Germany’s Isar Aerospace to launch Spectrum vehicle’s test flight – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2025-03-20 00:00
Isar Aerospace is a German aerospace company based in Munich, Germany. The company is preparing to conduct the launch of Spectrum from Andøya Spaceport in Norway on Sunday, March 23rd, 2025 at 4:30 AM – 7:30 AM PDT. The objective of this first test flight is to collect as much data and experience as possible.
Solvang signs Inmarsat NexusWave fleetwide providing connectivity for crew and business – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2025-03-20 00:00
Inmarsat Maritime has signed an agreement with Solvang to equip the company’s fleet with Inmarsat’s NexusWave fully managed bonded connectivity service. NexusWave will provide Solvang with high-speed, reliable service, along with unlimited data and global coverage. The fully managed NexusWave service combines LEO, GEO, LTE, and L-band network underlays in one bonded connection.
SpaceX’s Thursday NROL-57 secret mission makes adjustment to launch time – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2025-03-20 00:00
SpaceX is targeting Thursday, March 20 for a Falcon 9 launch of the NROL-57 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. This is the eighth batch of satellites for a secret reconnaissance satellite constellation built by SpaceX and Northrop Grumman for the National Reconnaissance Office. A live webcast of this mission will begin about 10 minutes prior to liftoff that you can watch on X @SpaceX.
Could Rocket Lab gain ground in D2C race? – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2025-03-20 00:00
Rocket Lab could be a dark horse because of its planned 5G-ready satellite system and newly-developed ‘Flatellite’ satellite design. Rocket Lab is already a highly successful launch company with sites in New Zealand and at Wallops Island, Virginia. Analysts project revenue to grow from $436 million in 2024 to over $600 million in 2025.
NEO Surveyor Instrument Enclosure Begins Environmental Tests
The instrument enclosure for NASA's Near-Earth Object Surveyor is prepared for environmental testing inside the historic Chamber A in the Space Environment Simulation Laboratory at the agency's Johnson Space Center in Houston. The enclosure is designed to protect the spacecraft's infrared telescope while also removing heat from it during operations. After environmental testing was completed, the enclosure returned to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California for further work.
NISAR in Orbit Over Northeastern India (Artist's Concept)
NISAR is an equal collaboration between the NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation. Observations from NISAR will benefit humanity by helping researchers around the world better understand changes in our planet's surface. NISAR will launch from ISRO's Satish Dhawan Space Centre on India's southeastern coast in 2025.
Europa Clipper Camera Passes First Test in Space
Europa Imaging System underwent its first checkouts in December 2024. Each camera has a cover to protect its sensitive detectors from the Sun while the spacecraft moves through the inner solar system. In 2027, the spacecraft will be far enough from the Sun to safely open the lens covers and capture the first images.
NASA's Psyche Images Stars, Jovian System
Images capture Mars, Jupiter, and the Jovian moons Io, Ganymede, Callisto, and Europa. The planned observation by Psyche's imaging instrument was part of a periodic maintenance and calibration test. Scientists on the imaging team also took images of the bright stars Vega and Canopus.
Lunar Trailblazer in Science Orbit (Artist's Concept)
Lunar Trailblazer weighs only 440 pounds (200 kilograms) and measures 11.5 feet (3.5 meters) wide when its solar panels are fully deployed. Caltech leads Lunar Trailblazer's science investigation, and Caltech's IPAC leads mission operations. Lunar Trailblazer is part of NASA's Lunar Discovery Exploration Program.
NASA's Lunar Trailblazer Team Members Pose With Spacecraft
Lunar Trailblazer is a rideshare launching with the Intuitive Machines' IM-2 mission. The mission is led by Principal Investigator Bethany Ehlmann of Caltech in Pasadena, California. Lunar Trailblazer is part of NASA's Lunar Discovery Exploration Program.