H3 reaches orbit on second launch
Original Publication Date: 2024-02-17 01:17
Japan's H3 rocket successfully reaches orbit on its second launch Feb. 16. The H3 rocket lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center at 7:22 p.m. Eastern. On the vehicle’s inaugural launch in March 2023, that engine failed to ignite.
Uruguay signs Artemis Accords
Original Publication Date: 2024-02-16 12:35
Uruguay signs Artemis Accords outlining best practices in space exploration. Accords, established in 2020, outline best practices for countries to follow in space exploration. Uruguay does not have a significant space program, but announced last year plans to establish a national space agency. The signing took place as part of bilateral ministerial meetings between the United States and Uruguay.
Iridium adds five years to constellation lifetime estimate
Original Publication Date: 2024-02-16 00:57
Iridium Communications expects to get another five years out of its satellites. The 80 satellites in the operator’s second-generation Iridium Next low Earth orbit constellation. Iridium reported revenue up 10% year-on-year to $790.7 million for 2023.
Industry seeks more resources, policy changes to support transition from ISS to commercial space stations
Original Publication Date: 2024-02-16 00:27
Executives with two companies developing commercial space stations call for action. They fear a space station gap could cede leadership in low Earth orbit to China. Representatives of Axiom Space and Voyager Space spoke at a House Science Committee hearing. They said more funding was needed to ensure a smooth transition from ISS to commercial stations.
White House confirms it has intelligence on Russia’s anti-satellite weapon, but says no immediate threat
Original Publication Date: 2024-02-15 23:05
The White House confirms reports that Russia is developing an anti-satellite weapon. The administration insists that the weapon is not yet operational and does not pose an imminent danger. The White House was forced to address the anti-satellite threat intelligence after House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner.
Discovery Alert: Glowing Cloud Points to a Cosmic Collision
Even within our own solar system, scientists have seen evidence of giant, planetary collisions from long ago. Remaining clues like Uranus’ tilt and the existence of Earth’s moon point to times in our distant history when the planets in our stellar neighborhood slammed together.
Rocket Propellant Tanks for NASA’s Artemis III Mission Take Shape
Original Publication Date: 2024-02-16 14:07
All the major structures that will form the core stage for NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket for the agency’s Artemis III mission are structurally complete. The hardware will be a part of the rocket used for the first of the Artemis missions planning to land astronauts on the Moon’s surface near the lunar South Pole. SLS is the only rocket that can send Orion, astronauts, and supplies to the Moon in a single launch.
Launch Roundup: SpaceX to launch next ISS crew rotation; Electron launches debris removal demonstration
Original Publication Date: 2024-02-15 21:03
SpaceX broke its own cadence record in January with 10 launches and landings in a calendar month. The company almost launched a Falcon 9 from each of its three key launch pads within eight hours on the busy evening of Feb. 14, but the initial attempt of the Starlink Group 7-14 mission was scrubbed while on the pad. Two further non-Starlink missions on Falcon 9 are planned from the east coast in the next couple of weeks. The most anticipated of these will be SpaceX’s eighth crew rotation mission to the International Space Station (ISS)