Space

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Hubble back in service after gyro scare—NASA still studying reboost options

Hubble Space Telescope, NASA, Science, Space, spacex / /
The Hubble Space Telescope viewed from Space Shuttle Atlantis during a servicing mission in 2009.

Enlarge / The Hubble Space Telescope viewed from Space Shuttle Atlantis during a servicing mission in 2009.

NASA

The Hubble Space Telescope resumed science observations on Friday after ground teams spent most of the last three weeks assessing the performance of a finicky gyroscope, NASA said.

The troublesome gyroscope is a critical part of the observatory’s pointing system. Hubble’s gyros measure how fast the spacecraft is turning, helping the telescope aim its aperture toward distant cosmic wonders.

Hubble still provides valuable scientific data for astronomers nearly 34 years since its launch aboard NASA’s Space Shuttle Discovery in 1990. Five more shuttle servicing missions repaired Hubble, upgraded its science instruments, and replaced hardware degraded from long-term use in space. Among other tasks, astronauts on the last of the shuttle repair flights in 2009 installed six new gyroscopes on Hubble.

Moving parts sometimes break

The gyros have long been one of the parts of Hubble that require the most upkeep. A wheel inside each gyro spins at a constant rate of 19,200 revolutions per minute, and the wheel is, in turn, sealed inside a cylinder suspended in a thick fluid, according to NASA. Electronics within each gyro detect very small movements of the axis of the wheel, which supply Hubble’s central computer with information about the spacecraft’s turn rate. Hair-thin wires route signals from the gyroscopes, and these wires can degrade over time.

Three of the six gyros installed on Hubble in 2009 have failed, and three others remain operational. The three still-functioning gyros are based on a newer design for longer life, but one of these units has shown signs of wear in the last few months. This gyroscope, designated Gyro 3, has always exhibited “consistent noisy behavior,” said Pat Crouse, Hubble project manager at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.

Hubble typically needs three gyros to operate normally, so ground controllers shut down Gyro 3 for roughly seven years until Hubble needed it in 2018, when another gyroscope failed, leaving only three of the devices still working.

“Back in August, we saw issues,” Crouse told Ars this week. “It would sort of sporadically output some rate information that was not consistent with the observed spacecraft body rates, but it was short-lived, and we were characterizing what that performance was like and how much we could tolerate.”

The gyro’s performance worsened in November when it fed Hubble’s control system erroneous data. The gyroscope sensed that the spacecraft was changing its orientation when it really wasn’t moving. “That, then, contributed to an error in attitude that was kind of causing a little bit of drift,” Crouse said.

Automated software on Hubble detected the errors and put the spacecraft into “safe mode” two times last month. Hubble quickly resumed science observations each time but then went into safe mode again on November 23. Hubble managers took some extra time to gather data on the gyro’s health. Engineers commanded Hubble to move back and forth, and the suspect gyro consistently seemed to work well.

Hubble back in service after gyro scare—NASA still studying reboost options Read More »

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Ariane 6 rocket set to restore Europe’s space access next year

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The European Space Agency’s Ariane 6 rocket is scheduled for its debut launch in mid-2024, its director Josef Aschbacher announced yesterday.

The news follows a successful hot-fire test on November 23 at Europe’s spaceport in French Guiana. The term ‘hot-fire’ refers to the fact that the engine is fired with its propellants, producing actual combustion and exhaust. The only difference from an actual launch is that the boosters are not ignited — keeping the rocket firmly planted to the ground.

“With the latest test complete, Ariane 6 has been through the essential rehearsals required for qualification,” said Aschbacher on X, formerly Twitter. “We have validated our models, increased our knowledge of operations and are now confident for our first launch period for Europe’s new heavy-lift launcher.” 

While the inaugural flight won’t carry major payloads in orbit, it will transport several smaller satellites. If that launch is successful, Arianespace, the company who developed the rocket, will aim for a second launch later in the year. That second launch would carry the CSO-3 reconnaissance satellite for the French military, said the company’s CEO Stéphane Israël in a press briefing.

Following that, Ariane 6 would be put to work conducting as many flights as possible. The long-term objective is to launch the rocket into space 9-10 times per year, said Israël. These would include 18 launches for Amazon’s Kuiper broadband megaconstellation project.  

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Ariane 6 was first scheduled to launch four years ago. However, the rocket suffered a series of delays, attributed to technical issues, COVID-19, and design changes. 

With Ariane 6’s predecessor, Ariane 5, officially decommissioned and Italy’s Vega C rocket grounded following launch failure in December, Europe is currently without independent access to space satellites. 

So it is welcome news that Ariane 6 is on track for launch in around 6 months’ time — if all goes to plan that is. 

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Europe’s Ariane 6 rocket is ‘ready to rumble’ following full dress rehearsal

Corporates and innovation, Deep tech, Government and policy, Space / /

The European Space Agency’s next-generation heavy-lift rocket Ariane 6 successfully completed a full dress rehearsal on Thursday, in preparation for its maiden flight next year.

The so-called hot-fire test at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana “simulated a complete launch sequence and thus validated the entire flight phase of Ariane 6’s core stage,” said the agency.  

During the rehearsal, the rocket engine was ignited while securely mounted to a test stand or test platform. The term ‘hot-fire’ refers to the fact that the engine is fired with its propellants, producing actual combustion and exhaust. The only difference from an actual launch was that the boosters were not ignited — leaving Ariane 6 firmly planted on the launch pad. 

“The teams from ArianeGroup, CNES and ESA have now run through every step of the rocket’s flight without it leaving Earth,” explained ESA director general Josef Aschbacher, who declared success means “We are back on track towards resecuring Europe’s autonomous access to space.”

Ariane 6 was first scheduled to launch four years ago. However, the rocket has suffered a series of delays, attributed to technical issues, COVID-19, and design changes. The rocket’s previous hot-fire test, in June, ended in failure. 

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With its Ariane 6’s predecessor, Ariane 5, officially decommissioned and Italy’s Vega C rocket grounded following launch failure in December, Europe is now without independent access to space satellites. 

Until Ariane 6 gets up and running, the EU is forced to contract the work to Elon Musk’s SpaceX — the company’s Falcon rocket is the only viable alternative for hauling large satellites into orbit. 

Despite its setbacks, Ariane 6 has a number of institutional launches to carry out, not just for the ESA. It has been attracting commercial contracts, including 18 launches for Amazon’s Kuiper broadband megaconstellation project.

For now, ArianeGroup’s CEO Martin Sion praised the team for the “real industrial feat”, but added that “a few additional tests”, notably fault tolerance, were still needed before the rocket was ready for launch. The next test, of the upper stage, is set to take place this December.

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ESA inks deal with Airbus, Voyager Space to secure place on ISS successor

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ESA inks deal with Airbus, Voyager Space to secure place on ISS successor

The European Space Agency has signed a deal with Airbus and Voyager Space to secure its next home in orbit. 

The two companies are currently developing Starlab, one of several planned replacements for the International Space Station (ISS), which is set to retire in 2030. 

Under the agreement, ESA will assess how the Starlab space station could be used to provide continued access to space for Europe after the retirement of the ISS. ESA would primarily use Starlab for astronaut missions and space-based research. The agency could also potentially provide cargo and crew transportation services for the new space station.

“ESA appreciates the transatlantic industry initiative for the commercial Starlab space station, and the potential that its strong European footprint holds for significant European industrial and institutional contributions to, and use of, said station,” said Josef Aschbacher, the agency’s director general.

Starlab is one of several projects competing to replace the ISS. Its main challengers are Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin, which envisions a “mixed-use business park” called Orbital Reef, and Northrop Grumman, which wants to build a modular, free-flying space station. NASA has provided funding for all three concepts and will now determine which of the contenders merit further backing. 

Starlab is currently the most attractive option for Europe because of its partnership with French aerospace giant Airbus, which has  track record of supporting European space missions. Airbus most recently supplied the European service module for Orion, Europe’s contribution to NASA’s Artemis missions to the Moon. 

Having Airbus involved helps not only with the technical development of Starlab, but also its business development, Matthew Kuta, president of Voyager Space previously stated. “We have great relationships with ESA, but clearly Airbus has much better relationships,” he said. 

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Why Europe is lagging behind in the spacetech race

Ecosystems, Europe, Government and policy, Space / /

News broke last month that the European Space Agency (ESA) had engaged SpaceX to launch four of Europe’s Galileo satellites into orbit in 2024. The decision to turn to Elon Musk’s US-based company comes in the wake of delays to Europe’s own Ariane 6 rockets, which mean the continent is without its own means to deliver large payloads into space.

Though it’s only designed to bridge the gap in our current capabilities, it’s a disappointing development for Europe’s spacetech community. But one that, unfortunately, many of us saw coming. 

Why Europe is falling behind in space 

Europe is currently lagging behind the rest of the world when it comes to spacetech, and the agreement with SpaceX is emblematic of a frustrating situation that’s hampering opportunities to advance its capabilities. 

So why has Europe had to turn to a US-based company? After all, there is no shortage of demand, and it’s not like the region is short on the kind of top level engineering talent that’s needed to develop its own rockets. 

One of the main problems is that there’s simply a lack of competition to fuel the development of new capabilities. I’d also argue that governments aren’t helping the situation. 

Compared to the US and China, European spacetech companies face a huge funding gap. In the US, funding largely comes from NASA and the Department of Defence who invested more than $62 billion in 2022.

It’s a similar story in China, where government support totalled $12 billion. Compare that with ESA, which has an annual budget of just 7.5 billion euros, and it’s easy to see why the region is lagging behind. 

How did we get here? 

It’s clear that dependency on foreign imports and companies like SpaceX will, in the long run, leave Europe’s sovereignty vulnerable. So, why have we fallen so far behind?

In part, ESA suffers from regulations on “geographic return.” This means that when a country funds ESA, an equivalent amount of money must be reinvested into its own domestic industry.

“Geographic return” was originally introduced to encourage investment and share the load (and returns) across big and small nations. In recent years, however, it has come under increased scrutiny for hampering the European space sector’s ability to be competitive, because in short, innovation and competition aren’t evenly spread. Finance should go to the best products, the best ideas and the most scalable commercial innovations, regardless of geography.

Earlier this year, ESA’s Director General Josef Aschbacher wrote that the region should move towards a “fair contribution principle,” which means adjusting the contribution of each European member state according to the outcome of the industrial competitions and the actual share gained by its industry in these competitions. 

While it’s undoubtedly a step in the right direction, I would say this does not go far enough. Scrapping “geographic return” entirely would be the kind of game changer that Europe needs to keep pace with the global space tech race. 

The power of partnership 

Another reason Europe is falling behind its global counterparts is the absence of public-private partnerships, which would support growth in the continent’s space sector.

Take the US for example, where NASA’s Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) programme backed SpaceX’s development of Falcon 9, the first (and cheapest) partially-reusable rocket. The success of Falcon 9 set the stage for an atmosphere of enduring public-private partnerships, which foster competitiveness in the US today. 

NASA’s administrator Bill Nelson has also stated that he backs fixed-price contracts with companies working on space exploration. Fixed-price contracts assume companies building technical systems absorb any unanticipated expenses, not NASA. This makes the market more competitive for growth-stage companies selling low-cost services to the agency.

Here in Europe however, we simply don’t have the same atmosphere of public-private partnerships. That’s in part because we don’t have a joint defence initiative. We also don’t have an Elon Musk or a Jeff Bezos who are willing to invest billions. According to NASA’s own independently verified numbers, SpaceX’s development costs of both the Falcon 1 and Falcon 9 rockets were approximately $390 million in total.

Unlike the US, there’s also no single European country big enough to go it alone. This is where collaboration between public-private partnerships and like-minded companies could make all the difference. After all, it’s a process we’ve seen flourish with pan-European success stories like Airbus and defence systems specialist MBDA. 

Europe needs to ignite its space tech landscape

Spacetech has the potential to advance innovation across every aspect of our lives. Europe is full of companies that are developing technologies that won’t just advance our extra-terrestrial ambitions, but improve lives down here on terra firma too. However, they can only succeed if they have the support and backing they need to flourish. 

If the current disparity continues, Europe runs the risk of becoming a mere spectator as space industries in countries like the USA and China surge ahead. Left unchecked, it’s a situation that won’t just hamper our ability to launch our own satellites into space, but potentially jeopardise our economy, our security, and even our defence capabilities. 

And that’s a space race that we simply cannot afford to lose. 

Portrait photo of Jean François Morizur
Jean François Morizur, founder and CEO at Cailabs. Credit: Cailabs

Jean-François Morizur is the founder and CEO of Cailabs and a Forbes 30 Under 30 honouree in Science & Healthcare. Prior to founding Cailabs in 2013, he was Senior Associate at Boston Consulting Group and is co-inventor of Cailabs’s groundbreaking Multi-Plane Light Conversion technology.

Why Europe is lagging behind in the spacetech race Read More »

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These antimicrobial spacesuits could solve astronauts’ laundry woes

Corporates and innovation, Deep tech, Europe, Space / /

Wardrobe malfunctions are never fun. When on Earth, they might be a nuisance or prove somewhat embarrassing. In space however, they could be a matter of life and death. Not to mention, how do you handle, uhm, laundry on the Moon?

The European Space Agency (ESA) says that the next generation of lunar explorers will be kitted with a wholly upgraded set of spacesuits. And textile tech has come quite a way since the iconic string of Apollo missions in the ‘60s and ‘70s.

Other than having to stand up to an extra-terrestrial environment characterised by high vacuum, radiation, extreme temperatures, and space dust, spacesuits are also subject to good old fashioned germs. 

As we gear up to send humans to the Moon for the first time in over 50 years, ESA is conducting a project called PExTex to assess suitable materials for future spacesuit designs.

Keeping your underwear clean, in space

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It is joined by the Austrian Space Forum (OeWF), which is leading a sub-project called BACTeRMA, trying to find ways of limiting microbial growth in the inner lining of the material. (The abbreviation stands for Biocidal Advanced Coating Technology for Reducing Microbial Activity.)

“Think about keeping your underwear clean; it’s an easy enough job on a daily basis, thanks to detergent, washing machines and dryers,” ESA materials and processes engineer Malgorzata Holynska commented. “But in habitats on the Moon or beyond, washing spacesuit interiors on a consistent basis may well not be practical.

“In addition, spacesuits will most probably be shared between different astronauts, and stored for long periods between use, potentially in favourable conditions for microorganisms. Instead we needed to find alternative solutions to avoid microbial growth.”

Collection of bacteria
Bacteria can be vibrantly colourful. Credit: ESA

The researchers had to forego traditional antimicrobial materials such as copper and silver as they are likely to tarnish over time, not to mention chafe. The team then turned to what are called “secondary metabolites.” 

These are organic compounds produced by plants, fungi, and microorganisms, but they are not directly involved in basic cellular processes required for growth, development, and reproduction. Their functions involve protection from pathogens and other organisms, which is what lends them their antibiotic qualities. 

Austrian textile startup has ‘unique collection’

To work out the details on how to actually get these materials onto fabric, the OeWF has enlisted the Vienna Textile Lab. Apparently, the Austrian startup, which focuses on developing organic colours for textiles using microbes, is in possession of a unique “bacteriographic” collection. 

Violacein pigment produced by bacteria.
Violacein pigment produced by bacteria. Credit: ESA

The two have collaborated on various “biocidal textile processing techniques,” such as dying cloth with the metabolites and then exposing them to both human perspiration and all other kinds of stressors they will encounter in space. 

These newly developed fabrics are currently being integrated into a spacesuit simulator, and are scheduled to undergo field testing in March 2024.

Where humans go, bacteria will follow. Many of these microorganisms are literally vital to life on Earth. They may also become essential in everything from producing rocket fuel to manufacturing food on longer space missions to Mars. However, as anyone who has ever suffered from food poisoning can attest, they can also be downright nasty little buggers. What’s more, there is evidence some species can survive in the harsh environment of space for years. 

Keeping harmful bacteria at bay is crucial to a successful space mission. NASA says it “puts a lot of effort” into knowing which microbes might hitch a ride on the spaceships heading out to orbit, and continuously monitors what’s going on with bacteria on the International Space Station (ISS). Some teeny-tiny astronauts are even brought along on purpose, for space microbiology research.

These antimicrobial spacesuits could solve astronauts’ laundry woes Read More »

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Final mission photos: ESA’s Ariane 5 rocket lifts off for the last time

Corporates and innovation, Deep tech, Europe, Space / /

This week, after nearly three decades of providing Europe access to space, the Ariane 5 heavy-lift rocket completed its final mission. On Wednesday, July 5, at 22: 00 GMT, the rocket took off from the European Space Agency’s (ESA’s) Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

Its final flight launched two payloads into geostationary orbit. The first was the 3,400kg Heinrich-Hertz-Satellit that will test advanced communication technologies on behalf of the German government. The second was the 3,750kg Syracuse 4B satellite belonging to the French military. 

Bowing out in style, Europe’s #Ariane 5 rocket has completed its final flight, placing @DLR_de‘s Heinrich Hertz and the French Syracuse 4B satellites into their planned geostationary transfer orbits 👉 https://t.co/XYYDp86r8Y pic.twitter.com/xzwLva90mu

— ESA (@esa) July 5, 2023

Ariane 5’s storied career began back in 1996. Since Wednesday evening, it includes 117 orbital liftoffs. Both satellites were successfully deployed about 30 minutes after launch. Shortly thereafter, Stéphane Israël, CEO of France’s Arianespace which operates the rocket, said, “Ariane 5 is now over. Ariane 5 has perfectly finished its work. It’s really now a legendary launcher. But Ariane 6 is coming.”

Take off arch of Ariane 5
The saga of the Ariane 5 has come to a close. Credit: ESA

Delay for ESA’s SpaceX competitor

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Indeed, the era of the Ariane 5 is over, which leaves Europe in want of a launch vehicle. The construction of its successor, the Ariane 6, has been hit by delays. The more affordable (as far as heavy-launch rockets go) upgraded version, intended to better compete with SpaceX’s Falcon 9, is currently scheduled for its first test launch by the end of the year. If all goes well, it will enter commercial operations in 2024. 

Ariane 5 rolled out to launch pad
The rocket was rolled out to the launch pad in Kourou. Credit: ESA

The rocket Europe has relied on for smaller payloads (Ariane 5 could carry over 11 tonnes), Italy’s Vega, has also hit technical bumps in the road during its upgrade process. The Vega C had a second failed launch attempt late last year, and remains grounded. 

Meanwhile, access to the medium-payload Russian Soyuz has been suspended because, well, Russia went and started a war of aggression against Ukraine at the tail-end of a global health crisis.