Global Max LLC’s Post

This was an interesting read on the concept of "minimum safe distance" of satellites and why it may not be the right approach for space systems and operations.

An interesting documentary of how the International Space Station was built mainly by Russia and United States.

Watch balloon-like space station module explode (on purpose) during 1st full-scale burst test

POINT NEMO AND UNCONTROLLED SPACE JUNK On March 8, 2024 a specifically discarded equipment pallet from the International Space Station (ISS), re-entered Earth's atmosphere and impacted over the Pacific Ocean. This pallet, jettisoned in 2021, was part of a mission to replace old nickel-hydrogen batteries on the ISS with new lithium-ion ones. Despite the uncontrolled nature of its re-entry, the location over the Pacific Ocean was not unexpected, as controlled re-entries often target this area, particularly a region known as the spacecraft cemetery or Point Nemo, due to its remoteness from land. The increasing amount of space junk poses a risk of collision and further debris generation, a scenario known as the Kessler syndrome - a cascading effect of collisions between satellites and space debris in Earth's low Earth orbit (LEO). As more objects populate LEO, the odds of collisions increases, creating more debris and a self-perpetuating chain reaction. Efforts to manage space debris face challenges, including the lack of a centralized authority for clean-up and the technical difficulties of removing debris from orbit. The European Space Agency (ESA) closely monitored the re-entry of this pallet, estimating its re-entry window and acknowledging the low risk it posed to human safety due to the vast majority of Earth's surface being uninhabited or covered by water. The ESA and other space agencies regularly track such re-entries, which occur about once a week for large objects, to assess and mitigate potential risks. This incident underscores the broader issue of space debris management and the need for international cooperation and innovation in debris monitoring, mitigation, and removal strategies to ensure the long-term sustainability of space activities. Forewarned is forearmed. ...by Professor Dewey YEE, Space Commerce The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Source: https://lnkd.in/g_msq-gw #spaceindustry #spacedebris #leo #esa #spacesustainability

Watch balloon-like space station module explode (on purpose) during 1st full-scale burst test

The looming spaceport bottleneck could impede not just the industry’s exponential growth, but also America’s role as a leader in spaceflight operations. Our mission at Launch On Demand is to help alleviate the congestion by leveraging the radical advancements in technology, our expertise in the regulatory process and by guiding the spaceports of the future to design and construct with the necessary foresight to support the growing number of launches that are taking place. https://lnkd.in/eKuAQGxJ

🌟 We are excited to be featured on Channel 9 News coverage along with UTS Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Enterprise), Professor Glenn Wightwick at the UTS Tech Lab where Optimus was built 🛰️. It was great to showcase our mission and vision. 🌟 🚀 We need dependable methods to support and sustain our space missions to enable us to expand to life beyond Earth and to support the vital services we depend on for life on Earth. 🚀 The Optimus Orbital Servicing Vehicle (OSV) will launch on SpaceX no earlier than March, marking a significant milestone for Australia’s local space economy, sovereign capabilities, and industry collaboration. 🚀 Optimus will, for the first time, enable companies to keep their satellites in space for longer, ensuring more scalable, secure, and sustainable space infrastructure in the future. 🚀 Once launched, Optimus will be the largest satellite 🛰️ designed and built in Australia. https://lnkd.in/guUGsZNE Australian Space Agency | University of Technology Sydney | Rajat Kulshrestha | George Freney | Sharmila Fernando | Mark Ramsey | Mark Ogden | Ben Spoor | Mick Heywood | Arnaud Fontaine | Tom Dixon | Roger Kermode

Sierra Space promises to deliver cargo anywhere on Earth in 90 minutes And these are not just words—the platform is currently in active testing. Recognizing the need for ultra-fast delivery, the private space company Sierra Space from Colorado is developing a system that can deliver cargo to almost any point on Earth in just 90 minutes. At the center of the project is Space Ghost, "a revolutionary logistics spacecraft with a modern thermal protection system designed to safely return small cargo from space." The head of Sierra Space envisions a network of Space Ghost vehicles strategically positioned, readily accessible, and deployed to any point on Earth within 90 minutes. The system promises precise cargo delivery within 90 meters of the target location. In early February, the Ghost underwent several tests: a drop from 610 meters to assess impact dynamics, a controlled parachute descent from 1,219 meters, and a cargo bay separation to demonstrate the vehicle's ability to safely deliver cargo. A unique aspect of this project is that the pre-loaded Space Ghost will wait in orbit until receiving instructions. The cargo can include survival kits, inflatable boats, dry rations, and other items. Upon activation, the spacecraft will re-enter the atmosphere using a heat shield. Once in the atmosphere, the craft will be redirected to the designated landing zone. The expected operational lifespan of these vehicles is five years, after which they will be retired. https://lnkd.in/gU6_E6KD

Kathryn Lueders and her questionable awarding of $ 3 billion in NASA money to future employer SpaceX has deservedly come under the microscope by YouTube channel Common Sense Skeptic. The folks at CSS released two parts of a three-part video series looking in great detail at the way Leuders changed procurement rules to favor SpaceX and its risky Lunar Starship architecture as the sole provider of a Human Landing System for its Artemis lunar program. (Blue Origin eventually garnered a place in the program as well.) While these events go back to 2021, they remain relevant today, as we still don't have a good idea how Lunar Starship is supposed to safely get astronauts to and from the moon's surface. Part 1, which provides good background, is linked below. Part Two, which goes into great detail about the award statement and subsequent legal actions, is linked in the comments. I will be sure to post a link to Part 3 when it comes out, around a week hence. https://lnkd.in/ew-2d-cJ

What can the weather on Earth tell us about life in space?   Our May Thought Leader Series episode, "Polar Operations: Exploring Health Care in Extreme Environments," presented by The University of Texas Medical Branch, examines how medical care in the world’s most extreme environments can provide invaluable lessons for the future of human spaceflight.   Dive into this month's episode ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/guccknyf