Buckle up, Boca Chica.

Summary

T-Minus Space Daily: "Buckle up, Boca Chica" - November 20, 2024

Host: Maria Varmazas
Guest: Agnello Violetti, Space Attaché for the Italian Embassy
Publication: N2K Networks
Podcast: T-Minus Space Daily

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1. Introduction and Overview

In this episode of T-Minus Space Daily, host Maria Varmazas delves into the latest developments in the global space industry. The episode, titled "Buckle up, Boca Chica," focuses on SpaceX's Starship progress, NASA's lunar missions, the European space sector's strategic moves, and a special interview with Agnello Violetti, highlighting Italy's burgeoning role in space exploration.

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2. SpaceX Starship's Continued Ascent

Maria opens the episode with an update on SpaceX's Starship program, emphasizing its increasing launch frequency and recent successes.

• Successful Test Flight:
  "The sixth test flight of the SpaceX Starship, Super Heavy, was no less a spectacle than its predecessors," Maria notes ([00:47]). The latest launch from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, saw the Starship reigniting one of its Raptor engines in the vacuum of space—a significant milestone.

• Booster Recovery Attempt:
  While the Starship itself achieved its goals by "softly splashing down in the Indian Ocean as planned," the attempt to catch the booster on the launch tower was aborted, resulting in a "soft splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico."

• Future Launch Plans:
  The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released new environmental guidance indicating an expected increase from six launches this year to 25 next year. Maria quotes the FAA's stance:

  "Yeah, there were six this year, but next year we're expecting 25." ([00:47])

• Environmental Impact Assessment:
  The FAA’s draft Environmental Impact Report opens for public comment until January 17, with five public meetings scheduled in early January. Maria directs listeners to the show notes for more details.

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3. NASA's Ambitious Lunar Missions

Shifting focus to NASA, Maria discusses the agency's strategic assignments to SpaceX and Blue Origin aimed at advancing sustained lunar exploration.

• Cargo Lander Missions:
  NASA is assigning new cargo lander missions to deliver critical infrastructure to the Moon.

  "The plan is for SpaceX's Starship to land a pressurized rover in the early 2020-30s, followed by a Blue Origin lander delivering a lunar habitat shortly after." ([02:30])

• Artemis Campaign Alignment:
  These missions align with NASA’s Artemis campaign goals, which seek to expand lunar exploration and pave the way for future Mars missions. Initial proposals for these demonstration missions are anticipated in early 2025, strengthening NASA’s collaborative efforts with industry and international partners.

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4. European Space Industry's Strategic Moves

Maria provides an insightful analysis of the European space sector's current landscape, highlighting the need for consolidation and increased governmental support.

• Space Tech Expo Europe:
  Highlighting events from the ongoing Space Tech Expo Europe in Bremen, Germany, Maria reports significant updates, including new funding initiatives to ensure Europe's sovereign access to space.

• Call for Industry Consolidation:
  Airbus CEO Guillaume Fori warns against Europe's fragmented approach:

  "Europe's fragmented approach hampers its ability to compete globally." ([05:15])

• Geopolitical Concerns:
  The episode touches on concerns regarding US trade policies and NATO defense spending, especially under a second Trump administration, emphasizing the urgency for Europe to bolster its defense and space industries to maintain strategic and economic autonomy.

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5. Innovations and Collaborations in the Global Space Arena

Maria covers several noteworthy innovations and collaborations shaping the future of space exploration:

• ExoLaunch's ExoTube Adapter:
  At Space Tech Expo Europe, ExoLaunch unveiled the ExoTube adapter—a modular system designed to streamline satellite launches and deployments. Compatible with CubeSats and satellites up to 500 kilograms, ExoTube is set to debut in 2026 aboard a US medium or heavy-lift rocket.

  "ExoTube enhances flexibility for satellite operators by making it easier to access launch opportunities across multiple vehicles." ([06:45])

• China's Long March 10 Rocket:
  China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. (CASC) successfully tested the payload fairing of its Long March 10 rocket. This rocket is pivotal for China's upcoming manned lunar mission, slated to land astronauts on the Moon by or before 2030.

  "This test marks an important milestone in China's plan to land astronauts on the moon by or before 2030." ([07:30])

• Elyria and ISEE Partnership:
  Elyria, a networking and laser communications technology company, partnered with ISEE to integrate space surveillance capabilities with AI-driven network routing. This collaboration aims to enhance space traffic management and operational optimization for satellite operators.

  "The solution will use AI for enhanced decision making, allowing operators to better respond to potential threats and optimize service availability." ([08:15])

• Australia's Space Metri Mission:
  Space Machines has partnered with LeoLabs for the upcoming Space Metri mission, scheduled for early 2026. This joint Australian-Indian mission focuses on space debris management and sustainable space practices, utilizing satellite servicing vehicles to inspect and track debris in low Earth orbit.

  "SpaceMetri will demonstrate a variety of space sustainability technologies using space machines." ([09:00])

• Orion Space Solutions and the US Space Force:
  Orion Space Solutions secured additional work for its Tetra 6 mission from the US Space Force's Space Systems Command. Building on the Tetra 5 contract, Tetra 6 will focus on advancing space refueling capabilities, aiming to demonstrate refueling technology in geostationary orbit by 2027.

  "With these missions, Orion aims to be the first company to demonstrate refueling capabilities in Geo." ([09:45])

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6. Special Interview: Agnello Violetti on Italy's Space Endeavors

The second half of the episode features an engaging interview with Agnello Violetti, Space Attaché for the Italian Embassy. Violetti shares insights into Italy's significant contributions to space exploration and its collaborative efforts on the international stage.

• Background and Role:
  Violetti recounts his transition from a test pilot to the space sector:

  "Before that, I've been a professional experimental test pilot. In 2017, someone in Italy decided to put me in the space sector..." ([11:37])

• Italy's Contributions to the ISS:
  "Everyone knows or should know that we have built more than 50% of the International Space Station," Violetti proudly states ([14:26]). This legacy underscores Italy's pivotal role in space manufacturing.

• Current Projects and Collaborations:
  Italy is actively involved in building habitation modules for the Moon with NASA, leveraging its expertise in pressurized models.

  "We are working with NASA to build the first habitation module on the moon." ([14:26])

• Future Missions to Mars:
  Looking ahead, Italy is developing drilling technology for Mars missions slated for 2028, demonstrating its commitment to deep space exploration.

• Facilitating International Partnerships:
  Violetti emphasizes the importance of fostering collaborations between Italian and US companies:

  "It's all about letting people know and companies know what you could offer. And this will speed up the collaboration." ([16:17])

• Showcasing Italian Capabilities:
  Highlighting Italy's strengths, Violetti mentions expertise in satellite communication, Earth observation, hyperspectral imaging, and advanced manufacturing.

  "We have some peculiar capabilities like hyperspectral that we are developing." ([17:36])

• Encouraging International Cooperation:
  Violetti concludes with a strong call for international collaboration:

  "International cooperation is a must. We can go there only together. There is no way that a single nation could be there." ([19:49])

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7. Tribute to Edwin Hubble

As the episode wraps up, Maria honors the legacy of Edwin Hubble on his birthday, reflecting on his monumental contributions to astronomy and the enduring impact of the Hubble Space Telescope.

"Hubble's discoveries, particularly his observation that the universe is expanding, changed the course of astronomy. His work laid the groundwork for the Big Bang theory and reshaped our understanding of the cosmos." ([20:29])

Maria celebrates both Hubble's scientific achievements and the ongoing success of the Hubble Space Telescope, which continues to inspire and expand our knowledge of the universe.

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Conclusion

"Buckle up, Boca Chica" offers a comprehensive look at the dynamic and evolving landscape of the global space industry. From SpaceX's ambitious Starship endeavors and NASA's lunar missions to Europe's strategic realignments and Italy's growing influence, the episode underscores the collaborative spirit driving humanity's next giant leaps in space exploration.

For more detailed insights and resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes at space.n2k.com.

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Notable Quotes:

• FAA on Starship Launches:

  "Yeah, there were six this year, but next year we're expecting 25." — Maria Varmazas ([00:47])

• Airbus CEO Guillaume Fori on European Collaboration:

  "Europe's fragmented approach hampers its ability to compete globally." — Guillaume Fori ([05:15])

• ExoLaunch on ExoTube's Flexibility:

  "ExoTube enhances flexibility for satellite operators by making it easier to access launch opportunities across multiple vehicles." ([06:45])

• Orion Space Solutions on Refueling Capabilities:

  "With these missions, Orion aims to be the first company to demonstrate refueling capabilities in Geo." ([09:45])

• Agnello Violetti on International Cooperation:

  "International cooperation is a must. We can go there only together. There is no way that a single nation could be there." ([19:49])

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This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the "Buckle up, Boca Chica" episode of T-Minus Space Daily. For the full experience and additional details, listening to the original episode is highly recommended.

Transcript

[Maria Varmazas]

You're listening to the N2K space network.

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[Maria Varmazas]

It seems almost a foregone conclusion that SpaceX's Starship is going to be launching more frequently, especially as they continue to have largely successful test flights. For example, yesterday's not that the US government operates on vibes, but the FAA's recent guidance on the environmental impact of increased Starship launches just about comes out and says, yeah, there were six this year, but next year we're expecting 25. Buckle up, Boca Chica. T minus 20 seconds to Los TDRS.

[Agnello Violetti]

To go for deploy.

[Maria Varmazas]

Roger roll. Today is 11-20-20. I'm Maria Varmazas and this is T minus Starship's sixth success. Sorta. NASA moves ahead with SpaceX and Blue Origin lunar lander missions. Airbus CEO urges the European space industry to rally. And today's guest is Agnello Violetti, space attache for the Italian Embassy, who spoke with me at last week's Beyond Earth symposium about Italy's big year in space and the growing Italian space industry. That's the second half of the show. Stay tuned. Let's dive into our Wednesday intel briefing. The sixth test flight of the SpaceX Starship, Super Heavy was no less a spectacle than its predecessors. It successfully launched yesterday from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas. There were plans to do another launch tower catch of the rocket booster, but that attempt had to be aborted and the booster instead had a soft splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico. Starship itself successfully reignited one of its Raptor engines while in the vacuum of space, which is a key testing milestone for the starship. And then the ship softly splashed down in the Indian Ocean as planned. SpaceX says this is another testing success in getting the entire Starship system fully up and running for mission use. And with those plans in mind, the future of Starship means a lot more launches of said ship, and a number of those are going to be happening from the Boca chica launch site. SpaceX is ramping up their plans to increase their Starship launches with the FAA's new draft environmental Impact Report, working under the assumption of up to 25 launches a year, with presumably 25 landings of the ship and the booster, as well as such. The new environmental assessment draft's public comment period is open from now until January 17, and there will be five public meetings in early January as well. We've got a link to the Environmental Assessment Draft in our show notes for you with more details. NASA is advancing plans for sustained lunar exploration by assigning new cargo lander missions to SpaceX and Blue Origin under their existing contracts. These missions will deliver critical infrastructure to the moon, and the plan is for SpaceX's Starship to land a pressurized rover in the early 2000-30s, followed by a Blue Origin lander, which will be delivering a lunar habitat shortly after. This move, says NASA, ensures flexibility and a steady pace of moon landings and aligns with NASA's Artemis campaign goals to expand lunar exploration and prepare for Mars. Initial proposals for these demonstration missions are expected in early 2025, solidifying NASA's collaborative efforts with industry and international partners. It's been busy in European space this week with Space Tech Expo Europe underway yesterday. We especially had a lot of updates for you from the show, notably with a lot of new funding for European launch to ensure sovereign access to space. And today, Reuters reports that European aerospace leaders are urging European governments to boost support for defense and space industries, citing growing competition from US And Chinese giants. Specifically, Airbus CEO Guillaume Fori called for industry consolidation, warning that Europe's fragmented approach hampers its ability to compete globally. Underlying Faure's comments and much of the action in European space are concerns over US Trade policy and NATO defense spending under a second Trump administration. Industry leaders argue that stronger collaboration and scaled investment are vital for Europe to maintain strategic and economic autonomy in both space and defense. Speaking of Space Tech Expo Europe in Bremen, Germany, this next story is fresh off the expo floor and is an exclusive from Space News. At the show, German launch provider ExoLaunch unveiled its ExoTube adapter, a modular system designed to streamline satellite launches and deployments. Exotube is compatible with cubesats as well as satellites up to 500 kilograms. It'll debut in 2026 aboard a US medium or heavy lift rocket. With six constellation launches already contracted. Exolaunch says Exotube enhances flexibility for satellite operators by making it easier to access launch opportunities across multiple vehicles. And this all comes as demand for rideshare launches outpaces supply with SpaceX's transporter program already fully booked through 2025. Exotubes design includes a hexagonal base and cameras to capture deployment footage, making it a game changer, says Exolaunch for efficient satellite launches. China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. Or casc, has completed a crucial test on the payload fairing of its long March 10 rocket, which will play a key role in China's upcoming manned lunar mission, according to a release from the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology. Engineers tested the fairing's design separation mechanisms and overall performance, and the results confirmed the fairing's reliability for future missions. The Long March 10 rocket, by the way, is set to debut soon and will carry heavy payloads to the moon and is also expected to launch both a crewed spacecraft and a lunar landing module. So this test marks an important milestone in China's plan to land astronauts on the moon by or before 2030. Elyria, a networking and laser communications technology company, has partnered with space domain and situational awareness company ISEE. This alliance combines ISEE's space surveillance capabilities with Elyria's AI driven network routing software to offer satellite operators a comprehensive solution for traffic management, asset protection and operational optimization, the two companies say. This collaboration focuses on integrating ICs in orbit monitoring technology into Olyria's space time platform, which will enable improved space traffic management and more efficient constellation operations. The solution will use AI for enhanced decision making, allowing operators to better respond to potential threats and optimize service availability. By joining forces, Elyria and ISEE aim to deliver advanced, cost efficient space domain awareness and network management solutions to both commercial and government customers. Australia's Space Machines company has tapped LeoLabs to provide mission support for its upcoming Space Metri mission, which is slated for launch in early 2026. Leo Labs will assist with mission planning, launch support and safety of flight tracking throughout the mission's life cycle. Now SpaceMetri is a joint Australian Indian mission funded by the Australian Space Agency, and its goal is to advance space debris management and promote sustainable space practices. SpaceMetri will demonstrate a variety of space sustainability technologies using space machines. Companies Optimus Orbital servicing Vehicle, which will be launched into low earth orbit by India's NuSpace India Limited during the mission, space machine companies Optimus will perform a series of maneuvers to inspect and track space debris, and LEO Labs will provide debris tracking, risk mitigation and maneuver planning services. Orion Space Solutions has been awarded additional work from the US Space Force's Space Systems Command to support its Tetra 6 mission, and this extends Orion's previous Tetra 5 contract and will focus on advancing space refueling capabilities. This new Tetra 6 mission will demonstrate a new refueling technology expanding on capabilities developed for the Tetra 5 spacecraft. Orion's Tetra 6 smallsat prototype is currently in development and is scheduled for launch in 2027, two years after Tetra 5. Both missions will operate in geostationary orbit for at least two years, and with these missions, Orion aims to be the first company to demonstrate refueling capabilities in Geo and that is it for our Intel Briefing for this Wednesday. As always, further reading in the Show Notes for your edification and delight or over at space.n2k.com hey t minus crew. If you find this podcast useful, please do us a favor and share a five star rating and a short review in your favorite podcast app That'll help other space professionals like you to find the show and join the T minus crew.

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[Maria Varmazas]

Our guest interview today is with Agnello Violetti, Space Attache for the Italian Embassy and I caught up with him at the Beyond Earth Symposium. Here is some of that conversation.

[Agnello Violetti]

Okay, my name is Aniello Violetti. Everyone knows me Nello in the space sector. I'm the space attachee at Embassy of Italy and I've been working at Embassy of Italy since July 2021. Before that I've been a professional experimental test pilot in Master my career. In 2017 someone in Italy decided to put me in the space sector and basically I can tell you something that I didn't want to. I said no, I don't like space. And that's that was my starting point because they said well you are a Colonial Air Force so you need, you know we are ordering you, we are not asking, it's just in order. So I said okay, let's open this office or open an office in the Air Force. We started this new strategy in the Air Force and basically I can tell you I like since that time I really understood what space is about and I really am enjoying since then being in space and working in space. I started with suborbital flights because it was very close to what I was doing before as test pilot and then I start to just climb up a little bit up to the satellites and then moon and then Mars. Then in 2019 I was picked up by the government. So I worked for the Prime Minister in the office of the military Council as a council for space at the government. And I was pushing for Artemis Accords. I was really the one that. I really thought that going to the moon was the next step for humanity. So we created this actually we were in the first signatories of the first group of nation that signed the Artemis Accords. And this was my starting point to come here because then they opened this new position and they said from Italian government we would like to have you actually to open a position in the US as. So I won this kind of national call and since July 2021 I'm here. So that's a little bit my career.

[Interview Host]

My goodness. Well, thank you for speaking with me. I really appreciate it. Italy is doing so much in space and it is such a manufacturing powerhouse, especially in the space sector, I guess. What are you most excited about? About what Italy is building for space right now?

[Agnello Violetti]

Well, you know, I think everyone knows or should know that we have built more than 50% of space station, International Space station. So that was a good. It's a very good heritage that we are keeping more and starting from there. Basically we are, as I said yesterday, we are already building the first two models of Axiom space. So we're really involved in the CLD business. And we are working with Axiom first. But not only with Axiom, we are like working with other major player in the low Earth orbit. And as I said, we are like working with NASA to build the first habitation module on the moon. So we are really actually we are taking advantage of our heritage on pressurized model. Being the first to try to put men and women on the moon and to start this new era. And then what, you know, maybe next on the Mars. Actually we are already working for some drilling technology for Mars from 2028 in Exmark mission. And you know, we are trying to be as much as we can to create a new, you know, to support this new approach to the moon and Mars.

[Interview Host]

That's fantastic. And one thing that I love following in the news about new deals happening, working with the Italian space sector, how international the collaborations are with the powerhouse that is Italy. So many different nations working with Italy on furthering their space missions. It's just very exciting to see right now since we're focusing on the United States. For folks in the commercial sector in the United States, how can they better work with Italy? What's your advice or guidance on that?

[Agnello Violetti]

That's really interesting question. Basically, it's one of my main, I would say area of competence is here. I'm trying to reinforce the Barada collaboration from a commercial point of view. So I'm trying to, you know, the biggest difficulty that I've seen here to create this collaboration is letting the US ecosystem know what Italy could offer to them sometime. It's all about letting people know and company know and government know what you could offer. And this will speed up for sure. The collaboration, in fact. Yes. Just for example, we started three years ago and now in December we have the third diction of the space day at RMBA single. The idea is taking the companies, Italian companies here and let them show what they do. Kind of little symposium with exhibition to have the possibility to have all the US companies, Italian companies, get connections. So it's like, you know, it's all about knowing what you can do.

[Interview Host]

Well, I was going to say, since I have you here, tell me a bit about like what can the Italian companies do?

[Maria Varmazas]

Let's show off a little bit.

[Agnello Violetti]

Well, as I said, we can, you know, build pressurized model for sure. Yes, but we are really good also in the satellite communication we are building. We are very good in Earth observation. We have some peculiar capabilities like hyperspectral that we are developing. And I think US companies are really interested in that one. Yes, there is a huge, you know, willing to understand how we could cooperate in Earth observation. For example, we have many research centers that are doing a lot of astrophysics. So we are really good if we have this huge cooperation between NASA and enaf. It's like Astrophysical center on, it's called, I don't remember the name, but anyway, Deep Exploration Observatory. So from using our optics and our satellites in combination with NASA. Yeah, pretty much like everything you can think in space because we could support. I mean it's like we have more than 200 companies that are willing to work with us. And as you said, we're very good in manufacturing. But something that I'm trying to do to take like in the US business, the non US companies, like for example, we can use our automotive competencies, you know, we have very nice brand in the world. I know, but it's not only brand, it's like the technology and the knowledge we have the knowledge that we can use this knowledge and share with space companies to build something for the future. Yes, that's what I'm trying to do.

[Interview Host]

Like at the iac we saw Prada and the space suit. I mean that huge, I mean that made humongous headlines And I loved that. As an example of that beautiful competency.

[Agnello Violetti]

Crossword I call contaminational space. No kidding. It's a non us space companies into space companies.

[Maria Varmazas]

I love that.

[Interview Host]

But it's good contamination.

[Maria Varmazas]

It's good contamination.

[Interview Host]

Since I have you here, anything else you want to let our audience know? I just want to make sure I sort of give you the last word. Anything you want to leave our audience with?

[Agnello Violetti]

Yeah, I just would like to say that we are here to support barrier for academic, Italian government, Italian companies, Italian ecosystem is ready to start this journey to moon and Mars and starting from low Earth orbit. So, you know, international cooperation is a must. We can go there only together. There is no way that a single nation could be there. And we are here to build the future.

[Maria Varmazas]

We'll be right back. Welcome back. As we close out today's show, I wanted to take a moment to celebrate the birthday of Edwin Hubble, born November 20, 1889. For many of us in the space field, Hubble's work has been a source of inspiration, both the person and the telescope named after him. I know I was especially captivated by the Hubble Space Telescope as a little nerdlet. All the stunning images that it captured of distant galaxies and nebulae, like, you know, the pillars of creation. It sparked my curiosity about the universe and helped set me on the path to where I am today. Now, going back to the man himself, Hubble's discoveries, particularly his observation that the universe is expanding, changed the course of astronomy. His work laid the groundwork for the Big Bang theory and reshaped our understanding of the cosmos. You know, no big deal. And while we've seen even more breathtaking images and made incredible advances since the Hubble Space Telescope's launch in 1990 and certainly since Webb's launch just a few years ago, Hubble's legacy remains foundational. And of course, the Hubble Space Telescope itself is still very much operational. Its groundbreaking work is a fitting tribute to the man whose contributions continue to expand our horizons even as we look beyond Hubble to the future of space exploration. Nonetheless, happy birthday, Edwin Hubble. And that's it for T minus from November 20, 2024, brought to you by N2K CyberWire. For additional resources from today's report, check out our show [e-mail] we'd love to know what you think of this podcast. You can email [e-mail] or submit the survey in the show Notes. Your feedback ensures we deliver the information that keeps you a step ahead in the rapidly changing space industry. N2K strategic workforce intelligence optimizes the value of your biggest investment. Your people. We make you smarter about your team while making your team smarter. This episode was produced by Alice Carruth. Our associate producer is Liz Stokes. We're mixed by Elliot Peltzman and Trey Hester, with original music by Elliot Peltzman. Our executive producer is Jennifer Iban. Our executive editor is Brandon Karpf. Simone Petrella is our president. Peter Kilpie is our publisher. And I am your host, Maria Varmazas. Thanks for listening. We'll see you next time. T minus.