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NASA has officially chosen SpaceX to deorbit and destroy the International Space Station in 2030. The agency announced on Wednesday that it has roped in Elon Musk's company with an $843 million contract to build the “US Deorbit Vehicle.” Per their scheduled plan, SpaceX's spacecraft will guide the football-field-sized research laboratory back into our planet's atmosphere after the ISS' retirement later this decade. The ISS was assembled by the United States, Japan, Russia, Europe, and Canada. Its first piece was launched in November 1998. Indisputably, the space station, which would an almost a million pounds on Earth, is aging. Why destroy the ISS? NASA and its lead partner, Roscosmos (Russian State Space Corporation), are currently grappling with the exacerbating issue of microscopic leaks on the ISS.  The agency also revealed that the originally designed parts at the space station's core, which include the modules where the crew lives, with truss structures providing electrical power, cooling, communications and other capabilities, were designed for a 30-year structural life in low Earth orbit. However, the first pieces of the space station, the Functional Cargo Block “Zarya” (FGB) and Node 1 “Unity” will complete their 32-year lifecycle in 2030. While other components were launched much later, the primary structure of the station cannot be practically repaired or replaced. On Wednesday, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration revealed an analysis of why it has decided to destroy the station. Before reaching its conclusion, the agency weighed several other alternatives, like disassembling the ISS and returning to Earth or boosting it to a higher orbit with the help of a large spacecraft. Therefore, deorbiting the station at its life's end is the “safest and only viable” method to decommission the longest-serving crewed vehicle in space in human history. 

Introduction: Welcome to our inaugural segment exploring space technology! Delve into the captivating realm of space exploration and its innovative technology, tailored for professionals seeking simplified insights. Today's Focus: Unraveling Space Technology Space technology encompasses tools, systems, and equipment enabling exploration beyond Earth's bounds. From orbiting satellites to interplanetary probes, it fuels humanity's cosmic curiosity and scientific endeavors. Key Points: 1. Satellites: Artificial orbiters serve diverse roles, from communication and weather tracking to navigation and Earth surveillance. 2. Rockets: Vital for launching spacecraft, rockets propel payloads past Earth's gravity, varying in size and design for specific missions. 3. Spacecraft: Crafted for exploration and transportation, spacecraft range from compact probes to vast orbiting stations like the International Space Station. 4. Exploration Tools: Utilizing sensors, cameras, and telescopes, these instruments probe distant celestial bodies, unraveling the mysteries of planets, stars, and galaxies. Conclusion: Space technology propels humanity's quest for cosmic comprehension, pushing the boundaries of scientific inquiry. Stay engaged for forthcoming insights and updates on space tech's latest frontiers! Curious about space technology? Follow our series for ongoing enlightenment and engage with fellow professionals in the comments below! #SpaceTech #Exploration #LinkedInSeries

As Earth Observation technology advances and Cubesats deployment becomes commonplace, the operational satellite count exceeds a thousand, its posing sustainability challenges both on Earth and in Space. The critical role of space infrastructure for future generations is juxtaposed with the escalating anthropogenic challenges faced by the space environment. Notably, NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) are launching LignoSat, the world's first wooden satellite, later this year. This innovative step aims to enhance spaceflight sustainability while aligning with the 18th Sustainable Development Goals, coined "Space Economy" or "Space For All" by the National Space Society and others. Read more in the article below! https://lnkd.in/du4JnAvq For more insights on how technology will play a key role in revolutionizing the Space industry, delve int our Megatrends report: https://lnkd.in/g5brrfbj #SpaceSystems #NASA #TechofTheTownDTT #CyientifiQ #Cyient #Technology #DesigningTomorrowTogether #Megatrends #CyientMegatrends

On this day 45 years ago, 'Skylab' - a space station before the #spacestation we all know of today - crashed to Earth. "Skylab's orbit eventually decayed and it disintegrated in the atmosphere on July 11, 1979, scattering debris across the Indian Ocean and Western Australia." (from Wikipedia) - it was in space for less than a year (and un-crewed). **A thorough article on that in first comment.** The current International Space Station National Laboratory (ISS), has been in space for 25 years! Alas, in 2030, the ISS will retire and will be brought back to Earth, sadly (and the decision is controversial), but hopefully in a safe way (versus debris falling down on lands like with Skylab in the '70s). The $843 million contract was awarded by NASA to SpaceX, and the objective is to "push" the ISS to de-orbit with a SpaceX spacecraft designated for this task, and make the ISS fall strategically, and in a safe area back to Earth. It is sad to learn about. And hopefully the decision will be reversed (as it's such a shame to destroy and trash this football-field sized laboratory that has made so much history, made it safe for astronauts to live and work on, and has brought nations together peacefully). But there will be others! This time, built by the commercial side of the industry, and not by agencies. Here are some companies to look up on LinkedIn or their website, and see the space stations and their respective missions and endeavors. 🛰 Starlab - Starlab Space is a global joint venture between Voyager Space, Airbus Defence and Space, Mitsubishi Corporation, and MDA Space 🛰 Axiom Hab-1 by Axiom Space 🛰 Haven-1 by VAST 🛰 Orbital Reef by Blue Origin and Sierra Space Photo to left is by Ben Cooper/LaunchPhotography.com from a museum in Australia where they collect pieces of the fallen space station. Photo to right is by NASA of current space station. #space #spaceinnovation #spacesustainability #spacescience

First private spacewalk a success! What the SpaceX mission means for science Two of its crew, US entrepreneur Jared Isaacman and SpaceX engineer Sarah Gillis, completed the first-ever commercial spacewalk at a peak altitude of more than 700 kilometres. With private citizens and flights going to space more frequently, there will be more opportunities to run experiments in microgravity and probe the bounds of human space travel. But with the success of today’s spacewalk — also known as an extravehicular activity, or EVA — the idea of a private company performing such difficult space operations has become that much more plausible. Gabel’s team will take high-resolution X-rays of the wrists and ankles of Polaris Dawn’s crew once they return to Earth, to measure the effects of several days’ worth of microgravity on bone structure. Her previous work on astronauts who have spent time on the International Space Station has shown that months of microgravity can cause the inner structure of load-bearing bones, such as those in the legs, to weaken in ways that don’t fully heal even one year after returning to Earth. Several researchers are also using Polaris Dawn to better understand spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS), a condition in which astronauts experience permanent changes — and even damage — to their vision. Scientists suspect that SANS stems from built-up fluid in the eye that would normally drain away in Earth’s gravity. Working with ophthalmologist Prem Subramanian and space-health researcher Allie Hayman at the University of Colorado Boulder, the Polaris Dawn crewmembers are each wearing a ‘smart’ contact lens that can record the fluid pressure in the eye. Other researchers will be studying the effects of exposure to space radiation — high-energy charged particles — on the body by analysing DNA, RNA and other biosamples taken from the Polaris Dawn crew. Importantly, Polaris Dawn represents the first time that many of these analyses will be run on the same space traveller across two different missions: Isaacman also participated in SOMA and TRISH’s research when he commanded Inspiration4, an all-civilian orbital mission operated by SpaceX in 2021. https://lnkd.in/ev3ceCAp

From Earth to Moon: Intuitive Machines to Bridge the Communication and Navigation Gap   NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration has awarded Intuitive Machines (IM) a contract for communication and navigation services in the near space region. The contract, known as Geostationary Orbit to Cislunar Relay Services, has a maximum potential value of $4.82 billion over a 10-year period.   The agreement is structured as a Firm-Fixed-Price, Multiple Award, Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) Task Order Contract. It includes a base period of five years starting October 1, 2024, with an additional five-year option period extending through September 30, 2034.   A key component of this contract is the introduction of Intuitive Machines' lunar satellite constellation. This service is expected to provide enhanced data transmission and navigation capabilities, supporting NASA's Artemis campaign to establish a long-term presence on the Moon.   Intuitive Machines' CEO, Steve Altemus, emphasized the significance of this contract in positioning the company as a U.S. leader in space communications and navigation. The company's strategy revolves around three pillars for lunar commercialization: scaling lunar lander capabilities, establishing a satellite network for data transmission and navigation, and developing infrastructure for autonomous operations on the Moon.   This partnership between NASA and Intuitive Machines represents a typical Space 2.0 relationship, leveraging private sector capabilities in space exploration for a government agency. As lunar activities increase, the need for reliable communication and navigation services becomes crucial. This contract aims to address the growing demand for connectivity, particularly in the Moon's south pole region, where future crewed missions are planned.   It is important to note that European Space Agency - ESA has a very similar initiative called Moonlight (https://lnkd.in/dtN74BpP). LunaNet is a collaborative effort between NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) in order for these systems to complement each other. It is a framework of mutually agreed-upon standards for lunar communication, navigation, and information sharing. The LunaNet Interoperability Specification (LNIS) aims to facilitate cooperation among users and service providers in a network supporting missions on and around the Moon. The framework is designed to be compatible with existing space communication standards while focusing on the unique requirements of lunar operations.   Image Credit: Intuitive Machines   #LunarExploration #CislunarCommunication #LunarNavigation

On May 24, 2024, highlighting space cooperation and strengthening India USA forward in space, the US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti, visited ISRO Headquarters and met ISRO’s Chairman, S. Somanath. The Ambassador articulated his admiration for ISRO’s accomplishments and its role in global space exploration. The discussions were aimed at fostering mutual interests and shared goals toward advancing space science, technology, and the space economy. Alongside, contemporary associations were also reflected through various Joint Working Groups, Artemis Accord, NISAR, and the use of the Laser Reflectometer Array on Chandrayaan-3. Somnath outlined India’s commercial space activities, including payload technology and space-bound hardware being fabricated by commercial units and facilities provided by the Department of Space, enabling them to compete in global markets. Discussions on future collaborations included NASA's participation in India's proposal for a G-20 satellite for the environment and climate change, an advanced imaging spectrometer satellite as a follow-up mission for NISAR, a proposal for a QUAD satellite, and the utilization of the Gaganyaan cargo module as an option for cargo transfer to the International Space Station (ISS). ISRO emphasized the need to address access to critical components to expedite collaborative missions, building and standardizing docking interfaces across human space programs to enable the utilization of space platforms by other countries and joining hands to build a navigation system on the moon, either in orbit or on the surface. Authored by Jaypal Kalra for the Covering ISRO. Parent- THE GEOSTRATA #isro #nasa #india #somanath #ericgarcetti

The international astronautical congress 2024 is very close and the Space Safety and Sustainability (SSS) Project Group from Space Generation Advisory Council will be present with the following papers: Title: State of the art for proximity and docking procedures throughout the latest years Member(s): Diya Jose, Javier Maldonado-Romo, Atzin Constantino, Yuti Antani, Virgile Gautier and Yakov Bobrov  Objective: On-Orbit Servicing (OOS) improves space sustainability and safety through remediation and mitigation strategies. A thorough analysis of past RPO events reveals recurring trends and critical variables impacting mission success. The study suggests safety guidelines and best practices to enhance the security of spacecraft and the longevity of the orbital environment. Title: Characterization of orbits in cislunar space for space traffic management Member(s): Sourav Ghosh Objective: Lunar exploration missions have increased, necessitating traffic management in cislunar space. Characterizing orbits for specific use cases, such as communication relays and space stations, can improve coordination and efficiency. Title: Constraints and challenges in guidance, navigation and control architectures for beyond earth orbit cubesat missions Member(s): Sourav Ghosh Objective: Interplanetary CubeSats face unique challenges in Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) systems due to limited space, power, and communication. Addressing these challenges requires innovative solutions, such as optical navigation and autonomous guidance, to enable successful and cost-effective exploration of the cosmos. Title: The new voyager: astronauts and the modern myth of space exploration Member(s): Chiara Limardi Objective: Space exploration’s impact on Millennials and Zoomers is explored, examining how globalization and technology influence the creation of an internationally shared narrative on astronauts. The study analyzes national depictions of astronauts from the US, India, Italy, and Japan to understand the extent to which a universally shared mythology of space exploration can be presented. Mahhad Nayyer Atzin Constantino Gómez

CTP Industrial Space Platform™ (CTPISP) (https://lnkd.in/geu2i9GC) would/will be basically the equivalent of an entire #spacestation (similar scale shown here) that will be able to take the entire #spaceplatform from ground to #deepspace with its own onboard #CTPcraft larger scaled CTP Propulsion Systems. That's next level. #newscience #newspacevision #newspaceeconomy #nthindustrialrevolution

☀ 🚀 ISRO - Indian Space Research Organization to Launch Pioneering Proba-3 Mission for Unprecedented Solar Corona Studies The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up for the exciting launch of Proba-3 (Project for On-Board Autonomy) – a unique European mission designed to create an "artificial eclipse" in space. This ambitious project will revolutionize our understanding of the Sun's mysterious corona, a region typically hidden by the Sun's brilliance during natural eclipses. Proba-3 boasts two ingenious small satellites that will launch together and then perform a graceful separation to fly in a precisely coordinated formation. Once separated, these satellites will effectively function as a single, virtual telescope with a staggering 144-meter baseline (the distance between them). This configuration creates a giant solar coronagraph, a specialized instrument designed to study the Sun's faint outer atmosphere. This mission marks a significant leap forward in space-based formation flying. The successful execution of this intricate choreography will pave the way for future missions utilizing multiple satellites operating as a cohesive unit. The Sun's corona, with its extreme temperatures and dynamic processes, remains an enigma. By creating an artificial eclipse that effectively blocks the Sun's bright face, Proba-3 will allow scientists to directly observe this elusive region. The extended reach of the virtual coronagraph promises to deliver unparalleled detail of the corona's structure and activity. This information is critical for understanding solar wind and space weather events that can significantly impact Earth's technology and environment. Proba-3 is part of the highly successful PROBA (Project for On-Board Autonomy) series by the European Space Agency (ESA). These missions serve a dual purpose: testing cutting-edge spacecraft technologies and conducting groundbreaking scientific investigations. Proba-3 carries this torch of innovation forward, pushing the boundaries of space exploration and promising new discoveries about our Sun. #ISRO #SpaceExploration #ESA #Proba3