Research Hub

Comparative analysis of the mechanical "chopstick" capture system used on Super Heavy boosters versus traditional propulsive landing on droneships. Data from 14 consecutive successful catches demonstrates 99.2% structural reuse after catch with zero refurbishment turnaround, compared to 3-5 day pad inspections for propulsive landings. The paper models capture dynamics, load distribution through the tower arms, and vehicle stress profiles during deceleration.

Head-to-head technical comparison of the two leading direct-to-device satellite architectures: AST SpaceMobile's large-aperture BlueBird constellation (64 m^2 phased arrays, 5G NR) and SpaceX's Starlink DTC approach (compact satellites, high count, LTE fallback). Field tests across 12 countries show BlueBird achieving 14 Mbps down / 5 Mbps up on unmodified handsets, while Starlink DTC delivers 2-4 Mbps with 10x more satellites but lower per-unit cost.

Engineering trade study comparing single-launch monolithic stations (enabled by Starship's 9m fairing) against traditional modular assembly used by Axiom, Vast, and Orbital Reef. Structural analysis shows single-launch designs achieve 2.3x pressurized volume per kg launched while eliminating berthing port failure modes. The paper models crew capacity, microgravity quality, and orbital lifetime for both approaches.

Presents flight demonstration results from Portal Space's Supernova solar thermal engine, achieving 700s specific impulse using concentrated solar energy to heat hydrogen propellant. The system delivers 3x the delta-v of electric propulsion at 10x the thrust, enabling rapid orbit transfers that close the gap between chemical and electric systems. Mission analysis covers LEO-to-GEO transfer, constellation phasing, and responsive space applications.

Reports results from Varda Space Industries' second orbital manufacturing mission (W-2), demonstrating commercial-scale microgravity crystallization of two pharmaceutical compounds. The ritonavir polymorph produced in LEO showed 3.2x bioavailability improvement over ground-based equivalents, while a novel cancer therapeutic crystal form was achieved that is thermodynamically inaccessible at 1g. Cost-per-dose analysis shows space manufacturing becomes economical for high-value compounds above $50,000/kg.

Independent assessment of the Space Development Agency's Tranche 2 Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, analyzing the 250+ satellite constellation for missile tracking, transport, and custody transfer. The study evaluates detection-to-engagement timelines, mesh network resilience under adversarial jamming, and cost comparisons to legacy GEO-based architectures. Wargame simulations show the proliferated LEO approach maintains 94% mission capability after loss of 30% of constellation.

Comprehensive cost-benefit analysis of the two leading active debris removal approaches: Astroscale's ELSA-M multi-target servicer (magnetic capture, 5 removals per mission) and ClearSpace-1's single-target capture-and-deorbit vehicle. Models collision probability cascades under various removal scenarios and calculates the insurance premium reduction per object removed. ELSA-M achieves $12M per removal at scale versus $90M for ClearSpace-1, but ClearSpace handles larger, higher-priority debris.

First public performance comparison of three operational methalox engines: SpaceX Raptor 3 (full-flow staged combustion, 280 tf), Blue Origin BE-4 (oxygen-rich staged combustion, 250 tf), and Stoke Space Miranda (full-flow, 45 tf, designed for 100+ reuses). Analysis covers chamber pressure, specific impulse, thrust-to-weight ratio, and demonstrated reuse cycles. Raptor 3 leads on chamber pressure (350 bar) and TWR, BE-4 on accumulated flight hours, and Miranda on designed reuse lifetime.

Updated feasibility study for thermal mining of water ice in permanently shadowed lunar craters, incorporating VIPER rover data and Lunar Trailblazer spectral measurements. The study models three extraction approaches: direct sublimation tents, auger-drill-and-heat, and microwave heating. Energy budgets, equipment mass, and production rates are calculated for a 1,000 kg/year water plant. Thermal mining with concentrated solar (via relay mirrors above crater rims) emerges as the most mass-efficient approach at 15 kg water per kg of equipment per year.

Quantitative comparison of three commercial SAR constellations analyzing revisit rate, resolution, coherence for interferometry, and tip-and-cue response time. ICEYE's 36-satellite constellation achieves sub-1-hour average revisit at 25cm resolution, Capella delivers 15cm spotlight mode with 2-hour revisit from 12 satellites, and Umbra offers 16cm resolution with unique look-angle diversity. The study models optimal constellation sizing for maritime domain awareness, infrastructure monitoring, and intelligence applications.