Crew 9’s feeling fine.

Summary

T-Minus Space Daily: Crew 9’s Feeling Fine Released on March 17, 2025 by N2K Networks

Introduction In this episode of T-Minus Space Daily, host Maria Varmazes delivers a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in the global space industry. The episode delves into significant space missions, commercial space achievements, and an insightful interview with Brandon Karpf, N2K Editor Emeritus and creator of T-Minus. Karpf discusses a recent Department of Defense (DoD) directive and its implications for space cybersecurity, highlighting emerging opportunities in this critical field.

Monday Intel Briefing Maria Varmazes kicks off the episode with the Monday Intel Briefing, providing listeners with up-to-date information on various space-related activities:

International Space Station (ISS) Crew Updates: On Sunday, March 16th, SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft successfully docked with the ISS at 12:04 AM Eastern Time, bringing four Crew 10 members: NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nicole Ayers, JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov. This docking temporarily expanded the ISS crew to 11 members, facilitating a planned handover period. Maria notes, “[00:54]...ensuring continuous operations and research aboard the ISS.”
Crew 9’s Upcoming Splashdown: NASA announced live coverage for the return of Crew 9, comprising NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, alongside Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Gorbanov. The undocking is scheduled for 1:05 AM on March 18, with splashdown expected at approximately 5:57 PM the same day, a day earlier than initially planned due to favorable weather conditions. Maria explains, “[00:54]...their return ensures a seamless transition between departing and newly arrived crew members.”
Rocket Lab’s Milestones: Rocket Lab achieved a significant milestone with its 61st Electron launch, deploying the QPS SAR9 satellite for the Institute for Kyushu Pioneers of Space (IQPS). This mission is part of a broader initiative to establish a constellation of up to 36 synthetic aperture radar satellites, enhancing all-weather, day-and-night Earth observation capabilities.

Additionally, Rocket Lab is preparing for the Hi5 mission, set to launch on March 18 from New Zealand. This mission will deploy five Internet of Things (IoT) satellites for the French company Kinais, completing their 25-satellite constellation. Maria highlights, “[00:54]...facilitating global connectivity for IoT devices, allowing for near real-time data transmission.”

Looking ahead, Rocket Lab is collaborating with MIT on the Venus Life Finder mission, aiming to launch the first private spacecraft to Venus in 2026. The mission focuses on searching for signs of life by analyzing organic compounds in Venus's cloud layers, utilizing NASA’s HEAT (Heat Shield for Extreme Entry Environment Technology) to protect the probe during its descent.
Transporter 13 Rideshare Mission: Launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base on March 14, the Transporter 13 mission deployed 74 payloads. Key missions include:
- Firesat Protoflight Satellite: Developed by Google Research, Muon Space, and the Earth Fire Alliance, Firesat is designed to detect wildfires as small as 5 by 5 meters. The full constellation of over 50 satellites will provide global high-resolution imagery updated every 20 minutes, enhancing wildfire response and mitigation efforts.
- SAR Satellite Technology: ISI launched four new satellites featuring Generation 4 technology with radar antennas twice the size of previous models, improving image quality and expanding coverage capabilities for natural disaster response and national security missions.
- LISISAT 3 Deployment: CITA Space successfully deployed LISISAT 3 into low Earth orbit, enabling on-orbit data processing for applications such as space situational awareness, maritime monitoring, and disaster response. The satellite's AI capabilities facilitate near real-time data analytics directly from space.
Ursa Major’s Contract and Hong Kong’s Space Initiatives: Ursa Major, a US propulsion manufacturer, secured a contract to supply chemical propulsion systems for tactical satellite bus platforms in geostationary orbit. CEO Dan Jablonski stated, “[12:29]...demonstrates the engineering rigor in propulsion systems to yield a new generation of highly maneuverable buses.”

Concurrently, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government established the Hong Kong Space Robotics and Energy Center, led by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. This center supports China’s Chang'e 8 lunar mission by developing a multifunctional lunar surface robot equipped with dual robotic arms for deploying instruments, collecting samples, and serving as a mobile charging station on the moon.

Interview with Brandon Karpf: Space Cybersecurity and DoD Directive The highlight of the episode is an in-depth conversation with Brandon Karpf, who elaborates on a recent DoD memo concerning Software Acquisition Pathways. This directive aims to implement agile processes in how the DoD acquires, develops, and fields software, particularly for space systems.

Karpf explains, “[11:31]...the DoD is adopting an agile approach to software acquisitions to allow for rapid development and iterative improvement, reducing the traditional 12-year timeline to field new software by half.” He cites the Evolve Strategic Satellite Communications Program as a case study where the implementation of agile methodologies has successfully shortened development cycles.

Cybersecurity Implications: Karpf emphasizes the cybersecurity dimension, stating, “[14:39]...the shift to software-defined warfare makes space systems prime targets for cyber attacks, with over 124 validated cyber attacks against space systems in Eastern Europe since the Viasat incident.” He discusses how agile software development can enhance the security posture of space-based telecommunications infrastructure by introducing moving target defense strategies. This approach leverages the dynamic nature of space assets to obscure network points of presence, complicating adversaries' reconnaissance efforts and enhancing resilience against cyber threats.

Maria adds, “[19:47]...security through obscurity via moving targets is a unique opportunity that only space infrastructure can provide,” underscoring the strategic advantage of integrating space-based solutions into global telecommunications networks to bolster cybersecurity.

Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost Lunar Mission Towards the episode's conclusion, Maria reports on Firefly Aerospace's successful mission with the Blue Ghost lunar lander. After 14 days of lunar surface operations, Blue Ghost downlinked 119 gigabytes of data, including 51 gigabytes of science and technology data exclusively for NASA. Firefly announced that all mission objectives were met, and the lander entered "monument mode," effectively becoming a silent witness on the Mare Crisium.

Maria shares Blue Ghost's final message:

"Mission mode change detected. Now in monument mode. Good night, friends. After exchanging our final bits of data, I will hold vigil on this spot in Mare Crisium to watch humanity's continued journey to the stars. Here I will outlast your mightiest rivers, your tallest mountains, and perhaps even your species as we know it."

The poignant farewell underscores the enduring legacy of space exploration and humanity's relentless pursuit of knowledge.

Conclusion Maria wraps up the episode by inviting listeners to engage with T-Minus Space Daily through various platforms, emphasizing the importance of staying informed about the dynamic and rapidly evolving space industry. The episode provides a rich blend of mission updates, commercial achievements, and critical discussions on cybersecurity, offering valuable insights for space industry professionals and enthusiasts alike.

Notable Quotes:

Brandon Karpf on DoD’s agile software acquisition: “[11:31]...the DoD is adopting an agile approach to software acquisitions to allow for rapid development and iterative improvement.”
On cybersecurity strategies in space: “[19:47]...security through obscurity via moving targets is a unique opportunity that only space infrastructure can provide.”
Blue Ghost’s final message: “Here I will outlast your mightiest rivers, your tallest mountains, and perhaps even your species as we know it.”

For more detailed information and additional resources discussed in this episode, visit https://space.n2k.com/.

Summary

T-Minus Space Daily: Crew 9’s Feeling Fine Released on March 17, 2025 by N2K Networks

Monday Intel Briefing Maria Varmazes kicks off the episode with the Monday Intel Briefing, providing listeners with up-to-date information on various space-related activities:

International Space Station (ISS) Crew Updates: On Sunday, March 16th, SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft successfully docked with the ISS at 12:04 AM Eastern Time, bringing four Crew 10 members: NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nicole Ayers, JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov. This docking temporarily expanded the ISS crew to 11 members, facilitating a planned handover period. Maria notes, “[00:54]...ensuring continuous operations and research aboard the ISS.”
Crew 9’s Upcoming Splashdown: NASA announced live coverage for the return of Crew 9, comprising NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, alongside Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Gorbanov. The undocking is scheduled for 1:05 AM on March 18, with splashdown expected at approximately 5:57 PM the same day, a day earlier than initially planned due to favorable weather conditions. Maria explains, “[00:54]...their return ensures a seamless transition between departing and newly arrived crew members.”
Rocket Lab’s Milestones: Rocket Lab achieved a significant milestone with its 61st Electron launch, deploying the QPS SAR9 satellite for the Institute for Kyushu Pioneers of Space (IQPS). This mission is part of a broader initiative to establish a constellation of up to 36 synthetic aperture radar satellites, enhancing all-weather, day-and-night Earth observation capabilities.

Additionally, Rocket Lab is preparing for the Hi5 mission, set to launch on March 18 from New Zealand. This mission will deploy five Internet of Things (IoT) satellites for the French company Kinais, completing their 25-satellite constellation. Maria highlights, “[00:54]...facilitating global connectivity for IoT devices, allowing for near real-time data transmission.”

Looking ahead, Rocket Lab is collaborating with MIT on the Venus Life Finder mission, aiming to launch the first private spacecraft to Venus in 2026. The mission focuses on searching for signs of life by analyzing organic compounds in Venus's cloud layers, utilizing NASA’s HEAT (Heat Shield for Extreme Entry Environment Technology) to protect the probe during its descent.
Transporter 13 Rideshare Mission: Launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base on March 14, the Transporter 13 mission deployed 74 payloads. Key missions include:
- Firesat Protoflight Satellite: Developed by Google Research, Muon Space, and the Earth Fire Alliance, Firesat is designed to detect wildfires as small as 5 by 5 meters. The full constellation of over 50 satellites will provide global high-resolution imagery updated every 20 minutes, enhancing wildfire response and mitigation efforts.
- SAR Satellite Technology: ISI launched four new satellites featuring Generation 4 technology with radar antennas twice the size of previous models, improving image quality and expanding coverage capabilities for natural disaster response and national security missions.
- LISISAT 3 Deployment: CITA Space successfully deployed LISISAT 3 into low Earth orbit, enabling on-orbit data processing for applications such as space situational awareness, maritime monitoring, and disaster response. The satellite's AI capabilities facilitate near real-time data analytics directly from space.
Ursa Major’s Contract and Hong Kong’s Space Initiatives: Ursa Major, a US propulsion manufacturer, secured a contract to supply chemical propulsion systems for tactical satellite bus platforms in geostationary orbit. CEO Dan Jablonski stated, “[12:29]...demonstrates the engineering rigor in propulsion systems to yield a new generation of highly maneuverable buses.”

Concurrently, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government established the Hong Kong Space Robotics and Energy Center, led by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. This center supports China’s Chang'e 8 lunar mission by developing a multifunctional lunar surface robot equipped with dual robotic arms for deploying instruments, collecting samples, and serving as a mobile charging station on the moon.

Maria shares Blue Ghost's final message:

"Mission mode change detected. Now in monument mode. Good night, friends. After exchanging our final bits of data, I will hold vigil on this spot in Mare Crisium to watch humanity's continued journey to the stars. Here I will outlast your mightiest rivers, your tallest mountains, and perhaps even your species as we know it."

The poignant farewell underscores the enduring legacy of space exploration and humanity's relentless pursuit of knowledge.

Notable Quotes:

Brandon Karpf on DoD’s agile software acquisition: “[11:31]...the DoD is adopting an agile approach to software acquisitions to allow for rapid development and iterative improvement.”
On cybersecurity strategies in space: “[19:47]...security through obscurity via moving targets is a unique opportunity that only space infrastructure can provide.”
Blue Ghost’s final message: “Here I will outlast your mightiest rivers, your tallest mountains, and perhaps even your species as we know it.”

For more detailed information and additional resources discussed in this episode, visit https://space.n2k.com/.

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