Vuyyuru Prashanth’s Post

Canada's Gray Jay Arctic monitoring demo mission has been launched. Space Flight Laboratory (SFL) has congratulated Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) on the launch and deployment of Canada’s Gray Jay Arctic surveillance technology demonstration mission. Developed by SFL for DRDC, the three 30-kg formation-flying microsatellites launched January 14 aboard the SpaceX Transporter-12 rideshare from Vandenberg Space Force Base. The Gray Jay spacecraft launched on the same SpaceX rideshare as the NorSat-4 maritime monitoring microsatellite built by SFL for the Norwegian Space Agency (NOSA). This launch brings the number of operationally successful microspace satellites developed by SFL to 86. DRDC funded the Gray Jay demonstration mission to support Canada’s ability to exercise sovereignty in the Arctic and provide enhanced situational awareness for safety and security applications. As a research and development mission, the microsatellite cluster flies in close formation and carries multiple sensors to enable independent methods of detecting surface and airborne objects, including radio frequency (RF) geolocation. https://lnkd.in/gZG5VMhm

Today the International Space Station (25544 / 1998-067A) performed a maneuver to minimize the collision risk with a piece of space debris. The secondary object was debris from a DMSP satellite launched in 1995: DMSP 5D-2 F13 (USA 109). The specific debris object was 40680 / 1995-015FU, originating from a DMSP F13 break up on 3 Feb 2015 due to a faulty battery charger which plagues this particular satellite design. The ISS maneuver lasted 5 min, 31 sec and started at 2024-11-19 20:09. The conjunction time for the secondary object would have been at 2024-11-19 22:27:28. https://lnkd.in/gF2PFaVt (nasa.gov URL) #SpaceTrafficManagement #SpaceSituationalAwareness #SpaceDebris

The New York Times: Space Sustainability - Dead Russian Satellite Broke Into More Than 100 Pieces in Space - The cause of the incident, which added to a growing amount of dangerous space junk in low Earth orbit, remains unknown. The most concerning, possibility is that the event was deliberate. In 2021, Russia intentionally fired a missile at one of its own defunct satellites in orbit. China and India have also conducted antisatellite missile tests, as has the United States, which committed itself to a ban of such tests 2022 The U.S. Space Force will work to catalog the debris from Resurs P1, though it could take a few months. Until then, “it’s literally Russian roulette,” Dr. McDowell said. Untracked space junk presents a risk to other spacecraft in orbit, and before it is properly recorded in warning systems used by satellite operators, they will not be able to avoid collisions. In the worst case scenario, the break up of Resurs P1 could create a domino effect: Debris from one satellite smashes into another, which then collides with another — a reaction that is costly and disruptive, Dr. McDowell said, though in this case seems unlikely. https://lnkd.in/g7aFijQE

Europe's Vega-C rocket has successfully returned to space, marking its first launch since a failed mission two years ago. The rocket lifted off from French Guiana, carrying the Sentinel-1C satellite for the EU's Copernicus Earth observation program. This mission aims to enhance radar imagery for environmental monitoring. The Vega-C, an upgraded version of the original Vega rocket, can transport over two tonnes of payload and is designed to be more cost-effective. The rocket was grounded for two years following a failure during its second mission, which resulted in the loss of two satellites due to a motor anomaly. With the ongoing geopolitical tensions and reliance on Russian launch vehicles halted, the Vega-C is expected to play a crucial role in maintaining Europe's access to space. The European Space Agency plans four additional launches with the Vega-C in 2025 and five more in 2026. #VegaC #EuropeanRocketVegaC #CopernicusEarthObservationProgramme #SpaceExploration #EUSpaceProgramme

When I Learned How Close We’ve Come to Disaster, Did you know that in 2021, a piece of space debris came dangerously close to the International Space Station? The crew had to scramble into their emergency capsules, ready to evacuate. That moment made me stop and think: even the most advanced human outpost in space isn’t immune to the debris problem. For me, this wasn’t just a headline. It was a wake-up call. I started asking myself: If we can’t protect astronauts at the ISS, what chance do we have of maintaining thousands of satellites in orbit? Every close call reminds us of how urgent this problem is. And here’s the real tension: space debris is invisible to most of us, yet it’s one of the biggest threats to our future in space. It’s not just a problem for scientists or engineers—it’s a problem for anyone who depends on the technology that makes our modern world possible. PS: What’s your biggest concern about space debris? I’d love to hear your perspective in the comments!

This week's space industry insights on #NewsHub: 1. The UK Chapter of SSPI Names Dr. David Parker FRAeS of the UK Space Agency as the 2024 Satellite Personality of the Year 👏https://lnkd.in/gHtGyWcE 2. A new radar satellite supported by the UK was launched into space from French Guiana at 9:20pm GMT on Thursday 5 December. https://lnkd.in/gSqqmNgi 🛰️ 3. The Combined Space Operations Initiative (CSpO) partners exchanged views on space threats, conducted a tabletop exercise, and endorsed a joint statement, reaffirming the importance of CSpO’s mission and the commitment of its members to the Outer Space Treaty. https://lnkd.in/g9CKS4Ff 4. 🌎 NI SPACE Initiative Launched to Tackle Blue Green Algae. https://lnkd.in/gG_xVwVy 5. Astroscale’s ADRAS-J Achieves Historic 15-Meter Approach to Space Debris. https://lnkd.in/gUivDgxd 6. HyImpulse unveils HyMOVE, its unique orbital transfer vehicle. https://lnkd.in/gpA7U9vu 7. Orbite to expand luxury space training with Series A funding. 🚀 https://lnkd.in/gpzABWZH 8. New antennas for the Satellite Control Network are coming next year. https://lnkd.in/gcenmwrV Follow Space-Comm Expo for more! 🌌 #SpaceNews #IndustryInsights

Not only has China’s space fleet ballooned over the past decade, but Beijing is increasingly using maneuvering satellites to crisscross geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO) in order to keep eyes on, and potentially do harm to, their US counterparts, according to Space Force and industry officials. Chinese satellites are “zigzagging” from altitudes above GEO, through the belt and then to slightly lower altitudes, often coming uncomfortably close to US satellites, Clinton Clark of sky-watching firm ExoAnalytic Solutions said today. Read more from Breaking Defense https://lnkd.in/g2Z32v7e

In a recent article, The Guardian highlighted the growing concerns surrounding space debris, particularly in light of the Russian satellite debris posing a significant threat to the International Space Station. As the number of satellites and space debris increases, the risks to both manned and unmanned space missions escalate. This critical issue underscores the necessity for advanced space situational awareness (SSA) solutions. NorthStar is at the forefront of delivering essential SSA capabilities through our innovative space-based solutions. By providing precise tracking and monitoring of space objects, we mitigate the dangers posed by orbital debris, ensuring the safety and sustainability of space operations for both commercial and government entities. Our commitment to a safer space environment is not just a mission—it's a responsibility we proudly uphold. #SpaceDomainAwareness #SpaceSustainability

Integrity Flash Edition 110 is Out! Dive into the latest developments in global space operations, detailed in our newest edition: -China's Qianfan-2 Satellites: An exclusive look at the evolving constellation aiming to revolutionize low-latency satellite broadband services with plans for over 14,000 satellites in orbit. -Yaogan-43 Satellite Adjustments: What recent orbital maneuvers reveal about China's strategic evolution in space. -Shijian-17 in the Western Hemisphere: A breakdown of its maneuvers and implications for GEO-based operations. -Shiyan-12 Proximity Operations: Insights into China's inspection missions in GEO and their potential objectives. -Shiyan-26 Launch Analysis: Explore China's latest advancements in experimental satellite capabilities. Stay Informed. Stay Ahead. Don’t miss out on these critical insights shaping the future of space operations and defense. https://lnkd.in/dYcr3xPH