?????CONTEC Campus - December Newsletter
CONTEC × SPACE FACULTY, at the International Space Challenge!
? CONTEC successfully concluded the 2nd CONTEC Creative Membership program in collaboration with Singapore's SPACE FACULTY, bringing together Korea's young space enthusiasts!
?? This initiative, launched with the goal of participating in the International Space Challenge (ISC) hosted by SPACE FACULTY, began with a tour of NTU's Satellite Research Center. It also included a visit to Singapore's iconic 'Art & Science Museum,' providing students with an unforgettable opportunity to nurture their dreams of space exploration.
The highlight of the journey was at ISC 2024, where the “Pioneer Team,” participants of CONTEC’s contest, won the Most Innovative Project Award—a truly proud moment!??
SPACE FACULTY expressed their deep appreciation and admiration for Korea's young space enthusiasts, awarding all participants with certificates to commemorate their involvement in ISC 2024,marking a memorable conclusion to this incredible journey. ??
We are delighted to share that the students have safely returned to Korea after this unforgettable experience. ???? We hope this journey broadened their horizons and sparked curiosity and inspiration in the global space industry and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. ????
Stay tuned for more stories and the unfolding journey of CONTEC Creative students and their dreams!?
CONTEC × Aldoria, Expanding Collaboration in SSA (Space Situational Awareness)
On November 20th, Dr. Sunghee Lee, CEO of CONTEC, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Romain Lucken,CEO of Aldoria, at the Space Tech Expo Europe in Bremen! ????
This partnership marks a significant milestone as we join forces to advance Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and find new ways to solve the challenges of today’s space environment. ????
By leveraging strategic collaboration with Aldoria, CONTEC aims to lead the way in enhancing SSA capabilities and space sustainability for the global space community. ????
Stay tuned as we work together to shape a safer and more sustainable future in space! ????
??E-eum Oreum Scholarship Award Ceremony, Chapter 2??
?? Today, CONTEC had the honor of visiting Daejeon Jijok High School, located near our headquarters, to present the 2024 E-eum & Oreum Scholarships to students who will shape Korea’s future.
?? This meaningful occasion not only celebrated academic excellence but also brought students closer to the exciting world of the space industry.
?? The E-eum & Oreum Scholarship is just the beginning! Guided by CONTEC's ESG ?management philosophy, we will extend our support to nearby elementary and middle schools,helping more students take a step closer to their dreams of exploring space.??
??Dear subscribers, let’s come together to cheer on Korea’s future talents as they soar toward their dreams under the vast, magnificent sky of space!
?Driving Change: Leadership and Growth CONTEC Presents a Seminar by Experts!??
??On November 12, CONTEC had the valuable opportunity to gain insights on leadership and growth through a special lecture from an expert.
??Our guest speaker,Director KyungHye Choi from the Association of the Republic of Korea Army, was the first in the Korean military to receive the prestigious U.S. 'Order of Military Medical Merit (O2M3)' award. She previously served as the 24th Superintendent of the Korea Armed Forces Nursing Academy (Brigadier General) and is currently a visiting professor at the Catholic University’s Graduate School of Health and Healthcare Management. A distinguished expert in military and healthcare studies, Director Choi delivered an inspiring lecture on "Leadership and Growth that Drives Change."??
?CONTEC will continue to support the growth of our employees, striving for the mutual advancement of both the company and its people.
Rocket Lab: From Rockets to Mission Design, Satellite Manufacturing, and Operations
When people think of the space industry, the first image that often comes to mind is a rocket launch. Whether it’s South Korea’s Naro and Nuri launch vehicles or international players like SpaceX and Rocket Lab, these iconic moments dominate public perception. In our October and November newsletters, we explored Rocket Lab's launch vehicles, the Electron and Neutron. For this final December edition, we’re looking beyond launch vehicles to examine the full scope of Rocket Lab's activities.
Rocket Lab is more than just a satellite launch provider. The company offers end-to-end space solutions, including mission design, satellite manufacturing, and post-launch operations. A few key highlights illustrate the scale of Rocket Lab’s capabilities: a workforce of over 1,300 employees, manufacturing and testing facilities across three countries, satellite testing and analysis centers, the world’s largest satellite solar panel production facility, and in-house development of mission design software. With such a comprehensive portfolio, the name "Rocket Lab" barely scratches the surface of what the company truly represents. In 2021, 38% of all satellites launched globally incorporated Rocket Lab’s products in some way. This impressive figure reflects the company’s commitment to expanding beyond launch ?services to become a full-spectrum provider of space solutions.
Satellite Manufacturing and Operations
As of the first half of 2024, Rocket Lab has secured contracts to produce a total of 43 satellites.The company also offers satellite operation services upon request, extending its expertise well beyond manufacturing.
Let’s delve into some of Rocket Lab’s standout satellite contracts. The company signed a 600 billion KRW(approximately $515 million) deal with the U.S. Department of Defense’s Space Development Agency (SDA) to build a constellation of 18 satellites. Additionally, Rocket Lab partnered with Global star, a U.S.-based provider of low Earth orbit (LEO) communication services, to manufacture 17 LEO communication satellites. These two contracts alone account for a combined total of 35 satellites, underscoring Rocket Lab’s ambitious efforts in satellite production and operation.
Furthermore, Rocket Lab is working with NASA to develop two twin satellites for a mission to Mars, with their launch planned for 2024.
As demonstrated,Rocket Lab is actively broadening its horizons beyond launch services, establishing itself as a key player in the satellite manufacturing and operations sector.
A 12U CubeSat to the Moon: NASA's CAPSTONE Mission
Among the satellite missions Rocket Lab has undertaken, the CAPSTONE mission stands out as one of the most iconic. As part of NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon, Rocket Lab launched the 12U CubeSat CAPSTONE in 2022 using its Electron launch vehicle. The mission successfully placed the satellite into lunar orbit.
The mission’s primary objective is to validate the Near-Rectilinear Halo Orbit (NRHO), a highly elliptical orbit around the Moon essential for future Artemis missions. Two years after its launch, CAPSTONE continues to perform seamlessly, maintaining steady communication with Earth via NASA’s Deep Space Network antennas. The CAPSTONE mission's success proved that CubeSats can operate effectively not just in low Earth orbit but also in deep space. This achievement has expanded the possibilities for CubeSat applications, marking a significant step forward in their role in space exploration and paving the way for even broader utilization in the future.
The name "Rocket Lab" might not immediately bring to mind services beyond launch vehicles. However, the company is rapidly expanding its scope to include satellite manufacturing and operations, staying ahead in the fast-evolving space industry and delivering remarkable results. As we conclude this series on Rocket Lab, we look forward to seeing more South Korean space companies rise and thrive in step with these global industry trends.
Launch
SpaceX calls off nail-biting catch attempt as booster splashes down to Earth
SpaceX skipped the booster recovery attempt during the sixth Starship test flight but achieved new technical milestones, marking the mission a success. Starship launched with 33 Raptor engines igniting, and the booster performed a planned soft landing in the Gulf of Mexico.
Starship reignited its engine in space, reentered Earth’s atmosphere, and landed safely in the Indian Ocean, testing engine reliability and reusability.
This flight is part of the development process tied to NASA’s Artemis program, where Starship is expected to play a key role in sending humans to the Moon and Mars. Long-duration flights and fuel transfer tests are planned for 2025.
Elon Musk’s SpaceX Will Launch NASA’s Most Exciting Mission For Decades
NASA’s Dragonfly mission will explore Titan, Saturn’s largest moon, using a drone-like rotorcraft. Scheduled for a 2028 launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy, it will arrive in 2034 after a six-year journey. The $3.35 billion mission will study Titan’s prebiotic chemistry, methane cycle, and potential biosignatures, while traversing its unique terrain of methane seas and organic-rich dunes. It builds on insights from the Cassini-Huygens mission and advances drone exploration pioneered by Mars Helicopter, Ingenuity.
Ground Station
New shape memory alloy antenna could transform communications
Inspired by The Expanse, researchers at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory developed a shape-shifting antenna using shape memory alloys, which change shape based on temperature. This innovative technology could replace multiple antennas, adapt to spectrum needs, and support diverse communication ranges, making it suitable for military, scientific, and commercial applications. Challenges in manufacturing and heating were addressed by using nitinol alloys and scalable additive manufacturing techniques. The resulting antenna shifts between a flat spiral and cone spiral shape with temperature changes, offering a lightweight, adaptable solution for future RF applications.
Satellite
Top security adviser sees high possibility of N. Korea's launch of spy satellite before year-end
South Korea's National Security Adviser Shin Won-sik stated that North Korea is likely to launch another spy satellite by year-end, though no immediate signs are detected. The North plans three launches this year but faced a failure in May. Shin also noted strengthening North Korea-Russia ties, with a potential Kim Jong-un visit to Russia for discussions on sensitive matters.
Additionally, the IAEA confirmed an extension of North Korea's uranium enrichment facility, requiring further analysis. On U.S. relations, Shin mentioned ongoing communication with President-elect Donald Trump but no planned meetings before his inauguration. Regarding China, he highlighted a strong possibility of President Xi Jinping visiting South Korea during the 2025 APEC summit.
领英推荐
World's first wooden satellite launched into space
LignoSat, a wooden satellite designed by Kyoto University in Japan, has been launched to test the durability and radiation-shielding capabilities of wood in space.
Made from honoki wood, LignoSat will orbit the Earth for six months to evaluate wood's potential advantages over metal, including reduced environmental pollution and enhanced durability in space conditions.
The research team plans to collaborate with companies like SpaceX if the mission succeeds, with a long-term vision of utilizing trees for sustainable living on the Moon and Mars.
SpaceX gets conditional approval for direct-to-smartphone service
The FCC approved SpaceX to use Starlink satellites with T-Mobile to provide connectivity in U.S. dead zones. Up to 7,500 satellites will support texting, with advanced features pending review. SpaceX can operate at lower altitudes but must coordinate with NASA. This marks the first satellite-cellular partnership, enabling global expansion with partners in Canada, Japan, and beyond.
Satellite Imagery Pre-processing
NASA Data Helps International Community Prepare for Sea Level Rise
NASA's new data platform provides predictions of flooding and sea level rise worldwide to help coastal areas prepare for the impacts. The rate of sea level rise is accelerating, with significant impacts expected for regions like Pacific Island nations. This data is being utilized by organizations such as the Department of Defense and the World Bank for disaster preparedness and infrastructure planning. Accurate information plays a crucial role in responding to the climate crisis.
Extreme heat weakens land’s power to absorb carbon
A 2023 study backed by the European Space Agency reveals that extreme heatwaves, wildfires, and droughts significantly weakened the land's ability to absorb carbon dioxide, reducing its carbon sink capacity to the lowest level in two decades. This decline, coupled with a strong El Ni?o, drove atmospheric carbon dioxide levels to record highs, even though fossil fuel emissions rose modestly. Natural ecosystems, including the Amazon rainforest, are showing signs of strain, with some regions emitting more carbon than they absorb. Researchers warn that Earth's carbon sinks may be nearing their limits, requiring more ambitious emission reductions to meet global warming targets. The findings highlight the urgent need for improved climate models and methodologies to assess the impacts of extreme events on carbon cycles.
Space Tourism
Blue Origin launches 6 tourists to edge of space, including couple making their second flight
Blue Origin launched the New Shepard rocket carrying six space tourists from Texas. The passengers experienced about three minutes of weightlessness, enjoying views of Earth and space, before the capsule safely landed with parachutes. This flight marked the 28th New Shepard launch and the 9th with passengers.
How does spaceflight affect astronauts' brains? There's good news and bad
NASA's study of 25 astronauts, who spent an average of six months aboard the ISS, found no significant cognitive impairment or neurodegenerative decline, though some changes in processing speed, memory, and decision-making were observed. These findings, based on the largest dataset of professional astronauts to date, highlight the potential effects of stress and long-term space travel on the brain. While the sample size limits conclusions, the study provides a foundation for future research, especially as deep-space missions to the Moon and Mars become a reality.
Laser Communication
Revolutionizing Deep Space Comm With Lasers
Laser communication technology, or "space lasers," has evolved significantly, transforming deep space exploration and communications. Originating in the 1960s, this technology has matured through milestones like NASA's Lunar Laser Communications Demonstration in 2013 and the recent Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) experiment, which achieved groundbreaking data transmission from Mars orbit. Offering data rates 10-100 times higher than traditional radio, lasers enable efficient high-definition video and complex scientific data transfer.
Globally, countries like Russia, China, and the U.S. have invested in laser communication for applications ranging from satellite networks to terrestrial 5G and aircraft internet. Recent advancements highlight the potential to revolutionize space communications and support future Mars missions with robust, high-speed links.
Sony, Astro Digital sign deal to launch laser-linked satellites
Sony Space Communications (SSCC) and Astro Digital have agreed to design and manufacture two small satellites, aiming for a 2026 launch. The satellites will be equipped with SSCC's laser communication terminals to demonstrate high-speed data transmission and enhanced security. Building on its SOLISS project experience with JAXA, SSCC seeks to advance space communication technology, while Astro Digital will support the initiative using its Corvus satellite platform. SSCC’s laser technology, optimized for small satellites, is expected to set a new standard for commercial space communication.
Space Situational Awareness(SSA)
Satellite space junk might wreak havoc on the stratosphere
The rapid growth of satellite megaconstellations is boosting global internet connectivity but raising concerns about environmental impacts. When satellites re-enter the atmosphere and burn up, they release pollutants like aluminum oxide and other metals that may harm the ozone layer and alter stratospheric chemistry. Scientists have detected increasing levels of pollutants in the stratosphere linked to satellite and rocket launches, which are projected to rise significantly in the future. These pollutants could contribute to ozone depletion and climate changes, prompting researchers to advocate for better environmental assessments in satellite and mission design.
International Space Station fires thrusters to dodge hunk of space debris
The International Space Station (ISS) fired the thrusters of a Russian Progress cargo ship for 5 minutes and 30 seconds on November 19 (local time) to avoid a piece of space debris. According to NASA, the debris was part of a defunct defense meteorological satellite that broke up in 2015. Without the maneuver, it could have approached within 4 kilometers of the ISS. The ISS has conducted a total of 32 avoidance maneuvers since 1999, and such cases are expected to increase as congestion in low Earth orbit continues to worsen.
Space Defense & Security
Allies say 1953 mutual defense treaty extends to cyber, space threats
South Korea and the United States have explicitly confirmed for the first time that cyber and space threats could trigger mutual defense actions under the 1953 Mutual Defense Treaty. This was announced in a joint statement following the South Korea-US "2+2" foreign and defense ministerial meeting in Washington.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated, "Attacks in space and cyberspace that threaten the security of the alliance could invoke Article III of the treaty," highlighting that cyberattacks under certain conditions could be considered acts of armed aggression.
Amid North Korea's growing space and cyber threats, both nations are strengthening their response systems through collaboration between strategic commands. South Korea is also considering joining AUKUS Pillar 2 to enhance cooperation in these domains.
Anduril wins $99.7M Contract to Modernize SPACECOM
The Space Force awarded Anduril a $99.7M contract to upgrade its Space Surveillance Network (SSN) using the AI-powered Lattice software. Over five years, Anduril will replace outdated SPACECOM communications infrastructure with its advanced Space Domain Awareness Network (SDANet), a mesh communications system offering greater speed and reliability. Demonstrated in 2022, Lattice restored communications within 24 hours after a storm, compared to weeks for legacy systems. The full deployment of SDANet is set for completion by 2026.
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