In a groundbreaking move towards the future of space exploration, NASA has taken a significant step in ensuring the safe and responsible transition of the International Space Station in low Earth orbit. By selecting SpaceX to develop the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle, NASA is setting the stage for continued scientific advancements and preparing for the next phase of space exploration.

The decision to develop a deorbit vehicle underscores NASA’s commitment to fostering scientific, educational, and technological developments that benefit humanity. As NASA transitions to commercially owned space destinations closer to home, the importance of preparing for the deorbit of the International Space Station after its operational life in 2030 cannot be overstated.

Ken Bowersox, associate administrator for Space Operations Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters, emphasized the significance of this decision in ensuring a safe and responsible transition in low Earth orbit. The International Space Station has served as a blueprint for science, exploration, and partnerships in space, paving the way for future commercial destinations and the continued use of space near Earth for the benefit of all.

The close collaboration between NASA and SpaceX in developing the deorbit vehicle highlights the spirit of partnership and innovation that drives the space industry forward. While SpaceX will lead the development of the spacecraft, NASA will take ownership and operate it throughout its mission, ensuring a seamless and coordinated approach towards the safe deorbiting of the space station.

Since its inception in 1998, the International Space Station has been a symbol of international cooperation, with five space agencies working together to manage and control the hardware provided by each agency. The commitment of the United States, Japan, Canada, ESA, and Roscosmos to operate the station through 2030 underscores the shared responsibility of ensuring a safe and sustainable future in space.

As we enter the 24th year of continuously crewed operations on the space station, we are reminded of the remarkable achievements and discoveries made in microgravity across a range of scientific disciplines. The International Space Station has been a platform for groundbreaking research in Earth and space science, biology, human physiology, physical sciences, and technology demonstrations, paving the way for future innovations and advancements in space exploration.

The announcement of the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle contract marks a pivotal moment in NASA’s journey towards a sustainable future in space. As we look towards the next frontier of deep space exploration at the Moon and Mars, NASA’s commitment to safe and responsible practices in low Earth orbit sets a strong foundation for the future of space exploration.

The lessons learned aboard the International Space Station are invaluable in guiding the development of future commercial stations, fostering innovation, collaboration, and exploration in space. With a shared vision and commitment to exploration, we are building towards a future where the possibilities in space are limitless, and the benefits to humanity are boundless. NASA’s mission is clear: to explore, discover, and inspire the next generation of space explorers as we journey towards the stars.

Learn more about space station operations at:

https://www.nasa.gov/station

https://stmdailynews.com/category/science/space-and-tech

In a momentous achievement for weather forecasting and environmental monitoring, NASA and SpaceX successfully launched NOAA’s latest weather satellite, the GOES-U (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite), on Tuesday at 5:26 p.m. EDT. The launch took place from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket.

Following the successful deployment of the spacecraft’s solar arrays at 10:18 p.m., mission managers confirmed that the spacecraft was operating on its own power. This fourth and final satellite in a series of advanced weather satellites for NOAA will provide continuous coverage of weather and hazardous environmental conditions across a significant portion of the Western Hemisphere.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson highlighted the crucial role that satellites like GOES-U play in monitoring real-time weather conditions, especially as communities worldwide face the impacts of extreme weather events. The advanced capabilities of the GOES constellation not only enable enhanced terrestrial weather prediction but also help forecasters predict space weather phenomena that can affect satellite electronics, GPS systems, and radio communications.

One of the notable advancements on the GOES-U satellite is the inclusion of a new space weather instrument, the Compact Coronograph-1, designed to allow scientists to observe the solar atmosphere with greater clarity by blocking the bright light from the Sun.

Nicky Fox, Associate Administrator of the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters, emphasized the wide range of applications for GOES data, underlining its importance in tracking climate changes, providing early warnings for severe weather, and contributing to disaster preparedness efforts globally.

Upon reaching its designated geostationary orbit approximately 22,200 miles above Earth, GOES-U will be renamed GOES-19. After a series of orbital checks and tests, it will begin its operational service, monitoring weather patterns over North America, including the contiguous United States, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west coast of Africa.

The successful launch of GOES-U marks a critical step in enhancing weather forecasting capabilities and improving safety for communities in the Western Hemisphere. Government agencies like NASA and NOAA, along with industry partners like Lockheed Martin and L3Harris Technologies, continue to collaborate in advancing Earth observation technology to better inform and protect the public.

As the new GOES-19 satellite begins its operational duties, forecasters and researchers anticipate leveraging its data to further enhance our understanding of weather patterns, space weather effects, and climate variability, ultimately supporting efforts to mitigate the impacts of natural disasters and safeguard human lives and infrastructure on Earth.

For more information about GOES, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/content/goes

https://stmdailynews.com/category/science

evels of widespread extreme fire risk which used to occur once every 100 years will now occur every 5

MONTREAL /PRNewswire/ — Deep Sky, the Canadian carbon removal project developer, has published original research on wildfire risk in the United States. A new report shares findings from Deep Sky Research and its Wildfire Risk Model on how wildfire risk is changing due to climate change. The model unveiled four key findings:

1. Maximum Fire Risk Has Grown Approximately 15X Across North America
   1. The model shows that Extreme Fire Weather conditions previously seen once every 100 years will now happen on average every 7 years. 
2. Frequency of Extreme Fire Risk has Grown 20X
   1. The frequency of Extreme Fire Weather – exceeding the 95th percentile in that area – has grown even more sharply than severity. Levels of widespread extreme fire risk which used to occur once every 100 years will now occur every 5.  
3. Some Regions Face Even Faster Growing Risks
   1. Central Colorado and Northern New Mexico are seeing much more extreme fire weather today than in previous years, and Central California is facing staggering increases in extreme fire weather, for example.
4. The Increase is Accelerating
   1. One startling finding from the Wildfire Risk Model is that the increases in Extreme Fire Weather are not linear. These risks are not only growing but have begun accelerating.

One way to understand the increase in wildfire destruction is to look at the underlying conditions that lead to wildfires. Fire Weather Index (FWI) is a measure developed by the Canadian Forestry Service but used globally to assess fire risk. It combines temperature, humidity, wind speed, and precipitation to give a holistic view of landscape flammability.

Climate change, which directly impacts each of these inputs, is causing more frequent and more destructive wildfires. Deep Sky Research analyzed trends in fire weather across North America and found sharp increases in the probability of extreme conditions.

“Deep Sky Research uses a novel approach for predicting the impact of climate change,” said Max Dugan-Knight, Deep Sky Climate Data Scientist. “A risk assessment approach, just like the insurance industry uses, can help us predict disasters ahead of time. In the case of wildfires, an increase in frequency and severity is being driven by changes in extreme fire weather.”

Deep Sky Research developed a map to show how fire weather is changing in each county of the continental US. It shows how Extreme Fire Weather is becoming more frequent and more severe. The darker red the county, the greater the increase in fire weather. The few blue counties are actually seeing decreases in risk.

This is what climate scientists refer to as a “vicious cycle.” Climate change is causing worse fire weather conditions, which cause larger, more destructive wildfires, which cause huge carbon emissions, which themselves contribute to more climate change. If the death and destruction caused by wildfires is not reason enough to act on climate change, avoiding vicious cycles and tipping points surely is.

To read the full report, visit Where Will the Next Extreme Wildfire Be? on deepskyclimate.com/research.

About Deep Sky:
Montreal-based Deep Sky is the world’s first IP agnostic carbon removal project developer aiming to remove gigatons of carbon from the atmosphere and permanently store it underground. As a project developer, Deep Sky brings together the most promising direct air and ocean carbon capture companies under one roof to bring the largest supply of high quality carbon credits to the market and commercialize carbon removal and storage solutions like never before. With $75M in funding, Deep Sky is backed by world class investors including Investissement Québec, Brightspark Ventures, Whitecap Venture Partners, OMERS Ventures, BDC Climate Fund, and more. For more information, visit deepskyclimate.com.

SOURCE Deep Sky