Ball, Northrop Grumman, Orbital Micro Systems and Spire claim NOAA contracts
Original Publication Date: 2023-09-01 17:32
Ball Aerospace, Northrop Grumman, Orbital Micro Systems and Spire Global won contracts. The four companies will conduct studies and design sounders for the Near-Earth Orbit Network. Microwave sounders provide key datasets for numerical weather models. If approved, SMBA would begin gathering data on NEON satellites in 2030.
Space Tango names new CEO
Original Publication Date: 2023-09-01 16:43
S. Sita Sonty succeeds co-founder Twyman Clements, who will remain with the company as president. Sonty previously led the space industry practice for the Boston Consulting Group. Space Tango conducts research and science experiments on the International Space Station.
Globalstar picks SpaceX to refresh LEO constellation
Original Publication Date: 2023-09-01 12:32
Globalstar has contracted SpaceX to launch Apple-backed satellites in 2025. The operator said in an Aug. 30 regulatory filing it will pay a total $64 million to launch the first set of satellites. Apple has agreed to reimburse Globalstar for 95% of the constellation, including manufacturing and launch costs.
Intuitive Machines raises $20 million
Original Publication Date: 2023-09-01 11:21
Lunar lander developer Intuitive Machines sells 4.7 million shares to an unnamed institutional investor at $4.25 per share. Company says it will use proceeds for “general corporate purposes and working capital needs. Intuitive Machines moving ahead with its first lander mission, IM-1, scheduled to launch Nov. 15.
Tiangong space station could alter perceptions of China’s space program, report says
Original Publication Date: 2023-09-01 10:42
China's Tiangong space station could impact how the country's space program is viewed internationally. The People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) intention to allow civilian astronauts and nonstate-owned enterprise (SOE) companies to participate in the Chinese Space Station are two trends that will probably change the global image of the Chinese space program.
NASA to Discuss Psyche Asteroid Mission, Optical Communications Demo
Psyche is scheduled to launch at 10:38 a.m. On Thursday, Oct. 5, atop a SpaceX Falcon Heavy from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The media briefing will air live on NASA Television, the NASA app, Facebook, X, YouTube, and on the agency’s website. Questions can be asked on social media during the briefing using #AskNASA.
NASA, Partners Study Ancient Life in Australia to Inform Mars Search
The Pilbara is the perfect classroom for teams to study stromatolites that have withstood the test of time and scientific rigor. The group investigated how the environment in which these signs of ancient life were found could have been conducive or unfavorable to biology taking shape.
OSIRIS-REx teams conduct final rehearsals before sample capsule return in September
Original Publication Date: 2023-09-01 20:28
OSIRIS-REx is scheduled to land on asteroid Bennu on Sept. 24. The decision to release the sample return capsule (SRC) hinges on safety to humans, capsule survivability, and landing accuracy. A drop test was conducted from 2.13 kilometers in altitude above ground level on Aug. 30.
Ship 25 awaits rollout for full-stack of Starship Flight 2
Original Publication Date: 2023-08-31 17:13
B booster 9 completed its pre-flight testing and now awaits its partner for the second launch. Ship 25 was already tested months ago, this only leaves full stack testing and pending regulatory approval for the second flight. The vehicle is expected to be done with its single-stage test campaign, and next up would be the stacking of Ship 25 on top of it.
SpaceX launch of Space Development Agency’s Tranche 0 moves to Saturday
Original Publication Date: 2023-08-31 12:05
SpaceX will launch 13 communications and missile tracking satellites on Friday. The launch is part of the Tranche 0 Flight 2 mission for the Space Development Agency. An issue with engine 4 scrubbed the first attempt, with an unspecified issue scrubbing Friday’s attempt. SpaceX launched its Starlink Group 6-13 mission on Thursday.