· space brief · 5 min read
Space Brief 25 Oct 2024
Today's highlights include Crew-8's return amid weather delays, new space tourism announcements by Deep Blue Aerospace, and Europe's efforts to combat space debris. Plus, another successful SpaceX launch and the ESA backed Zero Debris Charter gains international traction.
📄Top Stories
Crew-8 astronauts safely returned to Earth, landing off the coast of Florida, after their mission was extended due to multiple weather delays, including Hurricane Milton. Meanwhile, Deep Blue Aerospace plans to sell tickets for suborbital flights in 2027, signaling China’s entry into the space tourism market. Europe strengthens its commitment to space safety with over 100 signatories to the Zero Debris Charter.
📰Detailed Coverage
Hopes Soar as Crew-8 Splashes Down
Four astronauts from NASA’s Crew-8 mission returned safely to Earth after weather challenges caused by Hurricane Milton delayed their originally scheduled landing. The SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour docked for the longest mission duration to date, with the mission concluding early on Friday morning in the Gulf of Mexico. During their eight-month stint, their scientific contributions included hundreds of experiments and attempted spacewalks.
The mission highlights the reliability of SpaceX’s spacecraft in facilitating extended space missions, auguring well for future exploratory endeavors. Track similar missions via our web app: Track Crew Dragon Endeavour.
Read the full story: Space.com
Deep Blue Aerospace Venturing into Space Tourism
Chinese firm Deep Blue Aerospace is set to revolutionize the space tourism landscape by offering suborbital flights starting in 2027. At a proposed cost of $210,000 per ticket, customers will experience brief trips beyond Earth’s atmosphere, inspired by Blue Origin’s suborbital trips.
Deep Blue Aerospace’s strategic entry into this market signals growing competition and innovation in commercial space travel, promising unique experiences for space enthusiasts globally. Stay tuned for developments on this emerging tourism frontier.
Read the full story: Space.com
Europe Steps Up Against Space Debris
The European Space Agency’s Zero Debris Charter has gained momentum with over 100 partners, advocating for stringent measures against space debris. This charter signifies a collaborative international effort, welcoming signatories from New Zealand and Mexico, to enhance sustainability in space.
By advocating for responsible space operations and debris mitigation, Europe underscores the importance of maintaining a safe orbital environment, critical for continuous satellite tracking and operation. Discover how the charter affects satellite management on our platform.
Read the full story: Space.com
SpaceX Continues Record-Breaking Launch Streak
SpaceX’s recent launch marked the 72nd mission from the Space Coast this year, already equaling last year’s record numbers with still 10 weeks of operations to go.
This frequency indicates robust capabilities in satellite deployment, influencing satellite tracking trends. Track these missions’ orbits and payloads through our real-time platform.
Read the full story: Space.com
Astra Expands Rocket Development with DIU Support
Astra has received a $44 million contract from the Defense Innovation Unit to assist in the development of its Rocket 4 launch vehicle. This move further indicates the convergence of defense innovation with commercial space ventures.
As Astra fortifies its position in launch capabilities, its contributions to satellite deployment frameworks become increasingly pivotal. Track the impact of these developments on satellite launches in our app.
Read the full story: SpaceNews
🛰️Satellite Spotlight
- Satellite Name: COSMOS 2482
- NORAD ID: 39057
- Launch Date: 2013-001A
- Mission: Part of Russia’s satellite constellation designed for secure military communications
- Orbit: Inclination: 82.4993°, Period: 115.8518 minutes, Eccentricity: 0.0026374
- Operator: VVKO
- Fun Fact: COSMOS 2482 is part of the Strela-3M series, providing critical communication capabilities across the Russian Federation.
Current TLE Data:
1 39057U 13001A 24298.49740007 .00000030 00000-0 14923-3 0 99990
2 39057 82.4993 234.0513 0026374 255.9833 103.8314 12.42966907534082
Track this satellite in real-time on our web app: Track COSMOS 2482
🚀 Upcoming Space Launches
October 26
- SpaceX Falcon 9:
- Starlink Group 10-8 from Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA (21:47 UTC) A batch of satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation, SpaceX’s project for a space-based Internet communication system.
October 29
- SpaceX Falcon 9:
- Starlink Group 9-9 from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA (11:30 UTC) A batch of satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation, SpaceX’s project for a space-based Internet communication system.
- China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 2F/G:
- Shenzhou 19 from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People’s Republic of China (20:17 UTC) Eighth crewed flight to the Chinese space station.
October 30
- Mitsubishi Heavy Industries H3-22:
- DSN 3 (Kirameki 3) from Tanegashima Space Center, Japan (06:46 UTC) A geostationary communications satellite for military communications by the Japanese military.
- SpaceX Falcon 9:
- Starlink Group 10-13 from Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA (21:10 UTC) A batch of satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation, SpaceX’s project for a space-based Internet communication system.
October 31
- Galactic Energy Ceres-1:
- Unknown Payload from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People’s Republic of China (00:00 UTC) Details TBD.
- Rocket Lab Electron:
- Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand (00:00 UTC) Launch of a satellite to SSO, with the customer suspected to be Low Earth Orbit communication satellite constellation operator E-Space.
November 4
- Russian Federal Space Agency (ROSCOSMOS) Soyuz 2.1b/Fregat-M:
- Ionosfera-M 1 & 2 from Vostochny Cosmodrome, Siberia, Russian Federation (23:18 UTC) Ionosfera is a constellation of ionospheric and magnetospheric research satellites for Roscosmos’ Ionozond project.
November 5
- SpaceX Falcon 9:
- Dragon CRS-2 SpX-31 from Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA (02:29 UTC) 31st commercial resupply services mission to the International Space Station delivering critical materials and research payloads.
Note: Launch dates and times are subject to change due to technical or weather considerations.
