“Manufacturing” says Made in Space CEO Andrew Rush as quoted in the Jacksonville Daily Record. “You need a reason to go. Every frontier we’ve ever opened as a people was because there was an economic reason for us to go and live and work in that place … That’s what we think is the missing piece in space exploration, . . . that economically-focused motivator to go and innovate and do new things.”
Axiom partners with SpaceX to launch private tourists to the ISS
In what is sure to be a historic flight next year, Axiom has inked a deal with SpaceX to be the first space tourism company to arrange for three private astronauts to be ferried to the ISS on a Crew Dragon. A fourth space flight participant will be a SpaceX trained astronaut. Axiom has plans for a permanent replacement of the ISS to provide a permanent habitat, scientific and industrial facility in LEO
The motivation for space settlement
Here is why we have such a positive view and faith in humanity’s future in space.
Living off the “land” in space
Building blocks for governance of space resource activities
The Hague International Space Resources Governance Working Group announces adoption of the Building Blocks of an International Framework on Space Resource activities
At last: a plan for demonstration of space solar power technology
Stars and Stripes reports that the Air Force Research Laboratory in partnership with Northrop Grumman is planning a Space Solar Power Incremental Demonstration. No word on when flight hardware will be ready, but this is the first initiative of which I am aware that actual space technology demonstration is in the works.
Although the project’s primary objectives are intended to augment military operations with beamed power from space to remote bases, the technology has potential commercial applications as a power source for isolated communities worldwide.
A proposed solution for space debris removal
Maritime traditions can be used as a model for creation of a space salvage entity that would incentivize private contractors to remove orbital debris via a credit based system.
A definition of space settlement
Dale L. Skran of the National Space Society breaks down the term differentiating between individual permanent habitats and the general creation of a grander association of colonies:
“ ‘A space settlement’ refers to a habitation in space or on a celestial body where families live on a permanent basis, and that engages in commercial activity which enables the settlement to grow over time, with the goal of becoming economically and biologically self-sustaining as a part of a larger network of space settlements. ‘Space settlement’ refers to the creation of that larger network of space settlements.”
Fill er’ up! Orbit Fab scores $3 million in seed round financing.
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.