Thomas Liénart’s Post

The world tour continues... this time back at home! #Interoperability is a cornerstone of modern space systems engineering, essential for the seamless integration, communication, and functionality of diverse #spacecraft components and subsystems. The presentation will provide a detailed technical analysis of interoperability within space systems, emphasizing its critical role in enabling effective Space-to-Earth and Earth-to-Space technology #transfers. That's the topic to be delivered during the International Symposium on #Artificial #Intelligence (#AI), #Robotics and #Automation in #Space (i-SAIRAS 2024) led by the Canadian Space Agency | Agence spatiale canadienne, German Aerospace Center (DLR), the European Space Agency - ESA, JAXA: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration. And not to mention, all my favourite buzz words in one conference! To infinity and beyond! (if you get the pun!)

#NASA #PrivateAstronautission #MaxHaot #VastSpace #Axiom "WASHINGTON — Commercial space station developer Vast Space says it plans to bid on two future NASA private astronaut missions to the International Space Station, providing competition to Axiom Space. During a panel discussion at the Federal Aviation Administration Commercial Space Transportation Conference Feb. 21, Max Haot, chief executive of Vast, said his company would bid on the fifth and sixth private astronaut missions, or PAMs, that NASA offers to companies seeking to flying commercial missions to the ISS. “From our point of view, it will make us a better space station builder, a better partner of NASA, and it will help us practice a lot of the disciplines we are building” for its future commercial stations, he said of Vast’s plan to bid on the missions. Axiom has been the only company selected by NASA for private missions to the station under a policy the agency rolled out in 2019. The company flew its Ax-1 mission to the station in April 2022, Ax-2 in May 2023 and the Ax-3 mission that concluded Feb. 9. NASA selected Axiom for a fourth PAM, Ax-4, scheduled for this fall. The company has previously expressed interest in bidding on future PAM opportunities. Axiom has been selected for most of those PAM opportunities with little or no competition. In a January 2023 source selection statement, NASA stated that it received proposals only from Axiom for the third and fourth PAM opportunities, which became Ax-3 and Ax-4. Axiom was previously identified as the sole bidder for the second PAM, Ax-2. Axiom says those missions have helped the company prepare for its commercial space station, beginning with modules it will install on the ISS starting in 2026. “The private astronaut missions are really this incredible learning opportunity both for the federal government and for Axiom,” said Jared Stout, vice president and chief of staff for government and external relations at Axiom, on the panel. “We learn how to operate these missions alongside NASA. We’re able to develop our customer pipelines on science and research.” During an earlier session of the panel, Michael Lopez-Alegria, a former NASA astronaut who commanded the Ax-1 and Ax-3 missions for Axiom, said the company had “learned a ton” since Ax-1 to Ax-3, working with NASA to tailor the training needed for the missions. “Ax-2 was much better and I think Ax-3 was even better.” Haot says Vast wants to reap similar benefits as it prepares for its station. “To be able to leverage the ISS and learn, and work closely with NASA, is really a key part of the transition” from the ISS to commercial stations." ..."

Congratulations to all involved on this tremendous success 👏 Following the deployment of the Hera solar arrays - designed and built by us - the European asteroid mission is in good health and the spacecraft 🛰 on its way to the target asteroid system. The European Space Agency - ESA's Hera lifted off on a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, USA, on 7 October at 10:52 local time (16:52 CEST) 🚀 Hera's solar arrays deployed about one hour later. For Hera we also provided the central tube (backbone of the spacecraft) and electronic products. More: https://lnkd.in/ghyvExaW As part of the world’s first test of asteroid deflection, Hera will perform a detailed post-impact survey of the target asteroid, Dimorphos – the orbiting moonlet of a binary asteroid system known as Didymos. In 2022, NASA’s DART mission has impacted the moonlet. The arrival at the asteroid system is foreseen for autumn 2026, when the asteroid mission will enter its main science and technology demonstration phase. Image credit: ESA

🚀 The HERA mission, part of European Space Agency - ESA's planetary defence strategy, is preparing to explore the Didymos binary asteroid system, including its smaller moon, Dimorphos. Scheduled for launch today, October 7 at 10:52 a.m. EDT (14:52 UTC) aboard a Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral, Florida, HERA will arrive at Dimorphos in late 2026. The mission will focus on studying the aftermath of NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s DART mission, which successfully altered Dimorphos' orbit in September 2022 by 33 minutes after a deliberate impact. HERA’s objective is to gather critical data to enhance our understanding of asteroid deflection techniques, a key component of planetary defence. At the core of HERA’s onboard computer systems is the GR712RC dual-core microprocessor, ensuring high-performance data processing, and the GR718B SpaceWire router, enabling reliable communication between the spacecraft’s subsystems.  We are always proud to support pioneering space systems with our technology! #spacecomputing #HERAmission Reference: https://lnkd.in/dxPMU-f5

On October 14, during the 2024 International Astronautical Congress, the European Space Agency and Thales Alenia Space signed an important partnership for a significant expansion of the capabilities of the Gateway’s European module Lunar View. Scheduled to be launched with the Artemis V mission onboard an SLS Block 1B, Lunar View will be a key element of the future lunar space station. In fact, the ESA refueling module will provide fuel for the station’s propulsion needs, such as attitude control and orbit change, and over the next 15 years, it will operate around the Moon. The module will also include a pressurized space, equipped with six large windows, that astronauts will use to store supplies and enjoy a breathtaking 360° view. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dbBQkV5d #IAC2024 #IAC #ESA #NASA #ThalesAleniaSpace #Gateway #Artemis International Astronautical Federation

#Leaks can be pesky! Boeing Defense, Space & Security is finding out first hand in their first crewed Starliner flight. In a June 10 statement, NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration mentioned that spacecraft teams were examining “what impacts, if any, five small leaks in the service module helium manifolds would have on the remainder of the mission.” That was the first reference to there being five leaks in the spacecraft; NASA had mentioned there were four in a briefing hours after the spacecraft’s June 6 docking with the International Space Station. 👉 Remember although leaks are hard to predict, applying the proper technology and techniques can go a long way towards preventing them. #leakdetection #leaktesting #technology

Critical missions such as the study of asteroid deflection and how this can protect Earth from future natural threats require purpose-built solutions such as the GR712RC dual-core microprocessor from Frontgrade Gaisler. Bon voyage to European Space Agency - ESA's HERA Mission! #spacecomputing #HERAmission

HERA Mission Launch: Powered by #Thales Tubes for Planetary #Defense! 🚀   On October 7, the European Space Agency - ESA's HERA mission successfully lifted off aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 10:52 local time (16:52 CEST, 14:52 UTC). HERA represents ESA's first planetary defense mission, targeting a unique object among the 1.3 million asteroids in our solar system—the only body whose orbit has been altered by human intervention.   HERA will perform the first comprehensive study of the binary asteroid 65803 Didymos, with a primary focus on the smaller asteroid Dimorphos. This asteroid's orbit was modified by NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration's DART spacecraft, which impacted it to change its trajectory. By deepening our understanding of this impact technique, HERA aims to establish effective and repeatable methods for protecting Earth from potential asteroid collisions, thereby enhancing our safety against space threats.   We are proud to support this mission with our Thales Travelling Wave Tube Amplifiers, specifically the TH4704C models in X-band, for which we delivered two units to Thales Alenia Space.   These systems provided will be crucial for the mission, enabling the control and tracking of the spacecraft from distances of up to 500 million kilometers.They will facilitate the transmission of all data collected by HERA back to Earth and support radio science operations.   Key Features of the TH4704C Tubes: 🔹Frequency Band: 8.408 to 8.464 GHz, ensuring high-quality communications. 🔹Power: 70W, providing robust and reliable signal transmission. 🔹Designed for optimal performance in space conditions, these tubes are essential for the success of the HERA mission. 🌟 For more information about this mission, feel free to read our article ! https://lnkd.in/gti4n4rs

🌕🚀 The recent delays in NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration's #Artemis missions, Artemis II and III, will not impact European Space Agency - ESA's hardware delivery programme, including the European Service Module (ESM) for the Orion spacecraft. #ESA has already delivered the service module for Artemis II and is on track to ship the Artemis III hardware later this year. However, the economic implications of European #lunar activities through Artemis are significant, with Europe contributing €1.49 billion for the ESM and €623.5 million for the Gateway space station modules. These contributions also secure opportunities for European astronauts on future Artemis missions. Delays in Artemis affect not only ESA but also other international partners involved in the programme. Additionally, #NASA's recent report on Space-Based Solar Power (SBSP) highlights the potential benefits of SBSP in terms of energy security and greenhouse gas emissions reduction. While the report presents a solid case, it also includes assumptions that could complicate the adoption of SBSP. The connection between Artemis-driven #Moon In-Situ Resources Utilisation (#ISRU) and a viable SBSP-driven space economy underscores the importance of both initiatives and the need for American leadership in SBSP. 👨🚀🇺🇸🇪🇺 See Christophe Bosquillon, "Artemis delays and ESA: Connecting the dots," in SpaceWatch.Global #Lunapolitics #USA #ESA #Europe https://lnkd.in/dX5xExup

🚀 Bimonthly Space News Roundup! 🚀 🌌 Stay tuned to get insights into the latest advancements, key developments, and major milestones that are shaping the future of space exploration and technology. To learn more, check out the links below: Mario Draghi presents report on future of European Competitiveness highlighting 10 proposals to reinforce the space industrial strategy ➡ https://lnkd.in/eUYkgJXM Greek Space Agency and Greek Ministry of Digital Governance sign contract with ICEYE for the development of a Greek Observation System under the National Satellite Space Project Axis 1.2 with two ICEYE satellites ➡ https://lnkd.in/dbWrvmkE European Space Agency - ESA NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration awards 8 contracts worth up to $476 million Commercial SmallSat Data Acquisition (CSDA) Program ➡ https://lnkd.in/g__WVwvs European Commission signs a Memorandum of Understanding with Space AISBL to increase private sector involvement in the programming of Horizon Europe as of 2025 - the private sector is expected to co-invest €120 million in addition to the allocated €100 million EU-funding in topics proposed in the Space Partnership ➡ https://lnkd.in/ewGwBu3E NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) awards three-year $200 million contract to SES for the delivery of secure communication services through its 03b mPOWER constellation ➡ https://lnkd.in/e_B43QWV