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Fire, fed by leaking engines, destroyed ABL Space Systems rocket
August 26, 2024
ABL Space Systems said it lost its second RS1 rocket after a static-fire test when a fire broke out under the vehicle fed by leaking fuel that could not be extinguished by pad systems.
The company released Aug. 26 details about the July 19 incident that led to the loss of the vehicle during one of the final tests before the vehicle’s second launch at Pacific Space Complex – Alaska on Kodiak Island.
In a statement, ABL Space Systems said it ignited the E2 engines in the first stage of the RS1 rocket in the test, but aborted the test after just half a second because of a low pressure reading in one engine that the company said was caused by a faulty pressure sensor.
The engines shut down, but a fire then broke out under the base of the vehicle, fed by fuel leaks from two engines.
That fire was contained but could not be extinguished by either water or inert gas systems, and the company started offloading kerosene and liquid oxygen propellants from the vehicle.
The launch pad the company uses at Kodiak does not have its own water supply, with the company instead using mobile tanks that ran out of water 11 and a half minutes after ignition.
That caused the fire to spread “and a progressive loss of pad systems,” the company stated, including the inability to continue detanking the rocket and eventually telemetry from the rocket.
“At T+ 23:24, the fire exceeded the thermal capability of the structure and RS1 buckled to the pad,” the company stated. That damaged a “majority” of electrical and plumbing connections on the launch mount, although the structure of the launch mount itself and other ground support equipment survived.
An investigation of the two engines that had the fuel leaks that fed the fire showed “significant erosion” of their propellant injectors and liners that the company said is a sign of failure linked to combustion instability. “Our current leading theory is that differences in the Block 2 Stage 1 propellant feed system led to a higher energy startup than on the test stand, triggering an instability in 2 of 11 engines,” it stated.
ABL added that in more than 300 tests of the E2 engine, it had seen that phenomenon only once, which it attributed to a different issue.
The company added, though, that it had little experience with this specific configuration and was starting a series of tests at its Mojave Air and Space Port test site in California to see if that explanation is correct and to look for other potential causes.
The company did not offer a timeline for completing that work or for attempting another launch.
ABL said it is returning the ground support equipment to Long Beach, California, for repairs while the next RS1 rocket is “well into production.”
The pad fire took place a little more than 18 months after ABL’s first launch of the RS1. That vehicle lost power 10 seconds after liftoff and crashed back at the launch pad.
The company later concluded that the design of the launch mount contributed to a fire in the rocket’s engine compartment that led to the loss of power, and redesigned the mount.
The vehicle destroyed in the July fire was a revised Block 2 version of the RS1.
It features 20% higher thrust and 20% more propellant, and the addition of two engines to the original nine-engine first stage.
https://spacenews.com/fire-fed-by-leaking-engines-destroyed-abl-space-systems-rocket/
Mynaric ousts CEO amid production troubles
August 26, 2024
Laser communications technology firm Mynaric announced Aug. 26 the immediate dismissal of its CEO Mustafa Veziroglu and the appointment of a chief restructuring officer, following recent reports of production struggles affecting its optical terminals for satellites.
The management shakeup comes as the company grapples with difficulties in ramping up production.
Laser communications terminals made by Mynaric were selected for a planned mesh network of satellites being developed by the U.S. Space Force’s Space Development Agency (SDA). Several satellite manufacturers contracted by the SDA are among Mynaric’s major customers for these inter-satellite communications links.
Mynaric said in a statement that Andreas Reif would join the management board as chief restructuring officer (CRO), tasked with reducing costs and addressing cash flow issues while maintaining customer deliveries.
This move follows Mynaric’s announcement last week of a significant downward revision to its 2024 revenue forecast.
The company cited slower production ramp-up and higher costs for its CONDOR Mk3 optical communications terminals, blaming lower-than-expected yields and component shortages.
The news, combined with the resignation of its chief financial officer, triggered a sharp decline in Mynaric’s stock price.
“As CRO, Andreas Reif will be integral to reducing costs and near-term cash consumption while working closely with our customers to meet their requirements,” Mynaric stated.
Reif brings experience from executive financial and operational roles at several German industrial manufacturing firms.
https://spacenews.com/mynaric-ousts-ceo-amid-production-troubles/
Blue Origin's next space tourism flight will launch on Aug. 29
August 27, 2024
Blue Origin will launch its eighth human spaceflight this week, if all goes according to plan.
Jeff Bezos' company is targeting Thursday (Aug. 29) for NS-26, its latest suborbital space tourism mission.
The reusable New Shepard rocket-capsule combo is scheduled to lift off from Blue Origin's West Texas site at 9 a.m. EDT (1300 GMT; 8 a.m. local Texas time).
You'll be able to watch the action live: Blue Origin will livestream the launch, beginning at 8:20 a.m. EDT (1220 GMT).
Six people will fly on NS-26: philanthropist and entrepreneur Nicolina Elrick, university professor Rob Ferl, businessman Eugene Grin, cardiologist Eiman Jahangir, college student Karsen Kitchen and entrepreneur Ephraim Rabin.
Kitchen, a 21-year-old senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, will set a record on NS-26, according to Blue Origin.
She'll become the youngest woman to cross the 62-mile-high (100 kilometers) Kármán line, which many people regard as the boundary where outer space begins.
However, NASA and the U.S. military give astronaut wings to anyone who flies above 50 miles (80 km).
The youngest woman to reach that altitude was 18-year-old Anastatia Mayers, who did so on a suborbital flight with Virgin Galactic in August 2023.
New Shepard flights last 10 to 12 minutes from liftoff to the parachute-aided touchdown of the crew capsule.
Blue Origin has not revealed how much it charges for a seat aboard the suborbital vehicle.
The company launched its first crewed mission on July 20, 2021, the 52nd anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing.
That New Shepard flight carried Bezos, his brother Mark, aviation pioneer Wally Funk and Dutch student Oliver Daemen.
NS-26 will be the 26th New Shepard flight overall (hence the name) and the vehicle's eighth crewed mission.
It will be the second New Shepard launch of the year, after NS-25 this past May.
https://www.space.com/blue-origin-ns-26-launch-august-29
https://www.blueorigin.com/news/new-shepard-ns-26-mission
https://www.youtube.com/@blueorigin/featured
Delta 6 welcomes new commander
Aug. 26, 2024
Col. Travis Prater took command of Space Delta 6 - Space Access and Cyberspace Operations during a change of command ceremony at Peterson Space Force Base, Aug. 23.
Lt. Gen. David Miller, Jr., commander of Space Operations Command, presided over the ceremony.
“You will see a transformation of this command from a delta level that is mostly focused on [organizing, training and equipping] and providing capability to a component ready to defend and, where necessary, go on the offensive under Cyber Command’s leadership,” Miller said.
“Travis’ career, when you look at him, he has been built for this job over the past 20 years … there’s nobody better to take the helm.”
Prater is the third commander to take charge of DEL 6, the organization responsible for providing assured access to space through the $14 billion Satellite Control Network and defensive cyberspace capabilities for space mission systems.
“To the warriors of Delta 6, our nation needs you now more than ever,” Prater said. “Victory is the only acceptable outcome.
As such, we must aggressively rise to this challenge. Be bold in our approach to seize the opportunities and execute at the highest standards.
I’m honored to serve alongside you as your commander. Together we will build a warrior culture to tackle challenges head on.”
Miller also praised outgoing commander, Col. Christopher Kennedy, for his leadership over the last two years.
“Chris, the rubber met the road during your time of leadership and the 1,100 folks that met under your command.
You were successful in not only executing the cyber warfare mission but also executing the operations mission, something that really is the foundation of all our ability to deploy spacepower — 328,000 contacts for 200 spacecraft and supporting 100 launches in the last year alone.”
Miller said. “It’s a $14 billion enterprise that Chris Kennedy and his team is responsible for.
When we say they’re the vanguard of everything, there isn’t an operation in our business that this team doesn’t touch.
So, I want to tell you that I’m very proud of you … I’m looking forward to seeing what you’re going to do next.”
Kennedy, who will be retiring after a combined 23 years of service to the U.S. Space Force and U.S. Air Force, shared his thoughts during the ceremonial speech.
“It has been immensely rewarding to lead Delta 6 … I’m proud that we’ve created an environment where people want to work and join us,” Kennedy said.
“We focused on the most pressing problems, whether they were unit or service level, and achieved great progress … team, keep up the great work.
I know you’ll do outstanding for Colonel Prater.”
DEL 6 consists of nine squadrons and eight detachments/operating locations, across 13 geographically separated locations.
The squadrons include the 21st Space Operations Squadron, 22nd SOPS, 23rd SOPS, 62nd Cyberspace Squadron, 64th CYS, 65th CYS, 68th CYS, 69th CYS and the 645th CYS.
https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3885342/delta-6-welcomes-new-commander/
First consolidated Officer Training Course for Guardians to begin
Aug. 27, 2024
The U.S. Space Force inaugural Officer Training Course is scheduled to begin Sept. 3, at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado.
OTC is the Space Force’s initial leader development course created to produce a multidisciplinary officer corps with a broad understanding of mission concepts and a foundational baseline to synchronize effects across the range of Space Force operational missions.
The Space Force will provide a 12-month initial skills training curriculum that delivers the necessary training in satellite, intelligence and cyber operations disciplines, ensuring officers learn to be a Guardian first and specialist second.
“We are establishing this new course to prepare our Space Force officers to deal with the range of complex operational and technical problems that are central to Great Power Competition,” said Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall.
To successfully reoptimize for GPC against advanced adversaries, the Space Force is focused on developing all officers with a broadened knowledge of military operations in the space domain, as well as joint and combined forces planning and employment.
“In order to lead effectively, our officers must have a comprehensive understanding of all elements of space power,” said Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman.
“The establishment of OTC gives every officer the baseline knowledge necessary to successfully lead operations in our technically demanding and highly contested environment.”
After OTC completion, officers will be qualified to serve in cyber, intelligence, and space operations positions but will focus in one of the three disciplines, based on their aptitude, preferences, and the needs of the Space Force.
All officers will begin in an operational assignment with Force Modernization opportunities as follow-ons.
“OTC’s fusion of the most critical officer skillsets into one comprehensive program reinforces our commitment to reoptimizing for Great Power Competition,” said Maj. Gen. Timothy Sejba, commander, Space Training and Readiness Command.
“I’m proud and excited to continue training our world-class Guardians in delivering superior space capabilities.”
The establishment of OTC is just one initiative within the Space Force’s broader efforts to redesign career paths for officer, enlisted, and civilians to meet the high-tech demands of the service and build a combat-credible force.
https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3884705/first-consolidated-officer-training-course-for-guardians-to-begin/
Department of Defense Announces the New Director, All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office
Aug. 26, 2024
Today, Dr. Jon T. Kosloski arrived on detail from the National Security Agency to be appointed as the director of the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office.
Dr. Kosloski brings extensive experience working in multiple scientific fields, including quantum optics and crypto-mathematics, as well as leading mission-oriented research and analysis teams.
"Jon possesses the unique set of scientific and technical skills, policy knowledge, and proven leadership experience required to enhance AARO's efforts to research and explain unidentified anomalous phenomena to the Department, Congress, and the American people," said Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks.
As the AARO director, Dr. Kosloski will head DoD's efforts, in coordination with the Intelligence Community, to minimize technical and intelligence surprise by synchronizing scientific, intelligence, and operational detection, identification, attribution, and mitigation of unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) in the vicinity of national security areas.
Under his leadership, AARO will continue to examine the U.S. government historical record relating to UAP, as well as efforts to declassify and release UAP-related records to the greatest extent possible.
https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3884318/department-of-defense-announces-the-new-director-all-domain-anomaly-resolution/
https://www.aaro.mil/