T-Minus Space Daily: Episode "Red Horizon" Summary

Date: March 13, 2025
Host: Maria Varmazes
Guest: Alvaro Alonso Ruiz, Co-Founder and COO at Lean Space
Publisher: N2K Networks

1. Intelligence Briefing

European Space Agency’s HERA Mission for Planetary Defense

The episode kicks off with an update on the European Space Agency's (ESA) Hera mission, a pivotal project in planetary defense. Launched in October 2024, Hera has successfully utilized its payload for scientific exploration beyond Earth and the Moon. Maria Varmazes highlights the mission's achievements:

"HERA was able to image Deimos from as close as 1,000km away, it's practically next door surveying the opposite side of the tidally locked moon from the Red planet." [05:30]

Hera's trio of instruments captured stunning images of Mars and its smaller moon, Deimos, contributing valuable data to understand asteroid deflection techniques. The mission aims to make asteroid deflection a well-understood and repeatable method, following NASA's 2022 "Revenge of the Dinosaurs" asteroid impact experiment.

Space Forge’s UK In-Space Manufacturing License

Space Forge has achieved a significant milestone by securing the UK's first license for in-space advanced manufacturing. The company's Forgestar 1 satellite is set to launch later in 2025, demonstrating a scalable and returnable platform for producing high-performance semiconductor materials in orbit. Maria commends the team:

"A huge congratulations to the Space Forge team." [06:45]

Norwegian Space Agency and Isar Aerospace’s Arctic Ocean Surveillance

The Norwegian Space Agency has partnered with Isar Aerospace to launch satellites for the Arctic Ocean surveillance program. Utilizing Isar’s Spectrum launch vehicle from the Andoya Spaceport in Norway, the mission is slated for 2028. This collaboration underscores the growing focus on Earth observation and environmental monitoring.

Telespasio and Thalassalania Space’s Contribution to ESA’s Moonlight Program

Thalassalania Space has been contracted by Telespasio to develop the space segment of ESA's Moonlight program, which aims to establish a satellite constellation orbiting the Moon. This infrastructure will provide advanced communication and navigation services, enhancing lunar exploration capabilities.

NASA’s SpaceX Crew 10 Launch Update

An anticipated launch of NASA's SpaceX Crew 10 to the International Space Station was postponed due to unfavorable weather conditions. Originally scheduled for Thursday, March 13, the launch is now targeted for Friday, March 14, aligning with PI Day celebrations. Maria notes the enthusiasm surrounding the mission:

"It's a happy PI day indeed." [06:30]

2. Guest Interview: Alvaro Alonso Ruiz on Software in Space

Maria Varmazes engages in an in-depth conversation with Alvaro Alonso Ruiz, Co-Founder and COO at Lean Space, focusing on the critical need for software modernization in the space industry.

Attraction to the Space Industry and Founding Lean Space

Alvaro expresses his dual perspective on the space industry:

"On one hand, I was very inspired by all the innovation going on. And on the other hand, I was appalled by the state of software in the industry." [10:27]

He highlights the paradox where cutting-edge hardware coexists with outdated software systems, driving him to co-found Lean Space to bridge this gap.

Challenges in the Space Industry’s Software Practices

Alvaro delves into the systemic issues plaguing space software development:

"Every mission was a one-off. They were reinventing the wheel over and over again. Everything was a custom implementation." [11:12]

He contrasts traditional waterfall methodologies with modern agile practices, emphasizing the inefficiency and rigidity that hamper innovation.

Mindset and Technological Lag

Addressing the prevalent mindset, Alvaro underscores the resistance to adopting modern technologies:

"There's a lack of knowledge that actually modern software technologies reduce risk, they reduce costs, they reduce delays." [19:51]

He points out instances of legacy systems, such as satellites operating on outdated software like Windows 95, illustrating the industry's reluctance to evolve.

Solutions for Modernization

Alvaro outlines a three-pronged approach to overcoming these challenges:

1. Educate the Market:

   • Raising awareness about the benefits of modern software practices in reducing risks and costs.

2. Phased Transitions:

   • Implementing middleware layers to integrate legacy systems with cloud-based applications, facilitating gradual modernization.

3. Adopting Hybrid Cloud Approaches:

   • Embracing cloud technologies to enhance security and operational efficiency, debunking the myth that cloud solutions are inherently insecure.

"At Lean Space, for example, we have an integration platform that can connect to all the hardware, all the different legacy software systems, and you can build applications with all this data that has been centralized." [19:27]

Alvaro passionately advocates for a shift in mindset, urging industry stakeholders to embrace software-driven strategies to propel the space industry into a new era of efficiency and innovation.

3. Additional Updates

Selected Reading Links:

• Partnerships between Telesat Orange and Space Norway
• Collaborations involving SkyFi and Ursa Space
• Airtel and SpaceX's Starlink financial announcement from Spire Global

These resources provide further insights into the evolving landscape of the global space industry.

4. Astronomical Phenomenon: The Blood Moon

Concluding the episode, Maria Varmazes enlightens listeners about an upcoming total lunar eclipse, commonly referred to as a "blood moon." This celestial event will cast the Moon in a deep coppery red hue, observable from the Earth's western hemisphere. She explains the science behind the phenomenon:

"It's a phenomenon known as Rayleigh scattering. Colors of sunlight that are associated with longer wavelengths scatter less and are able to make it around the Earth to reach the moon." [23:03]

Listeners are encouraged to witness this rare event and share their observations, enriching the communal experience of astronomical events.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Alvaro Alonso Ruiz on Software Challenges:
  "What I saw is that the space industry is amazing. Especially there's this new space movement, a lot of new companies spawning, doing amazing stuff. So on the one hand, I was very inspired by all the innovation going on. And on the other hand, I was appalled by the state of software in the industry." [10:27]

• On Legacy Systems:
  "Today I know of a constellation of earth observation satellites which is operated using Windows 95. Not kidding." [16:15]

• On Modernization Needs:
  "We have an integration platform that can connect to all the hardware, all the different legacy software systems, and you can build applications with all this data that has been centralized." [19:27]

• Explaining the Blood Moon:
  "It's a phenomenon known as Rayleigh scattering. Colors of sunlight that are associated with longer wavelengths scatter less and are able to make it around the Earth to reach the moon." [23:03]

Conclusion

This episode of T-Minus Space Daily, titled "Red Horizon," provides a comprehensive overview of current developments in the space industry, from groundbreaking missions and technological advancements to critical discussions on software modernization. The insightful interview with Alvaro Alonso Ruiz sheds light on the pressing need for the space sector to evolve its software practices to keep pace with its hardware innovations. Additionally, the episode invites listeners to engage with upcoming astronomical events, fostering a deeper connection with the cosmos.

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

Produced by Alice Carruth and Liz Stokes, mixed by Elliot Peltzman and Trey Hester, with original music by Elliot Peltzman. Executive Producer: Jennifer Ibin. Publisher: Peter Kilby.