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WG3K > ANS 17.11.24 01:22l 9 Lines 4439 Bytes #56 (0) @ AMSAT
BID : ANS322.9
Read: GAST
Subj: Satellite Shorts From All Over
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WG3K
Sent: 241117/0014Z 10055@WG3K.#SMD.MD.USA.NOAM LinBPQ6.0.24
+ SpaceX is set for its sixth Starship test flight on November 18th, marking the first mission without regulatory delays following FAA approval for both Flights 5 and 6. Flight 6 will be similar to Flight 5, including a suborbital launch and splashdown of the upper stage in the Indian Ocean, with a key difference being an attempted relight of a Raptor engine during coast, revisiting a goal from Flight 3. This test also includes new experiments with the thermal protection system, including sections without heat shield tiles to gather data on ship-catching configurations. SpaceX aims to catch the Super Heavy booster again, making improvements to its propulsion and structural systems after facing near failures and unexpected damage in Flight 5. The launch will depart in the afternoon to achieve a daylight splashdown, while testing higher angles of descent to simulate future landing profiles. Flight 6 will conclude the Block 1 version of Starship, with upgraded features planned for Flight 7, as SpaceX targets a faster launch cadence to support future NASA missions and lunar landings. (ANS thanks Spaceflight Nowhttps://spaceflightnow.com/ for the above information)
+ NASA's Parker Solar Probe recently completed its seventh and final flyby of Venus, setting it on a course to approach within 3.8 million miles of the sunâ€Ös surfaceâ€öcloser than any human-made object in history. This maneuver, crucial for tightening the probe's orbit, marks a significant step in its mission to study solar mysteries such as the sunâ€Ös extremely hot corona. Described by Nour Raouafi as “almost landing on a star†and compared to the 1969 moon landing, the achievement underscores its importance to humanity. The spacecraftâ€Ös gravity assists from Venus have not only propelled it closer to the sun but also provided unique data about Venus itself, revealing surface features through its WISPR camera and unexpected details like potential chemical differences. During the most recent flyby, Parker came within 233 miles of Venusâ€Ö surface to further study these surface properties. On December 24th, the probe will achieve its closest solar encounter, reaching a speed of 430,000 miles per hour, with mission control anticipating confirmation of its success by December 27th. (ANS thanks Space.comhttps://www.space.com/ for the above information)
+ Arianespace has announced that the second flight of Europeâ€Ös Ariane 6 rocket, its first commercial mission, has been rescheduled from December 2024 to no earlier than mid-February 2025. This mission will carry the CSO 3 reconnaissance satellite for the French military and marks the first Ariane 6 launch to be overseen by Arianespace. Initially expected to launch in December following the Vega C rocketâ€Ös return to flight, the schedule changed after analysis of an issue during the Ariane 6's debut in July. The delay stemmed from a temperature measurement anomaly that prevented the upper stageâ€Ös auxiliary power unit (APU) from starting, now corrected with a software update. Both the rocketâ€Ös core and upper stages are still in production and are set to be transported soon to French Guiana for launch preparation. Arianespace has assured that this delay will not impact future missions, with plans to conduct six Ariane 6 launches in 2025. (ANS thanks SpaceNewshttps://spacenews.com/ for the above information)
+ AST SpaceMobile has recently deployed five massive BlueBird satellites in low Earth orbit, each with a record-breaking 693-square-foot communications array, marking the start of the company's space-based cellular network. These satellites are brighter than most objects in the night sky, presenting significant challenges for astronomers by obstructing observations. AST aims to establish the first cellular broadband network directly accessible by cell phones, with plans to expand its constellation to over 100 satellites. The rapid increase in large satellites, like those of AST and competitors such as SpaceX and Amazon, has raised concerns about space debris and environmental impact. A group of experts has urged the FCC to reconsider satellite environmental exemptions, fearing an irreversible clutter of space. This surge in satellite launches is not only reshaping communications but also sparking debate on preserving the accessibility of space for scientific exploration. (ANS thanks Gizmodohttps://gizmodo.com/ for the above information)
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