TechCrunch reports that the startup gets an infusion of cash fueling its growth. The young satellite refueling company has demonstrated their technology on the ISS and is working with satellite manufacturers to incorporate their standard nozzles on board to enable propellant transfer by robotic refuelers, extending the life of the spacecraft.
Destination Deimos – prime real estate for space settlement
At SSI 50, the Space Settlement Enterprise conference sponsored by the Space Studies Institute, I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Jim Logan, a medical doctor with 22 years experience as a NASA Flight Surgeon where he served as Chief, Flight Medicine and Chief, Medical Operations. Dr. Logan along with former Flight Dynamics Officer Dan Adamo, developed a strong argument in 2014 for Deimos as the ideal destination for initial space outposts. Says Logan, “Deimos, for a number of VERY valid reasons, is the best choice by far for early settlement”. Their paper outlining this concept provides a convincing argument that Deimos is the most valuable piece of real estate in the solar system.
On the last day of the conference Dr. Logan presented an innovative concept for a string of O’Neill type settlements constructed in a tunnel bored straight through Deimos. The architecture addresses the problem of radiation protection and delivers Earth normal gravity while providing an easy to get to platform for telerobotic exploration of Mars. Videos of this presentation will be coming soon on the SSI YouTube Channel.
Logan and Adamo are co-founders of the Space Enterprise Institute, which provides evidence-based research inspiring expansion of human activity in space.
SSI 50: The Space Settlement Enterprise videos now available
Determining the Gravity Rx
Joe Carroll of Tethers Applications, Inc. delivered a presentation on a proposal for a LEO partial gravity test facility at the StarShip Congress which took place in San Diego September 13 – 15. An interesting fact is that of all the surfaces of bodies in the solar system where humans may want to build settlements, all of them have gravity similar to the Moon and Mars. Thus gravity in the solar system is “quantized” to just these two levels simplifying the testing regime. Determining the prescription needed for human health in partial gravity is a critical path research topic needed for space settlement.
Satellite servicing database
An Earth orbit service and supply industry is emerging to deliver propellant, components, and repairs, as well as the ability to transfer satellites between different orbits. SpaceFund has established a database of the companies providing these services. Potential investors can view the database here .
The “First Base” on the Moon
Bigelow Aerospace already has it designed
Deep space mining made cheaper
University of Adelaide in cooperation with Space Tango are testing continuous-flow chemistry processes for economically viable extraction of precious metals from asteroids. Link here.
A practical space elevator
Called Spaceline, this cable made of currently known materials could be dropped down to Earth’s vicinity for relatively free movement between geostationary orbit and the Moon
Lunar settlement declaration
As good today as it was 20 years ago
The first private sector lunar landers
Loren Grush on three small companies attempting to place a lander on the moon in the next two years