Space | Charles Duelfer

Category Archives: Space

Global Tensions Seen from Oslo

During a recent week in Oslo, I had the opportunity to talk with a variety of actors in government, defense industry, finance, military, and old friends.  Perspectives seem to have evolved since my last visit about a year earlier.  More worry … Continue reading

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Houthis in Space, or: Ruining it for All Mankind

The acceleration of commercial, military and scientific space activities in recent years has been astonishing.  Technology has evolved to point where space-based activities are demonstrably very lucrative.  Satellites in low earth orbit are increasing exponentially (really, see chart below).  Launch costs have plummeted and capabilities … Continue reading

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Asteroid Near Miss (?): Monday, 2 November 2020

Indications and Warning – You won’t get anywhere else Based on European Space Agency database (drawing on JPL and many other sources), on Monday, 2 November 2020 Near Earth Object (NEO) 2018 VP1 will pass very close to earth(est. 62,000 … Continue reading

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Understanding the Dataverse: Beirut Explosion and the future of Intelligence Collection/Analysis

As a thought experiment to see what’s coming in intelligence collection and analytics, consider the forensics associated with the recent Beirut disaster. The event itself was obviously detected instantly by witnesses all over the city.  And instantly, decision makers needed … Continue reading

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Space News – And National News

Tuesday this week, in a speech before the National Space Council, Vice President Pence announced that the US would land its astronauts on the Moon again within five years.  He said: “And I’m here, on the President’s behalf, to tell … Continue reading

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The New Russian Threat: May be Good News for some

Putin may discover to his surprise that it is in many American parties interests to have Russia as an enemy.  It is not overly cynical to point out that, for many interests in Washington, there is a great need to … Continue reading

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Space Station and the Ukraine Crisis

The international space station is currently occupied by a crew of six.  There are three Russians, two Americans and a Japanese member.   The commander is a Russian.  Presumably they all get along and are bonded by their collective mission.  Nevertheless, … Continue reading

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Spacex Innovation Isn’t Technical

The mission by the Dragon capsule to the International Space Station executed by Spacex Inc., is remarkable. However, it is not a technical innovation. It is an innovation in government contracting. Technically, what Spacex did is little different than what … Continue reading

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