Monthly Archives: September 2022

In 2020, the billionaire space race was in full swing. Richard Branson, Jeff Bezos, and Elon Musk were vying to send everyday astronauts into low orbit for the first time. Each of the billionaires successfully launched at least once, and Bezos and Branson were even passengers aboard their own businesses rocket ships. Comercial space travel was reaching new heights, and the momentum appeared unstoppable, at least for a time.

Since then, the aftereffects of the global coronavirus pandemic have had noticeably dampened our outlook on space travel: many are less interested in hearing about Blue Origins latest design features, and instead are more concerned with domestic events unfolding here on earth. Among these, the war in Ukraine and, as a byproduct, the recent news that Russia has pulled out of the international space station, would seem to further distance us from the final frontier.

However, in recent days, NASAs ambitions to land on the moon once again with its Artemis mission have recaptured the public imagination for space travel. Although NASAs initial SLS rocket test recently failed to launch, a second attempt has now been announced for September 27.

If commercial space travel into Earths orbitor even to the moon and beyonddoes eventually become a possibility there will still be significant challenges for individuals looking to buy their ticket to the final frontier. Here are just a few of the kinds of issues we will be looking at in the decades ahead.

Its easy to get swept up in the fervor for space travel and believe that well all be living the Jetson lifestyle by the end of the decade. But space travel still requires massive amounts of money, planning, and resources. Even the ever-optimistic Elon Musk puts the minimum cost of space travel at $10 million per flight.

In an interview, Musk stated that the cost efficiency of SpaceX is the best in history, and it is designed to be fully reusable. This means that, according to Musks quick math, the cost of SpaceX is around 5-10% of the Saturn V project (the last rocket to send humans to the moon).

Musk also revealed that significant planning and administrative approval are needed to send rocket ships into and beyond low orbit. The Federal Aviation Administration will need to review SpaceXs request for space travel and will account for environmental factors and human interests.

The organization has already caught some flack for causing damage to local ecosystems and displacing residents when SpaceX obtained Boca Chica beach in Texas. As resident Mary McConnaughey explained, Theyre here to stay and they want us to leave. Dealing with disgruntled locals may seem like a trivial matter compared to the boundless cosmos above our heads. But, failing to work collaboratively with the folks here on earth is a genuine hurdle with which all space travelers must contend.

A few years ago, space travel seemed to be a beacon of hope for everyone who wanted to see nations work more on collaborative efforts than divisive ones. However, recent news that Russia has pulled out of the space station projecthas dampened optimism and thrown a wrench in collaborative plans.

Of course, global collaboration for space travel isnt completely necessary. Independent governmental organizations and billionaires may thrust us into the future. However, a lack of international collaboration will likely slow the space race down rather than speed it up as scientists will have to guard space-related secrets rather than work in open transparency.

The International Space Station does look set to wind down post-2024. In the meantime, it continues to prove that collaboration is necessary for the kinds of tests and experiments needed to solve the realities of space travel. Even Russia, which positions itself as a global powerhouse, doesnt have the means to create a space station of its own.

Former ISS commander, Dr. Leroy Chaio, explains, They [Russia] dont have the money to build their own station and will be left with no access to a space station without the ISS. This will further compound collaborative space travel issues, as the European Space Agency has already ended collaboration with the Russian Roskosmos project.

Things could, theoretically, get worse if collaboration turned into a competition. Space travel could be susceptible to cyber war as Nation State Actors exploit vulnerabilities. Governmental agencies and corporations will have to use AI to detect hackers and malicious activities in real-time. AI-led behavior detection may have to prevent bad actors from gaining access to rocketships and ensure that passengers have a safe living and working environment in space.

When we think of space travel, most people imagine floating through hallways, eating dehydrated dinners, and staring into the void for hours on end. All of these activities underline a less-thought-of reality: life in space would be lonely.

Almost all astronauts describe their first journey into space as a life-altering experience. However, that doesnt mean that the folks who live and work beyond the earths surface wont fall foul of burnout. The myth that, in 1972, astronauts at SkyLab went on strike due to ignored requests to lighten their workload has now been proven false. But, the story is an important reminder that burnout is real and can affect us all.

Offering professional social support can prevent loneliness and burnout in space. Social care specialists will be able to help passengers and staff avoid excessive stress and illness by listening to the human issues that folks in space experience. A little pre-planned compassion may go a long way for folks who encounter the enigmatic cosmos for the first time.

Of course, while mental stressors like isolation and confinement might necessitate solutions such as prescribed social time, there are also physical effects that come with living in space and some of them are downright harmful. Space radiation means suits and structures need sufficient shielding to mitigate cancer risks, while prolonged exposure to low-gravity and weightlessness can lead to muscle and bone density deterioration as well as kidney stones. Fortunately, modern technology helps astronauts monitor and solve these issues with relative ease.

Significant hurdles still stand in the way of frequent, accessible space travel. As recent world events have shown, costs associated with spaceflight can quickly become an issue, and international politics may stifle progress. If the general public ever reaches space, theyll need professional social support, and sophisticated software to ensure their travels into the final frontier are managed as safely as possible.

All this taken into consideration, space travel for the rest of us is nonetheless slowly becoming a reality even if that reality is reserved, for now, for billionaire producers of 21st century space technologies, and the similarly wealthy passengers willing to pay the steep prices to tag along. In any case, SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic have given us hope that many more of us could one day be given an opportunity to take a flight into low orbit, or perhaps even to further distant locales beyond our planet.

Adrian Johansen is a freelance writer whose work focuses on business, tech and marketing. She is especially passionate about issues related to accessibility and sustainability. You can read more of her work at her website.

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To the Moon, and Beyond: The Realities of Commercial Space Travel - The Debrief

Danny Warlick remembers the stories his uncle would tell him of space inventions and monkey food.

There was a giant right there in Shelby, Warlick said. He was a treasure to our nation.

Daniel Boryta was a chemist who helped invent a lithium hydroxide filter system used in space travel, and there was one story in particular that immortalized him.

One night the phone rang really late, and it was NASA. The astronauts had spilled Tang, Warlick recounted. It had gotten pulled into the air circulator, and they didn't know how it would react. NASA was worried, how is this going to react with the lithium hydroxide? He had to sit down with a pencil and paper, and I remember this fondly, a wooden, old school slide ruler. He did all the mathematical calculations and determined it would be safe.

Daniel Alfred Boryta, 85, died earlier this month. Born in Schenectady, New York, he eventually made his home in Shelby.

At one time, Boryta was a manager of base chemical research at Cypress Foote Mineral Company and while employed by Foote, he helped develop the lithium hydroxide filter life support system used by NASA in their space missions.

Lithium hydroxide is on the space station right now, Warlick said. Not one launch is without lithium hydroxide. If you watched the movie Apollo 13, they make a big deal about it.

In an old newspaper article, it recounts the Tang disaster that occurred during an Apollo moon mission in the late 1960s. According to the article, the Tang was spilled while orbiting the moon and just before the moon landing.

At Borytas funeral, a display table held photos of a smiling Boryta, articles and certificates recognizing his achievements, and the original wooden ruler he used to make his calculations.

Warlick said at the funeral, relatives shared memories of his inventions. He said his uncle figured out a process for finding leaks on pool covers and liners, an invention he developed while working in Chile to extract lithium from the brine underneath salt flats.

Also when they sent the monkeys into space, he worked on the food for the monkeys and his daughters were telling how he had brought home some of the food and gave it to them to try, Warlick said.

A space buff himself, Warlick enjoyed talking space missions with his uncle but never felt inferior.

He was a genius, he said. If you met him, you would ask him how are you? And he would say fantastic. You didn't feel less if you were around him because of his intelligence. You felt taken back by his smile.

Warlick remembers when he was younger and was pouring a Diet Coke into a glass. He stuck his finger in the liquid to keep the fizz down.

He noticed me doing it and said, Do you know why that's happening? I said no, I don't have a clue. The ridges on your finger are like a million bitty surfaces, carbonation needs surface reaction, when you put your finger in, it's the surface reaction. He was tickled to explain that. He loved what he did. He was historically good at it.

Warlick said Boryta will be recognized by the United States Congress.

Audrey Bishop, district director for congresswoman Virginia Foxx, said the communications team is working with Foxx to memorialize Borytas accomplishments.

Boryta, who also enjoyed sailing and camping, is survived by his wife, Pam Brackett Boryta, four daughters, one son and several grandchildren.

Rebecca Sitzes can be reached at rsitzes@gannett.com

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Local man remembered for inventions used in space travel - Shelby Star

With a surface hot enough to melt lead, crushing atmospheric pressure and clouds of sulphuric acid, Venus might not sound like the most enticing destination for human exploration.

But a group of experts are advocating that our other nearest neighbour, rather than Mars, should be the initial target for a crewed mission to another planet.

There are notable downsides. Walking on the surface would be an unsurvivable experience, so astronauts would have to gaze down at the planet from the safety of their spacecraft in a flyby mission.

In its favour, however, Venus is significantly closer, making a return mission doable in a year, compared with a potentially three-year roundtrip to Mars. A flyby would be scientifically valuable and could provide crucial experience of a lengthy deep-space mission as a precursor to visiting Mars, according to a report presented at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Paris last week.

Venus gets a bad rap because its got such a difficult surface environment, said Dr Noam Izenberg of the Johns Hopkins University applied physics laboratory and one of the proponents of the Venus flyby.

The current Nasa paradigm is moon-to-Mars. Were trying to make the case for Venus as an additional target on that pathway, he said.

Izenberg said there were practical arguments for incorporating a Venus flyby into the crewed Mars landing that Nasa hopes to achieve by the late 2030s. Although the planet is in the wrong direction, performing a slingshot around Venus known as a gravity assist - could reduce the travel time and the fuel required to get to the red planet. That would make a crewed flyby trip to Venus a natural stepping stone towards Nasas ultimate goal.

Youd be learning about how people work in deep space, without committing yourself to a full Mars mission, he said. And its not just going out into the middle of nowhere it would have a bit of cachet as youd be visiting another planet for the first time.

We need to understand how we can get out of the cradle and move into the universe, he added.

There is also renewed scientific interest in Venus. The discovery of thousands of exoplanets raises the question of how many might be habitable, and scientists want to understand how and why Venus, a planet so similar to our own in size, mass and distance from the sun, ended up with infernal surface conditions.

Izenberg said a Venus flyby doesnt yet have traction in the broader space travel community, although there are advocates within Nasa, including its chief economist, Alexander Macdonald, who led the IAC session.

The pair recently co-authored a report entitled Meeting with the Goddess that makes the case for the hypothetical mission, suggesting that astronauts could deploy tele-operated rovers, drones and balloons to observe Venuss active volcanoes and search for signs of past water and ancient life.

There is every reason to believe that Venus will be an endless wonderland of beguiling and mysterious vistas and formations, the report says.

Not everyone, however, is convinced by the concept. Its really not a nice place to go. Its a hellish environment and the thermal challenges for a human mission would be quite considerable, said Prof Andrew Coates, a space scientist at UCLs Mullard space science laboratory.

He said Venus was rightly a focus of scientific exploration, but that a human flyby really wouldnt add very much.

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Target Venus not Mars for first crewed mission to another planet, experts say - The Guardian

For those who want to combine a breathtaking drive across the rolling hills of Kansasand a visit to one of Sunflowers States much fancied Eight Wonders, a drive down to the Kansas Cosmosphere looks like a trip planned in heaven. Of course, Kansas is not a boring state. There are certain things one can only find in Kansas. Yet the beauty of Kansas isnt that kind that strikes a person at once. Just like people who at first look plain and flat but with time prove to be rare jewels, beautiful souls that appear untouched by human faults and foibles. Thats Kansas.

And no one will know this until he steps a little off the interstate. Its then that Kansas will prove to be more than the majesty of her famous prairies. In this article, we talk about one of the states gems whose setting would make for a dream road trip.

For those who love cruising on roads that open up to views that extend as far as the eye can go, Kansas is just the state. Of course, not the whole state is flat. And were not saying that flat terrains are boring. Theres usually something attractive about the unending nothingness thats so charming and alluring. Driving with the whole world literally stretched down before the eyes, and well into the dim horizon, is quite an experience. That said, the part of Kansas that everyone will agree is flat is the western half. However, when it comes to the eastern portion, the terrain takes a new look. Its a look thats punctuated with rolling hills and gentle slopes.

For those whove done it, driving through the Midwest; and right through Kansas is quite enjoyable. The roads are almost completely deserted. Its the blue clouds, the wind-swept prairies, and the revving of the engine as it coasts along roads that are without sudden bends or perilous curves. With the cars stereo playing a favorite hit, driving was never more delightful. But its Hutchinson, the location of the Kansas Cosmosphere, that seems to be in the middle of nowhere. Of course, Hutchinson is a small cityand one cannot really expect the same vibe as, say, Chicagoor Vegas. But Hutchinson seems to be small and getting smaller. This picture is even more pronounced in light of being the location of such a huge attraction as the Cosmosphere.

Related: Space Tourism Is Becoming A Real Thing, Now Even Captain Kirk Is Going To Space.

Even if there were no other reasons, the fact that the Kansas Cosmosphere has the largest collection of Russian space artifacts outside of Moscowalone makes it a place worth visiting. Heres where visitors will get to learn the fascinating history of the Space Race and the geopolitical intrigues that defined that period. And while one can learn about space history at a dozen other places in the country, Kansas Cosmosphere boasts such an impressive quantity of space artifactsthats unmatched by any facility in the United Statessave only the Smithsonians National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC. Therefore, learning space history while observing such monumental artifacts as the Apollo 13 command module makes the lesson come alive in a way that will not fail to impress.

Visitors to this gem of a museum will learn the history of space travel all the way from the initial faltering startsmarked by rocket experiments during World War Iall through to the launching of Sputnik, the Cold War years, and the advent of the commercial space industry.

Related: Space Travel: What Its Like To Travel To Mars.

Lets start with the number of hours that one needs to spend here. In our opinion, not less than five hours. Thats what will do this place justice. Of course, one can spend two or three hours here as well. In the end, it all boils down to interest. That said, the museum itself recommends four hours.

As weve said, the Kansas Cosmosphere is located in Hutchinson. Hutchinson is about 52 miles from Wichita, the largest city in the Sunflower State. Thats a drive of just under an hour. While the whole facility has something to interest visitors, some of the top attractions here include the planetarium, the Carey Digital Dome Theater, Dr. Godards Lab, and of course, the Hall of Space. Visitors shouldnt also miss the flight simulator, an experience that mimics real travel to space. It takes just about six minutes.

Thats it. A journey to spacethrough a road tripdefinitely looks odd. Yet its not only possible but will also be memorably enjoyable.

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So Much Of Space History Is Located Along This Dream Roadtripper Route - TheTravel

Don't have a rocket, but want to launch some astronauts into space?Sounds Expensive

Don't have a rocket, but want to get some astronauts to the ISS? Don't stress. As long as you've got some serious millions in the bank, you can apparently buy your space explorers two seats onboard an ISS-bound SpaceX Crew Dragon. That's what Saudi Arabia reportedly just did, at least.

Per Reuters, Saudi Arabia inked a deal with private spaceflight company Axiom Space earlier this year to fly two of the country astronauts to the orbital outpost aboard a SpaceX passenger craft. While it's unclear exactly how much they paid, previous Axiom spacecraft seats have sold for around $55 million a pop.

That puts SpaceX in a potentially challenging position, because the relationship between Saudi Arabia and the US,where it's based, has been tense in recent years. The Gulf nation's deep pockets and oil reserves, however, have long helped to smooth over any international controversy while NASA has reportedly yet to approve the Saudi's astronauts for takeoff, sources told Reuters that it's likely to happen.

And given those deep pockets, it's not terribly surprising to see Saudi Arabia, as a nation, engage with this version of ridiculously expensive privatized space travel. And really, this seems like the ideal next step for commercial spaceflight ventures sure, you can rake in some cash by sending the William Shatners and Jeff Bezoses of the world to the edges of the atmosphere, but providing nations with the vehicles and resources they need to throw their hat in the space exploration ring? That's an incredibly lucrative opportunity.

Saudi Arabia isn't the only country that's signed an exploration deal with Axiom. On Monday, the company announced that in late 2023, it'll be launching the first Turkish astronauts.

"This mission is a part of Turkey's ambitious 10-year space road map," Turkish politician Serdar Hseyin Yldrm said in a press release, "which includes missions to the low-Earth orbit and the Moon as well as developing internationally viable satellite systems."

As Reuters points out, these contracts all fit into Turkey's broader plan to launch a private space station, which they hope will be operational in the next few years. And ultimately, these missions are good for NASA, too the agency has been eager to pursue their own goals of working with commercial space operations to develop a "robust low-Earth orbit economy." That's certainly a bet on the commercial future of space travel, but looking at the evidence? Probably a good bet to make.

READ MORE: Exclusive: Saudi Arabia buys pair of SpaceX astronaut seats from Axiom -sources [Reuters]

More on Axiom: Nasa Now Requiring Real Astronaut to Babysit Space Tourists on Way to ISS

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Saudi Arabia Just Bought Two SpaceX Tickets to the International Space Station - Futurism

While Elon Musks SpaceX is attempting to make humans multi-planetary, a number of publicly traded space stocks are forging ahead with plans to deliver massive payloads to space, provide access to high speed internet across the globe, and even create a space tourism industry.

Analysts at Citigroup are predicting that the space industry could reach $1 trillion in revenue by 2040. This comes as the space industry has already grown more than 70% since 2010.

With sky high growth expectations, a flurry of space companies have gone public over the last few years, the majority of them through SPAC listings that allowed them to raise billions of dollars.With huge capital influxes and a rapidly growing market, here are five space stocks to watch in 2023:

1. Aerojet Rocketdyne (NYSE:AJRD)

Aerojet Rocketdyne is an aerospace and defense focused space company that provides propulsion systems and energetics to space, missile defense and tactical systems to customers around the globe.

The companys Camden, Arkansas facilitywas recently expanded to integrate its solid rocket motor manufacturing activities. Aerojet says the investment will improve operational efficiency while increasing production capacity and reducing costs.

The 51,000 square foot facility consolidates multiple manufacturing activities under one roof. The company says the upgrades add advanced equipment, including modern tool-up bays, dedicated propellant casting and oven areas. Aerojet plans to begin production in the new manufacturing facility with a propulsion system program for its PAC-3 missile segment.

Shares of Aerojet Rocketdyne trade on the NYSE under the ticker symbolAJRD.

2. Rocket Lab (NASDAQ:RKLB)

Founded in 2006, Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space launch and system support company that provides launch services, satellite manufacturing, and on-orbit management solutions.

Headquartered in Long Beach, California, the company manufactures small orbital launch vehicles and satellite platforms for customers. Rock Lab has completed30 successful launches of its Electron Rocketand delivered more than 150 satellites to space. Additionally, the companys Photon spacecraft platform was selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars.

The company currently operates two launch pads at a private orbital site in New Zealand. A second launch site located in Virginia is expected to become operational this year.

Shares of Rocket Lab trade on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbolRKLB.

3. Planet Labs (NYSE:PL)

Planet Labs is a leading provider of global satellite imagery and geospatial solutions. Founded by three NASA scientists, the company operates the largest Earth observation fleet of imaging satellites, where it captures over 30 terabytes of data each day.

The company recently released new details of itscommercial hyperspectralconstellation offering, which it says will help customers identify social, environmental and climate risks while also providing methane and CO2 signature data. The company plans to launch its first two Tanager satellites in 2023.

Shares of Planet Labs trade on the NYSE under the ticker symbolPL.

4. Maxar Technologies (NYSE:MAXR)

Maxar Technologies, a provider of comprehensive space solutions and secure geospatial intelligence. The company has beenselected by L3Harris Technologiesto design and produce 14 spacecraft platforms as part of the Space Development Agencys Tranche 1 Tracking Layer satellite program.

Designed, engineered and built in-house, Maxars modular satellite platforms will provide low Earth orbit monitoring as part of the programs goal to create a global warning and tracking system of conventional and advanced missile threats, including hypersonic missiles.

Maxr will also provide related ground, operations and sustainment support to the program. The company plans to manufacture the platforms at its factories in Palo Alto and San Jose, California. Delivery is planned in 2024 and launches are scheduled to begin in 2025.

Shares of Maxar Technologies trade on the NYSE under the ticker symbolMAXR.

5. Virgin Galactic (NYSE:SPCE)

Virgin Galactic is a space travel company. The companys goal is to pioneer human spaceflight and open space up to private individuals and researchers. Virgin Galactic is developing a spaceflight system designed to connect the world and offer customers a transformative experience.

The company recently announced astrategic partnership with Virtuoso, the leading global network specializing in luxury and experiential travel, to make a limited number of seats for Virgin Galactics space flight experience available to Virtuosos global client base.

The companys distinct flight system takes off and lands on a runway, allowing passengers to experience weightlessness and breathtaking views of Earth in comfort.

Virtuosos prominence as the world leader in the luxury experiential travel category makes them the ideal strategic partner to expand our reach in this valuable sector, said Blair Rich, Virgin Galactic President & Chief Business Officer, Commercial and Consumer Operations. We are excited to offer this limited quantity of tickets to Virtuoso clients and to connect with those who are searching for meaningful, deeply transformational travel experiences.

Shares of Virgin Galactic trade on the NYSE under the ticker symbolSPCE.

With the total addressable market of the space industry growing at such a rapid pace, investors are keeping a keen eye on space stocks that will capture controlling market shares. Other space-focused stocks that investors should keep their eyes on include:

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5 Space Stocks Rocketing Humanity Towards The Final Frontier: Rocket Lab, Virgin Galactic, Plus 3 More St - Benzinga