T-Minus Space Daily: Episode Summary - "Jared Isaacman to Lead NASA"

Release Date: December 4, 2024

N2K Networks presents "T-Minus Space Daily," the essential daily space intelligence and analysis trusted by global space industry leaders and experts. This episode delves into significant developments in the space sector, including the groundbreaking nomination of Jared Isaacman to lead NASA, strategic financial moves by the European Investment Bank, advancements by private space companies, and an inspiring interview with Nicolina Elric, Scotland's first woman in space.

1. Major News

a. Jared Isaacman Nominated to Lead NASA

Timestamp: [01:00]

In a historic move signaling the evolving landscape of space leadership, billionaire private astronaut Jared Isaacman has been nominated by incoming U.S. President Donald Trump to head NASA. This appointment marks the first time a private astronaut would lead the U.S. Space Agency, breaking the precedent of former NASA astronauts like Bolden and Nelson ascending to top positions.

• Nomination Details:

  • Announcement: Made via Trump's social media channels.
  • Role: Oversee NASA's approximately $25 billion budget and steer ambitious projects like the Artemis program, aiming to return humans to the Moon.
  • Isaacman's Statement: "Having been fortunate to see our amazing planet from space, I am passionate about America leading the most incredible adventure in human history. It is the honor of a lifetime to serve in this role and to work alongside NASA's extraordinary team to realize our shared dreams of exploration and discovery." [05:30]

• Potential Implications:

  • Hubble Rescue Mission: Speculation arises that Isaacman might revive his personally bankrolled mission to rescue the Hubble Space Telescope.
  • Vision for NASA: Emphasis on discovery, inspiration, and groundbreaking achievements in space science and technology.

b. European Investment Bank (EIB) Supports Orbex

Timestamp: [07:15]

The European Investment Bank has approved a substantial €30 million loan to Orbex, a satellite company, to co-finance the deployment of its Constellation—a network of over 100 Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites dedicated to providing Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity globally.

• Project Goals:

  • Connectivity for the EU: Enhance the European Union's space-based connectivity infrastructure.
  • Applications: Asset monitoring in agriculture, livestock management, fisheries, maritime activities, protected area management, fire control, and environmental monitoring.

• EIB Vice President Robert DeGroote's Statement:

  • "This loan underscores our commitment to innovation and development within the European space sector, supporting the digital transition and contributing to the EU's strategic autonomy in space and global connectivity." [12:00]

c. Orbex Relocates Launch Operations to Saxevird

Timestamp: [09:40]

Orbex has announced a strategic move, relocating its launch operations from Sutherland to Saxevird in Shetland. This decision halts the construction of its own spaceport in Sutherland, redirecting funds towards developing the Proxima, a new medium-sized launch vehicle.

• Reasoning:
  • European Launcher Challenge: The relocation positions Orbex to better compete in the European Space Agency's competition aimed at enhancing European launch capabilities.
  • Future Contracts: Aims to service both institutional and commercial satellite launch contracts more effectively.

d. ESA's Eclipse Making Proba 3 Mission Launch Update

Timestamp: [11:25]

The European Space Agency's (ESA) Eclipse Making Proba 3 mission is on the brink of launch, scheduled for December 5, pending resolution of an anomaly in the satellite's propulsion system.

• Anomaly Details:

  • Component Affected: Redundant propulsion system of the Coronagraph spacecraft, crucial for attitude and orbit control.
  • Solution: NASA's ESEC center at Radio Belgium is evaluating a software fix to proceed with the launch.

• Launch Details:

  • Date & Time: December 5, 10:34 GMT / 16:04 local time.
  • Launch Vehicle: PSLV XL rocket from Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota, India.

e. Sierra Space Secures New Manufacturing Agreements

Timestamp: [14:00]

Sierra Space has entered into two significant Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with Astral Materials and the U.S. subsidiary of Space Forge to advance semiconductor manufacturing in microgravity environments aboard Low Earth Orbit (LEO) missions.

• Collaborations:

  • With Astral Materials:

    • Focus: Development of advanced materials and semiconductor payloads for Sierra Space's Dream Chaser spaceplane.
    • Activities: Payload logistics, design, development, installation, and integration.

  • With Space Forge:

    • Focus: Research and development, and proof of concept missions related to semiconductor technologies.
    • Objective: Enable in-space manufacturing capabilities.

f. Revada Networks Wins US Navy Contract

Timestamp: [16:20]

Revada Networks has been awarded a Virtual Network Operator (VNO) contract by the U.S. Navy to support mission-critical government communications via its Oternet satellite constellation.

• Contract Highlights:
  • Phase One: Joint engineering cooperation to design a virtual network architecture tailored to the Navy's requirements.
  • New Subsidiary: Formation of Rivada Secure Services, a dedicated entity to address U.S. government and defense communication needs, based in the Washington, D.C. area.

g. UMBRA Secures Stage 3 of NRO's Commercial Radar Capabilities Contract

Timestamp: [17:05]

UMBRA has been awarded the Stage 3 option of the National Reconnaissance Office's (NRO) Commercial Radar Capabilities contract, part of the NRO's Strategic Commercial Enhancements Initiative.

• Focus Areas:
  • Scaling SAR Data Delivery: Enhance Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data provision to the U.S. government.
  • Applications: Disaster response, environmental monitoring, and crisis management.

h. Parsons and Globalstar Forge New Partnership

Timestamp: [18:45]

Parsons Corporation and Globalstar have announced a new partnership aimed at supporting the public, government, and defense sectors through resilient and diverse communication protocols.

• Demonstrations:

  • Software-Defined Satellite Communications: Showcased using Globalstar's LEO satellite constellation.

• Purpose: Ensure robust communication solutions capable of meeting a wide range of operational needs across various sectors.

i. Altair and Auburn University Collaborate on AFWERX Contract

Timestamp: [19:30]

Altair and Auburn University's Samuel Ginn College of Engineering are teaming up on a $1.25 million AFWERX Phase 2 CIDR contract to tackle aerospace engineering challenges.

• Project Goals:
  • Develop Analytical Models: Focus on cyclonic flows and vortex engine stability.
  • Construct Computational Models: Address aerodynamic and structural stability issues in aerospace applications.

2. Guest Interview: Nicolina Elric, Scotland's First Woman in Space

Timestamp: [11:01 - 23:14]

In this episode, host Maria Varmazas interviews Nicolina Elric, the first Scottish woman to journey into space aboard the Blue Origin NS26 mission. Nicolina shares her remarkable journey from a challenging childhood to becoming an astronaut and her transformative spaceflight experience.

a. Nicolina's Background and Path to Space

• Early Life Challenges:

  • Family Struggles: Grew up in Scotland with an alcoholic mother and an absentee father.
  • Resilience: "I'm a survivor and I saw education as my way out." [11:20]

• Entrepreneurial Spirit:

  • Early Ventures: Started as an entrepreneur at age five, undertaking various jobs from delivering papers to setting up a company making jello shots.
  • Career Shifts: Pivoted from programming and investments to construction and real estate, and eventually into the space sector through consulting.

b. The Spaceflight Experience

• Pre-Flight Preparation:

  • Training: Trained in Russia with cosmonauts and experienced multiple zero-gravity simulations.
  • Mental Preparation: "We sat there just really fine-tuned together." [12:30]

• Launch and Ascent:

  • Initial Moments: Describes the intense sensations and visuals during launch. "When it goes 3, 2, 1... you're going almost 4,000 kilometers an hour and you're pinned down so hard." [13:15]
  • Onset of Space: "You see debris just flying everywhere. But soon it stabilizes, and you're in space." [13:45]

• Floating in Space:

  • First Impressions: "The view was magnetizing... a beautiful, shiny, effervescent black." [15:00]
  • Activities: Took selfies and GoPro footage, yearning to immerse herself in the space environment. "I wanted to immerse myself... glue to the window." [16:20]

• Emotional Impact:

  • Connection to Earth: "I saw the fragility of our planet and felt a profound need to help Mother Earth." [17:30]
  • Crew Dynamics: Highlighted the diversity and unity of the crew. "We worked so well together. That's the beauty of space." [19:05]

• Post-Flight Reflections:

  • Personal Transformation: Struggles to reintegrate into Earth's complex social dynamics. "It was hard to bring myself back into how the world just evolves and the hate and the anger." [20:10]
  • Future Aspirations: Focused on inspiring and educating children to foster a more harmonious and peaceful world. "If you encourage children, they'll be better people, and there will be less war." [21:00]

c. Upcoming Projects and Publications

• Book Announcement:
  • Title: "Grit Diamond Stars"
  • Content: Chronicles her life from overcoming trauma to achieving her dream of spaceflight.
  • Release Plans: Delayed to next summer due to legal revisions excluding certain individuals. "Hopefully it'll be a summer read next year." [22:15]

3. Outreach Initiative: Crunch Labs and Redwire's Sat Gus Mission

Timestamp: [20:15 - 23:14]

The episode highlights an exciting STEM outreach project in collaboration with YouTuber and ex-NASA engineer Mark Rober and his company, Crunch Labs. Partnering with Redwire, they introduce the Sat Gus mission, an interactive project aiming to inspire the next generation of engineers.

• Mission Overview:

  • Space Selfies: Participants can upload selfies to spaceselfie.com, which will be displayed on a Google Pixel phone aboard a satellite.
  • Interactive Element: Utilizing Redwire's camera technology, HDR photos of the phone against Earth's backdrop will be retaken and sent back to participants.
  • Unique Feature: Users can request their selfie to be taken when the satellite is overhead their location, allowing them to appear twice in their photo.

• Launch Details:

  • Launch Vehicle: SpaceX Falcon 9, Transporter 12 rideshare mission.
  • Launch Window: January 2025.

• Participation:

  • Eligibility: Free for Crunch Labs, T-Mobile, and Google Pixel customers.
  • Support Option: Non-participants can donate $30 to sponsor a robotics kit for underserved engineering students globally.

• Project Goals:

  • Engagement: Encourage children and teens interested in science and technology to pursue engineering.
  • Support: Provide resources and inspiration to aspiring engineers, particularly those from underserved communities.

• Host's Note: "This is a viral stunt, but it's a pretty cool one for a STEM outreach project, and part of its goal is to support underserved engineering students globally." [21:50]

4. Conclusion

T-Minus Space Daily delivers a comprehensive overview of pivotal developments in the space industry, from leadership changes and strategic financial investments to groundbreaking missions and inspiring personal stories. The episode not only informs listeners about the latest happenings but also underscores the human element and future aspirations driving the space frontier.

Notable Contributors:

• Host: Maria Varmazas
• Guest: Nicolina Elric, First Scottish Woman in Space
• Production Team: Alice Carruth (Producer), Liz Stokes (Associate Producer), Elliot Peltzman & Trey Hester (Mixing), Jennifer Iban (Executive Producer), Brandon Karp (Executive Editor), Simone Petrella (President), Peter Kilby (Publisher)

For more details and to access further reading on today's stories, visit the show notes.

Thank you for tuning into T-Minus Space Daily. Stay informed and inspired as we continue to explore the boundless possibilities of space.