James Orsulak of Planetary Resources in space resources panel session: we’re about 75 people now, growing to 125 for first 2020-21 deep space mission. #SpaceComExpo
How does Arkyd-6 help develop future Planetary Resources spacecraft?Published on 18 Dec 2017Arkyd-6 Project Lead Eric Blood discusses the lessons learned from building Arkyd-6. By operating Arkyd-6 in orbit, we hope to gain experience for the development of future spacecraft like the Arkyd-301. Read more here: https://www.planetaryresources.com/2017/12/how-does-arkyd-6-help-develop-future-planetary-resources-spacecraft/
Published on 3 Jan 2018 You care about the future of our planet. You traded in your gas-guzzling SUV for a Prius and your Keurig for a Coffee Maker -- and if enough of us do that, we’ll save the Earth, right? Well, we are dangerously close to collapsing our own ecosystem and we are running out of time. In this persuasive talk, James Orsulak argues that the only way to really make a difference is to look up. James Orsulak serves as the Director of Business Development at Planetary Resources, an asteroid mining company that has embarked on the world’s first commercial deep space exploration. The company focuses on technologies such as rocket propellant, water for life support functions, and construction materials sourced from asteroids. Previously, James spent a decade developing industrial-scale fueling stations on Earth. He is an avid gardener who lives in Denver with his amazing wife, 2-year-old twins and a rambunctious Goldendoodle named Waffles. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
Quote from: QuantumG on 10/09/2017 01:27 amFWIW they've raised at least $50M so far.ok - $50M jives with 60 people.And if it's all recent, let's see if they can put something together beyond a cubesat. Lack of Money certainly won't be an excuse now.I'll be happy to see a working telescope.
FWIW they've raised at least $50M so far.
JANUARY 10, 2018Countdown To The Arkyd-6 Launch & Its First Few Hours In SpaceOur Arkyd-6 spacecraft will be riding as a secondary payload onboard the Indian Space Research Organization’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). The PSLV will launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Southern India.About a half hour after the PSLV takes off, the fourth stage of the rocket will deploy Arkyd-6 into its target orbit. About 30 minutes after separation from the launch vehicle, Arkyd-6 will enable its communication system and start turning the solar panels towards the Sun to begin generating power. Arkyd-6 is entering a Sun-synchronous polar orbit around Earth. This means that the spacecraft is in an orbit that travels more North to South, rather than in an equatorial orbit that travels more West to East.Arkyd-6 was designed to be autonomous in flight. In addition to some automated activities that will occur just after separating from the launch vehicle, the spacecraft was designed to complete all its critical functions such as attitude orientation towards the sun, power generation, and communication of critical data without ground intervention. Additionally, once we’ve commissioned Arkyd-6’s high-powered computer, the spacecraft will know its location over Earth and when an upcoming communication pass will occur so that it may automatically point its antenna to the ground station.In our Mission Operations Center, we will be planning activities for our upcoming passes, executing those passes from our ground station, and reviewing spacecraft telemetry. During a pass, we will prescribe a set of commands to be transmitted to the spacecraft to accomplish specific actions such as uplinking communication windows, turning the spacecraft to a specific attitude, or downlinking the next mid-wave infrared image.I’m really excited to get Arkyd-6 in space and to receive its first mid-wave infrared image.Eric BloodArkyd-6 Project LeadPlanetary Resources
Congratulations ISRO for the dazzling launch of PSLV-C40! Thank you for delivering Arkyd-6 into its target orbit!
We received the first telemetry from Arkyd-6 in space and it is alive and well! #contact #itsalive #helloworld
JANUARY 25, 2018Arkyd-6 Is In Orbit!Planetary Resources has been working on the Arkyd-6 spacecraft for a few years. The last time we saw Arkyd-6 was during delivery last November.We’re incredibly excited to share that the Arkyd-6 spacecraft launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre onboard PSLV-C40 on January 12, 2018. The launch went well and Arkyd-6 was successfully deployed into its target orbit.Immediately after launch, our team prepared for first contact from our Mission Operations Center. The moment we first received data was incredible.We have achieved two-way communication with the spacecraft. From that, we’ve confirmed that the autonomous systems have kicked in. Attitude control is functioning properly and allowing us to use the solar panels to charge the battery. Arkyd-6 is busy gathering and recording data including precise information about its orbit.Now that we’ve checked out the basic systems of the spacecraft, we’ll be moving onto more advanced features: we’ll send software updates, confirm the ability of the spacecraft to precisely point, and then capture our first mid-wave infrared image.This has been one of the most exciting times in the history of the company. It’s incredibly rewarding to see something that we worked so long and hard on begin its mission in space.Brian GeddesDirector of Software
Behind the scenes in Mission Ops at the moment of Arkyd-6 signal acquisition -- the visual representation of success after years of innovation, hard work, and unexpected challenges
Planetary Resources asteroid venture misses fundraising target, forcing cutbacksBY ALAN BOYLE on February 19, 2018 at 9:45 amPlanetary Resources, a Redmond, Wash.-based venture that aims to make a fortune mining asteroids, is facing a more down-to-earth challenge: a fundraising shortfall.
I would be really disappointed if the only serious asteroid mining company goes bankrupt
Quote from: AdrianW on 03/02/2018 01:30 pmI would be really disappointed if the only serious asteroid mining company goes bankrupt Are they the only serious asteroid mining company? (I guess a follow-up question would be "Are there really any serious asteroid mining companies?") I don't have any inside knowledge of these companies but it seems like DSI has been taking a more sensible path.
Today, more than five years later, PR has launched two spacecraft, and DSI ... hasn't (a mission is planned for "the near future" [2]).
Quote from: AdrianW on 03/02/2018 02:46 pmToday, more than five years later, PR has launched two spacecraft, and DSI ... hasn't (a mission is planned for "the near future" [2]).Yeah, but I've kinda wondered how much PR's current spacecraft really have to do with asteroid mining.
Lewicki: flew midwave infrared sensor on Arkyd-6 satellite launched in January; have demonstrated that it works in space. #SpaceExploration
That work continues despite a funding setback the company suffered. Lewicki confirmed a report published in February by GeekWire that the company failed to close a round of funding as planned, leading to layoffs.
