ESA BSGN | Business in Space Growth Network’s Post

🌌 Accelerating the future of #SpaceResources 🚀 European Space Resources Innovation Centre (ESRIC) has announced its first cohort for the #SpaceResourcesAccelerator, a game-changer for #lunarexploration and in-situ resource utilisation (ISRU). Six ventures from across Europe and the world are set to redefine space infrastructure, power, and mobility—key components of a sustainable presence on the #Moon. 🌙 Meet the innovators: 🔹 FibreCoat – High-performance materials for lunar infrastructure 🔹 Maana Electric – Solar resources for the Moon 🔹 Orbital Matter – Additive manufacturing in microgravity 🔹 Orbit Fab – Autonomous lunar refueling solutions 🔹 Space Power – Universal power beaming and lunar dust mitigation 🔹 Volta Space Technologies – Wireless power transmission around the Moon 🔗 Read more and stay tuned 👉 https://lnkd.in/gbm3v7xZ Alex Godlewski Kathryn Hadler European Space Agency - ESA Luxembourg Space Agency

🌌 Accelerating the future of #SpaceResources 🚀 The European Space Resources Innovation Centre (ESRIC) has announced the first cohort for the #SpaceResourcesAccelerator—a pivotal step forward for #LunarExploration and in-situ resource utilization (ISRU). While our #LunarNomadYurts project was not selected among the six available spots, I can only admire the remarkable companies and groundbreaking ideas chosen. Looking at these innovative ventures and their progress, I understand why we weren't selected this time. It inspires me to reflect on how our initiative could align with or even integrate some of their technologies into the LunarNomad Yurts concept. Imagine combining these solutions to amplify efficiency, reduce costs in lunar habitats, and address pressing challenges on Earth like #Biodiversityloss, #ClimateChange, and the #AffordableHousing crisis—it's a vision worth pursuing. I’m eagerly looking forward to our feedback meeting in January to gain insights on improving our approach. I also hope for potential collaborations with these extraordinary innovators to create synergies that redefine sustainable living on both Earth and the Moon. 🌍🌕 Congratulations to the six selected ventures: 🔹 FibreCoat – High-performance materials for lunar infrastructure 🔹 Maana Electric – Solar resources for the Moon 🔹 Orbital Matter – Additive manufacturing in microgravity 🔹 Orbit Fab – Autonomous lunar refueling solutions 🔹 Space Power – Universal power beaming and lunar dust mitigation 🔹 Volta Space Technologies – Wireless power transmission around the Moon These ventures are set to revolutionize space infrastructure, power, and mobility—key components for a sustainable presence on the #Moon. 🌙 🔗 Read more: https://lnkd.in/gbm3v7xZ #CircularArchitecturalTechniques #Innovation #Collaboration Alex Godlewski Kathryn Hadler European Space Agency - ESA Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), Space Business Innovation Centre Noordwijk, NL Space Campus

Building a thriving lunar economy: By using water as a key resource, combined with nuclear-enabled propulsion and advanced autonomous systems, this vision offers a path to creating a thriving lunar economy. The establishment of infrastructure on the Moon, including refueling depots, habitats, and power grids, will reduce reliance on Earth and enable humanity to explore deeper into the solar system. Through collaboration between commercial companies and space agencies, this vision sets the stage for a future where space exploration becomes routine and humanity extends its reach beyond the cradle of Earth. https://lnkd.in/eR95ZF-3

Today, European Space Resources Innovation Centre (ESRIC) announced the first cohort of the Space Resources Accelerator — six projects set to fast-track technologies shaping the future of #space exploration and in-situ resource utilisation (#ISRU). This innovative programme, part of the ESA BSGN | Business in Space Growth Network Industry Accelerators, empowers ventures to develop solutions for European Space Agency - ESA’s #lunar exploration efforts and the entire space resources value chain. During the programme, participants will refine their projects with in-kind support from ESRIC, aiming to launch co-funded projects by ESA that demonstrate their technologies in lunar conditions. Meet the first cohort and their projects: 🇩🇪 FibreCoat– High-performance materials for lunar infrastructure. 🇱🇺 Maana Electric – Solar resource production on the Moon. 🇵🇱 Orbital Matter – Additive manufacturing for lunar infrastructure. 🇬🇧 Orbit Fab UK – Fuel supply for orbital and lunar surface vehicles. 🇬🇧 Space Power – Power beaming and lunar dust mitigation. 🇨🇦 Volta Space Technologies – Wireless power transmission around the Moon. This milestone underscores ESRIC’s commitment to fostering innovation and scaling solutions from concept to deployment. 🚀 Together, we’re building the future of sustainable space exploration!

Powering the Future of Lunar Exploration: The European Charging Station for the Moon   Space Applications Services NV/SA and Thales Alenia Space received an extension from the European Space Agency - ESA to further develop the European Charging Station for the Moon (ECSM) – a project aimed at providing sustainable energy solutions for future lunar missions. As humanity prepares to return to the Moon, the ECSM represents a critical step towards establishing a sustained presence.   The ECSM, a prospective payload for the Argonaut mission, is designed to address two primary mission scenarios each of which are able to provide more than 7 kW to up to three Users during the lunar day: -Astronaut Science Enabler (AstriSci), which can provide 260 W to Users using its Regenerative Fuell Cell System (RFCS) during the lunar night -Astronaut Science Enabler with Peak Power Capability (PeakPwr), which uses an additional battery pack to provide an additional boost of 8 kW for up to three hours during the lunar day. This offers a power boost during critical periods of the lunar day, enhancing operational efficiency.   Under the leadership of Space Applications Services, the ECSM Pre-Phase A study has elevated the design to an analytical proof-of-concept stage, achieving a Technology Readiness Level of 3. The study has yielded detailed baseline designs for both AstroSci and PeakPwr configurations, incorporating a blend of solar arrays, batteries, and regenerative fuel cell systems to enable the generation, storage, and distribution of power to multiple users simultaneously.   Building upon the success of the initial study, ESA has granted an extension to further refine and expand the ECSM. This endeavor will involve defining a range of ECSM variants covering a power spectrum from 1 to 10 kW, including downscaled small and medium lines tailored to meet diverse mission requirements and constraints. Additionally, this phase will involve the development of a Simulation Model to facilitate the customization of ECSM designs based on specific mission parameters and technical considerations.   The ECSM represents an important component in the quest for sustained lunar exploration and habitation. With its innovative design and adaptability, the ECSM stands poised to power the next phase of humanity's lunar journey.   Picture Credit: Space Applications Services   #LunarExploration #SustainableEnergy #RegenerativeFuelCells #LunarSurfacePowerPlant

The European Space Agency is now soliciting proposals for their Second Space Resources Challenge focusing on extraction and beneficiation of lunar regolith creating feedstock for operations to produce oxygen and 🚀fuel on the Moon. Utilizing resources in situ lowers costs by living off the land rather than importing materials from Earth, which will stimulate a cislunar economy and enable settlements on the Moon and beyond. https://lnkd.in/gjvaQsuC

China launched its Queqiao-2 relay satellite Tuesday to support upcoming lunar far side and south polar missions. A Long March 8 rocket lifted off from Wenchang Satellite Launch Center at 8:31 p.m. Eastern, March 19 (0031 UTC March 20). The China National Space Administration (CNSA) confirmed the Queqiao-2 satellite was on a trajectory towards the moon around 40 minutes after launch. CNSA stated Queqiao-2 had deployed its solar arrays and was in its predetermined orbit with a perigee of 200 kilometers and an apogee of 420,000 kilometers. The 1,200-kilogram satellite carries a 4.2-meter parabolic antenna and is part of China’s plans for future lunar exploration and a stepping stone towards building a lunar base in the 2030s. #satellites #satellitetechnology #satelliteconnectivity #spaceindustry #spaceinnovation #spacetechnology

China's 2nd Relay Satellite Queqiao-2 Enters Orbit around The Moon | CGTN FriendsofNASA.org: Chinese relay satellite Queqiao-2 has successfully performed a near-moon braking procedure and entered its circumlunar orbit, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) reported on March 25, 2024. After about 112 hours of flight, the satellite began to perform a near-moon braking at a distance of about 440 km from the lunar surface at 12:46 a.m. Beijing Time on March 25, entered its circumlunar orbit later. Queqiao-2, or Magpie Bridge-2, will serve as a relay platform for the fourth phase of China's lunar exploration program, providing Earth-Moon communications services for Chang'e-4, Chang'e-6, Chang'e-7, and Chang'e-8 missions. It is another key step for supporting future lunar exploration missions, such as retrieving samples from the far side of the moon. Due to the Moon's perpetual one-sided facing away from Earth, probes landing on its far side are obstructed by the Moon itself, hindering direct measurement, control communication, and data transmission with Earth. As the fourth phase of China's lunar exploration project focuses on landing exploration and sampling sites primarily situated in the Moon's South Pole and far side areas, the need arises for more versatile and robust relay satellites. These satellites will serve as a new relay communication station on the Moon for communication. "As for now, following the successful launch of Queqiao-2, it is poised to fulfill subsequent missions including Chang'e-6, Chang'e-7, Chang'e-8, and other related endeavors," said Ge, China National Space Administration's spokesman for Queqiao-2's launch. The main goal of the fourth phase is to carry out scientific exploration on the Moon's South Pole and set up a fundamental type of lunar scientific research station. The fourth phase will be carried out in three steps, with the Chang'e-6, Chang'e-7 and Chang'e-8 probes being launched before 2030. The Chang'e-6 is expected to be launched in the first half of 2024. The Chang'e-8 will constitute, together with Chang'e-7, the basic model of a lunar research station. Queqiao-1 was launched in 2018 and supported the Chang'e 4 lunar farside mission. Video Credit: China Global Television Network (CGTN) Duration: 1 minute Release Date: March 26, 2024 United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) CLEP-China Lunar Exploration Program China Academy of Space Technology Chinese Academy of Sciences Yuguang Yang Dongfang Hour Jean Deville Blaine Curcio CGTN NASA Goddard Space Flight Center NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory National Space Society European Space Agency - ESA German Aerospace Center (DLR) Centre National d'Études Spatiales Agenzia Spaziale Italiana #NASA #Space #Astronomy #Science #Satellites #Earth #China #中国 #Moon #LunarCommunicationSatellites #Queqiao2 #鹊桥二号中继星 #Change6 #Change7 #Change8 #CNSA #CASC #SpaceTechnology #SpaceExploration #SolarSystem #STEM #Education #HD #Video

🚀 Space exploration is evolving faster than ever! Here are 10 groundbreaking innovations to watch in 2025. Stay ahead with the latest advancements! 🌌 #Space2025 #TechInnovation #FutureOfSpace https://lnkd.in/gPWmMWty

China's 2nd Relay Satellite Queqiao-2 Enters Orbit around The Moon | CGTN FriendsofNASA.org: Chinese relay satellite Queqiao-2 has successfully performed a near-moon braking procedure and entered its circumlunar orbit, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) reported on March 25, 2024. After about 112 hours of flight, the satellite began to perform a near-moon braking at a distance of about 440 km from the lunar surface at 12:46 a.m. Beijing Time on March 25, entered its circumlunar orbit later. Queqiao-2, or Magpie Bridge-2, will serve as a relay platform for the fourth phase of China's lunar exploration program, providing Earth-Moon communications services for Chang'e-4, Chang'e-6, Chang'e-7, and Chang'e-8 missions. It is another key step for supporting future lunar exploration missions, such as retrieving samples from the far side of the moon. Due to the Moon's perpetual one-sided facing away from Earth, probes landing on its far side are obstructed by the Moon itself, hindering direct measurement, control communication, and data transmission with Earth. As the fourth phase of China's lunar exploration project focuses on landing exploration and sampling sites primarily situated in the Moon's South Pole and far side areas, the need arises for more versatile and robust relay satellites. These satellites will serve as a new relay communication station on the Moon for communication. "As for now, following the successful launch of Queqiao-2, it is poised to fulfill subsequent missions including Chang'e-6, Chang'e-7, Chang'e-8, and other related endeavors," said Ge, China National Space Administration's spokesman for Queqiao-2's launch. The main goal of the fourth phase is to carry out scientific exploration on the Moon's South Pole and set up a fundamental type of lunar scientific research station. The fourth phase will be carried out in three steps, with the Chang'e-6, Chang'e-7 and Chang'e-8 probes being launched before 2030. The Chang'e-6 is expected to be launched in the first half of 2024. The Chang'e-8 will constitute, together with Chang'e-7, the basic model of a lunar research station. Queqiao-1 was launched in 2018 and supported the Chang'e 4 lunar farside mission. Video Credit: China Global Television Network (CGTN) Duration: 1 minute Release Date: March 26, 2024 Dan Goldin #NASA #Space #Astronomy #Science #Satellites #Earth #China #中国 #Moon #LunarCommunicationSatellites #Queqiao2 #鹊桥二号中继星 #Change6 #Change7 #Change8 #CNSA #CASC #SpaceTechnology #SpaceExploration #SolarSystem #STEM #Education #HD #Video