NASA hits pause on working groups. - T-Minus Space Daily

Summary

T-Minus Space Daily: NASA Hits Pause on Working Groups Hosted by N2K Networks | Release Date: February 3, 2025

Intelligence Briefing

Teledyne Technologies Acquires Excelitas Technologies' Aerospace and Defense Business

Teledyne Technologies has successfully completed its acquisition of select aerospace and defense electronics businesses from Excelitas Technologies Corporation in a deal valued at approximately $710 million. This strategic move includes the acquisition of the optical systems division under the Kyoptic brand, based in North Wales, UK, as well as the advanced electronic systems business in the United States. These units will be integrated into Teledyne's aerospace and defense electronics segment and will operate under the new name, Teledyne Kyoptic. This acquisition aims to strengthen Teledyne’s position in the aerospace sector by enhancing its portfolio with advanced optical and electronic systems.

Sierra Space Achieves Milestone with Dream Chaser Spaceplane

Sierra Space has reported a significant achievement in collaboration with NASA by successfully completing and passing its Joint Test 10B milestone for the Dream Chaser spaceplane. This milestone demonstrated Dream Chaser’s capabilities, including its ability to power on-air, cool, and exchange data with multiple powered payloads within its pressurized cabin. According to Sierra Space, “This is an important progression towards Dream Chaser's planned mission to resupply the International Space Station,” highlighting the spacecraft's readiness to support ISS resupply missions. The successful test confirmed that Dream Chaser can accommodate various payloads, maintain necessary environmental conditions, and ensure seamless data exchange between Sierra's mission control in Louisville, Colorado, and NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

China Advances Space Technology with New Power Unit Testing

The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has completed in-orbit testing of a new power switch and converter device aboard China’s Tiangong Space Station. This device, built with third-generation semiconductor materials, specifically silicon carbide (SiC), demonstrates impressive capabilities such as operating at higher temperatures, withstanding higher voltages, and improving power density. CAS reported that the unit achieves an efficiency of 95%, a significant improvement over the traditional silicon devices’ 85% efficiency. This advancement is expected to enhance power systems in electric vehicles and aerospace devices, playing a crucial role in powering future Chinese missions, including deep space exploration endeavors.

Russia and Belarus Complete Year-Long Analog Astronaut Mission

The Russian Academy of Sciences, through the Institute of Biomedical Problems (IBMP), has successfully concluded the Sirius 23 mission—a 366-day analog astronaut experiment involving six crew members from Russia and Belarus. This long-term biomedical isolation experiment aimed to address challenges related to extended space missions, such as isolation effects, resource scarcity, and physiological stress. “Russia says the mission will aid in solving the challenges of isolation, resource scarcity, and physiological stress expected during future missions,” notes the mission's significance in preparing for prolonged human space exploration.

NASA Pauses Analyst and Assessment Groups Amid Policy Review

In response to recent political developments in the United States, NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, led by Kathleen van der Kaden, has issued a memorandum pausing all activities of Planetary Science analysis and assessment groups (AGs). The memo states, “NASA continues to review and ensure compliance with Presidential actions,” and requests the temporary halt of all meetings and activities within these groups. It is important to note that these affected groups are not formal advisory committees governed by the Federal Advisory Committee Act but play a role in providing findings about NASA’s Astrophysics and Planetary Science programs. This pause comes amidst broader federal agency adjustments, including the revocation of DEI initiatives and hiring freezes, indicating significant shifts in the agency’s operational focus and governance.

Ask Aegis Space Law: Navigating US Space Industry Regulations

Introduction to Space Law with Bailey Reichelt and Jack Shelton

Maria Varmazes introduces the first installment of the monthly "Ask Aegis Space Law" segment featuring Bailey Reichelt and Jack Shelton from Aegis Space Law. This segment is designed to address frequently asked questions from space companies regarding the legal landscape of the United States space industry, offering valuable insights for both startups and established entities.

Q&A: Foreign Companies Entering the US Space Market

A representative from a foreign space company posed several critical questions about establishing a footprint in the US market. The discussion highlighted three primary motivations for foreign companies to set up operations in the United States:

Sales Presence:
- Jack Shelton explains, “Sometimes [US companies] just feel more comfortable dealing with a US Domestic company,” which leads foreign firms to establish an LLC in the US to facilitate sales, even though it’s not strictly necessary.
Funding Opportunities:
- For companies seeking investment, especially venture capital, setting up a Delaware C Corporation is often recommended. Shelton notes, “Delaware C Corp is what investors are familiar with,” making it easier to attract US-based investors.
Government Contracts:
- Accessing US government contracts, such as SBIR and STTR programs, requires a US-based entity with more than 50% US ownership. Shelton states, “These are small business innovation and research and small business technology transfer arrangements,” which necessitate specific structuring.

Investment Considerations for Foreign Entities

Bailey Reichelt inquires about the necessity of relocating to the US to secure investment. Shelton clarifies, “We've certainly seen foreign companies getting US Investments,” but also acknowledges that some investors may prefer or require a US-based entity, potentially limiting opportunities for foreign firms.

Export Controls and Compliance

Another critical aspect discussed is compliance with US export controls, especially regarding sensitive space technology. Shelton warns, “A lot of space technology is restricted under the ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) and the EAR (Export Administration Regulations),” which restrict sharing technology with foreign persons without proper licensing. This requires companies to implement strict procedures to determine licensing needs and may necessitate licensing foreign employees to handle sensitive technology.

Establishing a US Entity: Timelines and Costs

When asked about the timelines and costs associated with setting up a US entity, Shelton provides the following insights:

Setting Up an LLC: “In Colorado, for example, [it] can be done in 15 minutes online,” but establishing governance structures and ensuring US ownership may take “a month or two.”
CMMC Compliance: For companies dealing with the Department of Defense, achieving Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) can be time-consuming, potentially taking up to a year.

Conclusion and Strategic Considerations

Bailey Reichelt emphasizes the complexity and long-term nature of establishing a presence in the US market, stating, “This is not something we're going to get spun up in a week. It's something we really need to think about as part of a broader strategy for our business and our growth plan.”

Jack Shelton concludes by encouraging listeners to reach out with further questions, reinforcing the ongoing support Aegis Space Law provides to space industry businesses navigating legal challenges.

Additional News

Near-Earth Asteroid 2024 YR4 Poses Low Impact Risk

Maria Varmazes reports on recent updates from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory regarding asteroid 2024 YR4. Initial assessments indicated a 1.6% chance of an impactful airburst event on December 22, 2032, comparable to the 1908 Tunguska event that devastated millions of trees in Siberia. Despite these findings, experts advise against panic as ongoing observations predict the asteroid will likely miss Earth, with a close flyby expected in 2028. “Chances are, as asteroid 2024 YR4 continues on its merry way, the likelihood of it making any kind of impact with Earth will approach zero,” Varmazes concludes, urging calm and continued monitoring by planetary defense teams.

Conclusion

In this episode of T-Minus Space Daily, N2K Networks delivers a comprehensive overview of significant developments in the global space industry, including major acquisitions, technological advancements, and strategic pauses within US space agencies. The introduction of the "Ask Aegis Space Law" segment provides invaluable legal insights for space companies considering expansion into the US market, addressing critical issues such as entity formation, investment, and compliance with export controls. Additionally, the episode touches on planetary defense efforts regarding near-Earth objects, underscoring the multifaceted nature of today’s space intelligence and analysis.

For more detailed information and ongoing updates, listeners are encouraged to visit N2K Networks and follow their LinkedIn and Instagram channels for daily insights and event coverage.

Notable Quotes:

Jack Shelton at [01:43]: “NASA continues to review and ensure compliance with Presidential actions.”
Maria Varmazes at [11:02]: “Bailey Reichelt and Jack Shelton from Aegis Space Law will be walking us through some of the frequently asked questions...”
Jack Shelton at [12:55]: “It's really as far as I can think of right now.”
Bailey Reichelt at [18:58]: “This is not something we're going to get spun up in a week. It's something we really need to think about as part of a broader strategy for our business and our growth plan.”
Maria Varmazes at [21:24]: “…Asteroid 2024 YR4 has a 1% chance of impacting Earth eight years from now.”

For Further Information: Check out the show notes for links to all mentioned stories, additional resources, and opportunities to engage with the T-Minus crew on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Transcript

Maria Varmazes (0:01)

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Maria Varmazes (1:27)

I'm Maria Varmazes and this is T minus.

Jack Shelton (1:32)

T minus 20 seconds to lo.

Maria Varmazes (1:43)

Teledyne Technologies completes its $710 million acquisition of Excelitas Technologies aerospace and defense business. Sierra Space successfully completed and passed its joint test 10 beam milestone in collaboration with NASA on the Dream Chaser space plane. China completes in orbit testing of a new power unit. A six person CRE from Russia and Belarus have completed a 366 day analog astronaut mission. The US space agency has paused all analyst and assessment group's work to review and ensure compliance with presidential actions. Today will be the first installment of the monthly Ask Aegis Space Law segment. Bailey Reichelt and Jack Shelton from Aegis Space Law will be walking us through some of the frequently asked questions that space companies have when it comes to the laws of working here in the United States space industry. They're providing fascinating insights for both startups and established space companies. So join us after today's headlines. Happy Monday, everybody. Hopefully it's back to business as usual for most of you that joined us in Florida last week for Commercial Space Week. I'm looking forward to sharing some of the chats that we captured in spacecom in the coming weeks. Now onto today's intelligence briefing. If you've been paying attention to what's going on in United States politics over the last two weeks, then I'm sure, like me, you cannot keep up with this sheer amount of information that's being disseminated. It seems that's also the case for US Federal agencies. Not only were all DEI initiatives revoked and hiring stopped, but it seems that committees and groups are also taking a pause while they figure out what's going to happen moving Forward. At the US space agency, Kathleen van der Kaden of NASA's Science Mission Directorate sent a memo informing all colleagues that things are going to slow down for now for all analysis or assessment groups, which she refers to as ag, and the memo read this as NASA continues to review and ensure compliance with Presidential actions, we are requesting that you please pause all meetings and activities of Planetary Science analysis and assessment groups. Please make your communities aware of this request. If you are no longer the Chair of one of these AGs or AG associated groups, please let me know so I can ensure the appropriate folks receive this information. And it should be noted that the affected groups are not formal advisory committees governed by the Federal Advisory Committee act, but do provide findings about the state of NASA's Astrophysics and Planetary science programs. We're sure that a few people are being left in limbo between the pause of these groups and the resignation information that was shared last week. We will be watching closely about how NASA, NOAA and the FAA and other space related agencies navigate all the new policies coming from the White House. Meanwhile, the Russian Academy of Sciences has completed a 366 day long analog astronaut Mach Moon mission. The Institute of Biomedical Problems, also known as IBMP, conducted the year long biomedical isolation experiment called Sirius 23. The Sirius project, which stands for Scientific, International Research and Unique Terrestrial Station, launched in collaboration with NASA's Human Research Program in 2017. Previously they conducted shorter experiments lasting just 17, 120 and 240 days. But for this mission a crew of six analog astronauts from Russia and Belarus lived and worked in a sealed environment. Russia says the mission will aid in solving the challenges of isolation, resource scarcity and physiological stress expected during future missions. And China has completed the testing of a new power switch and converter device built with third generation semiconductor materials and the device was designed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, also known as cas, and was tested onboard China's Tiangong Space Station. CAS says the unit shows promise for use in electric vehicles and aerospace devices due to its ability to operate at higher temperatures, withstand higher voltage and improve power density. The power unit is a silicon carbide, or SiC device made of a chemical compound from silicon and carbon. According to CAS, the device has an efficiency of 95% which is compared to the 85% efficiency of traditional silicon devices. The device is expected to help power future Chinese missions, including deep space exploration. Back to the US now and Sierra Space successfully completed and passed its joint test 10b milestone in collaboration with NASA on the Dream Chaser spaceplane. The test demonstrated several capabilities of Dream Chaser, including its ability to power on air, cool and exchange data with multiple powered payloads inside its pressurized cabin. Sierra Space says this is an important progression towards Dream Chaser's planned mission to resupply the International Space Station. By achieving this milestone, joint test 10B confirms that dream Chaser will accommodate various payloads. It demonstrated that Sierra Space can provide power within a specific voltage range and maintain the necessary environmental requirements for payloads. It also ensured all vehicle and payload data were seen in both Sierra Space's mission control room in Louisville, Colorado and in the payload support control rooms at NASA's Marshall Space Flight center in Huntsville, Alabama. And Teledyne Technologies has completed the acquisition of select aerospace and defense electronics businesses from Accelitas Technologies Corporation. And the acquisition, which is valued at approximately $710 million, includes the optical systems business known under the Kyoptic brand based in North Wales, uk as well as the US based advanced electronic systems business. The acquired business will now be included in Teledyne's aerospace and defense electronics segment and operate under the name Teledyne Kyoptic. And that concludes today's Intel Briefing. In addition to links to all the stories that I've mentioned for you today, we've also included three more stories for you to read in today's Selected Reading section of the show. Notes the first covers China's deep sea AI and space autonomy. Another Announcing an MOU between Lumen Orbit and Archangel Lightworks. And today kicks off the annual meeting of the Subcommittee on the Peaceful Use of Outer Space. We've included some background on what that committee and Subcommittee plan plans to tackle over the next few weeks. Hey T minus crew, if you would like daily updates from us directly in your LinkedIn feed, be sure to follow the official N2K T minus page over on LinkedIn. And if you're more interested in the lighter side of what we do, here we are daily on Instagram and that's where we post videos and pictures from events like Commercial Space Week, by the way, excursions, and even some behind the scenes treats for you. Links to all that are in the show Notes. Hope you'll join us there.