Three satellites presumed lost in Transporter deployment malfunction
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-09 00:03
Momentus says three of the five satellites it flew on the Transporter-9 launch did not appear to deploy. The company used a third-party deployer, rather than its own Vigoride tug. Lunasonde had indicated that the satellite was orbit after the launch and operating.
U.S. Space Force activates new unit to support operations in Europe and Africa
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-08 23:13
U.S. Space Force officially activated its first component dedicated to both Europe and Africa. The new unit, known as U.S. Space Forces Europe and Africa, will support U.S. European Command. Headquartered at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, the Space Force component will be led by Col. Max Lantz.
Ghana warns against illegal Starlink services
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-08 22:50
Ghana is the latest country in Africa to warn against using Starlink. SpaceX only expects to launch Starlink commercially in Ghana in the third quarter of 2024. The company’s sprawling low Earth orbit network already covers the country and others that have yet to permit the services.
Experts raise concerns about U.S. commitment to GPS modernization
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-08 22:12
The National Space-Based Positioning, Navigation and Timing Advisory Board. Board vice chair Bradford Parkinson said the panel is disappointed by a lack of U.S. Government funding. Parkinson also questioned why there are still not enough satellites broadcasting the civilian L5 GPS signal.
Northrop Grumman tests new solid rocket motor technologies
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-08 15:06
Northrop Grumman test-fired a new solid rocket motor that marks the beginning of an annual test campaign. The company conducted a static fire of the motor Dec. 7 at its Promontory, Utah, facility. The motor incorporates several new technologies, explained Ben Case, principal investigator for SMART Demo.
GAO report recommends FAA evaluate launch mishap investigation procedures
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-08 12:26
The Government Accountability Office is recommending that the FAA improve its process for investigating launch mishaps. The FAA currently relies heavily on launch providers. The FAA says it decides on a case-by-case basis whether to conduct the mishap investigation itself or allow the launch operator to handle it with FAA oversight.
Sidus Space awarded additional Bechtel Cable Assembly contract for Mobile Launcher 2 – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-08 00:00
Sidus Space has been selected by Bechtel to manufacture additional cables in support of the NASA Mobile Launcher 2 contract for the Artemis missions. Mobile Launcher 2 is the ground platform structure that will launch Space Launch System (SLS) rockets Block 1B and Block 2 configurations to the Moon. This follows Sidus’ prior contract with Bechtel to fabricate custom cables and populate unique electronics cabinets.
Students Create Elaborate Homemade Machines for JPL Competition
250 students compete in the 24th annual JPL Invention Challenge. The overall goal is to build a device capable of accomplishing a specified task within 60 seconds. Students employed trebuchet catapults, crossbows, small motors, and “things with a bit of oomph”
NASA Helps Study One of the World’s Most Diverse Ecosystems
Mounted on airplanes, the Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer – Next Generation, the Hyperspectral Thermal Emission Spectrometer, and the Portable Remote Imaging Spectrometer are managed by JPL. The Land, Vegetation, and Ice Sensor uses laser technology, known as lidar, to construct a 3D representation of the land surface and vegetation.
Boeing working toward first SLS Core Stage final assembly at KSC
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-07 21:15
Boeing is completing final assembly of the second SLS core stage at the Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF) in New Orleans. The core stage for Artemis II is the last one that will be completed at MAF, with future builds now planned to undergo final construction at their launch site, the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) The first core stage to be completed at KSC will be the unit for Artemis III.