The Space Race - Weekly Roundup Dec 30th

Author

Juan Fernández
December 30, 2024

In partnership with

Hi there, space fans! 🚀

We're sending out our newsletter a day early this week, as tomorrow is the 31st and we'll all be celebrating 🎉

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Now, let’s get back to our newsletter. This week’s roundup features Blue Origin’s New Glenn and NASA’s Parker Solar Probe record. We also cover updates on in-space manufacturing, Firefly's new lunar mission, and much more!

Let's dive into it! 😊

🚀 New Glenn's Successful Test

Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket has successfully completed a crucial static-fire test, firing its seven BE-4 engines for 24 seconds at Cape Canaveral. This test, which comes right after receiving an FAA launch license, is the final step before its maiden flight. The test validates the rocket's readiness and the operational capabilities of both the vehicle and ground systems, with the inaugural launch scheduled as early as January.

🌞 Closest Sun Approach Record!

NASA's Parker Solar Probe recently marked a monumental achievement by flying closer to the sun than any previous mission, setting a new proximity record of just 6.1 million kilometers. Traveling at speeds reaching 692,000 kilometers per hour, the probe gathered invaluable data that could significantly advance our understanding of solar processes. This mission not only tests technological limits but also provides insights that could influence future space exploration and our understanding of solar phenomena.

🚀 In-Space Manufacturing Moves Forward with Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab has delivered its second Pioneer spacecraft to Vandenberg Space Force Base, signaling readiness for Varda Space Industries' W-2 mission slated for Q1 2025. This move comes alongside the completion of a third Pioneer vehicle, underpinning Rocket Lab’s role in advancing in-space manufacturing and re-entry capabilities. The spacecraft supports Varda’s innovative Winnebago platform, which is designed to facilitate manufacturing in microgravity and streamline material return from orbit.

🌑 Firefly Secures Third Lunar Mission

Firefly Aerospace has been awarded a $179.6 million contract by NASA for its third lunar lander mission, scheduled for 2028. This mission, part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services, will feature the Blue Ghost lander delivering six payloads and a rover to the Gruithuisen Domes on the moon's near side. The mission aims to explore the geological mysteries of the region, which could provide insights into lunar formation without Earth-like conditions.

🌌 ISS Enhances View with MVN X-ray Observatory

On December 19, 2024, cosmonauts successfully installed the MVN X-ray observatory outside the International Space Station during an extravehicular activity. This innovative instrument, designed to measure cosmic X-ray background radiation, aims to refine models of supermassive black hole evolution by reducing measurement errors to about 1%. The MVN represents a significant advancement in X-ray astronomy, enabling detailed observations previously obstructed by Earth’s atmosphere.

🇪🇺 EU Satellite Network To Boost Sovereignty

The European Union has initiated a €10.6 billion project to create a satellite constellation, IRIS², designed to rival Elon Musk's Starlink and strengthen European sovereignty and cybersecurity. This strategic deployment of 290 satellites aims to ensure secure connectivity across Europe, addressing long-term security, safety, and resilience challenges.

🌟 2025's Must-See Meteor Events

2025 is shaping up to be an awesome year for meteor showers, with plenty of interesting events lined up. The Perseids in August might be a bit washed out by the moon, but you won’t want to miss the Geminids in December—they’re expected to be spectacular. Check out the full calendar of top meteor events for the best viewing times.

📹 Our latest videos

In case you missed them, here are the latest videos we've published on our YouTube channel

🚀 Upcoming Rocket Launches

Get ready for the next bunch of rocket launches scheduled over the next few days! 🚀

Today, Monday, Dec 30th:

  • Falcon 9 Block 5 (SpaceX, USA) – Starlink Group 12-6. Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA.

  • PSLV-CA (ISRO, India) – SPADEX (Space Docking Experiment). Satish Dhawan Space Centre, India.

Thursday, Jan 2nd: Falcon 9 Block 5 (SpaceX, USA) – Thuraya 4-NGS. Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA.

Monday, Jan 6th: New Glenn (Blue Origin, USA) – Maiden Flight. Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA.

Friday, Jan 10th: Starship (SpaceX, USA) – Flight 7. SpaceX Starbase, TX, USA.

And that’s all for this year! Stay tuned for more exciting space updates in 2025. 😊

Wishing you a happy new year,

Juan and the team at The Space Race! 🎄🎆