-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- design007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueLevel Up Your Design Skills
This month, our contributors discuss the PCB design classes available at IPC APEX EXPO 2024. As they explain, these courses cover everything from the basics of design through avoiding over-constraining high-speed boards, and so much more!
Opportunities and Challenges
In this issue, our expert contributors discuss the many opportunities and challenges in the PCB design community, and what can be done to grow the numbers of PCB designers—and design instructors.
Embedded Design Techniques
Our expert contributors provide the knowledge this month that designers need to be aware of to make intelligent, educated decisions about embedded design. Many design and manufacturing hurdles can trip up designers who are new to this technology.
- Articles
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Events
||| MENU - design007 Magazine
SpaceX Manned Mission Promises More Success for Milaero and Electronics Manufacturing
June 2, 2020 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
On May 30, 2020, SpaceX became the first non-governmental organization to send human cargo into orbit and to a successful docking rendezvous with the International Space Station (ISS). On June 1, Nolan Johnson spoke with military/aerospace consultant and I-Connect007 columnist Mike Hill about the significance of this mission.
Mike shares his expert perspective on the significance of the mission’s success, ranging from the cost-effectiveness of the SpaceX-designed (and Boeing-designed) lift systems to the cost of manufacturing to the recoverable rocket stages. He also discusses the positive impact the private space industry can and will have on the electronics manufacturing industry.
I-Connect007 continues to deliver original reporting and coverage of the electronics design, electronics manufacturing, and contract manufacturing industries, including up-to-date information from the companies, associations, and supply chains globally.
Visit Mike Hill's column page: From the Hill.
Related Links:
Transcribed text:
Nolan Johnson: Hi. Nolan Johnson here with I-Connect007. This morning, I’m speaking with Mike Hill, an industry consultant with MIL-Q Consulting. Mike, welcome.
Mike Hill: Thank you.
Johnson: Saturday afternoon was the successful launch of the SpaceX manned mission after a delay from the original Wednesday launch date. We wanted to get on the line with you and chat about that event to get a sense of the milaero perspective on that from your seat. What do you see as the significance of a private enterprise lift vehicle carrying humans to the ISS?
Hill: It’s huge. With private versus government, the funding process is much faster—maybe one hundred times faster than NASA—and the government decision processes on how to do different things is faster. Cost efficiency is going to be at least 10 times better. We saved $50 million this weekend by not going with the Russians, so it’s already a big number on the first thing. But maybe the biggest benefit is this out-of-box thinking with Elon Musk and Boeing, etc.; they’re thinking outside of the box and creating new technologies and markets.
For example, when reusing the launch rocket by landing in a vertical position on a moving boat, NASA would have said that was impossible, but these guys made it happen. That’s amazing. America has an interest in space travel, and maybe the best part is that kids are interested in space and technology. For the next 10–20 years, people are going to be very interested in space and joining the effort. I have to say kudos to Russia for coordinating space travel for the last 10 years.
Johnson: That is true. How does the milaero electronics industry benefit from these sorts of events?
Hill: It’s going to be years to decades of benefit with man in space, man to the moon, and then maybe man to Mars. It’s going to require multiple electronics for milaero, so the space evolution will most likely create some new technologies and maybe some new materials and electronics and other components. It’s going to be quite a long-term positive effect. Now, there are some special space requirements that have been even higher than the military requirements and hard to manufacture, and I don’t know how this change is going to affect those. We may find it doesn’t matter. Some of those things may change, either a decrease or an increase, in some cases, but it’s going to be very good for the milaero sector.
Johnson: Some say that Elon Musk right now has more of a space force than the U.S. Government. That’s clearly meant as a joke, but what do you think the impact is on the U.S. Government space program?
Hill: It is an interesting statement and probably somewhat true today. There’s certainly a different perspective when profit is added as a driving force versus just exploring our universe. And I expect that Elon and the others will complement the Space Force quite well. It adds some other dimensions to the Space Force in a positive way.
Johnson: To close this up, Mike, what are your personal thoughts on the opportunities that all of this might open up for access to space?
Hill: It has really been a game-changer. If costs come down and reliability is improved, there’s no telling what we can do. For example, I expect one of our grandkids, yours or mine, will have a space experience, and it’s just no telling what’s all going to happen, but it’s a game-changer. The technological improvements over time are going to increase exponentially.
Johnson: Great. Mike, thanks for taking the time to speak with me today. I appreciate you getting on the call.
Hill: No problem, Nolan. Appreciate it.
Johnson: Once again, this is Nolan Johnson with I-Connect007. I’ve been speaking with Mike Hill. He’s an industry consultant at MIL-Q Consulting. Thanks for listening.
Suggested Items
IPC Bestows Posthumous Hall of Fame Award to Industry Icon Michael Ford
04/18/2024 | IPCIPC honored the late Michael Ford, Aegis Software, for his extraordinary contributions to the global electronics manufacturing industry with the IPC Raymond E. Pritchard Hall of Fame Award at IPC APEX EXPO 2024. IPC’s most prestigious honor, the Hall of Fame Award is given to individuals who have provided exceptional service and advancement to IPC and the electronics industry. Ford, an industry leader and valued IPC volunteer, died suddenly in January 2024.
SEMI Applauds U.S. Chips Act Award for Samsung Electronics Facilities to Strengthen Domestic Semiconductor Supply Chain
04/17/2024 | SEMISEMI, the industry association serving the global electronics design and manufacturing supply chain, applauded the United States Department of Commerce’s announcement of a Preliminary Memorandum of Terms for an award under the CHIPS and Science Act to support the expansion of Samsung Electronics’ presence in Texas and the company’s development and production of leading-edge chips.
Northrop Grumman honors Calumet Electronics with Supplier Excellence Award
04/17/2024 | Calumet ElectronicsNorthrop Grumman Corporation has recognized Calumet Electronics during the company’s 2024 Supplier Excellence Awards for “exceptional performance and unwavering commitment to delivering with excellence.” Calumet is one of 70 suppliers recognized from across the globe. In its award category of “Supplier Strategic Excellence,” Calumet was honored alongside global corporations such as Amazon Web Services, Dell Technologies, and Eaton Corporation.
Ark Electronics Expands Global Manufacturing Factory Network in North America and Europe
04/17/2024 | PRNewswireElectronic Manufacturing Company Ark Electronics recently announced the expansion of its Global Factory Network with the addition of Electronics Manufacturing Service (EMS) capabilities in Mexico and Europe.
Designing Electronics for High Thermal Loads
04/16/2024 | Akber Roy, Rush PCB Inc.Developing proactive thermal management strategies is important in the early stages of the PCB design cycle to minimize costly redesign iterations. Here, I delve into key aspects of electronic design that hold particular relevance for managing heat in electronic systems. Each of these considerations plays a pivotal role in enhancing the reliability and performance of the overall system.