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NewSpace News: Issue #141
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January 2017
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Softbank Invests $1 Billion Into OneWeb
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Virgin Galactic Completes First Glide Tests of
VSS Unity
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A Step Closer to Satellite Servicing
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JAXA Partnering with Newspace Companies
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) made two partnership announcements with domestic New Space companies. First, JAXA announced that it will be working with Canon Electronics, who will build the avionics for JAXA's new small satellite launch vehicle. Measuring 52cm in diameter and less than 10 meters in length, the new three-stage rocket will be an upgrade to JAXA's two-stage SS-520 sounding rocket and will be capable to launch microsatellites into orbit. Initial launch of the rocket is slated for early 2017. Second, JAXA has signed an agreement with Tokyo-based ispace Inc. (the company running the Google Lunar XPRIZE team HAKUTO) to jointly create a comprehensive plan for the space resource industry including necessary technologies and industrial value chains involving lunar resource mapping, mining, storage, delivery, sales, and utilization in space.
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Rocket Lab Qualifies First Stage Rocket
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PD Aerospace Receives Investment
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Vector Space Systems Test First Stage Engine
Vector Space Systems successfully tested their first stage engine that uses a single 3D-printed injector that was developed in partnership with NASA's Science, Technology, and Mission Directorate (STMD). Their 5,000-lbf thrust engine features a unique LOX/Propylene propellant combination. In addition to their successful test this month, Vector announced approval by the Pima County in Arizona to build a rocket factory in the area. Set to start construction in the Spring of 2017, the factory intends to manufacture the Vector-R and Vector-H vehicles on site.
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CASIS, NSF Joint Solicitation for Fluid Dynamics
The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) have allocated $1.8 million for fluid mechanics research aboard the International Space Station.
The NSF and CASIS put out a joint solicitation for proposals to test various phenomena in space including capillary flow, diffusion, and surface tension. CASIS President and Executive Director Gregory Johnson stated that, "[The] announcement with the National Science Foundation represents a major win for the ISS National Lab research community...As our Nation's most recognizable force for fundamental scientific and engineering inquiry, the National Science Foundation will help push the boundaries in fluid dynamics research using this unique innovation platform."
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NASA Research Grants and Opportunities
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Leadership Changes at SFF
Space Frontier Foundation's Executive Director Hannah Kerner has resigned, and Alexandra Hall, who is serving on the SFF's board of directors, is now serving as the interim Executive Director. Kerner has led the SFF through two of the most successful NewSpace Conferences, grew the organization's active volunteer staff, and forged relationships across the industry and internationally. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. at Arizona State University, and the NSN staff thanks her for her time and dedication as executive director for helping open up the frontier and for making SFF a fun organization to volunteer for.
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The Space Show
This month, Mike Suffredini and Amir Blachman of Axiom Space are sharing their respective
newspace
initiatives with Dr. David Livingston on
The Space Show
.
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Quick One Liners
Generation Orbit Names A.J. Piplica for CEO [Link]
Inmarsat Swaps Launches to Arianespace [Link]
Dr. Rendezvous Aborts from Antarctica [Link]
Law Extended To Protect Airspace for Launch Vehicles [Amendment] [Original Law]
Artificial Shooting Star Startup Raises $6 Million [Link]
Swiss Space Systems (S3) Delared Bankrupt [Link]
High Quality Optical Fiber to be Made In Space [Link]
Japanese ISS Cargo Ship HTV-6 Arrives at ISS [Link]
Carrie Fisher Passes Away at Age 60... May the Force Be With Her [Link]
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Cool Stuff
How To Make a SpaceX Nozzle
[Link]
Spaceport America Cup (June 20-24)
[Link]
Q: Best Company Holiday Picture Backdrop in 2016? A: Blue Origin Rocket [Link]
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Upcoming Launches
Jan 9 Jan 10 Jan 19/20 Jan 20 Jan 24 Jan 26/27 Jan 27 Jan 27/28 Jan 28
Jan TBD
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Falcon 9 SS-520-4 Atlas 5 GSLV Mk. 3 H-2A Atlas 5 PSLV Soyuz Soyuz
Long March 3B Proton Falcon 9
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Iridium Next 1-10 TRICOM 1 SBIRS GEO Flight 3 GSAT 19 DSN 2 NROL-79 Cartosat 2D Hispasat AG1 Kanopus-V-IK
TJS 2 EchoStar 21 EchoStar 23
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Anselm Wiercioch
Anand Biradar
Brandon Medina
Chris Pitts
Curtis Iwata
Goktug Karacalioglu
Jeff Smith
Miekkel Clarkson
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Project Manager
NSN Editor
NSN Editor
NSN Editor
NSN Editor
NSN Editor
NSN Editor
NSN Editor
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A project of the Space Frontier Foundation |
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