US Space Force Principles for Space Access, Lunar Comms, and Rocket Production

US Space Force Principles for Space Access

• 🇺🇸 The US Space Force has released new Principles for Space Access Resourcing Decisions to guide how it prioritizes commercial space sector requests for government resources.
• 💡 These principles are rooted in law and aim to ensure safe, reliable, and resilient access to space for national security and broader objectives.
• 🚀 The Space Force acknowledges the evolution of the space landscape, where commercial payloads now dominate launch manifests, and emphasizes considering the impact on the US commercial space sector in its resource decisions.

Lunar Communications and Satellite Partnerships

• 🌕 Viasat has partnered with SSTL and MDA Space to develop designs for a lunar orbiting communication satellite system as part of the European Space Agency's Moonlight program.
• 🛰️ This system aims to enhance navigation and communication services for missions on and around the moon, targeting initial capacity by 2028.
• 🤝 Astroscale US has signed an agreement with NASA to test rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking capabilities for its refueler spacecraft, preparing for Department of Defense satellite refueling missions.

Space Industry Mergers and Production Expansion

• 💼 York Space Systems' parent company plans to acquire Atlas Space Operations, a provider of ground software for satellite communications, to enhance York's mission-ready space systems.
• 🚀 L3 Harris Technologies is investing nearly half a billion dollars to construct a large solid rocket motor production campus in Camden, Arkansas, aiming for a six-fold increase in manufacturing capacity by 2027.
• 🧑‍🚀 The Axiom 4 crew successfully returned to Earth after completing over 60 science experiments on the International Space Station.

Space Traffic Report Highlights

• 🛰️ Recent launches include SpaceX's Falcon 9 carrying the Israeli draw 1 communication satellite and a Chinese Long March 7 delivering supplies to the Tiangong space station.
• 🌐 SpaceX also launched 24 Amazon Kuiper satellites, marking a significant step for Amazon's internet constellation competitor.
• 🔭 Upcoming launches include NASA's TRACERS satellites to study Earth's magnetic field and satellites for the O3b mPower and IonoSphere-M constellations.

Legacy and Industry News

• 🕊️ The passing of Felix Baumgartner, known for his record-breaking edge-of-space jump, is noted for its contributions to high-altitude pressure suit technology and understanding human response to near-space conditions.
• 🎓 NASA has opened registration for its International Space Apps Challenge, and Intuitive Machines is collaborating on a curriculum for space-based pharmaceutical work.
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