T-Minus Space Daily: New Glenn Scheduled for Launch
Hosted by N2K Networks
Release Date: January 3, 2025
Introduction
On January 3, 2025, Maria Varmazes kicks off the latest episode of T-Minus Space Daily, delivering the day's critical updates in space intelligence and analysis. The episode highlights significant milestones in the global space industry, including Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket, ESA's expansion, Russia's historic R7 rocket launch, and more. Following the headlines, the Space Traffic Report provides a comprehensive overview of recent and upcoming launches, while concluding with a brief look at space weather forecasts.
Headline News
Blue Origin’s New Glenn Inaugural Launch
Blue Origin's highly anticipated New Glenn rocket is set for its inaugural launch on Monday, January 6th, 2025, at 1:00 AM local time from Cape Canaveral. Standing at 320 feet, New Glenn marks a significant advancement for Blue Origin, emphasizing the company's growing presence in the commercial space sector.
- Dave Lemp, CEO of Blue Origin, expressed confidence in the upcoming launch:
"All we have left to do is mate our encapsulated payload and then launch."
(Timestamp: 00:47)
Following a successful hot fire test on December 27, New Glenn's launch license was secured just before the festive period. The backup launch date is scheduled for January 7th, ensuring flexibility in Blue Origin’s ambitious timetable.
European Space Agency (ESA) Welcomes Slovenia
The European Space Agency has expanded its alliance by welcoming Slovenia as its 23rd member state. Slovenia's journey with ESA began in 2008 and has progressively deepened through various cooperation agreements, culminating in full membership.
- Maria Varmazes highlights Slovenia’s strategic move:
"Slovenia sees the membership as an opportunity for business and science and hopes it'll strengthen the country's competitiveness in the global space industry."
(Timestamp: 00:47)
This membership paves the way for establishing a Slovenian space agency by December 25, 2025, fostering advancements in both commercial and scientific space endeavors.
Russia’s Historic 2000th R7 Rocket Launch
Russia has achieved a monumental milestone with the 2000th launch of a rocket from the R7 family of boosters, also known as the Semyorka family. This achievement underscores the enduring reliability and legacy of Russia's rocket technology, dating back to the launch of Sputnik in 1957.
- Maria Varmazes commemorates the event:
"Guess the old saying, if it ain't broke, don't fix it really applies to these vehicles."
(Timestamp: 00:47)
The latest R7 rocket successfully launched a remote sensing satellite from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on Christmas Day, continuing the R7’s storied history of space exploration.
Eutelsat Restores OneWeb Service
Eutelsat has successfully restored its OneWeb low Earth orbit (LEO) constellation service after a 48-hour outage caused by a software issue within the ground segment. The rapid resolution involved collaboration with vendors and maintaining open communication with affected customers.
- Maria Varmazes reports:
"The company was fully mobilized and worked with the vendor to restore full service while maintaining a constant dialogue with affected customers."
(Timestamp: 00:47)
Eutelsat’s resilience is further demonstrated by their recent order of 100 additional satellites from Airbus, aimed at enhancing the Constellation.
Varda Space Secures FAA Reentry License
Varda Space has obtained a new FAA reentry license for its third mission, scheduled for launch in March 2025. This mission will advance pharmaceutical research and support payloads for NASA and other government partners.
- Maria Varmazes summarizes Varda’s progress:
"Varda says this flight, like the second mission, will advance pharmaceutical research as well as fly several payloads in support of NASA and other government partners."
(Timestamp: 00:47)
Space Traffic Report
Presented by Alicia Siegel
The Space Traffic Report section provides detailed insights into recent and upcoming space missions worldwide.
Recent Launches
-
Rocket Lab’s Electron – December 21, 2024
Launched Synspective’s Strix satellite into a Sun-synchronous orbit.
(Timestamp: 06:45)"Synspective's Strix satellites are synthetic Aperture Radar satellites designed to deliver imagery capable of detecting millimeter level changes to the Earth's surface from space."
-
SpaceX Falcon 9 – December 23, 2024
Deployed a batch of Starlink V2 mini and direct-to-cell satellites."The booster for this mission, B1080, was flying for a 14th time and it successfully landed on SpaceX's drone ship."
(Timestamp: 06:45) -
NASA’s Parker Solar Probe – December 24, 2024
Achieved its closest approach to the Sun, collecting invaluable data."NASA has a really interesting plan for when that time comes. Once the Parker solar probe is low on fuel, the agency plans to turn it around, exposing its instruments to the full blast of the sun, and conduct one last data gathering before it melts away and vaporizes around the Sun."
(Timestamp: 06:45) -
Roscosmos Soyuz 2.1B – December 25, 2024
Marked the 2000th launch of the R7 family, deploying Resource P5 spacecraft.
(Timestamp: 06:45) -
Kaspace Kinetica One Rocket – December 27, 2024
Experienced a third-stage failure during the Deer 3 research platform launch.
(Timestamp: 06:45) -
SpaceX Falcon 9 – December 29, 2024
Conducted two successful launches from Vandenberg and FL, including Starlink and Astranis missions."These smaller satellites... are a departure from the typical geosatellite, which is often several tons in mass."
(Timestamp: 06:45) -
Indian PSLV – December 30, 2024
Launched Spade X, India’s Space Docking Experiment, advancing rendezvous and docking technology."This test mission is key for India to be able to rehearse and gain experience with docking spacecraft while in orbit."
(Timestamp: 06:45) -
SpaceX Falcon 9 – December 31, 2024
Expanded the Starlink constellation to 7,632 satellites with the final launch of 2024."With the Starlink launches this week, the total tally of Starlink satellites launched goes up to 7,632 since the first one back in 2019."
(Timestamp: 06:45)
Upcoming Launches
-
Falcon 9 – January 4, 2025
Carrying the Thoraia 4 NGS satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit."With schedules hold, another Starlink launch could take place from neighboring space launch complex 40."
(Timestamp: 06:45) -
Blue Origin’s New Glenn – January 6, 2025
Preparations complete for the inaugural liftoff."Hazard notices are also starting to come out and all point to a potential launch as early as January 6th."
(Timestamp: 06:45) -
SpaceX Falcon 9 – January 6-7, 2025
Multiple Starlink launches scheduled from Launch Complex 39A and 40."If schedules hold, another Starlink launch could take place from neighboring space launch complex 40."
(Timestamp: 06:45) -
BepiColombo Spacecraft – January 6, 2025
Final Mercury flyby approaching in November 2026."Next week in Deep Space, we'll also have the sixth and final flyby of Mercury by the BepiColombo spacecraft."
(Timestamp: 06:45) -
Starship Block 2 – January 10, 2025
Launching the largest rocket yet, marking the seventh Starship flight."This Starship rocket will be 1.8 meters taller than five of the six previous Starships."
(Timestamp: 06:45)
Space Weather Update
Sound the Aurora Alert Klaxon
As the solar maximum officially commences, the Space Weather Prediction Center at NOAA alerts of a G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm expected over the weekend of January 4th and 5th, 2025.
- Maria Varmazes explains the phenomenon:
"A weak spot in the sun's atmosphere can make it easier for solar wind to punch its way through."
(Timestamp: 19:17)
Impacts of this geomagnetic storm include potential weak power grid fluctuations, minor satellite operation disruptions, and enhanced aurora visibility at higher latitudes, including Alaska, Canada, Northern Michigan, and Maine.
Conclusion
The episode wraps up with a reminder to check out additional resources and provides a sneak peek into the next day's special edition, T-Minus Deep Space, featuring an interview with Mark Baskinger on the Moon Ark project. Maria Varmazes signs off, encouraging listeners to share feedback and stay informed with N2K Networks.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
-
Dave Lemp, Blue Origin CEO:
"All we have left to do is mate our encapsulated payload and then launch."
(00:47) -
Maria Varmazes on ESA’s Slovenia Membership:
"Slovenia sees the membership as an opportunity for business and science and hopes it'll strengthen the country's competitiveness in the global space industry."
(00:47) -
Alicia Siegel on Synspective’s Strix Satellites:
"Synspective's Strix satellites are synthetic Aperture Radar satellites designed to deliver imagery capable of detecting millimeter level changes to the Earth's surface from space."
(06:45) -
Maria Varmazes on India's Spade X Mission:
"This test mission is key for India to be able to rehearse and gain experience with docking spacecraft while in orbit."
(06:45) -
Maria Varmazes on Solar Wind Impact:
"A weak spot in the sun's atmosphere can make it easier for solar wind to punch its way through."
(19:17)
Additional Resources
For more detailed information on the stories discussed, visit the selected reading section of the show notes. Share your feedback by rating and reviewing the podcast or participating in the survey available at space2k.com.
Produced by Alice Carruth, Associate Producer Liz Stokes, Mixed by Elliot Peltzman and Trey Hester, with original music by Elliot Peltzman. Executive Producer Jennifer Ibin, Executive Editor Brandon Karpf, Simone Petrella (President), and Peter Kielpe (Publisher).
Host: Maria Varmazes