Important Innovations Collection

NASA & California Partnership Targets Individual Sites                                            Source:  NASA Satellite Image                       Source:  Greenhouse Gas Emissions Stock Image $100 Million  Greenhouse Gas Tracking System From Space   NASA and California, with financial backing from philanthropist Michael Bloomberg, are launching a $100 million satellite tracking system to pinpoint individual sources of large greenhouse gas emissions.  For the first time, these new satellites, with new technologies developed at NASA's Jet Propulsion Labs (JPL), will be able to both see and measure emissions at the level of individual facilities like a specific oil refinery. Currently, the measurements have been at the scale of large geographic areas. Methane Emissi...

SpaceX Successful Launch of Another Batch of 60 Satellites                                                                      Source:  SpaceX/NASA More Than 1,200 Satellites in Starlink Constellation & Counting Early this morning, at Cape Canaveral, Florida, SpaceX launched another 60 Starlink internet satellites.  That brings the total in the Starlink internet constellation to more than 1200.  The system promises to provide inexpensive broadband services to the globe and particularly to remote and underserved areas.  SpaceX CEO Elon Musk wants to have a threshold of 1,440 Starlink satellites deployed in low Earth orbit to deliver optimum broadband services.  He has also petitioned the Federal Communications Commission for permission to launch tens of tho...

Low Cost Internet, Phone Service & Emergency Phone Backup                                        Source:  Starlink Satellites Starlink's New Filing with the FCC  SpaceX and CEO Elon Musk have big plans for Starlink, the satellite based, broadband service.  In a filing with the Federal Communications Commission, Starlink disclosed its operational plan to provide less expensive internet service to low income customers, phone service and back-up services to make calls during power outages. Underserved Areas and Low Income Customers Starlink is asking the FCC for designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) so that it can provide broadband services in underserved areas.   The ETC designation also is needed for Starlink to be reimbursed for giving discounts on telecommunications services to people with low incomes.  The reimbursem...

 Transporter 1: Sets Record Space Ride Share Launch                                                       Source:  SpaceX 143 Spacecraft Launched on a Single SpaceX Rocket If you need a ride share to space, SpaceX is offering it and breaking records doing it.  On January 24, 2021, SpaceX launched 143 spacecraft ridesharing inside of a single Falcon 9 rocket.  The cosmic ride sharing program is called Transporter 1.  SpaceX has set a new world record for new space vehicles deployed in one rocket launch. For SpaceX, the mission is another historic success.  SpaceX was founded by entrepreneur and CEO Elon Musk. Record Cosmic Vehicles Onboard The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida.  The reusable rocket carried 133 commercial and government spacecrafts and 10 SpaceX Starlink sate...

Second Launch This Week of Fleets of Satellites Today                                                       Source: SpaceX Promise of Inexpensive, High Speed Internet SpaceX today successfully launched into orbit another fleet of 60 internet satellites.  It was the second Starlink launch this week as SpaceX and CEO Elon Musk continue to build their growing mega-constellation of satellites to deliver inexpensive, high speed internet from space.  Musk now has in orbit more than 800 Starlink satellites. Remarkable Technology The technology that Musk has developed at SpaceX is remarkable.  Today, nine minutes after launch, the Falcon 9 rocket's 1st stage booster that boosted the satellites into space returned to Earth and successfully landed on one of SpaceX's drone ships, known as Just Read the Instructions,  in ...

SpaceX & Microsoft Tie-Up to Win Space Customers                                                  Source:  Tesla Starlink Starlink and Azure Cloud Computing This technology combination between Elon Musk's SpaceX and Microsoft is fascinating.  Microsoft is expanding its Azure cloud computing platform into space through a partnership with SpaceX's growing constellation of low earth orbiting satellites for inexpensive, global broadband internet - Starlink.  Starlink is a big space-based internet opportunity and is already being beta-tested in the northern US, in tribal communities and in southern Canada.  Starlink can give Microsoft's Azure a potentially big edge over rival Amazon's cloud computing platform for business. Cloud Business Demand Is Soaring Because of the restrictions of COVID-19, demand for cloud services are ...

Satellite Launching Business                                                 Source:  Virgin Orbit Targets $1 Billion Valuation Richard Branson's satellite launching business Virgin Orbit hopes to raise $200 million in a round of funding.  That would place the valuation of the company at $1 Billion.  The money will be used to fund satellite launches and for capital expenditures.   The Wall Street Journal first reported Branson's target of $200 million in funding. 747 Jumbo Jet Approach Branson is using highly modified 747 jumbo jets to launch, from mid air, rockets carrying satellites and place them in orbit.  The target market is small satellites ranging from the size of a toaster to a household refrigerator.  The satellites are placed in low Earth orbit for highly sophisticated services ranging from commerci...

60 More Broadband Satellites Launched Today                                                      Source:  SpaceX/Tesla Elon Musk's Promise of More Inexpensive Internet  SpaceX has just deployed 60 more Starlink satellites into orbit.  SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk tweeted, when the satellites reach their targeted points, SpaceX will be able to roll out a fairly wide, public beta test in the northern United States and possibly in southern Canada.  And, he says, as soon as SpaceX receives regulatory approvals from more nations, he will roll the system into other countries.  Musk's space system is designed to deliver inexpensive internet services globally. Starlink Mega-Satellite Constellations for Global Internet This is the 13th Starlink low-earth orbit satellite launch so far.  SpaceX plans on doz...

Global Broadband Internet Access Source:  NASA Amazon Competing Against Space X Amazon is investing $10 billion to build a network of 3,236 satellites to provide high speed, broadband internet services to people around the world, including those who lack access.  The announcement comes within a day of Amazon posting the biggest profits in its 26 year history. FCC Approval for the Satellite System The Federal Communications Commission just gave Amazon approval for its Project Kuiper for a constellation of low earth orbit satellites.  The Amazon satellite network is in direct competition with SpaceX's Starlink.  SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has already launched more than 500 satellites into low earth orbit to provide inexpensive global internet access.  He plans for a system of 12,000 satellites.  Starlink will start offering broadband services to the US and Canada by the end of this year. Crowded Skies Amazon says its system will also benefit wireless...

Looking to Invest Billions Source:  ESA Satellite New Tech, New Satellites, New Innovations The European Union is accelerating the investment of more money into its space explorations, satellite communications and rocket launches.  Europe and the European Space Agency (ESA) have been very successful in space.  They want to increase their efforts and keep pace particularly with the US and Chinese space programs.  This, according to European Commissioner Thierry Breton in a conversation with Reuters. EU Space Innovations For the first time, the EU budget will be used to develop new technologies to launch rockets, including reusable rockets like SpaceX has developed.  Breton has several novel ideas to spur space innovation: $1 billion euro Space Fund to support space startups $16 billion euros targeted just for space in the next EU budget Competition to provide free access to launches and satellites for startups. Bold Space Plan...

Starlink Internet Satellites Launched into Orbit Source:  SpaceX Promise of Cheap, High Speed Internet Connectivity Most of the world is at a standstill from the pandemic. But, SpaceX appears to be operating business as usual as it launched another batch of  Starlink internet satellites into space. 60 broadband satellites were lifted into space aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Center yesterday. The launch was on schedule and flawless. The satellites are climbing into a low Earth orbit of 340 miles above the ground. This brings the total number of Starlink satellites now in orbit to 400. Multi-Billion Dollar Communications Business SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has a vision. He wants to place 40,000 Starlink satellites in space in order to provide the entire globe with cheap, high speed internet connectivity.  His vision has the potential of generating billions of dollars in revenue.  With the current batch of 400 ...

Robotic Satellite Fixing Spacecraft Source:  NASA New DARPA Space Initiative The US Department of Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, DARPA, has launched an innovative program to extend the life of US satellites orbiting in space.  In essence, DARPA is creating a robotic system to inspect, service, repair, improve and extend the lives of US satellites in orbit.  The program promises significant money savings and much longer and efficient use of satellites. Space Logistics DARPA is partnering with Space Logistics, a subsidiary of Northrup Grumman, to develop and deploy advanced robotic capabilities in space.   The first step is to develop what DARPA is calling a "DEXTEROUS ROBOTIC SERVICE".  The technology needed would increase satellite life spans, improve their reliability and resilience.  All of which would save the US government and space companies significant money lost when a satellite's operations breakdown...

New NASA, ESA, South Korea Virtual Network to Monitor Air Pollution Source:  European Space Agency Image of Global Pollution Hourly Air Quality, Air Pollution Updates NASA, the European Space Agency and South Korea are joining forces to create a new constellation of satellites with highly advanced instrumentation to monitor global air quality and air pollution.  The system is so advanced it is capable of monitoring, tracking and providing hourly updates on air quality anyplace on Earth. South Korea Launch The environmental watch from space was just kicked off by South Korea's launch of its Geostationary Environment Monitoring Spectrometer, aboard its ocean monitoring satellite.  NASA will launch similar instruments in 2022.  The European Space Agency will launch its own satellites and instruments in 2023.  It will be the world's first, real time, air quality monitoring system covering the globe with updates every hour. Global Air Quality Mon...

Spacecom Satellite Providing Vital Communications Services to Africa AMOS-17 I srael’s AMOS-17 satellite, manufactured by Boeing, blasted into space aboard a SpaceX rocket in late October 2019.   The communications satellite is now successfully deployed and fully operational, providing advanced communications services to Africa.   AMOS-17 has provided Israel and satellite designer and operator Spacecom a triumphant return to Space, three years after a launchpad explosion destroyed another one of its satellites AMOS-6 Communications Services for Africa The demand for the communications services AMOS-17 is providing to Africa is huge.   The continent suffers from a lack of internet access infrastructure with some parts of Africa underserved or completely unconnected to any communications infrastructure.   Meanwhile demand for access is growing.   More than half of the African population is under 18 years old.   And the number o...

SpaceX Launches 60 Satellites Source:  SpaceX World of Interconnectivity Elon Musk is at it again.  Last night, his company SpaceX successfully launched 60 satellites into space from Cape Canaveral.  His intent with the Starlink program is to beam high speed internet connectivity around the globe. World's Biggest Private Satellite Operator The launch makes SpaceX the world's largest private satellite operator.  Musk's goal is to send 42,000 satellites into space.  That would give SpaceX 3% of the $1Trillion internet connectivity global market,  At the moment Musk has 180 satellites in low earth orbit.  Some astronomers are very concerned about the satellites obstructing their views into space. Billionaire Entrepreneur In the last half of 2019 and so far into 2020, the billionaire engineer has been on a roll with three of his companies that are defining the future of travel. His electric car company, Tesla, which is the world's largest , ju...

China-Brazil Earth Observation Satellite Watching Amazon Rain Forest Source: Satellite Image of Amazon Fires Bi-lateral Cooperation to Help the Environment This is bilateral collaboration on a jointly developed satellite by Brazil and China, an earth observation satellite to monitor the Amazon Rain Forest. The sat was launched today and the Chinese-Brazil satellite development program relationship goes back to 1988.  The recent rainforest fires caused massive damage to the bio-diversity in the Amazon.  The hope is this highly advanced satellite system will monitor, protect and prevent such disasters.  For the Amazon, it seems like a little too late, but it's significant technology that could be very useful going forward for the Amazon and elsewhere globally. Innovation in Bilateral Sat Cooperation BRICS, standing for Brazil. Russia, India, China and South Africa, is the coalition of nations behind forwarding this satellite effort. It's an awesome...

Future of Cheap Satellite Launches Source:  LinkSpace Chinese Startup LinkSpace For the third time in five months, Chinese startup LinkSpace has successfully tested a reusable rocket.  Today, the rocket reached nearly 1000 feet and returned to its launchpad in fifty seconds.  China is clearly upping its game for cheap satellite launches by deploying reusable rockets.  It will cost about $4million to buy space on the LinkSpace rocket as opposed to approximately $30 million on a non-reusable Northrup Grumman rocket. Lots of Satellites The reusable rocket technology is key to getting a piece of what's expected to be a boom in satellite deployments. Services to be provided via satellite include high speed internet for rural areas and airplanes in flight.  Elon Musk's SpaceX started the reusable rocket race in 2017 when he began deploying recoverable rockets.  Now companies in China, Russia, the US and Europe are trying to develop their own reusable ...

Cubesats in Command Source:   NASA Cubesat High Theater in Low Earth Orbit Two cubesats (small satellites) powered by steam performed a complicated and coordinated maneuver in space today.  With the help of NASA on the ground, one of the spacecraft commanded the other to close the 5.5 mile gap between them.  It did so successfully. Old Fashioned Steam Power The twin spacecrafts' fuel tanks are filled with water.  Thrusters convert the water into steam which propels the cubesats.  NASA says today's maneuvers demonstrate how small spacecraft can work together on future missions.  NASA adds these spacecraft are designed to operate in swarms.  These space teams could be deployed in the future for deep space exploration and work autonomously to explore new worlds.  NASA plans on sending cubesats to the Moon in 2020.  For a free Kindle borrow of my latest book "Big Space News 2019", go to  amazon.com/author/ekane  https://www...

Successful Launch of Communications Satellite Aboard Space X Rocket Source:  SpaceCom's AMOS-17 AMOS 17 Israel's Space Communications, a satellite operator, has announced that its communications satellite AMOS-17 was launched into space from a SpaceX rocket and is now travelling to its targeted orbital position.  The satellite was manufactured by Boeing and launched from Cape Canaveral, FL.  The satellite is valued at $250 million. Communications Services for Africa AMOS 17 will provide communications for Africa.  During the next three months, it will go through a series of tests and then go into commercial operation in late 2019.  The launch was very important for Israel to help it rebound from some major space setbacks, including the loss of a satellite in 2016 when a SpaceX rocket exploded.  AMOS-17 joins three other Space Communications satellites now in orbit.  For a free Kindle borrow of my latest book "Big Space News 2019", go to...

Richard Branson's Virgin Orbit  Air Launch System Source:  Virgin Orbit's  747 with rocket under its wing Close to Commercial Launches - Aiming for Summer's End Virgin Orbit, Richard Branson's second space company, expects to perform its first commercial satellite launch from a modified 747 aircraft by the end of this summer.  The company just successfully completed a test on the modified 747 over the Mojave Desert.  It dropped a fake rocket from tens of thousands of feet.  The 747 is named Cosmic Girl.  It carries the company's LaunchOne Rocket under its wing. Cosmic Girl's Differentiator There are a lot of key players in the commercial space launch industry including Elon Musk's Space X and Rocket Lab.  What differentiates Virgin Orbit is that it is an air launch, not a ground based, launch system like Space X and Rocket Lab. Air Born Rocket Launches Virgin Orbit fires off a rocket from the 747 to launch satellites, which the compa...