[October 26, 2020] [No. 080] In This Issue : ProSafeT - SMS, Quality & Audit Management Software : Neste and All Nippon Airways collaborate on first supply of Sustainable Aviation Fuel in Asia : SPAES designed air disinfection for aircraft and helicopters : Repsol to build €188 million biofuels plant as it commits to net zero target : Fife aviation tech firm extends global reach with new partnership : Colorado Partners Launch 'Aerospace Alley' : As eVTOL Travel Inches Closer to Reality, Companies Scramble to Develop Infrastructure Networks : Splash! How aviation uses robots for aircraft wash : TravelPerk Launches Standalone Covid-19 Data Tool : What a Senate flip means for transportation : SpaceX’s mystery spy satellite launch to round out a busy month Neste and All Nippon Airways collaborate on first supply of Sustainable Aviation Fuel in Asia Neste and All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan’s largest airline, are entering a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) supply agreement. This partnership will see ANA become the first airline to use SAF on flights departing from Japan and also represents Neste’s first SAF supply to an Asian airline. ANA plans SAF-fuelled flights from both Haneda International Airport and Narita International Airport. The delivery of the SAF was achieved through collaboration between Neste and the Japanese trading house Itochu Corporation. “ANA takes pride in its leadership role and has been recognised as an industry leader in sustainability, and this agreement with Neste further demonstrates our ability to serve passengers while also reducing our carbon footprint,” said Yutaka Ito, executive vice president at ANA overseeing procurement. “While COVID-19 has forced us to make adjustments, we remain committed to meeting our sustainability goals.” “We recognise the major role SAF has to play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions of aviation, both in the short and long term. Through this new collaboration, we are enabling the supply of SAF for the first time in Asia. We are very honoured to partner with ANA and support them in achieving their ambitious sustainability goals,” added Thorsten Lange, executive vice president for renewable aviation at Neste. ANA and Neste plan to expand the collaboration after 2023 based on a multi-year agreement. Neste currently has an annual capacity of 100,000 tonnes of sustainable aviation fuel. With its Singapore refinery expansion in the pipeline, and with possible additional investment into the Rotterdam refinery, Neste will have the capacity to produce about 1.5 million tonnes of SAF annually by 2023. https://biofuels-news.com/news/neste-and-all-nippon-airways-collaborate-on-first-supply-of-sustainable-aviation-fuel-in-asia/ SPAES designed air disinfection for aircraft and helicopters German aviation technology manufacturer SPAES has designed and manufactured an UVC air cleaning system for airplanes and helicopters for elimination of Covid-19 The Covid-19 pandemic poses a challenge to the aviation industry, as the transmission of viruses and bacteria via the air causes major problems. Passengers are unsettled because the transmission of viruses and bacteria in the air increases the risk of infection. Due to this situation, SPAES developed an ultraviolet circulation air disinfection (UV-CAD) with which the air in airplanes and helicopters is cleaned from dangerous viruses and the Covid-19 pathogen using the proven ultra-violet cleaning technology. “The UVC cleaning process has been used for many years in the food industry and in medicine, e.g. hospitals. Due to the successful application in these areas, very good results in air purification have been achieved,” says Joachim Kies, Head of Operations at SPAES. Destroying 99.9 per cent of microorganisms The radiation has a germicidal effect and inactivates viruses, which destroys the genetic information for reproduction. Using the UV-CAD cleaning device, up to 99.9 per cent of all common microorganisms can be destroyed. The crew and passengers can remain in the aircraft during the disinfection process without any health concerns. The determination of the required number of UV- CAD circulating air sterilizers, as well as the positioning and installation of the unit in the aircraft, is carried out in co-ordination with the customer. https://www.airmedandrescue.com/latest/news/spaes-designed-air-disinfection-aircraft-and-helicopters Repsol to build €188 million biofuels plant as it commits to net zero target Energy company Repsol is constructing a new production plant for advanced biofuels in Spain. Repsol will be able to supply 250,000 tonnes of advanced biofuels for aircraft, trucks, and cars from its Cartagena refinery annually. The €188 million project is part of Repsol's commitment to the energy transition and its goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. Repsol CEO Josu Jon Imaz said: “With this initiative, we at Repsol are decisively promoting a new technological route that will be key in our path towards carbon neutrality. “It is added to the projects we have already implemented in energy efficiency, low-emissions electricity generation, renewable hydrogen, circular economy, synthetic fuels, and CO2 capture, use, and storage among others. “Spain must base its decarbonisation strategy on its industrial and technological capabilities, because that will be the way to promote a competitive and innovative business fabric. “All forms of decarbonisation are valid and complementary and incentivising them so that they can all contribute, without exclusion, will accelerate the energy transition and help us, as a society, achieve a speedy economic recovery, so necessary under the current circumstances of the coronavirus pandemic.” https://biofuels-news.com/news/repsol-to-build-e188-million-biofuels-plant-as-it-commits-to-net-zero-target/ Fife aviation tech firm extends global reach with new partnership A platform developed by a Fife aviation tech firm is set to be deployed across Australia and New Zealand, allowing air passengers to order in-flight catering and duty free from their personal devices. Dunfermline-based Bluebox Aviation Systems has partnered with dnata, one of the world’s largest air service catering and logistics providers, to offer customised in-flight systems aimed at budget and regional airlines. The system will allow airlines who do not have individual screens on the back of their aircraft seats to offer passengers a range of products and in-flight entertainment (IFE) while minimising contact with cabin crew. Duncan Greeney, general manager retail at dnata, said: “Covid-19 has changed the landscape for in-flight catering and logistics, and by partnering with Bluebox we’ll be able to help our customers mitigate some of the restrictions required in this new, touch-free world. “This means allowing airlines to minimise contact and dialogue between passengers and cabin crew but still delivering an excellent service and a full range of food, drinks and retail goods that are such an essential part of the ancillary revenue income for many airlines.” Although the platform will be seamless to passengers, Bluebox said integrating complex systems such as an IFE platform and catering logistics can be technically challenging. The system also allows airlines to reduce the cost of providing back-of-seat interactive screens, which incur maintenance costs and require a significant amount of cabling that adds to the airline’s fuel bill. Instead, the technology is kept in the overhead luggage compartments and passengers access the system via their phone or tablet. David Brown, business development director for Bluebox, said: “IFE as we knew it was already evolving to deliver so much more than in-flight entertainment, and Covid-19 expedited our delivery of touch-free payments for on-board retail and the digitisation of materials that support ancillary revenue generation, such as digital menus and magazines, which provide significant advertising revenue for airlines. “Now, though, we have the expertise in the passenger interface, content integration, secure payments and the wireless technology to deliver it all, by partnering with dnata catering we can expand the platform further into the on-board logistics systems, integrating the catering and retail elements they provide. “So we’re really delivering an in-flight engagement platform for enhancing the passenger experience on board – still IFE, but well beyond entertainment.” Bluebox said despite the impact of Covid-19 on the airline industry, the firm delivered solutions which helped mitigate the financial effects on airlines. Mr Brown said: “The last eight months haven’t been easy and we are grateful for the government support which has been very helpful during an extremely challenging period. “The furlough scheme allowed us to keep the business operating as effectively as possible throughout the summer with the team putting in some exceptional effort and showing real loyalty in what has been an unsettling time for everyone. “But this pandemic isn’t over and we can’t be complacent, so continue to run a very tight business. “Just as we found it hard to predict the impact at the start of this year, it’ll be difficult to do so now during this second wave. “But we’ve been agile in responding to the changing scenarios around the world and will remain so.” Bluebox has been operating for more than 10 years and employs an average of 50 staff, serving more than 40 airlines. https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/business/business-news/1674997/fife-aviation-tech-firm-extends-global-reach/ Colorado Partners Launch 'Aerospace Alley' This week, key organizational partners across Colorado, hand in hand with some of the nation's leading aerospace and aviation companies, well-known industry personalities, and education leaders, will launch the "Aerospace Alley" initiative. This new initiative was created in an effort to celebrate the aerospace and aviation innovation underway across the State of Colorado and will focus on recruiting ambassadors and industry champions to support the growing demand for industry talent in the state. Aerospace Alley will launch with an online silent auction, now underway, a virtual presentation on Oct. 29 at 6:30pm MST, and the unveiling of a new website, www.coaerospacealley.com. Surpassing the states of Florida and Texas, Colorado has become the nation's second largest aerospace economy, behind only California, according to the U.S. Department of Labor & Statistics. Given the vast population difference between Colorado and California, this means that Colorado now has the highest per capita aerospace industry in the nation. The total aerospace industry contributes more than $15 billion to Colorado's economy on an annual basis and is rich with opportunity for new jobs amidst the nation's now struggling economy. "For nearly 70 years, the combination of Air Force presence, open space, high altitude, and space-related science has made Colorado an increasing hub for the nation's aerospace economy. But because of a long history of developing rocket engines, space defense tools, and GPS satellites, and because we have not served as a physical rocket launch site due to our inland geography, little is spoken about aerospace here in Colorado," said Major General John Barry, co-founder of the Aerospace Alley initiative and president and CEO of Wings Over the Rockies. "That is all about to change, though, thanks to the increasing commercialization of space and the sheer amount of training and talent our state brings to the aerospace industry." Much in the same way that Silicon Valley earned its title as a result of a remarkably large concentration of small tech companies clustering in the greater San Francisco area, Aerospace Alley in Colorado is already home to more than 500 aerospace companies today. Of those 500 companies, 64% currently employ less than 10 people. "Our robust and dynamic aerospace ecosystem deserves an identity to protect it and nurture it," said Dianne Primavera, Colorado's Lieutenant Governor and the current chair of the Colorado Space Coalition. "This week's formal launch of America's 'Aerospace Alley' will do just that; by capturing the unique collection of industry, educational, and cultural partnerships that allow Colorado's Aerospace industry to thrive. 'Aerospace Alley' will ensure that Colorado continues to lead, to innovate, and to grow in the crucial aerospace industry." Today, Colorado's aerospace companies are leading the next generation of GPS and military space operations, creating innovation in solar and electric-powered aviation engines, and studying the science of black holes, neutron stars and pulsars. The state is also home to numerous military space commands, federal agencies, and specialized educational institutions all fostering breakthrough research in the field. The Colorado Space Coalition has helped recruit some of the nation's top aerospace companies to the state, so Colorado is well-positioned to provide the hands-on training the workforce needs today. As the industry continues to expand into an increasingly commercialized sector, it will also need more manufacturers, people with entrepreneurial and business skills, legal expertise, communications, and problem-solving abilities as well. Major educational partners are now also providing formal classroom education, across all ages, to help fill the critical and high-paying roles that aerospace offers. "From K-12 STEM programs, to post-secondary aerospace programs, state educational institutions such as the University of Colorado at Boulder, the Colorado SKIES Academy in Denver, and Spartan College in Broomfield, a technical college focused on this industry, we are readying more astronauts, aviation technicians, pilots, engineers and scientists here in our state to feed the industry's ongoing drive for innovation," said Nicholas Brown, campus president at Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology. https://www.aviationpros.com/aircraft/business-general-aviation/press-release/21159921/aerospace-alley-colorado-partners-launch-aerospace-alley As eVTOL Travel Inches Closer to Reality, Companies Scramble to Develop Infrastructure Networks The eVTOL world is quickly moving beyond aircraft design and into urban air mobility networks. EmbraerX, the division of the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer devoted to disruptive technologies, said it has turned one of its incubator projects into a separate startup. Eve will be an independent company designed to accelerate EmbraerX’s Urban Air Mobility ecosystem. André Stein, former head of strategy for EmbraerX, was named CEO of Eve. Embraer joins the growing number of global companies, including Hyundai, Uber Elevate, and Lilium, among others, focused on creating larger infrastructure networks for the electric vehicle takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft segment, rather than only developing the aircraft. As a startup, Eve will benefit from greater focus, speed, and agility, allowing the company to innovate and execute at an accelerated pace, said Francisco Gomes Neto, president and CEO of Embraer, in a statement. “We value the vast potential of the UAM market, as it represents a new business segment in which we foresee significant opportunities for Embraer,” Neto added. Eve had been an incubator company in EmbraerX for the last four years. As part of its long-term strategy, EmbraerX has been part of the Uber Elevate Network since its inception in 2017. Uber Elevate has been gathering partners to launch urban eVTOL air-taxi networks. The company expects the first urban network to be active by 2023. “Eve’s launch is an important next step in commercializing Embraer’s eVTOL designs while building on Embraer’s ability to design, certify, and deliver safe, globally-accepted aircraft. We look forward to our continued partnership to make aerial ridesharing a reality,” said Eric Allison, Head of Uber Elevate in the statement. The company said Eve’s “human-centered” eVTOL aircraft design represents an “actual, certifiable product development.” Its initial eVTOL design made its first flight in an engineering simulator in July. Eve will be working with both its parent, Embraer, and Atech, a subsidiary of the Embraer Group, to introduce air traffic management software. That software could be a critical component for the functionality of the eVTOL network over busy urban skies. In Germany, eVTOL manufacturer Lilium, which flew its aircraft last summer, has also taken another forward step by signing agreements with both the Düsseldorf and Cologne/Bonn airports to create an air mobility network between urban centers in the North Rhine-Westphalia region and those airports. North Rhine-Westphalia has more than 18 million inhabitants, with ten cities that have more than 300,000 residents, as well as 40 universities and five major trade-show centers. “It takes more than 1.5 hours to commute by train, but by air, you’re looking at 20 minutes,” Remo Gerber, Lilium’s chief operations officer, told Robb Report. He said that Lilium aircraft are “well on track” for being certified by 2025, and that the network of vertiports can be built in 9 to 12 months. The vertiports will be the responsibility of the two airports, while Lilium will provide consultation on the designs. Gerber added that working with local government agencies “helps us hone in on issues that are quite specific to our concerns,” while allowing collaboration between the aircraft manufacturer and regional governments focus for technology solutions. “Whether an eVTOL company gets involved in infrastructure is up to them of course, but for us it was a critical part of bringing this sector to life,” adds Gerber. “It’s time to move away from some of the more fantastical designs we’ve seen in the past, and get serious about how we make eVTOL flights a reality in less than five years.” https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/electric-mini-helicopters-develop-companies-urban-networks-1234577033/ Splash! How aviation uses robots for aircraft wash Washing an aircraft is a pretty straightforward task: the process involves a brush, soap (or a cleaning detergent, to be precise), some water and the dedication not to miss a spot. Yet, when compared to an ordinary car wash, aircraft cleaning has one minor but cardinal difference. If one might wash their car in an hour or so, getting an Airbus A380 spotless requires team effort and around eight hours of work. AeroTime looked at how aviation has turned to robotics to cut aircraft downtimes. Surprisingly, the old school brush-by-hand method is still alive and well when it comes to aircraft washing. Many operators continue to rely on teams of ground workers dedicating hours to scrub an airplane fuselage. On the opposite side of the spectrum there are fully automated water spray drive-ins, similar to those we are used to seeing in a car wash. Between the mobility of manual crew and hangar-bound washing machines, is where aviation robotics steps in. AeroTime News spoke with Jan Brunstedt from Aviator Robotics, who explained how robotics are applied for aircraft washing. The company produces an aircraft cleaning robot called Nordic Dino. “Nordic Dino is a cost-effective and efficient way to wash an aircraft in a safe working environment which reduces usage for water and detergent, saves on fuel consumption, and most importantly limits ground and maintenance time, which is a key component for commercial and military aircraft maintenance and use,” explains Vygaudas Usackas, the Chairman of the Board of Aviator Alliance Group, the parent company of Aviator Robots. How does automatic aircraft wash work? Nordic Dino is a semi-automatic robot used for both dry and wet washing of aircraft exteriors. Being relatively small and mobile, the system can be used wherever an aircraft is parked and can be transported across different airports if need be. “Some of our customers actually transported this unit between small airports,” clarifies Brunstedt. The system consists of a mobile power unit, spray nozzles and rotating cleaning brushes powered by a lightweight remote control. First, an operator moves the arm into position using remote control, where the arm automatically adjusts to the fuselage. Detergent and water are then sprayed into a brush from a tank inside the robot. Most dirt from the aircraft fuselage is removed this way. The procedure is more efficient than cleaning by hand, which requires both more effort and water to rinse the foaming that is greater during the manual wash, according to Brunstedt. In fact, the semi-automated wash using the robot reduces the amount of water needed to wash an aircraft by about 50%. While the brush appears like a normal car wash brush at the first sight, like many things in aviation it is far from being so ordinary. Rather than a standard brush, the one on Nordic Dino is custom-made specifically for the task ‒ crushed at the end and very very soft. This is because aircraft windows are sensitive and a “normal” brush would easily scratch them. “When we sold our robots to Airbus, they did a lot of testing to make sure that the brush does not scratch the aircraft,” explains Brunstedt. Automatization debate Apparently, just like a debate about full cockpit automatization, similar concerns are found on the exterior side of a plane’s fuselage. Even for a task seemingly as straightforward as aircraft washing, human supervision is still required in case things go sideways. “With the technology we have today, we can do it completely automatically, but that is not approved by the manufacturers [Airbus & Boeing - ed. note],” Brunstedt says. “Someone needs to walk besides the aircraft and see if something goes wrong. They don't allow 100% automatic machines.” So what can go wrong? There are multiple critically important areas on the exterior of an aircraft, including the cockpit area, cockpit windows, aerial intake area. These areas are washed manually. Normally, for a narrow-body aircraft wash, two people work alongside Nordic Dino: one manual washer and one who operates the robot. While the robot cleans about 80% of an aircraft surface area, 20% has to be done manually. So what’s the point of using the robot? The main feature of robots for aircraft washing, like Nordic Dino, is that they allow airlines to save downtime. For instance, to completely wash a narrowbody aircraft by hand, it takes 3 to 6 people and around 3 hours of work. Using washing robots helps to cut this grounding time dramatically. For instance, two people (one robot operator and one person doing manual wash) and a Nordic Dino robot can wash a narrowbody plane in around 1,5 hours. For widebodies, time savings are even greater. While it also depends on the number of team members working on the task and other factors, one can assume it is around twice as much as for a narrowbody. For instance, back in 2014, United Airlines described a wide body aircraft washing as requiring a team of 3-5 people and five hours of work. In the same publication, British Airways revealed it took them up to eight hours to wash a plane. For example, Qatar Airways uses a smarter approach for their bigger planes. In addition to two manual crew, they use two robots, a smaller and a bigger one. As a result, the airline can wash an aircraft like the Airbus A350 in under two hours. “We sold two units to the Airbus company, which they are using in Toulouse, France,” Brunstedt explained. “They were visiting Qatar during a wash of an A350. They did the whole wash in 1 hour and 50 minutes. It’s quite amazing how a professional crew can do it so quickly.” Looking into the future, the Nordic Dino robot appears to stand firmly among the eco-friendly solutions. According to Usackas, the company already offers clients a new electric Zero Emissions version. In the near future, Nordic Dino will also offer a dry wash solution, helping to cut water consumption to the zero. The company is already developing a system for the task: while the robot and its main features will remain the same, a new brush and different chemicals will enable a 100% dry wash, Brunstedt explains. For the reasons above, Nordic Dino is rapidly becoming a-must in the fleets of both airlines and military units, according to the company's chairman. “It is a pioneering business which already leads the ground, especially in the Middle East market, but is also expeditiously expanding into markets further in Asia, Europe and the Americas,” said Usackas. https://www.aerotime.aero/aerotime.team/26233-splash-how-aviation-uses-robots-for-aircraft-wash?page=1 TravelPerk Launches Standalone Covid-19 Data Tool Europe-based travel management specialist TravelPerk has rolled out a new API-based service that allows third-party providers to offer their clients its Covid-19-related data, including infection levels, travel restrictions and airline safety measures. Dubbed TravelSafe API, the tool can be integrated via application programming interface into the websites and apps of airlines, travel agents and booking platforms. The information is gathered from official sources and local government websites and cross-referenced by customer care agents. TravelSafe is available as a monthly subscription service. TravelSafe is TravelPerk's first-ever standalone service, and the first product the company has internally built and opened up to external travel providers under its new open-API platform model, rolled out last month. TravelSafe was designed using technology from Albatross, the risk management startup TravelPerk acquiredin July. https://www.businesstravelnews.com/Technology/TravelPerk-Launches-Standalone-Covid-19-Data-Tool What a Senate flip means for transportation THE NEW ROSTER? With many forecasters placing Democrats as slight favorites to win the Senate in eight days, we thought we’d start this pre-election week with a committee primer to get you up to speed with what transportation policy might look like in a blue upper chamber. Commerce: Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) lined up a committee switch last year with just this opportunity in mind. The Commerce Committee’s wide-ranging jurisdiction on tech and transportation includes oversight of several massive companies in her state (Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing and Alaska Airlines, to name a few). Cantwell made the shift from ranking member of the Senate Energy Committee to Commerce at the start of this Congress, and while generally keeping a quiet profile, she’s managed to have a major impact the committee’s work under Chair Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), including driving significant changes to a bill addressing the Boeing 737 MAX crashes. Cantwell has previously had two brief stints leading lower-profile committees, Small Business and Indian Affairs. Subcommitees: Arizona’s Kyrsten Sinema would be in line to chair the Aviation and Space panel, and Illinois' Tammy Duckworth, who has made accessibility on planes and trains a priority, to lead Transportation and Safety. EPW: Good-natured moderate Tom Carper of Delaware would be in line to take over the Environment and Public Works Committee. Carper’s consensus-building style is best illustrated by his approach to the surface transportation reauthorization process this year. Carper worked with conservative Chair John Barrasso (Wyo.) to put out the Senate’s version of the bill, which was rolled out in a completely bipartisan manner. Meanwhile in the House, Transportation Chair Peter DeFazio bypassed Republicans and produced a much more aggressive and progressive bill. It’s not a perfect comparison, since DeFazio has committee control and Carper doesn’t, but it’s illustrative of Carper’s legislating style. Subcommittees: Maryland’s Ben Cardin is currently the ranking member of the Transportation and Infrastructure panel. Homeland Security: Michigan's Gary Peters would likely chair the Senate Homeland Security Committee in a Democratic Senate. However, he’s also locked in a down-to-the-wire race against Republican challenger John James. We’ll leave it to the professional prognosticators to say whether there’s a path to a blue Senate if Peters loses. What we can tell you is that if Peters ends up as chair, he will likely focus on filling CBP vacancies at ports of entry, especially along the Northern border. If he loses but Democrats still take the chamber, Carper is next in seniority, followed by Maggie Hassan (N.H.). Banking: Ohio’s Sherrod Brown is ranking member of the Senate Banking Committee, which has oversight over public transit through a jurisdictional quirk. The subcommittee leadership, meanwhile, is tough to game out at this point because several of its most senior members would be in line for full committee gavels or possible Cabinet posts. Appropriations: The long-serving Patrick Leahy (Vt.) would have first shot at taking the helm of the powerful Appropriations Committee. In the Transportation-HUD Subcommittee, none of the more senior members would likely want the job since they’re in line for full committee chairs, or other Appropriations subcommittee gavels. The big caveat: If Democrats do take the Senate, there could (and probably will be) shuffles, swaps or twists that we haven’t predicted. Stay tuned, and keep up with POLITICO's own forecast of all the races. https://www.politico.com/newsletters/weekly-transportation/2020/10/26/what-a-senate-flip-means-for-transportation-791171 SpaceX’s mystery spy satellite launch to round out a busy month SpaceX is reportedly preparing to launch a mystery spy satellite for the US National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), potentially rounding out a record-breaking month for the company. Known only as NROL-108, nothing else is specifically known about the US espionage (‘intelligence’) agency’s latest mission. Even for the NRO, wholly familiar with extreme secrecy, revealing a mission less than a month before liftoff is almost unheard of. First spotted by NASASpaceflight.com forum member Ken The Bin on October 25th, a Notice To Mariners (NTM) filed the same day by the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA) suggests that an unknown rocket launch is scheduled no earlier than (NET) 9:55 am EDT (13:55 UTC) Saturday, October 31st. Perhaps best known in the spaceflight media industry for its bravado and a tendency towards bizarre but iconic mission patch designs for each otherwise top-secret spacecraft, the NRO typically reveals launch plans and a mission logo months before liftoff. Only a few times in the recent history of US orbital spaceflight have plans for a significant satellite launch gone unclaimed just weeks before liftoff. In general, thanks to a modern awareness of satellites and the proliferation of the internet, affordable consumer telescopes, and digital tracking and simulation tools, it’s difficult to imagine what kind of value a space agency might expect to derive from keeping a launch secret. Stealth satellites aside, amateur observers can easily locate and track satellites hours after they first reach orbit and the specifics of a satellite’s orbit – including orbital changes – can narrow down or determine its purpose (imaging, communications, early-warning, etc) and target(s). If the mystery Notice To Mariners is indeed for SpaceX’s imminent NROL-108 launch, previously expected sometime in late October, the company is almost certainly in the late stages of preparing to static fire the mission’s Falcon 9 rocket. Barring the surprise reassignment of a new Falcon 9 booster to NROL-108, the mission is all but guaranteed to launch on a flight-proven booster. At the moment, the only options at hand are Falcon Heavy Block 5 side booster B1052 or B1053 (retrofitted for single-core operations) or Falcon 9 booster B1059 on what would be its fifth flight – also a first for a SpaceX customer launch. Update: Around publishing time, Next Spaceflight reported that Falcon 9 B1059 has indeed been assigned to launch NROL-108, making it the first time a SpaceX customer will launch on a four-flight rocket. In the likely event that SpaceX static fires Falcon 9 before the NRO’s inaugural launch on a flight-proven booster, the rocket will likely roll out to the launch pad within the next 24-36 hours for a launch on October 31st. https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-mystery-spy-satellite-launch-busy-october/ Curt Lewis