a better space future, Airbus will co-design zero-debris platforms for large LEO satellites as a first step towards building zero-debris production lines. #SpaceMatters #Satellites

"SpaceX is targeting Sunday, April 7 at 7:16 p.m. EDT, 23:16 UTC (01:16 CEST - April 8) for a Falcon 9 launch of the Bandwagon-1 mission to orbit from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. If needed, there is a backup opportunity on Monday, April 8, at the same time. On board this mission are 11 spacecraft, including KOREA's 425Sat, HawkEye 360’s Clusters 8 & 9, Tyvak International’s CENTAURI-6, iQPS’s QPS-SAR-7 TSUKUYOMI-II, Capella Space’s Capella-14, and Tata Advanced Systems Limited’s TSAT-1A. This will be the 14th flight of the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched SES-22, ispace's HAKUTO-R MISSION 1, Amazonas-6, CRS-27, and nine Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on Landing Zone 1 (LZ-1) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Bandwagon-1 is a dedicated rideshare mission by SpaceX. SpaceX’s SmallSat Rideshare Program provides small satellite operators with regularly scheduled, dedicated Falcon 9 rideshare missions to mid-inclination orbits for ESPA class payloads for as low as $275,000 per mission, which includes up to 50kg of payload mass. Acadia-4 Capella Space introduced its latest generation of satellites, "Acadia," which offer increased imaging capability and improved communications connectivity. These satellites are smaller and lighter than previous models but offer higher resolution and detection capabilities, enabling better Earth observation and more accurate decision-making. Capella Space's new generation of satellites features synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology, allowing them to capture Earth images in all weather conditions and at any time of day or night. In addition, these satellites have enhanced communication capabilities, allowing them to transmit data and images faster and more efficiently. The mass of Acadia 4 is 165 kg. 425 Project Flight 2 Launch of the second satellite in a contract of 5 reconnaissance satellites for the South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), with 1 satellite featuring an electro-optical infrared (EO/IR) telescope. The other 4 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites are to be launched at a later date. They will be launched to low Earth orbit between 600 and 700 km by 2025, enabling South Korea’s military to observe the nuclear-armed neighbor’s vital military facilities every two hours with 30-50 centimeters resolution imagery, according to a 2019 report produced by the Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning. The project is led by the Korean Agency for Defense Development (ADD) and Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), with input from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), Hanwha Systems, and Thales Alenia Space. The mass of the satellite is 800 kg." SPACE AFFAIRS

𝗣𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 - Absolutely fascinating discussion and insights from Daniel Faber's podcast conversation with Payload. With an already agreed contract with the U.S. Space Force and a commercial contract agreed with Astroscale, Dan Faber and his team at Orbit Fab are leading the way with the space economy's refueling efforts and pioneering in-space refueling infrastructure. "𝟴𝟱% 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗿𝘂𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗳𝘂𝗲𝗹" While the argument remains that satellites can be manufactured small, cheap and disposable, Daniel Faber recognizes the need for on-orbit refueling and understands how dynamic mobility will yield better results in the collection of geospatial data via the longevity of geostationary orbit, deterring threats against adversity between nations via staying coordinated with satellites in your constellation, and the more efficient servicing of satellites in the attempted prevention of space debris. Take a listen: