NASA awards SpaceX $1.15 billion contract for second Artemis lander mission
Original Publication Date: 2022-11-16 00:52
NASA awards SpaceX a $1.15 billion contract to develop a lunar lander. The contract includes a second crewed demonstration landing mission. NASA is currently soliciting proposals for the second Artemis lander. SpaceX is continuing preparations for a first orbital launch attempt of Starship.
Europe seeks greater autonomy and independence in space
Original Publication Date: 2022-11-15 19:11
European space officials are stressing a need for greater autonomy and sovereign capabilities. Gerldine Naja, the European Space Agency’s Director of Commercialization, Industry and Procurement, spoke at the Space Tech Expo Europe. “We have to focus on ensuring full European autonomy in space as well as investing more in commercial growth areas,” Naja said.
Spire Global reveals larger, new-gen 16U satellite bus
Original Publication Date: 2022-11-16 21:22
Spire Global has unveiled a new-generation satellite bus to meet demand for larger satellites. The 16U platform was announced at the Space Tech Expo Europe in Bremen, Germany. Spire will launch its first 16U satellites to orbit, carrying payloads for Canadian companies.
Apple bringing SOS via satellite services to Europe in December
Original Publication Date: 2022-11-16 20:25
Apple is extending its SOS via satellite service for iPhone 14 smartphones to parts of Europe. The expansion will enable users outside cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. Apple has $450 million plans to upgrade Globalstar’s network. Apple has also said the service will be free for two years.
On the NRO’s wish list: AI technologies to manage satellites and data
Original Publication Date: 2022-11-16 19:47
The NRO wants to use artificial intelligence to orchestrate the operation of imaging satellites. In-space analytics would allow the NRO to deliver critical intelligence to users on the ground. Scolese said the NRO also is looking at the use of machine learning to command satellites.
Rocket Factory Augsburg signs deal to test engines at DLR premises
Original Publication Date: 2022-11-16 16:57
Rocket Factory Augsburg signs deal to build and operate its own engine test stand. RFA announced the deal at the Space Tech Expo Europe in Bremen, Germany, Nov. 16. RFA has been conducting testing on the Helix engine for the RFA One launcher.
Artemis Launches Need to Set the World on Fire - SpaceNews
Original Publication Date: 2022-11-16 16:39
The first successful launch of NASA’s Space Launch System, the Artemis 1 mission, marks a key point in the ongoing narrative of human expansion into space. The most ambitious human projects are seldom captured with any accuracy or fidelity by the dry, sterile language of econometrics and program justifications alone.
NASASpaceFlight.com
OneWeb has resumed deployment of its satellite constellation with the launch of 36 satellites aboard India’s GSLV Mk.III rocket. The mission – which marks the first commercial launch for the GSLV – lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on Sunday, Oct. 23.
Commercial Archives
ABL Space Systems (ABL) is preparing to launch the debut flight of the RS1 launch vehicle. The three-hour launch window opens at 1:00 PM AKST (22:00 UTC) Onboard are two CubeSats built by OmniTeq, previously L2 Aerospace.
International Archives
China launched two rockets with six satellites to their respective orbits. The first launch was a Chang Zheng 4C (CZ-4C) with the Yaogan 34-03 (Yaogan-34C) government remote sensing satellite. It was followed by the Ceres-1 with five Jilin-1 Gaefen-03D remote sensing satellites from JSLC at Site 95.
ISS Updates – Spaceflight101 – International Space Station
A veteran NASA spacewalker and an EVA rookie from Japan ended their week with nearly six hours of work outside the International Space Station. The restoration of the Station’s Mobile Servicing System started last year and continued in January to provide Canadarm2 with a new pair of grappling hands.
Featured – Spaceflight101
SpaceX Falcon 9 takes to the skies over Florida’s Cape Canaveral Monday afternoon. The Falcon 9 is lifting a flight-proven Dragon spacecraft into orbit for a critical delivery of science gear, supplies and maintenance hardware to the International Space Station. It is the first of at least six cargo ships inbound to the U.S. Segment of ISS this year.
News – Spaceflight101
Europe's Copernicus satellite fleet is gearing up for the arrival of its next addition on Wednesday. A Russian Rockot booster is set to blast off from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome at 17:57 UTC with the Sentinel-3B multi-function satellite.
Re-Entry: Long March 11 Rocket Body – Spaceflight101
The CZ-11 fourth stage used leftover propellant for a partial de-orbit maneuver, lowering its perigee to 120 Kilometers. It is reportedly built around a YF-50 main engine and conducts the orbital circularization after the three CZ-11 stages finish their job.
NASA Study: Rising Sea Level Could Exceed Estimates for U.S. Coasts
Satellite measurements of sea surface height were compared with NOAA tide gauge records dating as far back as 1920. The researchers noted that the accelerating rate of sea level rise detected in satellite measurements from 1993 to 2020. The trends along the U.S. Southeast and Gulf coasts are substantially higher than for the Northeast and West coasts.
How NASA’s Deep Space Network Supports the Agency’s Missions
Deep Space Network (DSN) will support a constant flow of data with Artemis I’s uncrewed Orion capsule beyond low-Earth orbit after launch. To make sure the DSN can keep up with demand, it is undergoing a series of improvements to increase capacity.
5 Things to Know About How SWOT Will Look at the World’s Water
The Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite will launch on Dec. 12. SWOT will survey water on more than 90% of the planet’s surface. The satellite will measure the height of water in Earth’s freshwater bodies and the ocean. SWOT will help researchers track Earth’s water budget.
NASA to Brief Media on First Earth Water-Monitoring Satellite Mission
NASA will host a virtual media briefing to discuss the upcoming launch of the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite. The briefing will livestream on NASA Television, Facebook and YouTube, as well as the agency’s app and on its website. Questions can be asked on social media during the briefing using #AskNASA.
Satellites Help Scientists Track Dramatic Wetlands Loss in Louisiana
NASA-funded researchers quantified those wetlands losses at nearly 21 square miles (54 square kilometers) per year since the early 1980s. Some of those wetlands were submerged by rising seas; others were disrupted by oil and gas infrastructure and hurricanes. The primary driver of losses was coastal and river engineering.
As Psyche Mission Moves Forward, NASA Responds to Independent Review
NASA and Jet Propulsion Laboratory respond to independent review board's findings. The Psyche mission missed its planned 2022 launch opportunity. The review board found a significant factor in the delay was an imbalance between the workload and the available workforce at JPL. The board recommended increasing staffing, establishing open communications and an improved reporting system.
NASA to Discuss Psyche Independent Review Board Results
NASA will host a community town hall at 12 p.m. EDT (9 a.m. PDT) on Friday, Nov. 4. Members of the science community, academia, media, and public are invited to join the discussion online. To ask a question, please go to Psyche Townhall Questions. Following the town hall, NASA will host a media call.