Challenges | Campaigns | Solicitations
This challenge seeks to explore if recycling space assets (sections of rockets, satellites) can be cost-effective versus launching new materials into space. $55,000 in prizes. Closes May 27, 2022. [Forward]
Design, build, and demonstrate a prototype that addresses technology gaps in power transmission and energy storage on the lunar surface. Total prize purse: $4.5 million. Deadline: June 15, 2022. [Forward]
Create assets and scenarios for the new Mars XR Operations Support System (XOSS) environment, using Epic Games' Unreal Engine 5. $70,000 in total prizes. Close date: July 26, 2022. [Forward]
The Society presents several awards and prizes to support scientists in astronomy and geophysics. Anyone can submit a nomination. Deadline for nominations is July 31, 2022. [Forward]
Four teams will be awarded $5,000 to build their data recovery prototypes and conduct a test drop of their system in New Mexico in 2023. Deadline: September 15, 2022. [Forward]
Launch to space on the New Shepard rocket. Flights are 11 minutes, and passengers pass the Kármán Line reaching 3x the speed of sound. [Forward]
Virgin Galactic is taking reservations for suborbital flights ($450,000 total ticket price, $150,000 deposit). They expect to begin commercial human suborbital missions before the end of 2022. [Forward]
Book your six-hour voyage on Spaceship Neptune now for 2025 and see Earth from space. Book an individual seat or a full 8 person capsule. $125,000 per space explorer. [Forward]
XPRIZE Carbon Removal is aimed at tackling climate change and advancing space exploration. Teams will create and demonstrate solutions that can pull carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere or oceans. [Forward]
Events
This symposium will cover technical sessions (mission and system analysis), applications (Earth observation, science, telecommunication, and navigation), and more. Standard ticket: €900. Student ticket: €400. Vilamoura, Portugal. May 15-22, 2022. [Forward]
AbiSciCon brings the astrobiology community together to share research and plan for the future. In-person tickets: $350-$575. Virtual tickets: $240-$375. Atlanta, Georgia. May 16-20, 2022. [Forward]
GLEC 2022 will address topics of interest for space developing and emerging nations and regions. Prices range from €60 to €350. Takes place in Quito, Ecuador from May 16-20, 2022. [Forward]
Various topics with a focus on advancing a human and robotic presence on Mars. Ticket range: $30-$360. Washington, DC. May 17-19, 2022. [Forward]
Scientists will explore the possibility of finding technosignatures within the TESS dataset and the impact of their research in the framework of astrobiology. Free, online only event. [Forward]
Sessions will focus on multiple areas of space development including Moon and Mars settlement and the commercialization of space. Ticket range: $75-$400. Arlington, Virginia from May 27-29, 2022. [Forward]
Part of Asia Tech x Singapore. Satellite operators, telcos and network providers, and enterprise and government end users are encouraged to attend. Takes place in Singapore. June 1-3, 2022. [Forward]
Observational astronomers, theorists, and experimentalists will shed light on the lifecycle of cosmic PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons.) Aarhus University, Denmark. Early-bird registration closes July 1. September 5-9, 2022. [Forward]
Online or in-person registration options are available. In-person grants access to the summit in Paris, including all official social events. Online: €540. In-person: €2,100 - €3,480. September 12-16, 2022. [Forward]
// FYI
Space Ecosystem | Startups | Deals
Ursa has developed two engines: the Hadley and the Ripley. Phantom purchased both types of engines for its two rocket types under development, dubbed Daytona and Laguna. [Forward]
NaraSpace’s two satellites, which measure 20x40 cm, provide 1.5 meters/pixel spatial resolution. NaraSpace has raised $10.65 million since 2015. Investors include Korea Development Bank and Hana Ventures. [Forward]
Image Credit: Vyoma Space
Vyoma’s goal is to track objects in low Earth orbit (LEO) using a constellation of observation satellites, then use machine learning to automate collision avoidance procedures for clients’ satellites. [Forward]
Space Exploration | Development
The FAA began its environmental review in November 2020. SpaceX needs a license from the FAA to conduct further testing of Starship, which is expected to unleash new launch capabilities. [Forward]
Image Credit: CC0 Public Domain
NASA is optimistic that they will only need one more wet dress rehearsal. Artemis I is an uncrewed flight that will send Orion 40,000 miles beyond the moon. [Forward]
Administrator Bill Nelson, a key architect of the SLS rocket, now says NASA should move away from the cost-plus contracts he helped engineer for the Orion spacecraft and SLS rocket. [Forward]
The helicopter released the Electron booster prematurely because of a difference in load observed. A successful midair recovery allows Rocket Lab to increase flight rate without manufacturing more boosters. [Forward]
ExoMars was to launch in September on a Proton rocket through a partnership between Roscosmos and the European Space Agency, but cooperation with Russia on ExoMars has been suspended. [Forward]
Researchers must investigate how to make plants more resilient to the harsh space environment, which might be accomplished through genetic engineering. [Forward]
Astronomy | Astrophysics | Cosmology
The Event Horizon Telescope released an image of Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole 27,000 light years away at the center of the Milky Way. [Forward]
Dyson spheres, rings, or swarms are artificial structures that encompass a host star. Collectively called DSRs, these configurations would change a star's infrared signature. [Forward]
In the coming months, two teams of astronomers plan to send new messages towards the Milky Way center, 10,000-20,000 light-years away, and TRAPPIST-1, a star 39 light-years away. [Forward]