Plus: Artemis 2's imminent launch
| By Dan Robitzski
Earlier this week, a SpaceX Starlink satellite experienced an unspecified anomaly that, according to reports from the space tracking firm LeoLabs, has generated new space debris in orbit. It's the second time a problem with a Starlink satellite generated orbital debris in roughly three months.
In this case, both SpaceX and LeoLabs offered statements saying that the debris posed little risk — it didn't interrupt SpaceX's Transporter-16 nor will it interrupt Artemis 2 — and LeoLabs said the low-altitude debris will likely deorbit in a matter of weeks. Qualitatively, though, the debris serves as a warning shot. As operators, SpaceX included, seek to launch hundreds of thousands of satellites into orbit, the occasional unexpected breakup will only become more common. And the risk that orbital debris does start to interfere with missions will only grow without proper mitigation and prevention being baked in from the start.
It also seems like more people are noticing the problem. Earlier today, friends from outside the space community reached out to ask me just how bad the space debris problem was. They had seen an article published in The Guardian that visualized the rapidly growing numbers of satellites and debris pieces around Earth and wanted to know what to make of it. As the article says, the risk to space operations and access today is tolerable, but we find ourselves in a fragile position. Hopefully, these warning signs are heeded.
You can see some of our latest coverage on orbital debris below.
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| | After a turbulent couple of weeks and months, Artemis 2 is nearly ready to go. The Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft are back on the launch pad, the fueling process began early this morning; the crew is ready to go.
If all goes well, the launch window will open up about an hour and a half after this newsletter reaches inboxes, during which NASA will attempt to launch the mission in between potentially spotty weather. Officials expressed confidence that the mission will go as planned, if not today then at some point through the border launch window that extends through April 4.
"Even if we have showers around in a two-hour launch window, we should be able to shoot the gap between those showers," Mark Burger, launch weather officer at the Space Force's 45th Weather Squadron, said during a briefing.
| | | | | | | | | Virgin Galactic still expects to resume commercial suborbital flights by the end of the year as its first next-generation spaceplane nears completion, executives said on an earnings call.
| | | | A Chinese commercial company has conducted an on-orbit demonstration of a flexible robotic arm, marking progress toward capabilities for satellite servicing, refueling and debris removal.
| | | | | Rocket Lab has secured approval from German authorities to acquire laser communications firm Mynaric, clearing a key regulatory hurdle for a deal that had faced prolonged scrutiny over national security concerns.
| | | | Japanese company ispace is revising its lunar lander design and further delaying the first mission by its American subsidiary while also unveiling plans for a lunar satellite constellation.
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