Space Force to expand missile-defense satellite network in medium Earth orbit
Original Publication Date: 2024-08-09 23:15
The U.S. Space Force has initiated a new phase in its missile defense satellite program. The Space Systems Command is inviting vendors to submit designs for satellites. Missile-tracking satellites are designed to detect and monitor the launch and flight path of potential threats. These satellites use advanced sensors to identify the heat signatures of missile launches.
Chinese megaconstellation launch creates field of space debris
Original Publication Date: 2024-08-08 10:32
Chinese launch creates more than 50 pieces of debris which could threaten spacecraft in low Earth orbit. Long March 6A launched Aug. 6, from a specifically constructed launch pad at Taiyuan spaceport. Rocket’s upper stage deployed 18 flat panel Qianfan (“Thousand Sails”) satellites into roughly 800-kilometer-altitude polar orbit.
KSAT intros fully automated KSATlite launch + deorbit Service following Rocket Lab collaboration – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-08-09 00:00
Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) has announced the launch of the company’s fully automated launch and deorbit service on the KSATlite network. The development of this service has been greatly enhanced by the close collaboration between KSAT and Rocket Lab. Rocket Lab’s Electron launch vehicle is one of the world’s most frequently launched rockets.
Amendment 41: DRAFT F.13 Lunar Terrain Vehicle Instruments Program Released for Community Comment.
The F.13 Lunar Terrain Vehicle Instruments (LTVI) program element will solicit proposals for investigations that include development and flight of stand-alone, science-driven instruments. Payloads selected through this program element will be integrated onto the Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV) and then delivered with the LTV to the south polar region of the Moon.
Regina Caputo Charts the Future of High-Energy Astrophysics
Original Publication Date: 2024-08-09 11:23
Regina Caputo is a research astrophysicist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. She focuses on technology development and support for gamma-ray telescopes. Caputo: "I’m really interested in the most extreme events that happen in the universe"
Astro Campers SCoPE Out New Worlds
Many students have enjoyed this camp from the beginning, and those who have participated annually have become increasingly interested in more challenging and robust activities. With the help of SciAct's NASA SCoPE (the NASA Science Mission Directorate Community of Practice for Education) team, Neff was able to connect teachers with a NASA Subject Matter Expert, Dr. Alissa Bans.
Starship is Getting a New Environmental Assessment
Original Publication Date: 2024-08-08 17:28
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released the details on the new Tiered Environmental Assessment (TEA) for Starbase. This proposal will help SpaceX expand operations in Starbase and better define operations for the Starship program. In the original 2022 Programmable Environment Assessment (PEA), SpaceX was permitted to build two Orbital Launch Pads (OLPs) at Boca Chica. Since that PEA, many things have changed.