Hello and welcome back to TechCrunch Space. Let\u2019s jump in!<\/p>\n
Want to reach out with a tip? Email Aria at aria.techcrunch@gmail.com<\/span><\/a> or send me a message on Signal at 512-937-3988. You also can send a note to the whole TechCrunch crew at tips@techcrunch.com<\/a>.\u00a0For more secure communications<\/strong>,\u00a0click here to contact us<\/a>, which includes SecureDrop instructions<\/a> and links to encrypted messaging apps.<\/em><\/p>\n This week, we\u2019ve got some very cool news from Hubble Networks, which became the first company in history to connect a Bluetooth chip to a satellite. The startup has stayed relatively low-profile, but with this tech validation they\u2019re looking to expand \u2014 and connect possibly billions of Bluetooth-enabled devices.<\/p>\n One of Hubble\u2019s satellites in a terrestrial test chamber. Image Credits:<\/strong> Hubble Network<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Slides and audio from a nonpublic NASA meeting reveal the ambitious plans the agency has for its Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. Bringing these plans to fruition is key for private space companies, including Rocket Lab, Northrop Grumman and others, and could ease launch pad congestion on both coasts.<\/p>\n The Northrop Grumman Antares rocket, with Cygnus resupply spacecraft onboard, launches from Pad-0A of NASA\u2019s Wallops Flight Facility, Saturday, November 2, 2019, in Virginia. Image Credits:<\/strong> NASA \/ Bill Ingalls<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Over at The New York Times, Kenneth Chang recounts how a group of scientists identified 27,500 newly discovered asteroids in the solar system \u2014 including around 100 \u201cnear-Earth\u201d asteroids, or those that pass within Earth\u2019s orbit.<\/p>\n Near-Earth asteroid, computer artwork. Image Credits:<\/strong> Science Photo Library \u2013 ANDRZEJ WOJCICKI \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n We\u2019re looking ahead this week\u2026 On Monday, May 6 (today!), Boeing is hoping to make history by carrying two NASA astronauts to the International Space Station using its Starliner capsule<\/a> for the first time. The mission will take off at 10:34 PM EST.<\/p>\n Godspeed Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams! Godspeed Starliner!<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/49002058586_3ad9f42d8c_k.jpg\")
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