Articles previously published in The Space Review:January - June 2023 | July - December 2022 | January - June 2022 | July - December 2021 | January - June 2021 | July - December 2020 | January - June 2020 | July - December 2019 | January - June 2019 | July - December 2018 | January - June 2018 | July - December 2017 | January - June 2017 | July - December 2016 | January - June 2016 | July - December 2015 | January - June 2015 | July - December 2014 | January - June 2014 | July - December 2013 | January - June 2013 | July - December 2012 | January - June 2012 | July - December 2011 | January - June 2011 | July - December 2010 | January - June 2010 | July - December 2009 | January - June 2009 | July - December 2008 | January - June 2008 | July - December 2007 | January - June 2007 | July - December 2006 | January - June 2006 | July - December 2005 | January - June 2005 | July - December 2004 | January - June 2004 | February - December 2003
June 2023:India joins the Artemis AccordsIn a development that took some by surprise, India signed the US-led Artemis Accords last week. Ajey Lele examines the implications of that signing, from cooperation in human spaceflight to space resource policy complications. A veteran astronaut adjusts to a new era of private spaceflightPeggy Whitson has more time in space than any other American astronaut, but her latest trip to space required some changes. Jeff Foust talks to Whitson about commanding the Ax-2 mission to the International Space Station and how it supports Axiom Space’s long-term commercial space station plans. How artificial photosynthesis may be key to sustained life beyond EarthLife support is one of the biggest challenges for long-duration spaceflight. Katharina Brinkert describes research into a promising new technology that could make it easier to keep people alive on the Moon and Mars. Review: Under Alien SkiesThe solar system can offer vistas to travelers that boggle our terrestrial imaginations. Jeff Foust reviews a book that uses hypothetical journeys to other worlds to set the stage for discussions of astronomy and planetary science. From the sky to the mud: TENCAP and adapting national reconnaissance systems to tactical operationsBy the early 1970s, satellite systems developed by the US for strategic military purposes started to find tactical applications. Dwayne Day examines the Tactical Exploitation of National CAPabilities (TENCAP) program and how the US Army in particular helped push to find new applications of space systems. A chaotic trajectory for NASA’s budgetIn its fiscal year 2024 budget request three months ago, NASA sought a 7% increase that now looks increasingly unlikely. Jeff Foust reports on how broader fiscal debates between the White House and Congress could bring NASA’s budgetary ambitions back down to Earth. The implications of the UK’s National Space Strategy on special operationsThe British government advanced a National Space Strategy last year that outlines its ambitions in both civil and military space activities. Four researchers examine that strategy and what it means for one aspect of the country’s military. Review: From the Earth to MarsWhile the Space Age may have begun with the launch of Sputnik, there was decades of work leading up to that launch. Jeff Foust reviews a book that examines some of those earliest efforts in the 1920s in Germany and the Soviet Union. Why laws and norms matter in spaceGrowing activity, and threats of conflict, in space emphasize the need for rules for responsible use of space. Senjuti Mallick explains why such rules are more essential than ever. Mars 2033: can we do this?For several years, Mars exploration advocates have proposed a human mission to orbit or fly by Mars in 2033, a particularly favorable launch window. Jeff Foust reports that, even with only a decade to go, some still believe such a mission is feasible. A case for space in the Caribbean: a historic and strategic perspectiveThe island nations of the Caribbean are often overlooked in discussions about the future of space exploration and commercialization. Kaylon Paterson examines how those countries can benefit from, and contribute to, the growing space economy. Review: After ApolloThe 50th anniversaries of all the Apollo lunar landing missions have come and gone, but the historical reflections of that era continue. Jeff Foust reviews a book that offers an eclectic assessment of the impact of Apollo on society. Barbarian in space: the secret space-laser battle station of the Cold WarIn 1987, the Soviet Union launched a spacecraft called Polyus intended to be a prototype of a system to disable American satellites with lasers. Dwayne Day and Robert Kennedy discuss the history of this secret, and unsuccessful, response to America’s Strategic Defense Initiative. Whither Starliner?Days after a SpaceX Crew Dragon splashed down after its tenth crew flight, Boeing and NASA announced another delay in the first crewed flight of the CST-100 Starliner. Jeff Foust reports on the diverging fortunes of the two commercial crew vehicles. Cultural considerations in space exploration: Insights for NASA’s Artemis 2 missionWhen the four Artemis 2 astronauts embark on their mission, they will be going to a destination not visited by humans in more than 50 years. Deana Weibel examines some of the cultural implications of that mission, including seeing sights no active astronaut has seen before. A review of Japan’s space policy after the H3 launch vehicle failureThe failure of the first H3 rocket in March had implications beyond that vehicle development program. Junji Miyazawa explains how policy decisions in Japan shaped that failure and how the government should change those policies. Review: For the Love of MarsJust as our knowledge of Mars has changed over the centuries, so has our perceptions of what the Red Planet represents. Jeff Foust reviews a book that examines those changing views from ancient history to future human missions there. May 2023:Death of a launch companyVirgin Orbit executives hoped someone would buy the company out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy and allow it to resume operations. Instead, Jeff Foust reports, the company’s assets were sold at auction last week to several other aerospace companies, marking the end of the air-launch venture. Red planet realityA space-themed reality show, hosted by William Shatner, will premiere on the Fox network next week. Dwayne Day discusses how, in the long history of efforts to create space reality shows, you have to fake it to make it. The case for space ethicsGovernment officials often talk about the importance of responsible space behavior, but what it means to be responsible is not defined. Magdalena Bogacz describes the importance of establishing an ethical framework for space. Navigating space bioethicsHuman spaceflight poses a number of medical challenges, and with them ethical issues. Vanessa Farsadaki outlines those bioethical questions posed by humans in space. China’s spaceplane returns: is this a new weapon in their counterspace arsenal?An uncrewed Chinese spaceplane landed earlier this month after about nine months in orbit. Ajey Lele examines what little is known about the spaceplane and its potential role in potential future conflicts in space. Saving Skylab the top secret wayNASA launched Skylab 50 years ago this month, but immediately ran into problems that threatened the space station. Dwayne Day examines how the NRO came to the assistance of NASA to get imagery of the station to support rescue efforts.
A lunar lander makeoverNASA announced last week that it selected Blue Origin to develop a second lander for Artemis missions, joining SpaceX’s Starship. Jeff Foust reports on how the company’s Blue Moon lander is significantly different from earlier designs, as well as the challenges NASA faces in getting support for those landers and Artemis in general. The dawn of the age of DARTLast year’s DART mission showed that we have the ability to deflect the trajectory of an asteroid, a key technology for planetary defense. Daniel Deudney describes how that enables capabilities beyond planetary defense, for better or worse. Review: Destination CosmosA number of “immersive” experiences offer people a taste of spaceflight without leaving the ground. Jeff Foust reviews one such experience that takes people through the solar system and beyond from an old bank building in New York. A vastly different approach to space stationsA new startup jumped into the race last week to develop commercial space stations. Jeff Foust reports on Vast’s plans to launch a single-module station as soon as 2025 in cooperation with SpaceX. Congress must reject the Defense Department’s hope-based strategy in spaceDefense Department officials frequently point out the threat that China poses to American space assets. Christopher Stone argues, though, that those officials aren’t taking the right approach to dealing with that threat. Falcon Heavy to the rescueWhile SpaceX’s Starship may one day be successful, it could take some time. Ajay Kothari describes how the company’s Falcon Heavy rocket could be used to send large payloads to the Moon, keeping Artemis on track. Review: When the Heavens Went on SaleThe early success of SpaceX helped enable a new wave of space startups, with varying degrees of success. Jeff Foust reviews a book that profiles four such companies and the diverse range of people working there who were geniuses, misfits, or both. Stonehouse: Deep space listening in the high desertDuring the 1960s and 1970s, the National Security Agency had a listening post in Ethiopia with a very specific mission: eavesdrop on communications from Soviet deep space missions. Dwayne Day examines the history of the site and what American intelligence learned from those transmissions. Strategizing planetary defenseThe success of NASA’s DART mission to deflect a small asteroid was a major milestone for planetary defense, but not the end of efforts to protect the planet from potential impacts. Jeff Foust reports on new strategies released last month by NASA and the White House to improve efforts to discover and, if necessary, deal with potentially hazardous asteroids. How government and industry should reshape the business of spaceDeveloping new space capabilities, from satellite servicing to space traffic management, requires coordination between the public and private sectors. Adam Routh and Brett Loubert offer some proposals to government and industry to improve cooperation in those and related fields. Review: Photographing America’s First AstronautsWhile it’s been 62 years since Alan Shepard became the first American to go to space, the history books have yet to be closed on the Mercury program. Jeff Foust reviews a book that publishes previously unseen photos of the program taken by NASA’s first photographer. The Moon is harsh on misstepsJapanese company ispace attempted to land on the Moon last week, only to have its lander crash. Jeff Foust reports on the failed landing that comes as American companies prepare to launch their first NASA-supported lunar lander missions. Building telescopes on the Moon could transform astronomy, and it’s becoming an achievable goalAs lunar exploration increases, so do the opportunities to do science there. Ian Crawford describes how missions can enable a new era of astronomy, particularly on the lunar farside. Starship after the dust settlesA week and a half after SpaceX’s first Starship/Super Heavy rocket lifted off for the first time, new details are emerging about that brief flight. Jeff Foust recaps comments from Musk about the launch and reaction from NASA and environmental groups. Review: The Possibility of LifeAs the field of astrobiology matures, scientists are only now beginning to come to grips with the challenge of finding evidence of life beyond Earth. Jeff Foust reviews a book that explores the state of our understanding, or lack thereof, of prospects of life elsewhere. April 2023:Grading on a suborbital curveSpaceX’s long-anticipated first Starship/Super Heavy launch took place last week, ending explosively just four minutes after liftoff. Jeff Foust reports on the launch and whether even a truncated test flight can still be considered a success. India’s space policy and national security posture: what can we expect?The Indian government released a new space policy this month. Namrata Goswami discusses the policy’s implications for commercial space development in the country as well as national security. Is the US in a space race against China?In congressional testimony last week, NASA administrator Bill Nelson said he felt the United States was in a space race with China. Svetla Ben-Itzhak examines whether there is much of a race between the two nations in civil spaceflight. Review: The Space Law StalemateInternational space law has struggled to keep pace with expanding space activity, posing challenges for companies and countries. Jeff Foust reviews a book that examines those challenges and proposes ways to move space law forward. The truth is up there: American spy balloons during the Cold WarA Chinese spy balloon that floated over the United States earlier this year brought renewed attention to the use of high-altitude balloons for reconnaissance. Dwayne Day examines American efforts to develop such balloons during the Cold War and their links to satellite reconnaissance. Go big or go home?Earlier this month Virgin Orbit filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy when it failed to raise more money, while Relativity Space has shifted away from its own small launch vehicle after a single launch. Jeff Foust reports in the changing fortunes for the small launch vehicle industry. Internet of Things: the China perspectiveChina is seeking to become a dominant player in many technologies, including Internet of Things. Henk H.F. Smid describes those efforts and the role space plays in those plans. Review: The Space EconomyThe space industry has run into some headwinds with recent financial problems many companies have faced, including Virgin Orbit’s bankruptcy. Jeff Foust reviews a book by an investor who remains bullish about the long-term prospects of the overall space economy, though. First fourLast week, NASA announced the four astronauts who will fly on Artemis 2, the first crewed SLS/Orion mission. Jeff Foust reports on the crew selection and plans for that first human mission beyond low Earth orbit in more than half a century. The spaceport bottleneckThe handful of US spaceports that host orbital launches are straining to keep up with growing launch demand. Tom Marotta examines this bottleneck and one potential solution for it. How satellites and space junk may make dark night skies brighterAstronomers have warned for several years that the growing population of satellites would interfere with their observations, but often could not quantify their effects. Jessica Heim describes recent research that put a dollar value on how growth in space objects will affect one observatory. Review: Off-EarthThe vision of humans living and working in space has been around for decades, but has more than just technical challenges to overcome. Jeff Foust reviews a book that explores some of the ethical quandaries posed by space settlement. Robotic Mars exploration after sample returnAs NASA focuses on returning samples to Mars, it has virtually no other robotic missions planned to the Red Planet. Jeff Foust reports on the release last week of a draft strategy that offers a first glimpse of what kinds of missions NASA might fly after Mars Sample Return as it prepares for human exploration of the planet. Sustainability lessons from Artemis: How SLS and Orion succeededNASA this week is announcing the astronauts who will go on the first crewed Artemis mission to the Moon. Frank Slazer examines the factors that enabled key elements of the effort, Orion and the Space Launch System, to survive various political changes. Exploitation beyond our planet: the risks of forced labor in space miningThroughout history, mining on Earth has involved the use of forced labor. Julia Muraszkiewicz argues that it’s worth thinking about how to prevent it from also happening in the future in space. Review: Reclaiming SpaceThe surge in commercial space activity has been remarkably divisive with debates about those efforts and the people backing them. Jeff Foust reviews a book that seeks to add new voices to that debate from often overlooked perspectives. March 2023:Indian ASAT: Mission Shakti should be a comma, not a full stopFour years ago, India demonstrated its anti-satellite capabilities by destroying a satellite with a direct-ascent missile. Ajey Lele argues India needs to discuss what other ASAT technologies it is developing and its space deterrence strategy. Europe contemplates a space revolutionThe European Space Agency has considered developing human spaceflight capabilities, but first sought the advice of an outside group. Jeff Foust reports on the conclusions of that group that support not just an expansive European human spaceflight program but a more commercial approach for doing so. Space policy: why a step-by-step plan mattersPeople widely discuss the content of space policies by the United States and other nations, but talk far less about how such policies are created and implemented. Namrata Goswami examines the five-step process of space policy development and how it is put to use in various countries. Review: Comet MadnessWhile some publications today are full of of stories about threats, real or imagined, posed by asteroids, such melodrama is not new. Jeff Foust reviews a book about how newspapers treated the flyby of Comet Halley in 1910, including fears of worldwide disaster. The hard truths of NASA’s planetary programNASA is proposing spending more than $3.3 billion next year on its planetary science program, but that program is strained by increasing costs and institutional issues. Jeff Foust reports on how those problems have delayed a Venus mission and could spread to other NASA science missions. Space storm risingThe growth of the space industry has made it increasingly difficult for companies to hire and retain skilled employees. Joseph Horvath and Christopher Allen make the case for changing how the industry does professional development. A solution to the growing problem of satellite interference with radio astronomyAs the number of satellites of all types increases, so does the interference their transmissions cause for radio astronomy. Three experts describe the problem and one approach to resolving it. Review: NACA to NASA to NowCan you effectively condense more than a century of activity into a relatively short book? Jeff Foust reviews a book that offers a concise yet comprehensive overview of NASA and its predecessor, NACA. Russia returns to the Moon (maybe)Later this year, Russia is scheduled to launch a long-delayed lunar lander mission, its first mission to the Moon in decades. Dwayne Day, though, warns that the mission’s odds of success are long given the current state of Russia’s space program. Searching for life and grappling with uncertaintyAs the number of known exoplanets grows, so do the hopes of scientists searching for evidence of life beyond Earth. Jeff Foust looks at new efforts to use exoplanets to better understand the formation of life as well as the challenges communicating those findings to the public. Building a catalog to track the trash around the MoonThe increase in activity around the Moon brings with it an increase in defunct spacecraft and other debris in cislunar space. Vishnu Reddy discusses work he is leading to catalog that debris and ensure safe operations around the Moon. Suborbital spaceflight and the Overview EffectThe Overview Effect, or change in mindset from going to space, has been well-documented among those who have gone to orbit but some doubted a brief suborbital spaceflight could trigger it. Jeff Foust reports that the person who popularized the Overview Effect now believes it can. Suborbital spaceflight’s next chapterSuborbital human spaceflight appeared to open a new era nearly two years ago, but those flights have recently been on hold because of mishaps and maintenance. Jeff Foust reports on those companies’ plans to resume flights of customers, including researchers, and the role NASA is playing to support the industry. Managing ocean sustainability from above: leveraging space capabilities to combat illegal fishingThere would seem to be little in common between the space industry and efforts worldwide to stop illegal fishing. Cody Knipfer explains how satellites have become key tools in efforts to identify and halt such fishing operations. The Falcon 9 achieves the shuttle’s dreamsSpaceX’s Falcon 9 is launching at a frenetic pace for both its own Starlink satellites as well as for government and commercial customers. In the process, Francis Castanos notes, it has passed a goal set long ago for the Space Shuttle. Review: Original SinRecent events can make it seem like we are entering a new era of militarization or even weaponization of space. Jeff Foust reviews a book that argues that the military use of space has been spaceflight’s “original sin” among all major space powers. February 2023:Journey to a cold and curious moonNeptune’s largest moon, Triton, is one of the most intriguing worlds in the solar system and might even be able to support life below its icy surface. Dwayne Day examines a proposed mission that would have flown by Triton, one that ultimately was not selected by NASA. New rockets spring to lifeSpringtime is for lovers… of new rockets, that is. Jeff Foust reports on impending first flights of several new launch vehicles, some reaching the pad after years of delays. Three rules for peace in orbit in the new space eraThere are various proposals for space traffic management regimes and rules of the road for space behavior. Brian Chow and Brandon Kelley describe three tenets they believe are critical to establishing such systems so they do not undermine space security. Assessing NASA advisory activities: What makes advice effectiveNASA gets plenty of internal and external advice about its activities, but what makes that advice effective? Joseph K. Alexander discusses the key features of effective agency advice based on experience from several efforts over the years that had a major impact on the agency’s work. India’s space security policy, part 2: getting space security rightIn the second part of an examination of Indian space security policy, Pranav R. Satyanath examines how India should look beyond ASATs when crafting a policy for securing its interests in space. Trials and tribulations of planetary smallsatsSmallsats have revolutionized many aspects of spaceflight, including science, but not without challenges. Jeff Foust reports on the problems a line of small planetary missions funded by NASA has faced trying to get off the launch pad, including finding rides to space. Will a five-year mission by COPUOS produce a new international governance instrument for outer space resources?A United Nations committee has started work on a five-year project to develop a potential governance framework for utilization of space resources. Dennis O’Brien analyzes the viewpoints of various nations and organizations involved in that effort. Making something from the great balloon incident: space policy at the fringesThe Chinese spy balloon that floated over the United States and was eventually shot down has raised awareness about what is going on in the stratosphere and the need to better track it. Roger Handberg argues it may also provide some data on another topic at the fringes of space policy. Review: Wild RideOf all the private astronaut missions to date, none was quite like Inspiration4, which flew four non-professional astronauts on a Crew Dragon in 2021. Jeff Foust reviews the memoir by one of the four, Hayley Arceneaux, who recounts both her childhood battle with cancer and a trip of a lifetime to space. Too many or two few? The launch industry’s conundrumTwo small launch vehicle developers suffered high-profile launch failures last month, the latest sign of struggles for that sector. Jeff Foust reports that while some see financial and technical problems leading to a weeding out of the industry, others are calling for even more vehicles to meet growing demand. Trends in NASA authorization legislationCongress passed a NASA authorization act as part of a broader bill last year, the first NASA authorization enacted in five years. Alex Eastman and Casey Dreier discuss how NASA authorization acts have become less frequent, but also longer, in recent decades. India’s space security policy, part 1: history’s second cutIndia abstained in a recent UN vote on an antisatellite testing moratorium, even as 155 nations voted in favor of it. Pranav R. Satyanath examines India’s policy towards development of ASATs and international regulation of them. Galactic dissonance for the Space ForceThe US Space Force has proposed a range of new activities, from debris removal to monitoring cislunar space. Matthew Jenkins argues that the service should focus first on demonstrating how it protects American interests at home and abroad. What is the environmental impact of a supercharged space industry?The space industry has long downplayed the environmental impact of launches, given their historically small number. Jeff Foust reports that, as launch activity soars, concerns grow about how emissions from both launches and spacecraft reentries might affect the upper atmosphere. National Reconnaissance Program crisis photography concepts, part 2: PINTOIn the second part of an examination of efforts more than a half-century ago to develop rapid-response reconnaissance systems, Joseph T. Page II discusses one concept that repurposed flight-proven hardware to rapidly collect and return images. Comparing the NASA Advisory Council and NASA’s external advisory bodiesNASA has multiple places it can turn to for advice, from its own advisory council to external committees run by the National Academies. Joseph Alexander explores the differences between those internal and external advisers. Review: The New GuysForty-five years ago, NASA selected 35 people that would include the first women and Black astronauts. Jeff Foust reviews a book that examines many members of that historic astronaut class and the challenges they faced to get an opportunity to go to space. January 2023:Human spaceflight safety in a new commercial eraThis week, as NASA marks the 20th anniversary of the loss of Columbia, the agency says it’s redoubling its efforts to learn from that and past accidents to avoid another. Jeff Foust reports that those efforts come as human spaceflight shifts to the private sector, creating a new set of issues to ensure safety. Space-to-ground capabilities are the answer to deterring invasion of TaiwanThe US military raised concerns last year that China may be developing fractional orbital bombardment systems and other space-to-ground weapons. Christopher Stone argues that the best way to counter such weapons is for the US to develop similar ones. Our solar system is filled with asteroids that are particularly hard to destroyThe recent success of NASA’s DART mission might suggest that scientists have figured out how to deal with a potentially hazardous asteroid. Fred Jourdan and Nick Timms explain their research that shows that asteroids like the one DART hit might actually be difficult to handle. Review: Apollo’s CreedMany astronaut memoirs follow similar paths recounting experience before, during, and after NASA. Jeff Foust reviews a book that offers a different approach, looking at the post-NASA life of an Apollo-era astronaut as remembered by his stepdaughter. Persistent cooperation on the space stationSince Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, NASA officials have emphasized that operations of the ISS remained unaffected. Jeff Foust reports that was put to the test when a Soyuz spacecraft docked to the station was damaged last month. Not-so ancient astronauts and Area 51: the Skylab IncidentDuring the final Skylab mission, astronauts photographed a secretive base in Nevada, creating a headache for the CIA. Dwayne Day revisits that incident to explore the issue of secrecy and classification. What the United States should do regarding space leadership?The United States is a leader in space, but that future leadership is not assured. Namrata Goswami argues that the US needs to revise its space priorities to address growing interest in using space for economic development. Mawu and Artemis: Why the United States should make Africa a priority for space diplomacyRwanda and Nigeria became the first African nations to sign the Artemis Accords last month. Nico Wood discusses why, despite this milestone, the United States needs to do more to work with African nations in space diplomacy. Unlocking the next great observatoriesAt a conference last week, astronomers celebrated the James Webb Space Telescope as it continued to surpass expectations. Jeff Foust reports that they also discussed how to develop future space telescopes, including a series of new “great observatories” that may take decades to launch. From the sand to the stars: Saddam Hussein’s failed space programShortly before the first Gulf War, Iraq embarked on an effort to launch its own satellite. Dwayne Day examines what we know about efforts to build a satellite and small launch vehicle, and potential ties to missile development. China’s new space station opens for business in an increasingly competitive era of space activityChina effectively completed its space station last year, enabling it to be permanently crewed for research. Eytan Tepper and Scott Shackelford discuss the geopolitical ramifications of that station as the International Space Station enters its final years. Review: Dinner on MarsWhile there is plenty of discussion about how to send humans to Mars, there’s far less about how they’ll live there. Jeff Foust reviews a book that explores how emerging technologies and techniques could allow people on Mars to sustainably grow a variety of foods while also helping terrestrial agriculture. Moon denied: the 1993 Early Lunar Access proposalExactly 30 years ago, General Dynamics unveiled a concept for returning humans to the Moon faster and less expensively than other proposals. Dwayne Day examines Early Lunar Access and why it demonstrated there was no such thing as easy lunar access. To go to Mars, do a backflip at VenusNASA is currently implementing a Moon-to-Mars strategy with lunar missions serving as precursors for eventual human expeditions to Mars. Jeff Foust reports on a recent study that argues that a human flyby of Venus could be a key intermediate step between the Moon and Mars. A COTS-like alternative for planetary explorationNASA is struggling to carry out an ambitious series of planetary science missions within a flat budget. Louis Friedman argues it’s time for NASA to take a page from other parts of the agency and consider public-private partnerships for some missions. Review: A Brief History of Black HolesBlack holes have become established in both astrophysics and popular culture. Jeff Foust reviews a book where an astrophysicist argues that both the “black” and “hole” part of the name are misnomers based on the science of those objects. After all, it’s rocket science (and bureaucracy)While 2022 was a record year for the number of launches, some vehicles had trouble getting off the pad or reaching orbit successfully. Jeff Foust reports on the challenges several companies faced in the final weeks of the year, both technical and regulatory. M is for MONSTER ROCKET: the M-1 cryogenic engineDuring the first half of the 1960s, NASA embarked on a number of projects that looked beyond the initial Apollo lunar landings. Dwayne Day describes one of those projects, an effort to develop an engine that would have dwarfed those being produced for the Saturn V. The critical importance of resiliency for US missile warning satellitesThe US military is in the process of transitioning from a fleet of geostationary missile-warning satellites to a constellation in lower orbits. Brian Chow discusses why resilience must be a central tenet of that transition. Space resilience and the importance of multiple orbitsGrowing concerns about anti-satellite weapons have led some to propose alternative architectures like LEO constellations. Matthew Mowthorpe argues that resilience from such threats comes from having satellites in a variety of orbits. Home |
|