Space Development Agency issues draft solicitation for 100 satellites
Original Publication Date: 2023-05-12 22:10
The Space Development Agency is building a military constellation in low Earth orbit. The agency laid out its requirements for 100 “Alpha” satellites in a draft solicitation. The Transport Layer Tranche 2 also includes 72 “Beta” satellites. The procurement of 100 Alpha satellites will be split between two vendors.
Eutelsat eager for OneWeb uplift as broadcast sales plummet
Original Publication Date: 2023-05-12 19:29
Eutelsat posted 272 million euros ($295 million) in total revenues for the three months ended March 31. Broadcast sales fell 10.6% to 157 million euros as sanctions against Russian and Iranian channels added more challenges. Fixed broadband and mobile connectivity sales climbed 7.3% and 23% to 18.5 million euros and 26.9 million euros.
First Intuitive Machine lunar lander mission slips to the third quarter
Original Publication Date: 2023-05-12 11:35
Intuitive Machines says its first lunar lander mission has slipped into the third quarter. The company announced in February plans for a June landing at Malapert A, a crater near the south pole of the moon. Intuitive Machines is best known for its lunar landers, but is branching out into other areas.
International Sea Level Satellite Spots Early Signs of El Niño
The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the World Meteorological Organization have reported increased chances that El Niño will develop by the end of the summer. Continued monitoring of ocean conditions in the Pacific by instruments and satellites such as Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich should help to clarify in the coming months how strong it could become.
NASA Calls End to Lunar Flashlight After Some Tech Successes
Lunar Flashlight’s miniaturized propulsion system struggled to provide sufficient thrust to put the CubeSat on course for the planned near-rectilinear halo orbit. The team suspects that debris obstructed the fuel lines, causing the diminished and inconsistent thrust. Despite limited success, the required trajectory correction maneuvers couldn't be completed in time.
This Week In Spaceflight
Original Publication Date: 2023-05-12 19:25
China's spaceplane has completed its second long-duration mission in orbit. Virgin Galactic is set to resume human spaceflights with its SpaceShip Two. SpaceX plans to perform a double droneship landing on an upcoming Falcon Heavy. ULA rolls its Vulcan rocket for final pre-launch testing.
Webb directly images young star’s asteroid belt; discovers two additional dusty disks
Original Publication Date: 2023-05-12 14:17
A group of astronomers has directly imaged three dusty disks — the outermost being an asteroid belt — surrounding a young star. The young star that plays host to these dusty disks is Fomalhaut — a hot, bright star located in the southern Piscis Austrinus constellation approximately 25 light-years away from Earth. The results from Webb not only gave the team a look into the interior structure of the disk but also allowed them to discover and characterize two additional disks located closer to the star.
Space Perspective prepares to introduce new recovery ship as providers compete for land at Port Canaveral
Original Publication Date: 2023-05-11 17:42
Florida-based Space Perspective has purchased an 89-meter-long vessel named Voyager for conversion into what it describes as the first marine spaceport for human spaceflight. The space tourism company was founded in 2019, selling yet-to-happen high-altitude balloon flights. The vessel was acquired to allow the company to launch and recover its spacecraft capsule Neptune from anywhere in the world, starting with pre-approved locations near Florida.