New Chinese commercial spaceport to host first launch next year
Original Publication Date: 2023-02-24 15:02
Construction of a launch tower for commercial launches will be completed by the end of the year. The first launch will likely be of a Long March 8 rocket developed by CASC for commercial missions. A second pad is also planned for Hainan Commercial Launch Site, located on the southern island province of Hainan.
Samsung unveils satcom solution for smartphones
Original Publication Date: 2023-02-24 13:09
Samsung says it has secured a new standardized 5G non-terrestrial network (NTN) modem. This enables direct smartphone-satellite communications in locations where there is no cellular network connectivity. Samsung plans to integrate this modem into its own Exynos chip. Apple launched direct phone-satellite connectivity in September.
ULA announces May launch of first Vulcan
Original Publication Date: 2023-02-24 02:51
U.S. Launch of United Launch Alliance's Vulcan Centaur rocket is now scheduled for May 4. The launch will carry Astrobotic’s Peregrine lunar lander, two demonstration satellites. ULA will have a window of about four days to conduct the launch.
NASA plans to start work this year on first Gateway logistics mission
Original Publication Date: 2023-02-24 12:49
NASA selected SpaceX in March 2020 for its first Gateway Logistics Services contract. SpaceX will develop a version of its Dragon cargo spacecraft, called Dragon XL. The first Artemis mission to use the Gateway will be Artemis 4, currently scheduled for 2027. NASA is preparing to give the go-ahead for that first logistics mission needed to support Artemis 4.
Commercial space a key topic for National Space Council advisory group
Original Publication Date: 2023-02-25 16:19
Commercial space issues emerge as major priorities at National Space Council meeting. Users' Advisory Group of the council met Feb. 23 for the first time since December. Meeting was largely focused on planning by the UAG and its six subcommittees. Some of the UAG subcommittees said they planned to address commercial space issues.
Dynamic NASA-Built Weather Sensors Enlisted to Track Tropical Cyclones
COWVR is a small weather radiometer developed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The instrument uses technology and designs developed for the agency's Jason series of ocean-observing satellites. NASA also is exploring the use of data from COWVR and TEMPEST, as well as small satellites like them, for its own weather-related missions.
Study Finds Venus’ ‘Squishy’ Outer Shell May Be Resurfacing the Planet
Venus provides a window into the past to help us better understand how Earth may have looked over 2.5 billion years ago. Recent studies suggest the youthful appearance of Venus’ surface is likely due to volcanic activity, which drives regional resurfacing today. VERITAS mission will use a state-of-the-art synthetic aperture radar to create 3D global maps.
Second Earth-sized World Found in System's Habitable Zone
Astronomers previously discovered three planets in this system, called TOI 700 b, c, and d. Planet e is about 10% smaller than planet d, so the system also shows how additional TESS observations help us find smaller and smaller worlds. TOI 700 is a small, cool M dwarf star located around 100 light-years away in the southern constellation Dorado.
Download our Exoplanet Coloring Pages and #ColorWithNASA
NASA studies exoplanets with telescopes on the ground and in space. These posters are now available as coloring pages for you to add your own creative vision to exoplanet art. Grab crayons, markers, paint or colored pencils and shade in the hues of rocky terrain, lava oceans, planetary systems and more.