T-Minus Space Daily: Lunar Gravity Simulated During Suborbital NS29 Flight

Release Date: February 5, 2025
Host: Maria Varmazis
Guest: Dr. Beth O'Leary, Space Archaeologist

Episode Overview

In this episode of T-Minus Space Daily, hosted by Maria Varmazis from N2K Networks, the spotlight is on Blue Origin's recent New Shepard NS29 mission, NASA's Viper rover moon mission proposal, and groundbreaking efforts in lunar heritage preservation spearheaded by space archaeologist Dr. Beth O'Leary. The program delves into the latest advancements in space technology, international collaborations, and the imperative of safeguarding humanity's extraterrestrial landmarks.

Space News Highlights

Blue Origin's New Shepard NS29 Mission

Blue Origin successfully launched its 29th New Shepard mission from Van Horn, Texas, on a clear morning. The suborbital flight, delayed multiple times, aimed to simulate the moon's gravity environment. Key aspects include:

• Simulated Lunar Gravity: The crew capsule utilized its reaction control system to spin at approximately 11 RPM, replicating one-sixth of Earth's gravity. (Timestamp: 01:45)
• Payloads: The mission carried 30 payloads, with 29 housed inside the capsule and one exposed to the ambient space environment. Over half were supported by NASA's Flight Opportunities Program.
• Technological Testing: The flight focused on six broad lunar technology areas:
  • In situ resource utilization
  • Dust mitigation
  • Advanced habitation systems
  • Sensors and instrumentation
  • Small spacecraft technologies
  • Entry, descent, and landing systems
• Achievements: Blue Origin reported a nominal launch and anticipated valuable data from the simulated lunar gravity tests.

Notable Quote:
"Congrats to everybody on the team on a nominal launch and we look forward to hearing the results from this testing." – Blue Origin Representative (01:45)

ViaSat's TAS Order for US Defense

ViaSat's subdivision, Inmarsat Government, secured a task order to provide satellite communication services under the Proliferated Low Earth Orbit Satellite Based Services contract. Highlights include:

• Contract Details: Part of a $3.5 million indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract awarded by the U.S. Defense Information Systems Agency.
• Services Offered: ViaSat will deliver fully managed LEO satellite-based services, including space relay services supported by GEO and NGSO satellites.
• Support: The services will cover all domains—space, air, land, maritime, and cyber—with 24/7 technical support and real-time data management.

UK Space Agency's Investment in Satellite Constellations

The UK Space Agency (UKSA) allocated £16 million to two companies to enhance the UK's stake in the satellite megaconstellation market:

• NSILICA: Received £10 million to develop novel silicon chips and software for user terminals compatible with UK and European constellations like OneWeb and Next Generation.
• Accelerate Technology: Granted £6 million to create a Small and Flexible Mobility and Autonomy Market user terminal, enabling users to select operators and orbits via an app, thus reducing costs and improving global configurability.

Notable Quote:
"Ten million pounds has been given to Oxfordshire's NSILICA... Six million pounds to Accelerate Technology based in Cardiff." – Maria Varmazis (02:00)

Thales Alenia Space Partners with UAE's Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center

Thales Alenia Space signed a cooperation agreement with the UAE's Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center to partner in the Lunar Gateway Space Station project. Key points include:

• Strategic Partnership: Thales Alenia Space will contribute to the UAE's role in the Lunar Gateway, facilitating the entry of the first Emirati astronaut into lunar orbit.
• Significance: The collaboration marks a pivotal step in international cooperation for human space exploration, emphasizing the UAE's expanding presence in space.

Notable Quote:
"This trailblazing project will usher in a new era of human space exploration, paving the way for the first Emirati Arab astronaut to enter lunar orbit." – Crown Prince of Dubai (02:30)

NASA Seeks Proposals for Viper Rover Moon Mission

NASA is inviting U.S. proposals for the Viper (Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover) mission, aiming to demonstrate the ability to search for ice on the lunar surface and collect scientific data. Key details include:

• Proposal Deadline: February 20, 2025.
• Evaluation: Responses will be assessed based on proposal instructions and evaluation criteria outlined in the show's notes.
• Expectations: NASA anticipates selecting a partnership to advance lunar volatiles science, with a decision expected in the summer.

Notable Quote:
"Viper is aiming to demonstrate US industry's ability to search for ice on the lunar surface and collect science data." – Maria Varmazis (02:15)

Interview with Dr. Beth O'Leary: Preserving Lunar Heritage

Dr. Beth O'Leary, a renowned space archaeologist and member of the International Scientific Committee on Aerospace Heritage, discusses her groundbreaking work on preserving historical sites on the moon. Her efforts are crucial as humanity ramps up lunar exploration and activity.

Origins of Lunar Heritage Preservation

Dr. O'Leary traces her journey to a pivotal question posed by a graduate student at New Mexico State University: "What's on the moon and does federal law protect it?" This inquiry led her to advocate for international agreements to safeguard significant lunar sites.

Notable Quote:
"I've been running with that question since... trying to find ways internationally, as nations concerned with heritage, to protect those significant places and artifacts on the moon." – Dr. Beth O'Leary (10:00)

Significance of Preserving Lunar Sites

The committee aims to establish criteria for evaluating and preserving lunar landmarks, such as the Apollo landing sites and early robotic missions like the USSR's Luna 2. Dr. O'Leary emphasizes the collective human heritage represented by these sites.

Notable Quote:
"Humanity has to decide these things because this is our big chance... critical and extraordinary moments in the history of humanity deserve our attention and a chance to exist in the world to the future." – Dr. Beth O'Leary (17:14)

Challenges and International Cooperation

Preserving lunar heritage requires international collaboration to develop protocols that minimize environmental impact while allowing continued exploration and tourism. Drawing parallels to Earth's preservation efforts in Antarctica, Dr. O'Leary underscores the importance of unified global standards.

Notable Quote:
"The big work starts now because it has to be international in scope... we have an opportunity to do this." – Dr. Beth O'Leary (14:08)

Call to Action for the Space Industry

Dr. O'Leary urges the space industry to integrate preservation protocols into mission planning, ensuring that advancements in space exploration do not come at the expense of humanity's shared heritage.

Notable Quote:
"How can we all use our expertise together to figure out ways to preserve what we want to preserve and to preserve things for the future?" – Dr. Beth O'Leary (15:54)

Additional Insights

Rocket Launches Around the World

Maria Varmazis shares her excitement about witnessing multiple rocket launches, highlighting the global scale of current space activities:

• SpaceX Falcon 9: Two launches from Florida.
• Blue Origin's New Shepard NS29: From Texas.
• Rocket Lab Electron: Launching from New Zealand for the IoT mission.
• Roscosmos Soyuz 2.1v Volga: Scheduled from Playtesk Cosmodrome.

Notable Quote:
"That's five launches in one day. So, hey, that's cool." – Maria Varmazis (22:19)

Space Debris and Aerospace Closures Report

A new report in Nature's Scientific Reports discusses the probability of uncontrolled space debris reentry causing aerospace closures. Findings include:

• Risk Assessment: A 26% probability of aerospace closures due to reentering space objects over high-traffic airspace regions.
• Collision Risk: Extremely low likelihood of collision with aircraft in flight.
• Implications: The study emphasizes the need for robust space debris management to ensure the safety and continuity of aerospace operations.

Notable Quote:
"There is a 26% risk of uncontrolled space debris reentry causing problems... but the risk of collision with an aircraft in flight is extremely low." – Maria Varmazis (22:43)

Conclusion

This episode of T-Minus Space Daily offers a comprehensive look into the latest developments in space missions, international collaborations, and the burgeoning field of space archaeology. Dr. Beth O'Leary's insights into lunar heritage preservation underscore the critical balance between exploration and conservation as humanity extends its footprint beyond Earth. As space activities surge globally, the coordination between technological advancements and preservation efforts becomes increasingly paramount.

For more detailed information and additional resources, visit space.n2k.com and check the show notes linked in the episode.

Produced by: Alice Carruth, Liz Stokes
Mixed by: Elliot Peltzman, Trey Hester
Executive Producer: Jennifer Ibin
Publisher: Peter Kilby
Original Music: Elliot Peltzman

This summary is designed to provide a detailed and engaging overview of the podcast episode, capturing all essential topics, notable quotes, and insights discussed.