Browse Resources by Year

2013 – U.S. Space Industry Employment

Understanding the current size and historical shifts in the U.S. space workforce is a complex task. Occasionally, organizations will conduct reviews of the space workforce, providing a snapshot of the industry at one point in time. For example, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s U.S. Space Industry Deep Dive Assessment, released in 2013, estimated that in 2012 there were nearly ## full time employees involved with current U.S. government space programs.

2013 – Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) Space Activities

Another MSS industry leader is Iridium, which operates a LEO constellation of ## active satellites to provide global coverage. The Iridium constellation uses intersatellite links to route network traffic directly between spacecraft, avoiding the need for multiple hops between space and ground to relay signals around the world. Like Inmarsat, Iridium is significantly upgrading its network to reach new customer bases with new technology.

2013 – MSS Satellite Design Activities

The original and still-dominant MSS operator, Inmarsat, uses a fleet of nine GEO satellites to provide mobile services to land, maritime, and aviation customers. Since its founding in 1979, Inmarsat’s…

2013 – Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) Satellite Design Activities

Over the past few years, several companies have deployed new satellites designed to use the relatively less crowded Ka-band set of frequencies to support delivery of space-based internet broadband. Operators…

2013 – Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) Space Activities

The number of FSS satellites has grown tremendously over the past five years in response to increased demand. Deregulation of international markets has sparked the rise of new companies providing content to customers via satellite. Harmonization of digital transmission standards has helped manufacturers, allowing for economies of scale and more cost-effective distribution.

2013 – Suborbital Payload Launch

One of the pioneers of commercial suborbital flights, Armadillo Aerospace, announced that it was suspending operations in early August 2013 due to funding issues. Founded by noted video game designer John Carmack, Armadillo Aerospace steadily developed and tested a series of ever-improving vertical take-off, reusable rocket-powered vehicles.

Using Earth Observation Data to Better Understand Zebra Migrations

Scientists have relied on ground observations, GNSS collars, and satellite images to track animal migration. These tools allow scientists to monitor migration, but not to predict where or when it will happen.

PUMA Tracks Progress of Pulmonary Disease Patient

The Portable Unit for Metabolic Analysis (PUMA) was invented at NASA Glenn Research Center to monitor an astronaut’s oxygen intake and carbon dioxide release, basic factors in astronaut health. This same technology is now being used to track the treatment progress of patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Taking Red Helps with Cholesterol

To reduce the logistical requirements of a crew operating in space, a spacecraft must carry a precise combination of plants and microorganisms that efficiently recover oxygen, potable water, and nutritious food from waste products.

Helping the Lame to Walk: The X1 Exoskeleton

Robonaut 2, a humanoid robot on the ISS, has lent its technology to another NASA project: the X1 robotic exoskeleton. The 26-kilogram (57-pound) X1 attaches to both legs, with controls and a harness extending over the person’s back and shoulders. X1 has been developed by NASA and industry partners for dual purposes.