Author: Anthony Kowalsky

Categories
Satellites Space

The Türksat 5B satellite from Turkey is launched into space by SpaceX

SpaceX, a US aerospace corporation, launched Turkey’s newest telecommunication satellite at 6:59 a.m. Turkish time on December 19 (3:59 a.m. GMT). In 164 days, Türksat 5B, which launched from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station facility in Florida, will reach its orbital position of 42 degrees East. After then, a 45-day testing period will commence.

The most robust Turkish satellite to date, constructed by Airbus and moved from France to the United States on November 29, would expand Turkey’s Ka-band capability by over fifteenfold. It will be able to transport data at speeds of up to 55 gigabits per second.

Turkey’s local industry contributed to the development of Türksat 5B. It has a next-generation electric-propelled propulsion system and is intended to endure more than 35 years. Apart from Turkey, Türksat 5B will cover the whole Red Sea, Mediterranean, Middle East, Persian Gulf, North, and East Africa, South Africa, Nigeria, and adjacent nations.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoan praised the deployment as another “period of delight for Turkey as well as the Turkish nation” in a video message. “We launched Türksat 5B, our country’s most powerful and high-capacity communication satellite, into space today. We also chose Space X’s Falcon 9 rocket for this satellite project “he stated Erdoan also praised Elon Musk and his business Space X for not succumbing to “anti-Turkey lobbies’ coercion and pressure.”

Erdoan spoke with Musk, the creator of Space X, via video call about the launch procedure.

“Broadband satellite internet services is going to be provided to customers within the service area, including on land, sea, and air vehicles in zones where internet access is limited,” the Turkish president said, emphasizing that data transmission capacity and speed would increase by over fifteenfold with the launch of Türksat 5B.

In the meantime, Deputy Minister in charge of the Transport and Infrastructure Mer Fatih Sayan said that Türksat 5B stands out from other satellites because of its enormous internet capacity and that every Turkish town will have an internet connection in the near future.

Sayan explained that satellites are largely employed in the media and television industries for transmission, but that the sector is currently changing from broadcasting to delivering internet services. Sayan also spoke about the vast coverage area of Türksat 5B, stating that the satellite will serve a huge portion of Africa as well as practically the whole Mediterranean, as well as Turkey.

“As of now, Türksat provides the internet of our roughly 2,000 village schools,” Sayan said, in addition to offering television and internet services to the regions. We will utilize our Türksat satellites far more effectively with Türksat 5B in order to avoid leaving towns in Turkey without internet.” Sayan went on to say that the satellite, which took three years to build, will be in use for 30 to 35 years.

Categories
Satellites Space

Isro agrees to launch satellites for four countries, bringing in €132 million

The Isro (Indian Space Research Organisation) has inked arrangements with four countries to deploy foreign satellites between 2022 and 2023. The agreements were signed by the company’s commercial arm by the name New Space India Ltd, for the satellites to be launched by India’s flagship rocket, PSLV, according to Jitendra Singh, the Union space minister. Responding to a query in a written response by Rajya Sabha, Singh also stated that the commercial launch of these foreign satellites will earn roughly €132 million.

In a separate written response, the minister stated that 342 foreign satellites from 34 nations have been successfully deployed onboard PSLV on the commercial basis since 1999. According to him, India has earned approximately $35 million in foreign exchange revenue as well as €10 million in the last three years as a result of the deployments of these foreign spacecrafts (2019 to 2021). Satellites mainly for earth observation, scientific research, and technology demonstration were among the foreign satellites launched.

A total of 124 indigenous spacecraft, comprising 12 student satellites, have been launched into orbit around the Earth. Singh added in another written response to the Upper House that the SSLV (Small Satellite Launch Vehicle) is nearing completion and that the maiden developmental flight of the SSLV is planned for the very first quarter of 2022. The SSLV will have a payload capacity of 500kg and will be capable of launching satellites up to 500 kilometers in height. According to him, the government has approved a total budget of Rs 169 crore for this project, which includes the production and qualification of the vehicle systems as well as 3 development flights (SSLV-D2, SSLV-D1, and SSLV-D3).

He had told the Lok Sabha the day before that 27 satellite flights and 25 launch vehicle flights had been successfully completed in the previous five years.

Some of the major missions, according to Singh, include the very first operational flight of India’s heavy-lift launch vehicle GSLV Mk-III, that placed India’s second lunar flight Chandrayaan-2 lunar inquiry into orbit; a sophisticated cartography satellite, Cartosat-3; the completion of the NavIC constellation (with the release of a navigation satellite); and the deployment of the South Asia Satellite (that provides broadcasting and weather forecasting among other solutions to Saarc).

Aside from these launches, the minister stated that three technological demonstrators, including the Scramjet engine, a reusable launch vehicle, as well as an evaluation for the crew escape mechanism, were successfully demonstrated during this time.

Categories
Climate Energy

Sterlite Power and Octopus Energy have teamed up to help India decarbonize

Sterlite Power and Octopus Energy Group, a well-known Indian power transmission firm, have signed an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) that will help India’s industry decarbonize and provide green power to customers all over the world at a lower cost.

The two companies will explore several partnership retail ventures under the Memorandum of Understanding signed at COP26. It is the first energy collaboration between the UK and India since Boris Johnson, the UK Prime Minister, and Narendra Modi, the Indian Prime Minister, unveiled the Green Grids at the COP26 summit in November 2021.

Sterlite Power’s transmission competence will be put to use in the UK, giving the incumbent grid monopoly more competition. The Sterlite Power company in India has long advocated for enabling market forces to function in the transmission industry, enabling the Indian power grid to be more competitive as well as cost-effective to operate. Since then, the sector has been able to operate power grids much more efficiently, saving up to 40% in comparison to traditional methods.

Octopus and Sterlite Power have partnered to develop renewable energy generation and storage resources in India, with the intention of providing affordable renewable energy to main industrial and commercial customers. The businesses aim hope to offer this low-cost, renewable power to domestic consumers once the appropriate rules are in place.

As its industrialization progresses, India has risen to become the globe’s third carbon emitter, producing roughly 2.6 billion tons of the CO2 per year. Octopus and Sterlite Power hope to develop projects that will help reduce the country’s dependence on natural gas and coal by lowering carbon emissions and lowering client costs. Octopus Energy Group’s global development, which has seen the firm expand into 13 nations in only five years and could soon include the launch of a retail energy firm in India, is exemplified by this relationship.

Octopus Energy Group has attracted 3.1 million customers since its inception in 2016, making it the UK’s fastest-growing energy provider. Kraken, the company’s patented energy technology platform, is the foundation of its success, as it offers operational efficiency and outstanding customer service while also creating a greener grid via the use of smart pricing. The company recently received a $600 million influx from Generation Investment Management and then another $300 million from Canadian Pension Plan Investments to aid its rapid expansion. Octopus is now valued at more than $5 billion, exceeding the market capitalization of a number of well-known energy firms.

Sterlite Power is a major private sector electricity distribution network developer and solutions provider with offices in India and Brazil. The company is emphasizing the integration of renewable energy into the grid.

“Through this partnership with Sterlite Power, we will provide greener, less expensive customization options in both the UK and India, as well as help India in trying to meet its decarbonization goals by tirelessly slashing emissions from the large industrials,” said Greg Jackson, Octopus Energy Group’s Chief Executive Officer, and Founder.

Categories
Electric vehicles Energy

South Dakota is getting more electric car charging stations

After supply chain issues, competition from the national charging network, as well as an industry realignment from billionaire Elon Musk, more locally managed electric vehicle charging points are headed to South Dakota. South Dakota received $1.2 million in cash for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Program as part of a settlement from the scandal of Volkswagen emissions.

Ben Pierson, who works for Sioux Valley Energy situated in Colman, stated, “We were really excited about it.  Our goal was to install some DC [direct current] rapid charging infrastructure along South Dakota’s interstate corridors.” Last year, the program authorized seven of approximately 25 proposals from local energy companies. However, five of the projects — for stations in Murdo, Wall, Watertown, Brookings, as well as Sioux Falls — were canceled.

Two more stations in Mitchell and Chamberlain are set to be installed in the spring after some delays. Approximately $1 million in financing is still available. So, what went wrong? As per Program Administrator Barb Regynski, the COVID-19 epidemic affected the worldwide supply chain, making it impossible to locate critical materials.

Then, in July, Elon Musk stated that Tesla’s charging facilities will be open to all-electric cars. Tesla has approximately 30 charging points in South Dakota, although the universal chargers are currently only available in the Netherlands. Then, in October, Electrify America, a nationwide charging network run by Volkswagen, announced that it would open stations in South Dakota.

According to Pierson, Electrify America has built a station that is located in Wall and is looking for locations in Chamberlain, Rapid City, and Sioux Falls. Some bidders withdrew because Electrify America’s chargers were faster than theirs, according to Regynski and Pierson, whose business wanted to build a station that is situated in Sioux Falls.

According to Pierson, the quicker the charger, the more costly it is to install. Since Electrify America will not be targeting such places, he said his company is shifting gears and aims to add charging points in cities away from highway. Other companies, he believes, will also do the same.

“Some utilities are hesitant to act and are waiting to watch what happens next. If anything, else such as this Electrify America development happens, try to figure out where they’re going, how quickly they’re coming, and then figure out, ‘OK, where are the other locations that we need to fill in,’ and so on “Pierson remarked. “There is still a demand for electric vehicle charging in South Dakota, and without this VW cash, it won’t happen soon.”

Since starting its second fundraising round in September, South Dakota has gotten four applications, according to Regynski, who spoke to the Minerals and Environment Board the previous week. She anticipates receiving more applications before the deadline of December 31. The state also has money from Volkswagen settlement to substitute high-emission diesel trucks and buses owned by the government with more environmentally efficient vehicles.

Categories
Climate Energy

Brazil’s Renewable Energy Landscape is Expected to Grow Strongly in 2022 and Beyond, According to Key Trends

Solar had a boom year in 2021, with a landmark number of new projects registered with ANEEL, Brazil’s energy regulator. A new distributed generation law is currently being drafted, and once ratified, it will impose gradual charges for the use of transmission networks via the distribution system use tariffs (TUSD). The bill proposes a ten-year transition from the existing model, with projects already linked to the grid enabled to continue operating under current rules until 2045. This new legal framework is going to continue to fuel a “gold rush” of new projects as developers try to beat the higher charges and offer off-takers cheaper PPAs (power purchase agreements) for as long as possible.

The stream of registered projects did stand at 8.7 GW before the changes were announced in September 2020, adding to a total installed solar energy generation capacity of 10 GW in the summer. After the legislation was proposed, the process had over doubled to 18 GW, with solar accounting for the majority of the extra capacity.

It’s fairly uncommon to observe a drop in new project applications when renewable incentives are reduced or eliminated. It has been the situation in the United Kingdom, where the feed-in tariff (FIT) has been gradually reduced—and eventually eliminated. However, while we anticipate seeing Brazil’s industry halt for breath, the solar industry will maintain its strong development trajectory due to the obvious fundamental forces fueling the adoption of solar, coupled with the dropping cost of PV panels. As well as growing investment in the solar parks, we anticipate seeing increased penetration in the residential sector as consumers attempt to manage their increasing household energy expenses.

In the long run, the new legislation also enhances the financial environment, that will stimulate foreign investment in the renewable projects, offering up access to a larger range of financing choices. In April 2021, during a U.S.-backed climate summit, Brazil vowed to reach net-zero emissions of carbon dioxide by 2050, that is 10 years faster than previously projected. While there is much well-founded doubt over President Bolsonaro’s environmental as well as climate pledges, it is significant that the executives of 30 of the country’s largest firms suggested this commitment in an open message to Brazil’s president.

Brazilian corporations are increasingly worried about both the environment and larger reputational concerns to the point that ESG (environmental, social, and governance) efforts have become a feature on boardroom agendas. Of course, the ESG is now closely tied with money, and Brazil is not exceptional from any other nation in that respect. And the proof is right in front of your eyes. Over a third of the money invested in BlackRock Brazil in the very first quarter of 2021 went to its ESG exchange-traded finances.

Categories
Space Technology

SpaceX versus the rest of the world

Elon Musk may have decided that his presentation to the National Academies required a little extra boost. On November 17, when the SpaceX founder and CEO were scheduled to speak at a conference call of Space Studies Board and the Board on Physics and Astronomy, he emerged on the computer with his youngest kid, X (short form for X AE A-XII), on his lap. Musk made no mention of his son’s presence, instead of launching a video on SpaceX’s Starship.

The toddler’s visit was brief — he was hauled away a couple of minutes later — but he thrilled the thousands of viewers who were tuned in to watch. When an image of the Starship vehicle heading out to the pad showed, he said, “Car! Car!” Musk explained, “It’s a rocket that is on a large automobile.” Even the world’s wealthiest guy has to juggle work and family obligations in order to attend Zoom meetings.

Musk received positive feedback from both committees, regardless of whether or not X had a role. The engineers and scientists on the panels pelted him with queries ranging from technical specifics on the structure of Starship to nearly philosophical ones about the challenges confronting humanity, so what was supposed to be a half-hour discussion on Starship turned into more than an hour. “Obviously, you can tell I’m a tremendous fan of stainless steel,” he said after spending ten minutes alone addressing one question regarding the usage of stainless steel in Starship’s design.

Musk appears to have won over the committees based on the lack of pointed inquiries about Starship or SpaceX. Every tiny development is greeted with enthusiasm by legions of SpaceX enthusiasts all around the world. Yet, as SpaceX advances from launch vehicles to the satellite broadband to the lunar landers, it might feel as if the entire world is against them.

 

Increasing Rivalry

The competition’s scope has expanded in tandem with SpaceX’s goals. When the company first started nearly two decades ago, it specialized in small launch vehicles, putting the Falcon 1 against the other small launch vehicle makers, including Russian firms selling modified ICBMs. The Falcon 9 is a medium-lift rocket aimed at bigger commercial and government clients, pitting SpaceX against United Launch Alliance for government contracts and Arianespace for the commercial contracts.

It’s difficult to imagine a launch firm today that does not regard SpaceX as a competitor. Although the small launch vehicle business is wary of SpaceX: while the Falcon 1 has long been abandoned, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rideshare services offer smallsats considerably lower launch costs than specialized tiny launchers. Those firms must now demonstrate how their vehicles, if not less costly than SpaceX’s rideshare services, can provide a level of service that warrants a higher price. With Starlink, SpaceX entered the satellite broadband market, opening up a second frontline of global competition.

 

Some people’s adversary

Other businesses aren’t the only ones at odds with SpaceX. Astronomers were taken aback by how dazzling the train of spacecraft seemed in the night sky when SpaceX launched its first set of Starlink spacecraft in May 2019. With SpaceX anticipating thousands and thousands of satellites, the corporation quickly became astronomers’ No. 1 public nemesis, since they believed the satellites would sabotage their study.

Most astronomers still grumble about Starlink 2 years and 1,800 satellites afterward, although others agree that the firm has taken some attempts to lessen the problem, such as making alterations to its satellites to minimize the amount of light they reflect. It hasn’t totally fixed the problem, especially for sensitive equipment at major observatories, yet it has prevented it from worsening.

Astronomers have praised SpaceX’s openness to collaborate. Connie Walker of the National Science Foundation’s National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory, who is one of the leaders in attempts to examine the impact of the satellite constellations on astronomy, stated, “SpaceX has been a role model for other firms” creating constellations.

Categories
Electric vehicles Energy

Doug Ford is positioning Ontario as a pioneer in electric vehicles, but he is not restoring rebates

Doug Ford is presenting Ontario as the next manufacturing powerhouse for electric vehicles, a far cry from a premier who 3 years ago scrapped incentives for consumers to buy them. Others perceive a calculated election strategy where some see a contradiction. Ford’s government eliminated Ontario’s cap-and-trade system, as well as the electric vehicle rebates that were supported by it, shortly after taking office in 2018.

He also halted the construction of charging stations (some of which were removed by the provincial transit agency) and repealed a requirement that new homes contain wiring for possible EV chargers. Ford criticized the up to $14,000 rebates at the time, and he still does, for the most part. “I didn’t believe that giving billionaires refunds on more than $100,000 Tesla automobiles before the election,” he stated last month. “I just didn’t think it was possible.” Let’s see what the market has to say.”

The market for electric cars in Ontario collapsed in the year after rebate cancellations. Electric vehicles accounted for roughly 3% of overall passenger vehicle sales in the province at its peak. After the refund was eliminated, it fell to less than 1%. With the introduction of a government incentive, electric car sales in Ontario began to rise once more. Statistics Canada’s most current data shows that the numbers are roughly back to where they were before provincial cancellation.

However, this is still much below the levels observed in provinces with their incentive programs, like British Columbia and Quebec, where electric vehicle sales are about 13% and 10%, respectively. Electric-vehicle proponents argue that Ontario can’t be a manufacturing leader and a sales laggard at the same time. A recently revealed Ontario auto strategy, according to Joanna Kyriazis, who is a senior policy adviser at the Clean Energy Canada firm, is more friendly to electric cars than she anticipated, but it’s lacking the second part of the equation.

“I believe the Ford government’s stance on electric vehicles has shifted recently, at least on the manufacturing side,” she remarked. The province’s “Driving Prosperity” plan focuses on restructuring the province’s auto industry to make electric cars, and also establishing battery production in the Ring of Fire, which takes advantage of important minerals to present there. It intends to produce a minimum of 400,000 electric and hybrid automobiles by 2030.

Big automakers like Ford and GM have pledged to develop new electric vehicles in Ontario in the years ahead, and Premier Doug Ford is hoping to recruit more. When Ford revealed the strategy last month, he said, “Our government knows it, and the automobile industry knows it well: Ontario is the number 1 place in the world to make the trucks and cars of the future.”

Categories
Satellites Space

Inmarsat has formed a satellite IoT team

Customers will benefit from RBC Signals’ usage of the Inmarsat worldwide mobile satellite network to provide IoT and other data as well as communications services and solutions. RBC Signals has formed a strategic deal with Inmarsat to utilize the worldwide network of the UK-centered satellite operator for the IoT (Internet of Things).

The multi-year lease combines Inmarsat’s global ELERA as well as Global Xpress spacecraft networks with RBC Signals’ suite of new and current data as well as IoT applications for usage in a variety of industries, including oil & gas, maritime, agriculture, and utilities. RBC Signals will integrate Inmarsat’s Ka-band and L-band networks into its apps and solutions, allowing for greater flexibility and service customization.

Whereas previous leasing accords were based on static, pre-determined network connectivity requirements, the new partnership will allow RBC Signals to dynamically adjust, reallocate, and scale-up variables like spectrum, power levels, and geographic reach in response to changing connectivity requirements of the customers.

“The Internet of Things is changing the way businesses and industries function all across the world,” stated Mike Carter, who is the current President of Inmarsat Enterprise. “Reliable, secure, and scalable global connection is critical to the IoT’s beneficial impact, which is where Inmarsat’s experience, skills, and technology shine.  More organizations will be able to gain from the efficiency, productivity, and sustainability improvements enabled by IoT thanks to our new cooperation with RBC Signals. We are excited to collaborate with RBC Signals on new, innovative IoT as well as other data-driven services and products.”

RBC Signals’ founder and Chief Executive Officer, Christopher Richins, stated, “Companies are increasingly expecting innovative connected goods and services, particularly within the Internet of Things.” “In order to perform efficiently, these goods and solutions ought to have a worldwide reach, and satellite connectivity is required to address the needs of businesses with assets well beyond the grasp of mobile networks and terrestrial fixed.” RBC Signals sees IoT, particularly Industrial IoT, as a major development sector.

Inmarsat is the best partner for us to reap the benefits of this potential because of their ideally positioned network and worldwide coverage. This agreement will assist RBC Signals in achieving our goal of becoming a full-service end-to-end solution provider for any company that requires best-in-class multi-network solutions. We’re excited to announce this new strategic relationship with Inmarsat at an exciting time in their history, with the world’s most sophisticated commercial communications spacecraft, the new Inmarsat I-6 F1, set to launch later this month.”

Inmarsat is a pioneer in the field of satellite communications. They invest in new expertise and space technology to guarantee that they are always able to satisfy the needs of their worldwide mobility, government, and IoT customers, both today and in the future. They have been linking people, organizations, and places all over the world for over 40 years via their seamless, reliable, and secure networks. Their fully funded and forward-thinking technology roadmap, which comprises seven satellite deployments by the year 2024, a ground network unlike any other, and a customer-centric product strategy, will allow new services in new areas to continue to genuinely link the world.

Categories
Business Space

SolAero Holdings will be acquired by Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab announced on December 13 that it is purchasing SolAero Holdings, a solar power system maker. This is the latest in a string of component developer purchases by Rocket Lab. SolAero, situated in Albuquerque, New Mexico, was acquired by Rocket Lab for $80 million in cash. The transaction is expected to be completed in the very first quarter of 2022.

For a range of space missions, SolAero manufactures solar panels, solar cells, and other aeronautical structures. Solar arrays for NASA projects like the Ingenuity Mars helicopter as well as the Parker Solar Probe mission, and also solar cells for OneWeb satellite constellation, have all been created by the company.

After completing its SPAC merger and becoming a public business, Rocket Lab has made several acquisitions in recent months. Rocket Lab announced on November 15 that it is purchasing Planetary Systems Corporation, a company that manufactures satellite systems. That transaction was completed on December 1st. In October, it bought Advanced Solutions, Inc., which is a firm that makes flight software, software, and navigation systems. Sinclair Interplanetary, a satellite component maker, was bought by Rocket Lab in early 2020.

“SolAero is a highly complementary enhancement to Rocket Lab’s vertically integrated business model, strengthening our capacity to streamline space for our clients by delivering entire space mission solutions,” stated Peter Beck, CEO of Rocket Lab. “We can enhance space exploration and allow our clients to push the limits of what’s possible in orbit by combining our unique teams, industry-leading solutions, and powerful resources.”

After the acquisition, Brad Clevenger, who is the president and the chief executive of the SolAero firm, will continue to oversee the company, assisting in Rocket Lab and other clients. SolAero’s 425 employees raise Rocket Lab’s total headcount in Canada, the United States, and New Zealand to over 1,100.

SolAero is a logical fit for Rocket Lab as it expands its capability to provide entire mission solutions, according to Cleveneger. “We are excited to join Rocket Lab’s Space Systems division and continue to provide superior capabilities and value to all of our clients.”

SolAero broke construction on its new plant in 1998, and in just 12 months, they created and commercialized a 23 percent efficient dual-junction solar cell, although most industry experts predicted it would take three years. For ten years, starting in 1999, they released new space-qualified solar cell technology after every 24 months, propelling technological progress not only in space power but also in space applications which have changed how we live. The first spacecraft powered by the Advanced Triple-Junction (ATJ) solar cells was NASA’s Starshine-3, which launched in 2001. Solar cell of SolAero’s ATJ was the best-selling spacecraft solar power system in the world from 2000 to 2009.

Categories
Space Technology

The first six-individual New Shepard suborbital flight is launched by Blue Origin

On December 11, Blue Origin deployed its third-crewed New Shepard suborbital mission, bringing six passengers to the edge of space for a brief journey. After two days of delays due to wind, the vehicle launched on the NS-19 flight at 10:01 a.m. Eastern from company’s Launch Site One situated in West Texas. After reaching a high altitude of almost 107 kilometers, the vehicle landed just over ten minutes after taking off.

“Today’s flight was fantastic. In what has been a fantastic year for New Shepard program, this was our sixth flight. In a statement, Bob Smith, CEO of New Shepard, said, “We sent 14 astronauts to space, conducted a NASA payload flight which tested lunar landing sensors, and finished our certification test flights.” In 2022, the business plans “multiple” New Shepard flights transporting payloads and humans, according to the company.

The flight was New Shepard’s first to carry six passengers, the vehicle’s maximum capacity. Four people were on board the first 2 crewed flights, namely, NS-16 in July as well as NS-18 in October. The six are going to be eligible for NASA astronaut wings, the last to be awarded by the authority after it announced on December 10 that the program will be phased out at the end of the year.

Two of the 6 were Blue Origin guests. Laura Shepard Churchley, who is Alan Shepard’s eldest daughter, the very first American in space, and the man who gave his name to the town of New Shepard. Michael Strahan is a retired NFL quarterback who now works as a television host. For ABC’s “Good Morning America,” he has been delivering updates on his flying preparation.

The remaining four were passengers who had paid undisclosed amounts to ride in the vehicle. Lane Bess is the founder and principal of the Bess Ventures and Advisory, which is a family fund focused on technology. He formerly worked on the founding teams of two cybersecurity firms, Zscaler and Palo Alto Networks. He is the dad of Cameron Bess, who is a content creator, who is also going to be on the flight. They are the first parent and child to travel to space together.

Evan Dick is an engineer and an investor who previously worked at D.E. Shaw and Highbridge Capital Management, the same company where Jeff Bezos worked before leaving to found Amazon.com. Dylan Taylor is the chairman and CEO of Voyager Space, a company that has bought a number of space enterprises. He started Space for Humanity, which is a non-profit that generates funds to subsidize space journeys for those who cannot afford to fly on their own.

Taylor announced that he would contribute an amount equal to the cost of the mission to other charities, a program he dubbed “buy one, give one” and encouraged other corporate astronauts to follow. Space for Humanity, as well as AstroAccess, an organization dedicated to disability inclusion in space exploration; Edesia Nutrition, which focuses on malnutrition; and the Brooke Owens and Patti Grace Smith Fellowships, are among these organizations.