News from the Cosmos.
Happy Friday, everyone! It is a huge week in space! Varda was granted their return license and plans to land back on Earth on the 21st, and Intuitive Machines launched their Odysseus lunar lander, which is scheduled to touch down on the moon on the 22nd. Welcome to the newest edition of the Balerion Space Ventures newsletter, where we share the latest news surrounding the new space economy and the cosmos. Below, you’ll find more information on:
Highlights
?? We would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who attended our Dallas Space Meetup with?Voyager Space! ??
A special shout out to?Dylan Taylor,?Matthew J. Kuta, and?Tim Kopra?for sharing their vision for the new space economy.
We had a great discussion detailing how Voyager plans to replace the International Space Station once it is retired. Voyager's Starlab ensures continued American presence in Low Earth Orbit, even as the ISS is decommissioned. To our attendees, thank you for the insightful questions; your participation is what makes these events so unique.
?News from the Cosmos?
"long term thinking can be a huge advantage in today's distracted world."
~ Delian Asparouhov, Cofounder - Varda
Varda gets reentry license for space manufacturing capsule, scheduled for Feb 21st.
Varda Space Industries, an Explorer 1 portfolio company, has received a reentry license from the FAA for its W-Series 1 spacecraft, allowing the company to return a capsule from its first mission to Earth. The license permits the capsule to land at the Utah Test and Training Range and the Dugway Proving Ground in Utah, with the reentry scheduled for?February 21. Varda launched its first spacecraft in June on a SpaceX rideshare mission to test the production of crystals in microgravity.?This license marks the first time a commercial entity has been granted a Part 450 reentry license to land a spacecraft on U.S. soil.?The capsule, designed for safety and compliance, will land in a controlled area after reentering the Earth's atmosphere, with most of the main spacecraft burning up upon reentry. Varda has also planned for future missions, with an agreement in place to use a spaceport in Adelaide, Australia, for capsule returns from its second mission.
Explorer 1 Portco.
Intuitive Machines' Odysseus, a Private Lunar Lander, Launches Toward the Moon.
An Intuitive Machines spacecraft launched towards the moon on February 15 with the goal of becoming the first commercial lunar landing, after a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket deployed it into a lunar-bound trajectory from Launch Complex 39A. The mission, delayed by 24 hours due to fuel temperature issues, plans for the?Nova-C lander, Odysseus, to enter lunar orbit on February 21 and attempt a landing near the Malapert A crater on?February 22,?although exact times for these milestones have not been disclosed. A crucial part of the mission will be the first firing of the spacecraft's main engine, developed by Intuitive Machines, which is essential for trajectory adjustments and the landing process, and is expected to significantly increase confidence in the mission's success.
Voyager CEO Dylan Taylor testifies before Congress on Commercial Space Stations.
In his congressional testimony, Dylan Taylor, Chairman and CEO of Voyager Space Holdings, emphasized the pivotal role of NASA's Commercial LEO Destination (CLD) program in maintaining U.S. leadership in space. He outlined Voyager's commitment to the future of humanity in space, leveraging its vast spaceflight heritage to offer commercial access to the ISS and develop?Starlab, a commercial space station?intended to succeed the ISS by 2030. Taylor highlighted collaborative efforts with partners like?Rocket Lab, Airbus, Hilton Hotels, and Northrop Grumman?to ensure Starlab's success and addressed the insurance underwriting challenges faced by such significant ventures. He urged legislative action to bolster the liability and risk-sharing frameworks and advocated for increased federal liability coverage and streamlined regulatory environments to enhance U.S. competitiveness.?Taylor also highlighted the strategic importance of ensuring a continuous U.S. presence in low-Earth orbit, particularly in light of international competition, notably from China's Tiangong space station.?He stressed the necessity of firm governmental commitments, including a clear ISS decommissioning timeline, to secure private investment and sustain U.S. leadership in space exploration and commercialization. Taylor called for legislative and policy frameworks aligned with supporting the CLD program, fostering an environment conducive to innovation and investment in the U.S. space sector.
"The ISS, while an incredible feat of human engineering, cannot last forever... If we
choose not to support CLDs and replace the ISS, we will continue to struggle with an aging
structure until the ISS is forced to retire.?... ?It is time to ensure that we support the?next iteration of research platforms in LEO."
~ Dylan Taylor, CEO - Voyager Space
Congress Reveals Russia’s Possible Nuclear ASAT Plans
Congress was stirred by revelations of Russia's development of space-based nuclear capabilities aimed at targeting satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO), as reported by ABC News and disclosed by Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH), chairman of the House Intelligence Committee. Turner has called on President Biden to declassify information regarding this "serious national security threat," which is believed to involve?nuclear space-based anti-satellite?(ASAT) technology. This development raises concerns over the militarization of space and violates the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, which prohibits the deployment of nuclear weapons in space. Russia, known for its ASAT capabilities and satellite jamming activities, especially since its invasion of Ukraine, has heightened the urgency of addressing space security. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has proposed briefings for Congressional leaders and intelligence panels, underscoring the administration's efforts to declassify intelligence related to such threats, signaling a critical juncture for international space treaties and security collaboration.
Extra Reading
Find us on the road:
Week of February 12th
Los Angeles / Miami / Dallas / UAE / OKC / Houston
Week of February 19th
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Week of February 26th
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Space Image of the Week
Thanks for reading, and don't hesitate to contact us anytime.
See you soon,
- The Balerion Team