Orbit Fab and ispace to collaborate on lunar propellant harvesting and delivery
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-11 10:00
Orbit Fab, a startup developing in-space refueling services, announced plans Dec. 11 to work with lunar exploration company ispace. Over the long term, Orbit Fab will refuel ispace lunar landers and ispace will help Orbit Fab obtain propellant for fuel shuttles and depots. Ispace’s first lunar lander crashed into the moon in April.
First Vulcan launch likely to slip to January
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-10 22:23
ULA chief says company was not able to complete a practice countdown called a wet dress rehearsal. ULA has been working towards a launch Dec. 24 at 1:49 a.m. Eastern. The primary payload is the Peregrine lunar lander build by Astrobotic. There could be two launches of lunar landers from Cape Canaveral within the same week.
UPDATE: SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch on hold for USSF-52 mission – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-10 00:00
SpaceX is targeting Monday, December 11 at 8:14 p.m. ET for Falcon Heavy’s launch of the USSF-52 mission to orbit from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. A backup launch opportunity is available during the same time on Monday, December 11. This will make it the first time the Falcon Heavy has been used to launch the U.S. Military’s X-37B spaceplane.
In world first, China’s LandSpace methane rocket sends satellites into orbit – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-10 00:00
The Zhuque 2 Y-3 carrier rocket blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Saturday. The rocket sent three satellites – Honghu, Honghu 2, and TY-33 – into planned orbit. LandSpace said the launch “pioneered a new stage for the commercialization of launching liquid-powered rockets in China”
DISA releases electromagnetic spectrum capability to enhance modern warfighting – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-10 00:00
Electromagnetic Battle Management – Joint improves U.S. Military’s situational awareness of the electromagnetic spectrum. EMBM-J Situational Awareness is a minimum viable capability release, or the first iteration of the tool. The cloud-based platform integrates a range of electromagnetic spectrum capabilities and functions into one system.
NASA selects the contractors for ground support equipment fabrication – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-10 00:00
NASA has selected the following companies for a multiple award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (ID/IQ) contract. The work will support Artemis, including missions to land the first woman and person of color on the Moon. The maximum aggregate contract value is $100 million.
Justifying a custom lens for your optical product – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-10 00:00
Off-the-shelf optical components offer advantages for optical system design, including shorter delivery times and lower costs. Resolve Optics recommends that you consider the many benefits of an application optimized optical system. You will be investing in an optical design that meets or exceeds your application requirements with no compromise.