Fast Company Middle East’s Post

In June, S. Somanath, Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation and Secretary of the Department of Space, said ISRO’s launch vehicle capability was three-times the demand. Many experts in the spaceflight sector and beyond interpreted this to mean the space launch market was grim. Mr. Somanath also suggested strong demand was needed for launch vehicles from the domestic Indian market. India currently has four launch vehicles: the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), and the Launch Vehicle Mark-III (LVM-3). These rockets can launch satellites weighing up to four tonnes to the geosynchronous orbit. India also relies on foreign launch vehicles, like Europe’s Ariane V and SpaceX’s Falcon 9, when a satellite weighs more than four tonnes. - Pradeep Mohandas writes Read here: https://newsth.live/C8OqVt

This is very good introductory article about what Astroscale does. Space Debris is a very important problem and that is why any progress in this area should be celebrated.

📡 Spotlight: ProblemsSolvedAerospace(PSA) is a leader in advanced space communication systems, ensuring seamless data transmission for critical missions. Our solutions enable secure and reliable communication between satellites, spacecraft, and ground stations, essential for the success of space missions. We’re constantly innovating to meet the growing demands of space exploration. #SpaceCommunication #SatelliteTechnology #AerospaceInnovation #MissionCritical #TechLeadership

Thanks to BBC News for sharing our image of space debris captured by our ADRAS-J spacecraft. Read on to learn more about the scale of space debris, especially rocket bodies, and why missions like ADRAS-J are so crucial. https://lnkd.in/gQ3rv2EB

🚀 Happy World Space Week! ✨ As we look to the stars, understanding our own atmosphere remains a critical challenge – both for the future of space exploration and the protection of our planet. This #WorldSpaceWeek emphasizes the vital role of space technology in advancing our knowledge of #ClimateChange and #sustainability. 🌍 Did you know? Over 200 #InternationalStandards are utilized by major space agencies globally, facilitating collaboration and data sharing across the industry. In line with this year’s theme, we spotlight a key standard focused on space debris mitigation—establishing essential guidelines for the design and operation of unmanned spacecraft in Earth orbit. #SustainabilityInSpace🌌 Learn more ➡️ https://lnkd.in/e7EkUVmb #WSW2024 #SpaceAndClimate #WorldSpaceWeek #Events #CelebrateSpace

* The Kessler effect is a concept put forth by NASA scientist Donald J. Kessler in 1978. It describes a theoretical scenario that arises due to the high density of objects in low Earth orbit. In this situation, collisions between objects can trigger a #cascade effect — each collision generates additional space debris, which, in turn, raises the risk of further #collisions. The result is an ever-wider field of #spacedebris that becomes increasingly difficult to manage and navigate. The domino effect of space junk presents significant challenges for space activities, satellite operations, and the long-term sustainability of low Earth orbit. As the number of small debris particles continues to grow, addressing this issue becomes crucial for maintaining a safe and functional space environment. Moreover, the urgency escalates as the number of #LEO satellites deployed in space has doubled over the last five years. No need to be an alarmist, but it is time for the global space community to address this issue, and to do so sooner rather than later. ——— P.S. I had to double check today’s date to confirm that this post from #Conksat below👇is coming a few days too early… but it does serve as a stark reminder of the importance of responsible space debris management. The name “ConkSat” is intended to be a conk to the head, I guess. #APNewspaceCommunity

Although new sustainable technologies are impacting space development like highly maneuverable spacecraft, repair ships, refueling depots — the industry still faces uncertainty in terms of leadership on the guidelines for sustainability in space. https://lnkd.in/eYCwb4My

Yesterday, news broke that two American astronauts will remain on the International Space Station (#ISS) until 2025 due to extended mission requirements. This unprecedented situation underscores the critical importance of space exploration and the resilience of those who venture beyond our planet. We're proud to share this incredible image of the ISS captured by our customer HEO using our satellite. This visual serves as a powerful reminder of the collaboration and technology that make space missions possible, as well as the challenges and triumphs faced by those on the frontlines of space exploration. As we look ahead, the extended stay of these astronauts highlights the ongoing advancements in space operations and the vital role that satellite imagery can play in supporting missions. #SpaceExploration #SatelliteImagery #EarthObservation #Satellogic #SpaceTechnology

So, 2023 is done. As noted in my last post last year, it was record-breaking for the space industry. For those curious about the statistics, here's the pdf snapshot of some of the space activities during 2023 (launches, spacecraft deployments, estimated mass). You can find the interactive version of it on Ill-Defined Space: https://lnkd.in/eJXXTimC. There will be more analyses about this to come.

🚀 Polaris Dawn has officially launched on September 10, marking the beginning of the most ambitious crewed space mission in recent decades. After years of delays due to technical issues and weather conditions, the mission finally took off from the historic pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center, Florida. 🌍 Part of the larger Polaris program, this mission is the first of three planned missions, with the second also using the Dragon capsule, and the third potentially involving the first crewed flight aboard SpaceX’s Starship. 🧑🚀 The crew, led by mission commander Jared Isaacman, will conduct the first private spacewalk on September 12, testing new SpaceX suits designed for the rigors of space. The mission’s trajectory includes reaching an altitude of 1,400 km, the highest point any crewed spacecraft has reached in decades. 📡 Polaris Dawn is also testing advanced technology, such as laser communication systems, aiming to enhance space connectivity through SpaceX’s Starlink constellation. Stay tuned for updates on this historic mission and follow us for more news on the rapidly growing space economy. #SpaceEconomyMaster #SpaceEconomy #NewSpace #NewSpaceEconomy #SpaceEconomyInstitute #Space #PolarisDawn