SpaceX
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NASA Orders Medical Evacuation from ISS
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NASA has decided to conduct a "controlled medical evacuation" of four crew members from the International Space Station after one experienced a medical issue. The affected astronaut, part of the Crew-11 mission, is reportedly stable, but NASA is prioritizing caution by returning the entire crew to Earth earlier than planned. The Crew-11 team, which includes commander Zena Cardman, pilot Mike Fincke, Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov, will return via the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft. NASA emphasizes that the health and well-being of astronauts remain their highest priority, maintaining privacy about the specific medical condition. This matters because it underscores NASA's commitment to astronaut safety and the complexities involved in managing health issues in space.
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Private Equity’s Impact on Rocket Industry
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The sale of Rocketdyne's assets to private equity firm AE Industrial highlights the decline of America's traditional rocket industry, as L3Harris retains only the RS-25 engine program. The RS-25, originally the Space Shuttle Main Engine, is crucial for NASA's Artemis Moon program but comes with a hefty price tag of $100 million per engine. This high cost has led to criticism of the SLS rocket program, despite congressional support to continue it through Artemis V. AE Industrial's acquisition includes the RL10 upper stage engine production and ongoing work in various propulsion technologies, allowing L3Harris to focus on defense contracts. This shift underscores the changing landscape of the aerospace industry, where cost efficiency and innovation are increasingly prioritized.
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SpaceX Lowers Starlink Satellites for Safety
Read Full Article: SpaceX Lowers Starlink Satellites for Safety
SpaceX plans to lower the orbit of approximately 4,400 of its Starlink satellites from 550km to 480km above Earth to enhance safety and reduce collision risks. This decision follows incidents involving a Starlink satellite explosion and a near-collision with a Chinese satellite. Lowering the orbit allows satellites to deorbit more quickly if they malfunction or reach the end of their lifespan and reduces the chances of collision due to fewer debris objects below 500km. With the potential for up to 70,000 satellites in low Earth orbit by the end of the decade, SpaceX's move is a proactive step towards managing space traffic and ensuring the sustainability of satellite operations. This matters because it addresses the growing concern of space debris and the safety of satellite operations in an increasingly crowded orbital environment.