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G’day — and welcome to the 1,398 Trailblazers who have joined us since last week!

We’re Trailblazers, the Space Newsletter that's all about keeping space spick-and-span for the new generation and the next wave of space entrepreneurs. So strap in, and let’s make sure we don't litter along the way!

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#LAUNCHPAD

In today’s edition

• ESIM: Seamless Broadband Connectivity Anywhere, Anytime

• Moriba Jah: Charting the Way for a Circular Space Economy

• StarGraph: Global Satellite Ground Station Market 2020-2032

• 5 resources to boost your workflows

• OutOfThisWorld: “There’s a monolith on Phobos (…) Who put it there?”

• GhostInTheMachine: The Space Era by Classical Artists

#NEWS

🍪 Space Economy Bites & Snaps

Bites…

⭐ Space Umbrellas: In a bold approach to mitigate global warming, researchers are considering the deployment of space-based “umbrellas” to partially block solar radiation. This geoengineering concept involves launching a swarm of small shades that would collectively form a shield, potentially covering an area as large as Argentina. The aim is to reduce the Sun's warming effect on Earth by blocking one to two percent of its radiation, a strategy that could complement efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

⭐ Outdated Ground Systems: The space industry's infrastructure, particularly ground systems, is facing challenges due to being outdated, underfunded, and often overlooked. Despite a record-breaking increase in launch cadence, exemplified by SpaceX's nearly 100 launches last year, the ground systems that support these operations have not kept pace. The need for modernization is critical to support the evolving space economy and ensure the success of future missions. This includes enhancing the capabilities of control centers, launch facilities, and other ground-based infrastructure to accommodate the increasing complexity and frequency of space launches.

… and Snaps

• Geely in Orbit: China's automotive giant Geely has launched 11 low-orbit satellites to support autonomous driving, highlighting an increased convergence of space technology and automotive innovation.

• Space Unity Challenged: The evolving rocket industry sparks competition within Europe, threatening decades of collaboration in space exploration.

• Holy Alliance: The US Office of Space Commerce partners with SpaceX to enhance satellite safety and traffic management, showcasing advancements in space sustainability.

• Solar Power Innovation: Virtus Solis aims to revolutionize renewable energy by beaming solar power from space to Earth by 2027, potentially offering a consistent and efficient electricity source.

• Mars Going Private: NASA invites industry proposals for private Mars missions, signaling a bold step towards commercializing space exploration and leveraging commercial services for future Mars endeavors.

#TOGETHER WITH NOTION

Space Pros: Achieve More in 2024 with Goal Setting!

With Notion, it’s never been easier to set goals… and follow through. Whether you’re kicking off a new gym routine, organizing a family trip, or tracking your space business goals, Notion makes following through on your plans easier than ever. Simply choose a template, add friends and teammates, and start making progress on your 2024 resolutions.

Click here to learn more and get started for free.

#MARKETWATCH

💹 Investing in the Universe

Here's a list of funds that track companies in the space sector, giving investors access to the expanding space economy. These funds include firms in space exploration, satellite technology, and related areas, offering potential growth aligned with future technological advancements.

• Procure Space ETF (UFO) ▼ $16.33 (-1.2%) 

• RK Space Exploration and Innovation (ARKX) ▼ $14.10 (-1.1%)

• S&P Kensho Final Frontiers (ROKT) ▼ $41.94 (-0.7%)

Prices as of February 5, 2024, 3:48 p.m. ET

#EVENTHORIZON

🆙 Trends in Space, Tech, and AI

Earth Station in Motion: Seamless Broadband Connectivity Anywhere, Anytime

In a world increasingly reliant on digital connectivity, Earth Stations in Motion (ESIMs) for Non-Geostationary Orbit (NGSO) satellite systems are paving the way for unparalleled access to broadband services.

An ESIM for NGSO is essentially a sophisticated mobile satellite antenna that maintains high-speed internet by connecting with moving satellites in low or medium Earth orbit, like Starlink. It's designed for use on moving platforms such as ships, planes, and vehicles, ensuring continuous internet access by adjusting to satellites' positions. Unlike traditional satellite dishes that need to point at a fixed spot in the sky, these antennas adjust on the fly to maintain a link with satellites that orbit the earth, ensuring you get internet even when you're moving.

These cutting-edge technologies are critical in bridging the digital divide, enabling high-speed internet connections in remote and rural areas previously unreachable by traditional means. The push for a comprehensive regulatory framework is at the core of this technological leap forward. Such regulations are pivotal in ensuring the coexistence of new satellite services with established terrestrial networks, preventing interference, and promoting efficient spectrum use.

The rapid deployment of NGSO systems, with their promise of global coverage and high-capacity networks, underscores the urgency for regulatory bodies to adapt and evolve. International collaboration is paramount, as the spectrum knows no borders, and the successful implementation of ESIMs hinges on global standards and agreements. This necessity for international harmony in regulations is not just about technical compatibility; it's about securing a future where internet access is considered a universal right, akin to access to clean water and electricity.

In a recent Insight paper, Orbital Reach, in collaboration with Plum Consulting, explored the technological advancements fueling the ESIM and NGSO ecosystem. From advancements in antenna design to breakthroughs in signal processing, these developments underscore the sophisticated technology enabling ESIMs to keep reliable connections while in motion—on land, at sea, or in the air. These advancements are key to the ESIMs' capability to provide uninterrupted connectivity across different environments.

As we stand on the brink of a new era in satellite communications, the dialogue between technology leaders and regulatory authorities is more crucial than ever. The goal is clear: to create an interconnected world where high-speed internet access is ubiquitous and uninterrupted. For those interested in the relationship between technological advancements and regulatory strategies, this Insight paper offers a high-level overview that is essential for understanding the future of global connectivity.

#STARGRAPH

📊 Global Satellite Ground Station Market 2020-2032

The satellite ground station market crossed USD 55 billion in 2022 and is estimated to grow at over 5% CAGR between 2023 and 2032.

#SPACESUSTAINABILITY

🌀 Charting the Way for a Circular Space Economy

Space is not only a source of wonder, but also a responsibility. As we expand our presence in orbit, we must ensure that our activities are sustainable and respectful of the environment. That is why we, as stewards of the space domain, should pay attention to a new document that proposes a radical change in how we use and manage space resources.

The “Charter for a Circular Space Economy” is a proposal by Astrodynamicist and Space Environmentalist, Moriba Jah that aims for more sustainable space activities. Jah is an Associate Professor at the University of Texas in Austin and a Co-Founder of Privateer Space with Steve Wozniak. Privateer is a company that focuses on ensuring a sustainable and safe space environment through data infrastructure, knowledge graph technology, and their open-access visualization tool, Wayfinder, which tracks satellites and debris in Earth orbit.

Jah argues that our current approach to space activities is unsustainable, leading to a proliferation of space debris and environmental degradation. He suggests a paradigm shift from the current linear model to a circular one, where waste is minimized and resources are reused.

This topic is critical because it shapes the future of space exploration and impacts our planet. A circular space economy can ensure the long-term viability of space activities, as well as contribute to a sustainable and clean-energy future on Earth. Moreover, it can foster international cooperation and peace, and respect for the diversity of knowledge systems.

The Charter outlines several principles and commitments to implement a circular space economy, including:

• Promoting sustainable design principles in satellite and spacecraft manufacturing to enhance reusability and modularity.

• Facilitating international cooperation and data sharing for optimized space traffic management and circular resource use.

• Introducing incentive mechanisms and regulations to enforce circular practices and hold space actors accountable for their actions.

• Supporting innovation and research in technologies for the recovery and recycling of space objects and materials.

• Incorporating perspectives from all knowledge systems in capacity building and education.

• Developing metrics to quantify the environmental and operational impact of space objects and activities, such as the space traffic footprint and the orbital carrying capacity.

Embracing the Charter's sustainable vision for space activities heralds an innovative step forward, albeit with its set of considerations. It prompts us to evaluate the practicality and affordability of its recommended practices, ensuring broad compliance among space entities with varied interests. The initiative also necessitates a delicate balance of rights and resource management in space, while thoughtfully integrating indigenous insights with modern scientific approaches. These aspects are foundational to realizing a circular space economy aligned with the Charter's goals.

The Charter proposed by Moriba Jah is a promising foundation for dialogue and future visions. We invite you to read (and adopt!) the Charter and share your thoughts with us.

#PRODUCTIVITY

🎛️ 5 Resources to Boost Your Workflows

Startup Pitch Deck → Your pitch deck assistant, drawing on successful strategies from YouTube, Facebook, Uber, and top venture capital methods.

Vimcal → An AI-supported calendar app that streamlines scheduling and organization with features like sharing availability and seamless mobile device integration.

EPFLx: New Space Economy → Course that offers over 30 video lectures on the new space economy's history, trends, infrastructures, and Earth's sustainability through space.

MIT: New Space Economy → An introduction to space's future, focusing on technologies, products, services, and business models in the new space economy.

Everyday AI: The Final Frontier → A podcast episode on AI's key role in space exploration, from analyzing star sound waves to mapping galaxies.

🎫 indicates a promoted resource, if any.

#OUTOFTHISWORLD

👨‍🚀 Buzz Aldrin: “There’s a monolith on Phobos (…) Who put it there?”

In a 2009 interview with C-SPAN, Buzz Aldrin shared his vision for space exploration, emphasizing not only the intriguing aspects of Mars' moons but also the significant potential of Earth's moon for humanity's future. Aldrin suggested that before venturing to Mars, a strategic focus on developing human habitation and an economy on the Moon could lay the groundwork for further space exploration. He highlighted the importance of returning to the Moon to establish a sustainable human presence and economic systems that could support future missions to Mars and beyond.

Towards the end of the conversation, Aldrin also introduced the topic of the Phobos monolith, a peculiar structure on one of Mars' moons, with fascinating remarks:

This statement sparked various theories and discussions, particularly because the concept of a monolith on a moon evokes images from Stanley Kubrick’s film "2001: A Space Odyssey." However, Aldrin clarified his stance by adding:

Aldrin's comments have contributed to the broader public discourse on space exploration, highlighting the potential for human development on the Moon as a stepping stone to the rest of the solar system. Despite the speculative nature of his remarks about the Phobos monolith, it is generally accepted by the scientific community that this feature is a natural geological formation. But, well, there’s only one way to find out… ;-)

Aldrin's suggestion underlines the importance of a lunar economy and habitation as foundational elements for extending humanity's reach into space.

#GHOSTINTHEMACHINE

🤖 Inspiration from the World of AI

The Space Era by Classical Artists

Until Next Time

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#MISSIONDEBRIEF

🌠 Getting Better Together

I value your opinion, so if you have specific advice or anything interesting you’d like to share, please let me know by replying to this email.

Thank you for reading and see you at the next orbit!

Francois

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