Indian solid SSLV rocket launches Earth observation satellite
Original Publication Date: 2024-08-16 09:54
India successfully launched its third SSLV Thursday, placing an Earth observation satellite into orbit. The rocket carried the experimental Earth observation EOS-08 spacecraft into its intended 475-kilometer circular orbit. EOS-08 separated from the upper stage 816 seconds into flight. The launch was India’s third of 2024.
Maria Demaree, Lockheed Martin – Leading Women in Space
Original Publication Date: 2024-08-15 14:01
SpaceNews is shining a spotlight on some of the extraordinary women at the helm of space programs and organizations. We’re delving into their backgrounds, discussing their accomplishments and highlighting their ongoing work. Watch a new episode every Thursday through August on SpaceNews.com and on the SpaceNews YouTube channel.
China could develop dual relay satellite system for Earth-moon communications to reduce geopolitical risks
Original Publication Date: 2024-08-15 13:01
China is leading a project known as the International Lunar Research Station. The plan includes establishing a Queqiao (“Magpie Bridge”) relay system in lunar orbit. China is planning to establish a base near the lunar south pole in the 2030s. The proposal is somewhat implicitly critical of the international aspect of the planned ILRS.
Apex offers GEO version of Aries satellite bus
Original Publication Date: 2024-08-15 10:32
Los Angeles-based startup Apex has developed a version of its Aries bus. The 175-kilogram GEO Aries features modifications to operate in geostationary orbit. It can carry payloads of up to 120 kilograms and features up to 800 meters per second.
NASA pushes Starliner return decision to late August
Original Publication Date: 2024-08-14 22:19
NASA now expects to make a decision by late August on whether astronauts will return. The agency outlined the process it will take to reach that decision. If they remain, Starliner would make an uncrewed return while the two astronauts would return in early 2025. Five of the spacecraft's thrusters malfunctioned during the spacecraft's approach to the International Space Station.
Telesat close to securing government funds for Lightspeed
Original Publication Date: 2024-08-14 21:51
Telesat expects to finalize government funds covering more than half the $3.5 billion budget. Canada’s flagship geostationary operator has had good engagement with the government. Telesat has already spent 980 million Canadian dollars on Lightspeed since kicking off development.
SpaceX ready to smallsat rideshare 116 payloads on Friday – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-08-15 00:00
SpaceX is targeting Friday, August 16 for Falcon 9’s launch of the Transporter-11 mission to low-Earth orbit. The 53-minute window opens at 11:20 a.m. PT. A live webcast of this mission will begin about 10 minutes prior to liftoff.
SpaceX launches Maxar’s WorldView 3 & 4 Earth imaging satellites – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-08-15 00:00
On Thursday, August 15, a warm summer Florida morning at 9:00 a.m. ET, Falcon 9 launched the Maxar 2 mission to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. This was the 16th flight for the Falcon 9 first stage booster B1076 supporting this mission that landed 7:48 minutes later at Landing Zone 1. The full Maxar constellation of 10 electro-optical satellites will image the most rapidly changing areas on Earth as frequently as every 20 to 30 minutes.
Marlink’s flexible Starlink smallsat LEO data plans to simplify hybrid network integration – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-08-15 00:00
Users across maritime, energy and enterprise market verticals can flexibly customize data allowances from 10GB to unlimited volume. Marlink, managed services provider of business-critical ICT solutions, introduced flexible and bespoke Starlink LEO internet plans. The plans are offered within Marlink’s hybrid network solutions that combine the high throughput, low latency Starlink service with guaranteed bandwidth VSAT and 4G/5G solutions.
Polish companies collaborate to develop satellite refueling technology – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-08-15 00:00
Polish company PIAP Space has launched the INORT (In-Orbit Refueling Technology for Unprepared and Prepared Satellites) project. Poland’s contribution to the European Space Agency (ESA) funds the project that is being executed in collaboration with two centers of the Łukasiewicz Research Network — Institute of Aviation.
ISRO to launch EOS-08’s three payloads on Friday – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-08-15 00:00
ISRO is prepped to launch an Earth observation satellite EOS-08 onboard the third and final developmental flight of its Small Satellite Launch Vehicle on Friday morning. The Satish Dhawan Space Centre spaceport located about 135 km east of Chennai is buzzing with activity once again as ISRO gears up for a rocket launch. The primary objectives of the EOS-08 mission include designing and developing a microsatellite, creating payload instruments compatible with the microsatellite bus, and incorporating new technologies required for future operational satellites.
SpaceX ready to launch HawkEye 360’s Cluster 10 satellites – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-08-15 00:00
HawkEye 360 Inc. Has announced the upcoming launch of the company’s Cluster 10 satellites aboard the Transporter-11 Rideshare mission with SpaceX via launch integrator Exolaunch. The satellites will launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California to SSO no earlier than August 16th at 2:20 PM EDT.
NASA Citizen Scientists Spot Object Moving 1 Million Miles Per Hour
Citizen scientists working on NASA’s Backyard Worlds: Planet 9 project have helped discover an object moving so fast that it will escape the Milky Way’s gravity and shoot into intergalactic space. CWISE J1249 is zooming out of the Milky Way at about 1 million miles per hour. This hypervelocity object is the first such object found with the mass of a small star. Backyard Worlds uses images from NASA’s WISE mission, which mapped the sky in infrared light from 2009 to 2011.