Space and aerospace events from early to mid-December, presented by Scott Manley on YouTube. Content includes:
1. **Recent Launches**:
– China, Russia, India and the United States have conducted many successful launches, including the placement of early warning satellites, marine environmental observation satellites, GPS navigation systems and many other satellites into orbit.
– In particular, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 achieved many important milestones, such as the 24th flight of a booster and the launches of Starlink satellites.
2. **Notable Developments**:
– Iran successfully launched its heaviest satellite ever.
– China continues to push forward with commercial satellite constellations and test laser communication between satellites.
3. **NASA News**:
– Jared Isaacman, a veteran of commercial spaceflight, has been tapped to head NASA. This is a surprising choice but one that is highly regarded for his management experience and passion for space.
– NASA’s SLS launch system continues to struggle financially and potential cuts are being discussed.
4. **Space projects delayed**:
– NASA’s Artemis 2 project, originally scheduled to launch in 2025, has been postponed to 2026, pushing back subsequent targets, including Artemis 3.
5. **Scottish launch facility shift**:
– Orbex moves its plans from northern Scotland to the Shetland Islands, reflecting a shift in its infrastructure deployment strategy.
**Artemis Accords**: The international agreement on the treatment of the Moon has reached 50 signatories, with Panama and Austria becoming the latest members.
**SpinLaunch**: The company is developing satellite launch technology that can withstand 10,000G accelerations. It has demonstrated how to protect components, such as batteries, with carbon fiber to prevent them from breaking under the pressure.
. **Stoke Space**: Conducting a full combustion cycle of its booster engine with methane and liquid oxygen.
**Blue Origin**: Testing the first and second stages of its New Glenn rocket. Moving toward a wet dress rehearsal, but may not launch this year.
**Ingenuity (Mars Helicopter)**: The aircraft crashed after its navigation system mistook it for soft sand. NASA unveils new six-rotor helicopter project, Chopper, for Mars.
**Solar Storm Impact**: Solar storms swell the atmosphere, increasing friction, forcing Starlink satellites to change orbits more frequently to avoid collisions.
**SpaceX**: Conducting new tests for the Starship and Super Heavy systems, along with building launch facilities in Florida and Virginia.
**Lucy Mission**: The Lucy probe has flown past Earth to increase its speed, preparing to approach Jupiter’s Trojan asteroid group in 2027.
**Starlink Direct-to-Cell**: T-Mobile opens Starlink connectivity testing program for US customers.
**Drone Issues in the US**: Many reports of drones being confused with other objects like stars or planes. A case of drones being used illegally near Vandenberg Space Base has sparked controversy.
**Year-end Festivals and Space Science**: The year-end festival season is tied to scientific events such as the Parker Solar Probe’s closest approach to the Sun.
**Kerbal Models**: SD’s Rockets produces character models and rockets from the game Kerbal Space Program as toys or decorations.
