George Pullen’s Post

A satellite Internet constellation requires the placement of a large number of satellites in orbit. All other companies, including #Starlink, place them in low Earth orbit. China launched them into a “high” orbit for the first time. This could be useful given that low Earth orbit is already heavily cluttered and could be at risk for satellites colliding with space debris. This does not mean all satellites must be placed in high orbit. This is a reminder that it is essential to continue working to clear the #orbit of #spacedebris.

[Korea launches nanosatellite] South Korea launched its first homegrown earth observation nanosatellite into orbit as part of the country’s project to create a satellite constellation by 2027, the science ministry said Wednesday. The Earth observation satellite, named NEONSAT-1, lifted off aboard Rocket Lab's Electron rocket from a spaceport in Mahia, New Zealand. The Ministry of Science and ICT said the satellite was deployed into space at an altitude of 520 kilometers and successfully separated from the launch vehicle at around 8:22 a.m., about 50 minutes after the rocket's launch. Initially, the launch was set to take place at 7:08 a.m. but was delayed due to a potential risk of collision with another space vehicle. The launch time was postponed to 7:14 a.m., according to the ministry. Tap below to read full story. #RocketLab #Electronrocket #launch #space #satellite #MinistryofScience #ICT #space #Korea #SouthKorea #spacevehicle #KoreaAdvancedInstituteofScienceandTechnology #KAIST #NEONSAT #observationsatellite https://lnkd.in/gyqAkzP5

Cailabs CEO and co-founder, Jean-Francois Morizur, writes in Fortune about the proliferation of satellites in space, and how this is affecting matters on Earth. Private companies as well as countries are aiming to establish dominance. Regional bodies, too: the European Space Agency - ESA is set to launch several new satellite missions under its Galileo, EarthCARE, Copernicus programs in 2024. More satellites also means more pressure on the spectrum, and laser is a key way to relieve this. Read more 👉 https://lnkd.in/e94MQQKS #laser #photonics #defense #security #photonics #commercialspace #newspace

You think you know #Satellites? If you thought it was all about mass, times may be changing! Space News argues that capacity, performance and lifetime are at least as important now. Welcome to an era of super-sized, upgraded satellites. This article explains why they’re more precise, more efficient, and have quicker data delivery. Get the scoop! #Technology #Imagery

A new space race is taking shape as sovereign and newer satellites compete for world domination. In 2024, tensions in space are poised to reach boiling point as the sector continues to expand. In recent years space has become increasingly dominated by a handful of newer upstart companies notably SpaceX and Project Kuiper. 5,000 Starlink satellites, all operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, offer internet coverage to over 70 countries, and it is set to expand further in 2024. Project Kuiper, an Amazon initiative, aims to rival Starlink with a 3,236-strong satellite constellation designed to provide low-latency broadband globally. By 2029, it hopes to double the average broadband speed for U.S. consumers. Traditional geostationary satellite operators, such as ViaSat and SES, are feeling their historic dominance ebb away, and sovereign operators are getting anxious about maintaining their interests as these (mainly) U.S.-based entities gain ascendency. https://lnkd.in/eMASdFWr

🌌🛰️ Over 1,100 satellites are at risk of colliding with the debris from a PRC rocket stage that launched on Tuesday🇨🇳🚀 ⬇️See links in comments on #satellitecommunications and SpaceX's Starlink constellation which this PRC #communications #network seeks to challenge🌖 Potential for cascading collisions as a result of China's state-owned Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology (SSST) launching 18 internet #satellites into orbit📈 [excerpt below] U.S. space-tracking firm LeoLabs said it was likely the number of debris pieces exceeds 900, making the event one of the largest ever. The debris cloud, created at roughly 800 kilometres (497 miles) in altitude, will last several years, several analysts said. It was unclear whether the latest rocket body's break-up was caused by a collision with another object or an onboard explosion of unused rocket fuel. U.S. Space Command initially said the event created 300 pieces of debris, a number that was seen as likely to increase as the debris cloud disperses. [later] A Long March 6A rocket stage in 2022 similarly broke apart in space and created hundreds of pieces of debris, prompting criticism of China from Western countries and space sustainability advocates that said Beijing should better control how it disposes of spent rocket bodies. "Frankly it's disappointing that the rocket had the same issue again," Schaffer said. "These kinds of debris-generating events that are potentially avoidable should not occur anymore." https://lnkd.in/eD7CA7ew

 — A new report from Slingshot Aerospace is ringing louder alarm bells over the rapidly increasing congestion in Earth’s orbit. The report warns that the space domain that is becoming crowded to unprecedented and potentially dangerous levels. The analysis draws from data collected by the Slingshot’s Seradata satellite and launch database. ""From rapid growth in orbital activity to technological advancements that are driving more launches and increasing satellite lifespans, the report highlights the ways in which space is becoming more crowded. For example, the International Telecommunication Union received filings for more than 300 constellations (Source: Science), representing more than 1 million satellites by the beginning of 2023. Further complicating matters are the mounting challenges of dealing with space debris and the complexities associated with the costs of insuring spacecraft. Collectively, the report confirms the need for ongoing vigilance and adaptation to ensure the sustainability of space operations."" https://lnkd.in/g6Uh2er4 #SATCOM #MULTIORBIT #SPACECOMMS #Spacedebries #collision #spacewar #orbitalops #satlaunch #spaceinsurance #spacechallenges

#ElonRocketGoodChinaRocketBad #CleanairCleanatmosphere #Nomonkeysinspace • Chinese rocket breaks apart in low-Earth orbit, creating a cloud of space debris. US Space Command says one of China’s Long March 6A rockets has broken apart in low-Earth orbit and created a debris cloud consisting of hundreds of pieces, according to multiple space debris-tracking entities. • The rocket launched from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center on Tuesday to deliver 18 G60 satellites into orbit, which marks just the first deployment for the Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology group’s Thousand Sails constellation. The megaconstellation of satellites will eventually include 1,296 satellites, and there are plans to expand the capacity to around 14,000 to rival SpaceX’s Starlink satellites. • Catastrophic' SpaceX Starship explosion tore a hole in the atmosphere last year in 1st-of-its-kind event, Russian scientists reveal. Scientists claims that the unexpected detonation of SpaceX's Starship rocket during a test flight in November 2023 tore an "ionospheric hole" in the upper atmosphere. It is the first time this type of hole has been created by a human-caused explosion. Of course no one should be polluting the Earth's fragile and finite atmosphere, but since private enterprises and Governmental Agencies are doing so: Why is it ok for rich white American guys to blow up rockets that load our atmosphere with toxins, debris and satellite microwaves, but it’s not ok for the Chinese to follow suit? Wouldn't a better idea be to Repair this planet and it's finite atmosphere until such a time as we can maneuver in space with no possible negative impact or fallout? Build Abundance, not space dumps!. #NoElonNomaseteroftheuniverse

As the space economy accelerates, the competition for satellite spectrum—critical for global communication infrastructure is intensifying. With megaconstellations such as SpaceX's Starlink and Amazon's Project Kuiper launching thousands of satellites, we're witnessing a debate over spectrum management, access, and dominance. How do we balance innovation with fair competition? Can smaller players survive in this increasingly monopolized space environment? With more players entering the field, the current spectrum-sharing models may need reform to accommodate both legacy and new operators. This will be crucial to sustaining an inclusive, diverse space economy. #SpaceEconomy #SatelliteSpectrum #Innovation #Competition #NewSpaceEconomy #Innovation #India #SatelliteTech #EconomicGrowth #TechTransformation #SpaceExploration https://lnkd.in/dmYGy4uW

#news | The latest Earth Observation Satellite Systems report from Novaspace (Merger of Euroconsult & SpaceTec Partners), the leading space consulting and market intelligence firm, predicts 5,401 EO satellites will be launched between 2024 and 2033. This is up from 1,864 launched over the previous decade and marking a 190% increase. The global Earth Observation (EO) satellite market will undergo substantial growth over the coming decade, with the number of EO satellites in orbit expected to almost triple as the manufacturing market grows by 40% and the value of the launch market increases by 55%. #earthobseration #satellites #space #geospatial https://lnkd.in/g8qHMgqs