International spaceports seek to collaborate
Original Publication Date: 2024-10-18 03:08
Eight spaceports in six countries signed a memorandum of understanding Oct. 13. The agreement outlines plans for the launch facilities to work together. The announcement did not disclose specific issues that the group will tackle. The initial group of eight spaceports will meet to determine key topics for collaboration.
Webinar – The Rise of Intuitive Machines
Original Publication Date: 2024-10-17 22:03
Intuitive Machines recently netted a potential $4.8 billion NASA contract to provide communications and navigation services on the Moon. In February, IM’s Odysseus spacecraft became the first privately-developed spacecraft to touch down on the moon. Steve Altemus previously served as Deputy Director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center before launching IM.
ArkEdge Space wins JAXA position, navigation and timing contract
Original Publication Date: 2024-10-17 12:37
Japanese startup ArkEdge Space won a contract from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency JAXA. Project is aimed at providing high-precision, global PNT signals. Government agencies around the world are exploring ways to augment and back-up the Global Positioning System. Under another JAXA contract, ArkEdge is developing positioning and communications services for cislunar space.
SpiderOak announces open-source initiative for zero-trust cybersecurity
Original Publication Date: 2024-10-17 12:28
Cybersecurity firm SpiderOak announced Oct. 17 that it will make its software open source. This allows external developers to contribute to the project and improve security features. SpiderOak’s software is sold to U.S. Government agencies, as well as companies. Open-source projects allow public access to the software’s code.
Glasgow’s Craft Prospect selected as European Space Agency’s Rising Star
Original Publication Date: 2024-10-17 12:00
Craft Prospect Ltd has been chosen by the European Space Agency as a Rising Star in this year’s awards. The award seeks to honour start-ups and scale-ups in the European space sector who demonstrate exceptional innovation and high-growth potential. Craft Prospect is currently lead provider on the Versatile Optical Laboratory for Telecommunications (VOLT) mission supported by UKSA and ESA.
Nations pursue sovereign space capabilities fortified by commercial services
Original Publication Date: 2024-10-17 12:00
More than 50 nations now have a dedicated space military budget. The number of government and commercial organizations operating at least one infrastructure in space has tripled in just the last six years. National space capabilities have become a national priority for many countries in light of ongoing wars and heightened economic competition.
Artemis Accords signatories look to recruit new members
Original Publication Date: 2024-10-17 11:59
Estonia became the 45 th country to sign the Accords. Accords outline best practices for safe and sustainable space exploration. Countries say they are working to reach out to those who have not yet joined. China is not a signatory, but echoed many of the principles of the document.
Rocket Lab ready on Saturday for ‘Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes’ launch for unnamed customer – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-10-17 00:00
Rocket Lab is set to launch this Saturday, October 19th, at 3:30 AM PDT from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand. This launch is the fastest turn around in two months time for a launch between an unnamed customer’s purchase agreement and flight to date. Rocket Lab has achieved a 100% increase in its Electron launch rate for the first half of this year compared with the same time in 2023.
Forrester’s Digest: Airbus Defence & Space to lay off 2,500 – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-10-17 00:00
Airbus Defence & Space is having a tough time. The direct consequence will be some 2,500 staff axed. Airbus said, “[the pressures] especially in the Space Systems segment where significant financial charges were recorded in 2023 and 2024.” It is expected that these measures will result in a reduction of up to 2,500 positions until mid 2026.
SpaceX Starlink Group 8-19 smallsats set for Friday launch – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-10-17 00:00
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 is scheduled to launch a batch of satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation on Friday, October 18 at 4:31 PM PDT from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral SFS. The launch cost is $52,000,000. According to weather officials, there’s a 40% chance of favorable weather conditions at the time of the launch.
EarthDaily Analytics acquires Descartes Labs – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-10-17 00:00
EarthDaily Analytics has acquired Descartes Labs and that company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Descartes Labs Government, Inc. The newly combined company will be led by EDA CEO, Don Osborne. The integration of Descartes Labs’ established insurance, energy, mining, and U.S. Defense and intelligence business segments represents a major expansion of EDA’s Earth Observation (EO) and value-added products.
Skyservice™ announces development of Gogo Galileo HDX STC for Gulfstream G280 – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-10-17 00:00
Skyservice Business Aviation will develop a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) to implement Gogo Galileo HDX on Gulfstream G280 aircraft. Gogo Galileo will provide operators worldwide with global, high-speed in-flight internet and low-latency performance. The HDX will leverage Eutelsat OneWeb’s enterprise-grade LEO satellite network.
What Human Health Science Should Be Done on Gateway Lunar Space Station?
Do you have a relevant idea for human health science that could be performed on the future Gateway lunar space station? If so, follow the steps below to let NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) know!
Could Life Exist Below Mars Ice? NASA Study Proposes Possibilities
Study suggests that dusty ice lets in enough light for photosynthesis to occur as deep as 9 feet (3 meters) below the surface. In this scenario, the upper layers of ice prevent the shallow subsurface pools of water from evaporating. The study authors say the water ice that would be most likely to form subsurface pools would exist in Mars’ tropics.
Does Distant Planet Host Volcanic Moon Like Jupiter’s Io?
A sodium cloud around WASP-49 b was first detected in 2017, catching the attention of Apurva Oza, formerly a postdoctoral researcher at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Oza has spent years investigating how exomoons might be detected via their volcanic activity. For example, Io, the most volcanic body in our solar system, constantly spews sulfur dioxide, sodium, potassium, and other gases.