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G’day Trailblazers!

We’re Trailblazers, the Space Newsletter that's all about the thrill of floating in the void while racing against time and space.

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#LAUNCHPAD

In today’s edition

• Spacewalk Showdown: The EVA Race!

• StarGraph: A Timeline of Spacesuits

• SpaceRegs: Developments in space governance, regulations & policy

• InTheLoop: Tech Trends on Earth Shaping Our Future in Space

• GhostInTheMachine: Kittens in the Space Shuttle!

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#NEWS

🍪 Space Economy Bites & Snaps

Bites…

⭐ Space Economics Insight: ASD Eurospace’s Pierre Lionnet discusses the evolving space economy, highlighting the impacts of increased mass in orbit and the role of SpaceX's Starlink in transforming industry dynamics. He critiques misconceptions and emphasizes the need for realistic economic assessments.

⭐ Space-Based Solar Power: Japan plans to demonstrate space-based solar power by 2025, using satellites to beam energy to Earth. This project aims to provide a sustainable energy source and significantly reduce carbon emissions.

… and Snaps

• Post ISS World: Japan strengthens its space sector, boosting global space economy prospects.

• Russia: Aims for 2,600 satellites by 2036, challenging global space economy feasibility.

• Moon Gateway: Prepares lunar missions to support Artemis program, enabling sustained lunar exploration.

• Starlink Mini: Now available in the US with new pricing and specs for enhanced connectivity.

#REALLY?

🤨 Spacesuit History

Spacesuits have evolved significantly since the early days of space exploration. The first operational spacesuits were introduced in the 1960s for NASA's Mercury program, based on high-altitude pressure suits used by pilots. These early suits were designed primarily for in-vehicle use and had limited mobility. As space missions became more complex, suit designs advanced to allow for extravehicular activities. The Apollo program saw the development of suits capable of withstanding the harsh lunar environment. Later, the Space Shuttle era brought more flexible and reusable suit designs. Today, spacesuits continue to evolve, with NASA and private companies working on next-generation suits for future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Throughout their history, spacesuits have remained critical for protecting astronauts from the vacuum of space, extreme temperatures, and micrometeoroid impacts.

#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) ▼ $16.36(-0.2%)

• RK Space Exploration and Innovation (ARKX) ▲ $15.17(+0.8%)

• S&P Kensho Final Frontiers (ROKT) ▲ $44.41 (+1.1%)

Prices as of July 10, 2024, 3:22 p.m. ET

#BEYONDTHEHYPE

💬 Thoughts and Opinions from Across the Interspace

Spacewalk Showdown: The EVA Race!

This is the fifth instalment in a series by Frank, Space and tech Author. The previous episodes are available here, here, here and here.

Picture this: a cosmic contest where astronauts lumber around in bulky spacesuits instead of streamlined athletic gear, racing across the boundless void of space. The latest event? A nail-biting showdown between the space titans, China and the USA. On May 28, 2024, the Shenzhou 18 mission saw Chinese astronauts Ye Guangfu and Li Guangsu step out into the vacuum and set a new Chinese record for the longest single spacewalk, clocking in at a staggering 8 hours and 30 minutes.

Imagine this: two astronauts, securely tethered and floating in space, meticulously inspecting every bolt and panel while the Earth slowly rotates below them. It's the ultimate high-stakes marathon!

But here's where it gets interesting. Despite their impressive feat, Ye and Li still fell just short of the world record. The gold medal in this spacewalk marathon still belongs to American astronauts Susan Helms and James S. Voss, who set the bar high at 8 hours and 56 minutes way back in 2001. Just 26 minutes shy! It’s like training for months, only to have your rival cross the finish line with seconds to spare.

This wasn't just any stroll in space for the Chinese astronauts; it was their 15th spacewalk, a demonstration of their growing prowess in human spaceflight. Each EVA (extravehicular activity) they undertake pushes their capabilities further, showing the world that China is not just a participant but a formidable contender in the space race.

So, what's next in this interstellar competition? If 8 hours and 30 minutes is the new Chinese record, you can bet that the next mission will aim to shatter the world record. Will it be a 9-hour marathon in the void? Can you imagine the Chinese astronauts discussing their strategy, much like athletes tweaking their performance techniques to shave off those precious minutes?

As the competition heats up, the stakes get higher. Each nation is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in space, and this friendly rivalry could lead to unprecedented advancements in space technology.

But let's not jump the gun. For now, let's give a nod to CMS (China Manned Space Agency) for their impressive feat and keep an eye on the numbers. Who knows what the next spacewalk will bring? A new record? Or just another close call? Stay tuned, space fans. The race is on!

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#STARGRAPH

📊 Spacesuits Timeline

#SPACEREGS

🧩 Developments in space governance, regulations & policy

🪙 National Spaceport Policy: The U.S. urgently needs a national spaceport policy to match the rapid increase in commercial launches. Without this, economic growth and national security may be compromised due to inadequate infrastructure and slow bureaucratic processes.

🪙 Space Sustainability Economics: The OECD report highlights the urgent need for policies to address space debris, which threatens crucial space-based services. It offers evidence on the societal value of space infrastructure and suggests fiscal and voluntary measures for mitigation.

🪙 Outer Space Regulation: After the Loper Bright decision, the Supreme Court has eliminated the Chevron Doctrine, impacting how agencies regulate commercial space activities. This change demands clearer legislative guidelines to avoid regulatory confusion and promote industry growth.

🪙 Russian Satellite Interference: The International Telecommunications Union (ITU), a UN body, condemned Russia for interfering with European satellite systems, causing GPS jamming and endangering air traffic. The interference disrupted services in France, Sweden, and other countries, escalating international tensions.

🪙 NASA Authorization Bill: A House committee unanimously approved a bipartisan NASA authorization bill, reaffirming support for human space exploration, the Artemis program, and the ISS. This bill aims to maintain U.S. leadership in space and promote commercial space sector growth.

#INTHELOOP

💡 Tech Trends on Earth Shaping Our Future in Space

📉 AI Collapse Warning - Experts caution that the AI industry might be heading towards a massive collapse, drawing parallels to past tech bubbles. Concerns include unproven technology, energy consumption, and potential over-investment, suggesting a need for cautious optimism and scrutiny in AI advancements.

🔋 Renewable Support - Pew Research survey reveals strong public support for renewable energy sources like solar and wind, alongside backing for electric vehicles, highlighting a growing consensus on the need for clean energy transitions.

🧠 Neuralink Innovation - Neuralink plans to double its device bandwidth, offering telepathy and eventually brain control of Teslabots, enhancing functionality for the disabled and enabling advanced human-robot interaction.

☀️ Solar Surge - China is set to achieve a staggering 1 trillion watts of solar capacity by the end of 2025, highlighting its commitment to renewable energy and significant strides in global clean energy leadership.

#GHOSTINTHEMACHINE

🤖 Inspiration from the World of AI

Kittens in the Space Shuttle!

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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