“Developed with input from a wide range of stakeholders, NASA’s Low Earth Orbit Microgravity Strategy will guide the agency toward the next generation of continuous human presence in orbit, enable greater economic growth, and maintain international partnerships,” NASA said.
NASA deputy administrator Pam Melroy said the objectives are pivotal as the agency retires the International Space Station in 2030.
“Our consultation with industry, academia, and international partners has helped refine a visionary roadmap for our future in low-Earth orbit, which will be enabled by a continuous human presence,” Melroy said.
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“Together, we are ensuring that the benefits of exploring space continue to grow – advancing science, innovation, and opportunities for all, while preparing for humanity’s next giant leap of exploring the moon, Mars and beyond.”
NASA began a planning process earlier this year that included drafting an initial set of goals and objectives for the low-Earth orbit (LEO) microgravity environment and seeking feedback from its workforce, government partners, industry, academia, international space agencies and the public.
“The final framework includes 13 goals and 44 objectives across seven key areas: commercial low-Earth orbit infrastructure, operations, science, research and technology development for exploration, international cooperation, workforce development and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) engagement, and public engagement,” the US space agency said.
“The agency’s efforts in low-Earth orbit are integral to its broader ambitions for deep space exploration. The microgravity environment in low-Earth orbit provides a cost-effective, easily accessible proving ground for technologies and research necessary for human missions to explore the solar system.
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“With most of the journey to moon and Mars occurring in microgravity, the objectives give the opportunity to continue vital human research, test future exploration systems, and retain the critical skills needed to operate in the microgravity environment.”
It comes after Space Connect reported on Monday how the first Australian Competition and Consumer Commission report comparing satellite internet coverage concluded that Starlink’s LEO satellites significantly outperformed NBN Sky Muster’s geostationary satellites.
The report found NBN’s latency averaged 664.9 milliseconds across all hours, so poor it would struggle to consistently play videos or handle online computer games. Starlink averaged just 29.8 milliseconds.
The findings will further blow NBN, with critics arguing that the federal government made the wrong call by launching two geostationary satellites for $2 billion in 2015.
“While the latency is stable during busy hour congestion, its high duration is likely to hinder activities that require real-time responsiveness,” concluded the Measuring Broadband Australia program on Sky Muster’s service.
“Users relying on Sky Muster for such applications may experience delays, but the service remains predictable in its performance.”
The findings are the first since the competition regulator’s quarterly report into broadband performance was expanded to include satellite providers and mark arguably the most authoritative assessment of performance ever released.
Adam Thorn
Adam is a journalist who has worked for more than 40 prestigious media brands in the UK and Australia. Since 2005, his varied career has included stints as a reporter, copy editor, feature writer and editor for publications as diverse as Fleet Street newspaper The Sunday Times, fashion bible Jones, media and marketing website Mumbrella as well as lifestyle magazines such as GQ, Woman’s Weekly, Men’s Health and Loaded. He joined Momentum Media in early 2020 and currently writes for Australian Aviation and World of Aviation.
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