Resuscitating Voyager 1 - SpaceNews This Week

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View this email in your browser A weekly roundup of the top SpaceNews stories from this week, every Friday Good news for struggling spacecraft this week: China is working to save its DRO-A and B spacecraft that got stuck after a rocket stage malfunction, a Soyuz spacecraft launched to the ISS two days after an unprecedented scrub just 20 seconds before liftoff and most intriguingly, NASA seems to think that it can solve a problem that has for months left Voyager 1 transmitting unintelligible data from its journey billions and billions of miles away from Earth. Our Top Story NASA optimistic about resolving Voyager 1 computer problem Jeff Foust, March 27, 2024 WASHINGTON — A NASA official says he is optimistic that a problem with the Voyager 1 spacecraft that has kept it from transmitting intelligible data for months can be resolved. Speaking at a March 20 meeting of the National Academies' Committee on Solar and Space Physics, Joseph Westlake, director of NASA's heliophysics division, said it appeared possible to fix the computer problem on the nearly 50-year-old spacecraft that has disrupted operations since last November. "I feel like we're on a path now to resolution," he said. "They're on the right path and I think we're going to get to a point where Voyager 1 is going to continue, alive and kicking in space." Other News From the Week MILITARY Space Force chief: U.S. intelligence is top-notch, but more insights needed on space domain Gen. Chance Saltzman, chief of space operations, said the U.S. Space Force has robust intelligence about what foreign adversaries are doing in outer space. Still, military leaders always want more comprehensive data and analysis about activities in orbit, he said March 27. Satellite firms cautiously optimistic as DoD boosts funding to integrate commercial satcom Commercial satellite operators for years have urged the Department of Defense to rely less on government-owned satellites and more on their own services. While advocacy efforts haven't resulted in a massive shift yet, a proposed increase in the 2025 budget allocation for commercial satellite communications integration offers a glimmer of hope, said a senior industry executive. On-orbit servicing mission planned for military satellite in 2025 In a mission targeted for 2025, a robot satellite in geostationary orbit around 22,000 miles above Earth will rendezvous with a military satellite and attempt to affix a new imaging sensor payload on the spacecraft. COMMERCIAL Vast Space hires former Voyager Space executive Commercial space station developer Vast Space has hired an executive from another space station company as an adviser. Vast announced March 28 that it hired Clay Mowry as an adviser. In that role, he will provide support for the company as it works on its proposed commercial space stations. Boeing sues Virgin Galactic over mothership project Boeing and a subsidiary have filed suit against Virgin Galactic, alleging that the suborbital spaceflight company has refused to pay more than $25 million and misappropriated trade secrets associated with a project to develop a new aircraft. Planet reveals $20 million Carbon Mapper contract Planet announced a $20 million agreement to provide hyperspectral data for Carbon Mapper's greenhouse gas monitoring campaign. The deal, which extends from 2026 to 2030, "will help Carbon Mapper deliver high resolution methane and CO2 super-emitter data to decision makers around the globe," Carbon Mapper CEO Riley Duren said in a statement. CIVIL ESA and ISRO explore increased cooperation The European Space Agency, impressed with India's growing space capabilities, is exploring opportunities for enhanced cooperation in space activities. China appears to be trying to save stricken spacecraft from lunar limbo Tracking data appears to show China is attempting to salvage spacecraft initially intended for the moon but left stranded by a rocket stage malfunction. The small DRO-A and B spacecraft launched from Xichang spaceport on a Long March 2C rocket March 13. Copyright (C) 2024 Multiverse Media Inc.. All rights reserved. You signed up to receive this newsletter on Spacenews.com. At times you may receive marketing material. Our mailing address is: Multiverse Media Inc. 100 Fillmore St. 5th Floor Denver, CO 80206 USA Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe