Shrinking technology and lower costs are making on-orbit servicing, assembly, and manufacturing an area of emerging technology and growth in the space domain. — On-orbit servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (OSAM) refers to the use of refuelers and space tugs for on-orbit maneuvering and refueling. Several companies are now competing in the trade space of these exciting missions in the U.S. and European marketplace.

Emergent behaviors in space, driven by reduced barriers to entry, an influx of private capital and new players, and increasing geopolitical competition, are creating cross-cutting challenges in the space enterprise fundamentally different in nature and complexity than ever before. — The space enterprise is in a state of great transformation. Fully commercial human spaceflight missions, the emerging potential of a multitrillion dollar space economy, and promises of humans returning to the moon are driving opportunities and challenges for humanity.

The Moon is a hostile environment — extreme temperatures, low gravity, and radiation await the next generation of astronauts. Scientists have patented a method for turning a plentiful lunar resource into building blocks for potential habitats. — Advancing space exploration capabilities has long been an area of intense interest to human civilization, not only for the potential to improve conditions on Earth but also to better understand the mysteries of the universe.

CarbonWatch has the ability to identify and monitor the largest sources of carbon emissions from humans, day and night. — The five percent of carbon emissions in the atmosphere, biosphere, and oceans attributable to human activity has disrupted the Earth’s natural carbon cycle and is driving long-term climate change. …

When NASA’s Orion re-enters Earth’s atmosphere, it will endure temperatures of 5,000 degrees. How do we ensure the spacecraft —and those inside—survive the ride? — If all goes according to plan, NASA’s Orion space capsule will transport its first crew of astronauts to the moon by 2024. When it comes screeching back through Earth’s atmosphere, it will generate temperatures hot enough to melt rock. To protect the capsule and its inhabitants, Orion is equipped with…

A new project would turn the solar system into a giant optical lens. — When Galileo pointed his homemade telescope at Jupiter and its moons more than 400 years ago, he fundamentally changed how humanity viewed its place in the cosmos. Since then, astronomers have learned to peer farther and farther into the reaches of the universe, first by building better telescopes, then by…

Breakthroughs in evolutionary computation could hold the future of satellite constellation design. — Designing a system of satellites is a mind-bogglingly complex game of tradeoffs. Mission planners must weigh objectives such as lifespan and coverage against constraints like cost and scheduling, all while contending with the physics of space. …

Engineers are rethinking the way satellites are designed to make them faster to build and easier to launch. — While the rest of our technology, from laptops to cellphones, becomes faster and cheaper to build, satellites are still a lot of work. …

The chamber will test the newer, high-powered thrusters needed for future space exploration. — Deep inside a laboratory at The Aerospace Corporation’s El Segundo campus, scientists are recreating the vacuum of space here on Earth. Aerospace’s electric propulsion lab specializes in testing electric thrusters in space-like conditions, and they recently installed a new vacuum chamber that will enable them to test the newer, high-powered…

Change is coming to in-space propulsion. We investigate key technologies and developments for nuclear, electric, chemical and solar propulsion. — Multiple companies are developing advanced technologies for nuclear, electric, chemical, and solar propulsion with the potential to dramatically improve Earth-centric space operations and interplanetary exploration for decades to come. We surveyed the market’s “state of play” for insight into near and medium-term developments.

Plans for crewed launches, both government and civilian, are on the rise. Without rescue plans in place, today’s astronauts journey at their own peril. — Spaceflight is entering a new era of civilian space tourism, commercial spacecraft, and missions to return to the Moon. However, most of today’s launches do not include capabilities for in-space rescue. Much like the early days of U.S. Navy submarines, where there were no options for rescuing survivors trapped in…