Kevin Noertker

Really great article on Space! Highlights Rocket Lab and their mission of small launches their Electron rocket has filled. It goes on to discuss the Neutron that is a medium lift vehicle. Rocket lab focuses on the taxi service where it takes individual payloads to specific orbits, but the new Neutron rocket is meant to compete with SpaceX and its Falcon 9. The article further discussed start ups, such as Relativity Space and ABL Space Systems. I was quoted around the maturity of businesses in this segment and discussed M&A activity. I highlighted that, "... for a company to be a consolidation target it needs some enterprise value; it needs sales and employees and contracts." I further went on to say that, "... those pure-play space companies, they are going to have a harder time because it is a slower cycle, versus a company that gets into space with a diversified book of business and will probably be more successful." #aerospace #space #mergersandacquisitions #thefactorydoctor https://lnkd.in/gsNrw2cA

16

This lack of certainty echos one of the concerns we made in our #SpaceAgenda2025 chapter on space regulatory reform: https://lnkd.in/eN4hgEHb

1

"While primarily known for commercial space initiatives such as the Dream Chaser reusable space plane and Orbital Reef space station, Sierra Space is looking to strengthen its foothold in the national security sector, with a particular emphasis on satellite technology.... The contract falls under the SDA’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, specifically the Tranche 2 Tracking Layer, a component of the Defense Department’s low Earth orbit constellation. The satellites are scheduled to launch in 2027." https://lnkd.in/gnhdHGh2

4

Don't look now eVTOL enthusiasts, but there's a new mode of urban transportation on the horizon. I’m referring to the robotaxi, a fully autonomous EV designed to privately ferry ride-hailing passengers wherever the road may lead. The robotaxi concept shown below was recently unveiled by Tesla and is dubbed the CyberCab. Although it will still have to deal with congestion and other earthly issues it offers a driverless experience that promises to make the ride cozier for the passenger - who can put this time to more productive business or personal use or even catch some sleep along the way. I’m also sure many ride-hailers will appreciate not having to get in a vehicle with a total stranger, especially in the dark. The CyberCab is rightsized with just 2 seats which should efficiently accommodate an average load factor of 1.3 pax for a conventional ground taxi. The list price will start at under $30k, making it a significantly cheaper on a per mile basis than your typical eVTOL that can run upwards of several million dollars. But a closer inspection shows there’s a complementary as well as a competing case for the robotaxi when compared to the air taxi for urban mobility. In a complementary sense, combining the robotaxi on the first and last legs of a multi-modal trip with an eVTOL flying the middle segment may offer the optimal transportation solution for the discriminating passenger looking to avoid congestion and shave time off the trip. Under this scenario the robotaxi may not offer any speed advantage over a conventional ride-hail on the first and last mile but many passengers will enjoy the driverless experience, to be alone with their thoughts and activities. More importantly, the owner-operator of a robotaxi service may be able to offer a lower fare by eliminating the driver from the equation. This can take some pressure off the air taxi operator who is being challenged to keep the total cost to the passenger down. Under the competing scenario the robotaxi may find healthy demand with passengers that simply want to take it door to door rather than hop on a more expensive, albeit time-saving air taxi where the mode switching introduces friction in the passenger experience referred to as the hassle factor. A robotaxi that provides exclusive, point-to-point service could also be substantially cheaper than an air taxi considering the scope and scale of the cost elements associated with the latter, which will be difficult to marginalize in practice. And some passengers may simply want to avoid flying with strangers over security concerns or fear of exposure to sick passengers in a confined setting. So the robotaxi will likely siphon off some passengers that might use an air taxi, despite the additional time a trip solely by road will take. But it could also enhance the value proposition of the air taxi by offering private and equally exhilarating connectivity within the cost structure of the eVTOL. #eVTOL #airtaxi #robotaxi

54

53 Comments

ICYMI: Last week, I posted an article on my Forbes column to talk about the Modular Open Systems Approach (#MOSA), which is now required by law for very #DoD major defense acquisition program. So, if you expect to work on US #military #rotorcraft development efforts in the future, you should read this. In addition, the NATO Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (#NGRC) program will require MOSA, and commercial aircraft efforts will likely all look at modular and open systems approaches. In other words, just about everyone should get familiar with MOSA, how to incorporate it into aircraft developments and why. https://lnkd.in/ek-tn2nf Bell Flight #V280 #Valor #FLRAA #FVL #AAM #eVTOL #Standards #OpenSystems #Modular

48

6 Comments

Emerging Industrial Base for Lunar Activities. Produced by BryceTech Interest in cislunar space and the Moon as a commercial market continues to grow. As U.S. and international government lunar programs advance, commercial companies are developing lunar missions, focusing on essential services like transportation, telecommunications, maintenance, and even mining. https://lnkd.in/dTZv5H23

7

This news article is about the #LOSSAN #Rail Relocation Project in #SanDiego County. Here are the key points I've gathered: 1. The project aims to relocate the rail tracks off the eroding #DelMar bluffs to improve safety and efficiency. 2. #SANDAG has released a "Notice of Preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Report," marking the start of an 18-month environmental review process. 3. Three alignment options are being considered, all involving tunnels due to the steep grade in Del Mar. 4. The public can provide input on the project through July 19, 2024, and attend a meeting on June 18, 2024, for more information. 5. The environmental process is expected to be complete by the end of 2025, with the design-build phase beginning in 2026 and completion slated for 2035. 6. The LOSSAN rail corridor is crucial for both passenger and freight transportation, with 3.7 million daily users and over $1 billion in goods transported annually. 7. The project has received significant funding from state and federal grants to support the construction of new tracks, a special events platform, and the replacement of the San Dieguito Lagoon rail bridge. This project appears to be a significant undertaking that will address long-standing safety and operational issues along the LOSSAN rail corridor. The public input process and environmental review will be critical in determining the best alignment option and minimizing the project's impact on the community and environment.

2

I'm curious about the role of drones in firefighting efforts, especially in California. In 2015, the team flew the ScanEagle over 60 miles BVLOS in the TFRs at night to create these detailed fire maps during the Eagle Creek fire. This technology allowed them to provide crucial data to organizations like DOI and USFS promptly. They repeated this successful mapping strategy during the Mendicino and Tubbs fires in California that year and later it the fires that plagued the Olympic National Forest. However, I wonder why drones aren't more prevalent in current firefighting operations, or maybe they have been and it's not being picked up by the media? Could they have been instrumental in mitigating the recent fires by offering accurate information for better decision-making? Were factors like cost-effectiveness, bureaucratic hurdles, or mismatched products hindering their widespread use? These questions linger in my mind, highlighting the potential for drone technology to revolutionize fire management strategies.

59

59 Comments

Here's another great session at the #BeyondEarthSymposium

4

In a recent interview with Paul Brinkmann of Aerospace America, a publication of AIAA, we get into some of the finer what-if details of #AAMInfrastructure standards and fire code. Understanding that this is an area of technology that is evolving daily and that what we knew yesterday is often different than what we understand today, developing standards and codes in this ever-changing landscape requires constant input from all stakeholders. That said, I encourage those who are interested to check out NFPA-418, Standard for Heliports and Vertiports, and provide Public Input as you see fit to help guide the next revision cycle. NFPA-418: https://lnkd.in/gRX2mv4w NFPA Free Access: https://lnkd.in/gfAzyXbV Vertical Flight Society Vertical Aviation International NASAO - National Association of State Aviation Officials General Aviation Manufacturers Association NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration Federal Aviation Administration NFPA Clint Harper, C.M. Nicolas Zart Raymond Syms Ricarda Bennett Kathryn Wright Jeff Wright Tom Schuman #uam #vtol #evtol #technology #advancedairmobility #vertiport #heliport #firesafety #firecode #faa #nfpa #nasa Jim Sherman

55

2 Comments

Ultimate success in any business requires making a profit. Space hardware is not immune from this. Chuck Beames makes this point as it relates to government space budgets. Frugality breeds innovation and efficiency. https://lnkd.in/gZMpMBEq

11

1 Comment

🚀 Join us on July 25th for an insightful leadership webinar! Duann Scott, David Heiny, and I will discuss the newest developments in computational design and AI, address common challenges, and explain how to leverage AI with your own data. Don't miss this chance to stay ahead in engineering! #Leadership #AI #ComputationalDesign #Webinar

22

1 Comment

Now that the fire is out and the smoke is clear in Altadena, high resolution satellite imaging can now be used to see the full scope of the Eaton Fire, which has destroyed over 7,000 structures. In the image, NASA JPL is at the top left corner and the famous Santa Anita Racetrack in Arcadia is at the bottom right. If you can, take a few moments, enlarge the map, starting at JPL, and move to the right. You can zoom in and see individual houses and you can back out and see entire neighborhoods. It’s so hard to describe what has happened to us without hyperbole so if you have a few minutes, just browse Altadena and look at the proximity to JPL and the utter devastation. The number of JPL/Caltech employees alone who have lost their homes is over 200. This is an urban Los Angeles city that has been decimated by a firestorm. And, even as we grieve, there is an even bigger and more destructive firestorm still burning just a few miles away in Palisades. Same level of destruction. We are in a world now where 10,000 homes can be destroyed in one night if wind and dry conditions are right and this is now the 5th mass firestorm I’ve seen in California. In the future, I will have much to say about adaptation for climate change. Today, I just want to mourn the loss of my city. https://lnkd.in/grgyJG7t

223

19 Comments

Really looking forward to hearing your insights on the panel about the importance of interfaces, standardization and modular infrastructure in space.

14

Looking forward to testifying before the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology Space & Aeronautics Subcommittee on FAA space issues next week. What are some of the hot topics on your mind?

84

2 Comments

Extreme heat waves combined w humidity might become, sooner than expected, a major threat for life in equatorial & tropical countries. Warning: There is an important data gap on equatorial & tropical countries and new satellite data 🛰 are crucially needed on near-equatorial orbits for a better understanding and assessment of this threat !

13

NASA is soliciting industry proposals to carry out rapid studies of mission designs and mission elements capable of delivering samples collected by the Mars Perseverance rover from the surface of Mars to Earth. NASA recognizes that U.S. industry has innovative ideas and substantial capabilities that may be relevant to a Mars Sample Return campaign. This Rapid Mission Design Studies for Mars Sample Return program element (henceforth “program element”) seeks to establish whether there are viable mission designs or mission element options, such as a smaller Mars Ascent Vehicle, to return samples from Mars that offer benefits (e.g., less complexity, lower overall cost, lower annual cost, earlier sample return, and/or lower risk; see Section 3.4) compared to NASA’s reference mission design. Studies may be for complete mission designs, for mission designs that include elements of NASA’s Mars Sample Return Program or NASA’s Artemis Program as Government Furnished Equipment (GFE), or for individual mission elements; see Section 3.2. The results of these studies may inform revisions to NASA’s Mars Sample Return Program and may result in future procurements. go.nasa.gov/rasmsr24

126

5 Comments

I say some very pointed things about WHY and HOW America needs to adjust focus on #Artemis in the next presidential administration here in Beyond Earth Institute's Webinar "China and India's Beyond Earth Human Spaceflight Programs: A Space Race By Any Other Name": 0:11:29-0:18:50 My Opening remarks on the "New Space Race" ** The 'Space Decathalon' ** Artemis vs ILRS ** Scale of PRC Space Solar Power Program 0:44:00-0:48:40 Opportunities for international collaboration 1:11:10-1:13:14 Wolf Amendment and dangers of getting rid of it **1:23:31-1:25:40 Constructive Criticism of NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration #Artemis architecture and SLS. 1:31:40-1:35:50 Negative (economic downturns, return to the Moon second) and positive scenarios for how things might play out Steven Wolfe opens, Courtney Stadd moderates. I'm followed by George Pullen of MilkyWayEconomy, Rose Croshier from Office of Space Commerce and Kara Cunzeman from The Aerospace Corporation. My remarks on #Artemis go to my recent conversations with Charles Miller, Greg Autry, Dennis Wingo and Rick Tumlinson about the proper aims of our national space program and what are effective and ineffective roles for government to address SPD-1 and the National Space Policy shepherded by Scott Pace. https://lnkd.in/eSHRGBuC Scott Sadler Steve Kwast Nikolai Joseph

21

1 Comment