Forrester’s Digest: O3b satellites suffer launch delays – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-12-16 00:00
Two satellites owned by SES of Luxembourg have had their launch by SpaceX much delayed because of bad weather at Cape Canaveral. SES has stated that such weather delays are common, with launch dates typically being more of an estimated timeframe rather than a fixed schedule. Reports from the Cape suggests that the Florida weather is easing and there’s talk of a December 17th launch date.
SpaceX launches the National Security’s Rapid Response Trailblazer-1 on a special mission – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-12-16 00:00
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket lifted the Rapid Response Trailblazer-1 (RRT-1) from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, on a mission for a U.S. National security space detail. The launch also demonstrates military capabilities to condense a typical two-year mission planning cycle to less than six months. The military Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite is in a medium orbit approximately 12,000 miles above Earth.
Lunar Outpost Oceania co-leads Australia’s historic 1st lunar rover mission – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-12-16 00:00
The Australian Government is funding the development of Roo-ver through the Australian Space Agency. Lunar Outpost Oceania has played a pivotal role in advancing Australia’s space robotics capabilities. With this Roo-ver mission, Australia is not just sending its first rover to the Moon — it is defining its role as a leader in the international space community.
Telia first with 5G across Norway – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-12-16 00:00
Telia’s 5G network now covers close to 99 per cent of the population. 1.6 million 5G mobile devices are already connected to Telia’s network in Norway. In the Arctic city of Tromsø, the combination of 5G and 4G has boosted average download speeds by 375 per cent.
Station Science Top News: Dec. 13, 2024
Original Publication Date: 2024-12-16 16:12
Microgravity is key to this research because it eliminates influences of gravity during solidification. Microgravity also makes it possible to observe effects that are too fast and too small to be measured under normal gravity conditions. Results could improve ground-based development of lightweight, high-performance structural materials for space and ground applications.
NASA Mars Orbiter Spots Retired InSight Lander to Study Dust Movement
NASA retired InSight in December 2022, after the lander ran out of power and stopped communicating with Earth. Engineers continued listening for radio signals from the lander in case wind cleared enough dust from the spacecraft’s solar panels for its batteries to recharge. Having detected no changes over the past two years, NASA will stop listening for InSight at the end of this year.
BepiColombo’s fifth flyby of Mercury reveals planet’s surface in mid-infrared light
Original Publication Date: 2024-12-15 22:26
BepiColombo is only the third mission to visit the smallest planet in our solar system, making Mercury the least-explored rocky planet in the solar system. The spacecraft measured particles and electromagnetic fields while in the planet’s vicinity and, for the first time, imaged the cratered surface in mid-infrared wavelengths.