Second H3 launch planned for February
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-28 07:23
Japanese space agency JAXA has set a mid-February date for the return to flight of the H3 rocket. The launch will be the first for the H3 since its unsuccessful inaugural flight March 7. On that launch the engine in the second stage failed to ignite.
Axelspace raises $44 million for Earth observation and other smallsats
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-27 18:43
Japanese Earth observation company Axelspace has raised nearly $44 million. The Tokyo-based company announced it raised 6.24 billion yen ($43.9 million) in a Series D round. The company currently operates five microsatellites that provide medium-resolution imagery. The funding round is the latest sign of growing investor interest in Japan.
Spaceports need social scientists. Here’s why.
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-27 15:00
Social scientists have been working with the life sciences to understand the societal and ethical impact of innovation in biotech, genomics, and synthetic biology. The development of new commercial spaceports across the world has attracted headlines, especially in Europe. Social scientists can identify and analyze the societal aspects of spaceports.
NASA’s Juno to Get Close Look at Jupiter’s Volcanic Moon Io on Dec. 30
Juno will investigate the source of Io’s massive volcanic activity. The solar-powered spacecraft will also explore the ring system where some of the gas giant’s inner moons reside. The upcoming flyby of Io will be Juno’s 57th orbit around Jupiter.
NASA’s Agency Chief Technologist presents their first annual year-in-review for 2023
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-27 09:10
OTPS shares an annual letter from the Agency Chief Technologist (ACT) ACT updates on various studies in the technology domain within OTPS. Overviews of the center chief technologists, and vignettes of various technology projects. Read the full report, A Year in Review 2023 from NASA’s Agency Chief Technologist.