to strengthen its space presence in an all-round manner
January 30, 2022 1:27 PM Subscribe
The past fortnight in space. Updates from humanity's exploration of the solar system.
On Earth's surface: using data from three satellites, scientists published a visualization of an unusually violent star. A "hard start" delayed an ABL Space Systems rocket test launch. An uncrewed SpaceX Dragon module safely splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico.
In Earth orbit: taikonauts on board the Tianhe space station are getting ready to eat spring festival dumplings. China launched two radar satellites using the Long March rocket. A Chinese satellite moved out of its orbit, grabbed another satellite, then hauled it into a new orbit. An archaeological project began a test pit on the International Space Station. Another ISS project is trying to grow chickpeas. The US Space Force shut down one program for tracking orbital debris. A Japanese company paused a space debris cleanup test.
On and near the moon: scientists published findings about the dark side of the moon's soil, as discovered by China's Yutu-2 rover. A SpaceX booster, launched in 2015 then discarded, is hurtling towards the moon, likely to impact that body in early March.
At the Earth's Lagrange-2 point: the James Webb Space Telescope is prepping for work. Its first target is HD 84406. (previously) An Earthbound astronomer spotted the craft. Reflections.
Between the Earth and the Sun: the Lucy spacecraft races sunward, while NASA engineers work on what to do about an incompletely deployed solar array.
On and around Mars: Perseverance shook off an annoying pebble. Ingenuity waited out dust storms. The European Space Agency published a photo taken by its ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter, revealing a crater looking a lot like a tree stump from above. The United Arab Emirates' Hope orbiter (مسبار الأمل) transmitted some lovely photos.
Around Jupiter: Juno sent back some amazing photos (scroll down to "Tuesday, January 18, 2022" for the last one).
Meanwhile, back on Earth, in the realm of planning: an American company announced its plans to build a single-stage Earth-to-orbit-then-Earth-again vehicle. China and Russia hope to build a lunar base in a few years. China's State Council Information Office published a white paper on their overall space strategy. Virgin announced plans to launch rockets from Cornwall this summer. Israel joined the Artemis space exploration accords. A British company wants to add a movie production module to the ISS. And a Florida man gave his SpaceX ticket to a friend.
On Earth's surface: using data from three satellites, scientists published a visualization of an unusually violent star. A "hard start" delayed an ABL Space Systems rocket test launch. An uncrewed SpaceX Dragon module safely splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico.
In Earth orbit: taikonauts on board the Tianhe space station are getting ready to eat spring festival dumplings. China launched two radar satellites using the Long March rocket. A Chinese satellite moved out of its orbit, grabbed another satellite, then hauled it into a new orbit. An archaeological project began a test pit on the International Space Station. Another ISS project is trying to grow chickpeas. The US Space Force shut down one program for tracking orbital debris. A Japanese company paused a space debris cleanup test.
On and near the moon: scientists published findings about the dark side of the moon's soil, as discovered by China's Yutu-2 rover. A SpaceX booster, launched in 2015 then discarded, is hurtling towards the moon, likely to impact that body in early March.
At the Earth's Lagrange-2 point: the James Webb Space Telescope is prepping for work. Its first target is HD 84406. (previously) An Earthbound astronomer spotted the craft. Reflections.
Between the Earth and the Sun: the Lucy spacecraft races sunward, while NASA engineers work on what to do about an incompletely deployed solar array.
On and around Mars: Perseverance shook off an annoying pebble. Ingenuity waited out dust storms. The European Space Agency published a photo taken by its ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter, revealing a crater looking a lot like a tree stump from above. The United Arab Emirates' Hope orbiter (مسبار الأمل) transmitted some lovely photos.
Around Jupiter: Juno sent back some amazing photos (scroll down to "Tuesday, January 18, 2022" for the last one).
Meanwhile, back on Earth, in the realm of planning: an American company announced its plans to build a single-stage Earth-to-orbit-then-Earth-again vehicle. China and Russia hope to build a lunar base in a few years. China's State Council Information Office published a white paper on their overall space strategy. Virgin announced plans to launch rockets from Cornwall this summer. Israel joined the Artemis space exploration accords. A British company wants to add a movie production module to the ISS. And a Florida man gave his SpaceX ticket to a friend.
"The past fortnight in space" is an RSS feed I would subscribe to.
posted by endquote at 2:47 PM on January 30, 2022 [11 favorites]
posted by endquote at 2:47 PM on January 30, 2022 [11 favorites]
Also from space: Thanks to having multiple geostationary weather satellites with an Advanced Baseline Imager on board, we can view the Tonga eruption in 3D.
posted by tigrrrlily at 4:19 PM on January 30, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by tigrrrlily at 4:19 PM on January 30, 2022 [1 favorite]
It would appear the "an American company" intends to pave over Seattle from Ballard to Downtown and use the Space Needle as a control tower.
posted by los pantalones del muerte at 6:18 PM on January 30, 2022
posted by los pantalones del muerte at 6:18 PM on January 30, 2022
And then shortly after this fine rundown was posted, a sunset rocket launch (the most visually stunning time for a launch IMO) was scrubbed thanks to Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas cruising along where it wasn't supposed to be.
posted by General Zubon at 7:01 AM on January 31, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by General Zubon at 7:01 AM on January 31, 2022 [1 favorite]
an American company announced its plans to build a single-stage Earth-to-orbit-then-Earth-again vehicle.
Pch, I make these in Kerbal Space Program all the time. All you need is to dust off the old SABRE designs and stick them in a jet body that can withstand Mach 6.
posted by Mr.Encyclopedia at 12:18 PM on January 31, 2022 [1 favorite]
Pch, I make these in Kerbal Space Program all the time. All you need is to dust off the old SABRE designs and stick them in a jet body that can withstand Mach 6.
posted by Mr.Encyclopedia at 12:18 PM on January 31, 2022 [1 favorite]
Excellent post; slow clap*.
*In space, no one can hear you slow clap.
posted by CynicalKnight at 12:47 PM on January 31, 2022 [1 favorite]
*In space, no one can hear you slow clap.
posted by CynicalKnight at 12:47 PM on January 31, 2022 [1 favorite]
It would appear the "an American company" intends to pave over Seattle from Ballard to Downtown and use the Space Needle as a control tower.
That was actually the pilot of Frazier.
posted by y2karl at 1:37 PM on January 31, 2022
That was actually the pilot of Frazier.
posted by y2karl at 1:37 PM on January 31, 2022
A British company wants to add a movie production module to the ISS.
More about this proposed orbital media production facility:
More about this proposed orbital media production facility:
• New Film Studio Will Be Built in Space by 2024, K.J. Yossman, Variety, Jan 19, 2022.Construction is underway, but the extreme costs and physical realities of orbital operations could bring things back down to Earth:
• Axiom selected to build inflatable microgravity media venue, Axiom Space Press Release, January 20, 2022. More details in Space Entertainment Enterprise (S.E.E.) Announces World’s First Entertainment Arena and Content Studios in Space, built by Axiom Space (PDF).
• Space Entertainment Enterprise (SEE-1) website: Team members include Co‐Founders/Co‐CEOs Dmitry Lesnevsky (self-written IMDb bio) and Elena Lesnevsky (IMDb bio: pre-production Producer for Untitled Tom Cruise/SpaceX Project).
•Tom Cruise space movie producers sign deal with Axiom to build studio in orbit, Michael Sheetz, CNBC, Jan 20 2022.
If you want less CGI and more real effects in movies, you may get your wish: Inflatable film studio to orbit Earth — What a retirement for the ISS: Gaining a totally feasible 'state-of-the-art media production capability', The Register, Thomas Claburn in San Francisco, Jan 2022 [with comments].The results could look fantastic though: remember Skylab?posted by cenoxo at 5:52 PM on January 31, 2022 [1 favorite]
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posted by snofoam at 2:24 PM on January 30, 2022 [1 favorite]