China launches first satellites for Thousand Sails megaconstellation
Original Publication Date: 2024-08-06 09:52
China launches first batch of 18 satellites for the Thousand Sails communications megaconstellation. Long March 6A rocket lifted off from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, north China. The completed network will consist of more than 14,000 low Earth orbit broadband multimedia satellites. The launch was China’s 35th orbital launch of 2024.
NASA budget pressures create opportunities for smallsats
Original Publication Date: 2024-08-06 09:39
NASA officials say smallsats have become a key part of the overall portfolio. Smallsats have become widely accepted in fields such as Earth science, heliophysics. NASA is facing budget pressures as it grapples with reductions of about $1 billion. One near-term milestone involves a smallsat launched earlier this year.
Benchmark adds Starlight thruster to partner network
Original Publication Date: 2024-08-06 03:08
Benchmark Space Systems announces partnership with startup Starlight Engines. Hybrid propulsion system is designed for high-endurance or high-specific-impulse missions. The kick stage needs hybrid technology because chemical propulsion alone does not offer enough range. Benchmark can fit hybrid system in space previously reserved for electric propulsion alone.
Aerospace CEO lauds smallsat innovation and risk-taking
Original Publication Date: 2024-08-05 21:51
Aerospace Corp. CEO Steve Isakowitz spoke at the Small Satellite Conference. Isakowitz lauded the smallsat community for its commitment to innovation. He cautioned that cubesats and boxy small satellites could one day be replaced. A new generation of launch vehicles could reduce the cost of space access.
SmallSat Conference relocates to Salt Lake City in 2025
Original Publication Date: 2024-08-05 21:35
Small Satellite Conference will move to Salt Lake City in August 2025. The 38th annual conference will be held at Calvin L. Rampton Salt Palace Convention Center. Logan, Utah, has struggled in recent years to provide adequate lodging for increasing number of attendees. The Salt Lake City venue offers more space for technical sessions, exhibits, side meetings, and meals.
Voyager Space to maintain subcontractor role in Lockheed Martin’s missile program
Original Publication Date: 2024-08-05 19:40
Voyager Space will continue its role as a subcontractor to Lockheed Martin. It will provide a solid propulsion roll control system for the Next Generation Interceptor. This follows a $94 million contract awarded to Valley Tech Systems in December 2021. The NGI is intended to protect the United States from intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Space Force explores ‘small GEO’ options for resilient communications
Original Publication Date: 2024-08-05 19:00
The U.S. Space Force is zooming in on a new class of ‘small GEO’ satellites that have entered the market. Small GEO satellites promise geostationary capabilities at reduced costs and faster development cycles than traditional multi-ton geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) satellites. The Space Force is preparing to unveil details of a satellite services procurement.
NASA seeking student missions to send to space — new CubeSat Launch Initiative opened… – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-08-05 00:00
NASA is looking for CubeSat developers to build spacecrafts that will fly on upcoming launches. Applicants must submit proposals by 5:00 p.m. EST, November 15. NASA expects to make selections by March 14, 2025, for flight opportunities in 2026-2029.
USSF approves Orbit Fab’s RAFTI as accepted refueling interface for military satellites – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-08-06 00:00
Orbit Fab’s RAFTI™ (Rapidly Attachable Fluid Transfer Interface) refueling port has been designated by the U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC) The Space Force Tetra-5 program satellites are set to be among the first to use RAFTI refueling ports during a first-of-its-kind refueling operations.
SATLANTIS set to launch 2 smallsats under the GARAI Project in partnership with OHB Sweden – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-08-06 00:00
SATLANTIS is set to launch its latest project, together with OHB Sweden — the GARAI Mission. SATLANTIS is finalizing two micro satellites under the project name GARAI, in partnership with OHB Sweden, with the first launch scheduled for Q4 2024. Each satellite will combine high-resolution optical channels with advanced imaging technologies.
General Atomics awarded USSF contract For Phase 1 of the Enterprise Space Terminal program – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-08-06 00:00
General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) has revealed that the U.S. Space Force’s (USSF), Space Systems Command (SSC) has awarded the company Phase 1 of the Enterprise Space Terminal (EST) program. The EST program will increase the mission effectiveness of future Department of Defense (DoD) platforms by providing a mesh laser communication network.
FCC approves AST SpaceMobile’s 1st commercial satellite launch – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-08-06 00:00
AST SpaceMobile, Inc. Has announced that the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted an initial license for space-based operations in the United States. With this initial license, AST SpaceMobile is now authorized to launch and operate V, S and UHF frequencies. The company has agreements with more than 45 mobile network operators globally, which have more than 2.8 billion existing subscribers total.
Station Science Top News: August 2, 2024
Original Publication Date: 2024-08-05 14:34
Microgravity does not significantly alter fundamental biochemical pathways in kidney cells, including metabolism of vitamin D. Kidney Cells examined the effects of microgravity and other factors of space travel on kidney health. Findings could help researchers develop strategies to protect crew health on future missions and improve treatment of kidney-related diseases on Earth.
AstroViz: Iconic Pillars of Creation Star in NASA’s New 3D Visualization
NASA’s Universe of Learning recently released a new 3D visualization of the towering clouds of cosmic dust and gas at the center of the star-forming region known as M16, or the Eagle Nebula. This video, which uses data from NASA’s Hubble, James Webb, and Spitzer space telescopes, is the most comprehensive and detailed multiwavelength movie yet of these star-birthing “Pillars of Creation.
Amendment 38: A.43 Earth Action: Health and Air Quality Due Date Delay.
A.43 Earth Action: Health and Air Quality (HAQ) seeks results-oriented projects focused on the integration of Earth observations into decision making activities related to health and air quality. The objectives of a proposed project must be to develop and prove the potential enhancements of an application of specific Earth observations to one or more decision-making activity.
Using data from DART’s impact, scientists investigate characteristics of Dimorphos and Didymos
Original Publication Date: 2024-08-04 21:41
In September 2022, NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission successfully slammed into the side of asteroid moonlet Dimorphos. Initial data from the event indicated that DART had successfully altered the orbit of Dimorphos. DART’s science team explored the geology of Dimorphos and its parent asteroid, Didymos, to characterize the origins of the asteroids and their binary system.