2024 promises opportunities to study the solar corona
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-12 04:55
NASA will gather data on the sun’s corona from instruments mounted on satellites, aircraft and sounding rockets. Parker Solar Probe’s closest solar approach is set for Dec. 24, 2024. Additional data related to space weather is being gathered by the NASA Atmospheric Waves Experiment.
Startup raises $55 million for portable Starlink-dedicated data centers
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-11 23:18
One-year-old data networking startup Armada came out of stealth Dec. 11. Armada says its portable Galleon data centers would give off-the-grid sites real-time data processing. The technology would be geared to use SpaceX’s satellites for global connectivity.
China’s reusable rocket race heats up with new hop test
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-11 14:13
ISpace's Hyperbola-2Y methane-liquid oxygen reusable verification stage lifted off from a pad at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert. ISpace says it will attempt a test at sea next year after completing ground tests. Fellow Beijing-based competitor Landspace is also gearing up for its first hop test. The tests come years after Chinese commercial firms first announced plans to develop launchers with reusable first stages.
Space Force chief tempers expectations: ‘Go government fast, not SpaceX fast’
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-11 14:00
The U.S. Space Force has received numerous directives to transform the military's space capabilities. Lawmakers have pointed to delays and cost overruns plaguing legacy space programs. Gen. Chance Saltzman assumed command of the Space Force a year ago. He has since laid out an ambitious plan to boost U.S. Capabilities.
Helicity Space raises $5 million for fusion engine development
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-11 14:00
Helicity Space has raised $5 million in a seed funding round announced Dec. 11. The startup is developing fusion engines for spaceflight. Helicity attracted funding from Airbus Ventures, TRE Ventures, Voyager Space Holdings, E2MC Space, Urania Ventures and Gaingels.
Polaris Dawn rescheduled for April
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-11 12:08
Polaris Dawn has suffered delays of nearly a year and a half. Jared Isaacman, the billionaire backing the Polaris program, said the launch is now scheduled for April 2024. Conducting a spacewalk is one of the major goals of Polaris Dawn. The Crew Dragon will fly an orbit that will take it to altitudes of up to 1,400 kilometers.
UPDATE: Delay again as Falcon Heavy readies for U.S. Space Force’s X-37B launch – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-11 00:00
SpaceX has rescheduled a launch for Tuesday, December 12 at 8:14 p.m. ET. The Falcon Heavy was scheduled to launch the U.S. Space Force’s robotic X-37B space plane from Florida on Monday night. But about 30 minutes before the planned 8:24 p.m. EST (0124 GMT) liftoff time, SpaceX announced a scrub.
Millennium Space Systems completes missile track custody CDR ahead of schedule – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-12 00:00
Millennium Space Systems (MSS) has completed the space vehicle Critical Design Review (CDR) for its Epoch 1 space vehicles. This effort is part of the Missile Track Custody (MTC) prototype project, awarded by Space Systems Command (SSC) through the Space Enterprise Consortium (SpEC)
Momentus’ contract with student team CalgaryToSpace for 2025 orbital delivery services – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-11 00:00
Momentus Inc. Signed a contract with CalgaryToSpace (CTS) for transportation and orbital delivery services in 2025. CTS is the only student team in Calgary (Alberta, Canada) with the goal of building and operating a satellite in orbit. Momentus is contracted to fly CTS-SAT-1 – a scientific platform for two sophisticated payloads developed at the University of Calgary.
LeoLabs + Aalyria team together plus Aalyria receives ESA contract – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-11 00:00
LeoLabs has signed a partnership agreement with Aalyria. The firms will address space awareness challenges for complex communications networks that span land, sea, air, and space. LeoLabs will serve as a “source of truth” for Aalyria to model the locations of objects in LEO.
Momentus’ update of successful deployment of two satellites and investigation of three uncertains – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-11 00:00
Momentus Inc. Has an update on its latest mission that launched on the SpaceX Transporter-9 mission on November 11. On this mission, Momentus used a third-party deployer system to deliver payloads into orbit. Momentus has launched four missions to date, deployed 17 customer satellites, and provided hosted payload services.
NASA Sensor Produces First Global Maps of Surface Minerals in Arid Regions
EMIT data can enable researchers to pinpoint the sources of mineral dust and get a more detailed look at its composition. Dust originating in the Andes of South America, as well as in parts of northern and sub-Saharan Africa, provides nutrients for rainforest growth in the Amazon basin. EMIT data is being used to identify a range of other minerals, types of vegetation, snow and ice, and even human-produced substances.