U.S. Army extends Maxar’s contract for 3D geospatial data
Original Publication Date: 2023-02-27 21:09
Maxar awarded Phase 3b of the U.S. Army’s One World Terrain contract. The three phases of the One World Terrain prototype project are worth $94.7 million. Maxar’s 3D digital twin of the Earth is used to develop highly accurate training environments.
Heliophysics director named NASA associate administrator for science
Original Publication Date: 2023-02-27 20:28
NASA has selected Nicola Fox as the new associate administrator for science. Fox had been director of the Science Mission Directorate’s heliophysics division. She was previously chief scientist for heliophysics at the Applied Physics Laboratory. Fox is the second woman to hold that position after former astronaut Mary Cleave.
Air Force navigation satellite to launch on Vulcan’s first national security mission
Original Publication Date: 2023-02-27 19:46
USSF-106 will carry the Navigation Technology Satellite-3 (NTS-3) NTS-3 will broadcast positioning, navigation and timing signals from geostationary Earth orbit. Vulcan is years behind schedule due to delays in the development and qualification of the Blue Origin BE-4 engines.
Mitsubishi makes strategic investment in Astroscale’s $76 million funding round
Original Publication Date: 2023-02-27 19:43
Astroscale has raised $76 million from investors including satellite maker Mitsubishi Electric. Astroscale has now raised more than $376 million since it was founded a decade ago. The venture is aiming to make on-orbit servicing routine by 2030. Other new investors included billionaire Yusaku Maezawa, the first private Japanese citizen to visit the International Space Station.
Technical issue scrubs SpaceX commercial crew launch
Original Publication Date: 2023-02-27 12:31
SpaceX's Crew-6 mission was to launch at 1:45 a.m. Eastern Feb. 27. A rocket ignition system problem halted the launch two minutes before liftoff. A backup launch opportunity exists Feb. 28, but weather is not expected to be good. Crew-6 is the ninth such mission for SpaceX.
China unveils lunar lander to put astronauts on the moon
Original Publication Date: 2023-02-27 11:44
China has revealed a concept for a lunar lander it hopes will put astronauts on the moon around the end of the decade. The lander is part of a plan to take two astronauts to the lunar surface by around 2030. China is already working on a new-generation crew launch vehicle.
Startup developing sea-based launch pads
Original Publication Date: 2023-02-26 23:23
The Spaceport Company is planning to demonstrate a sea-based launch platform. The company will conduct four sounding rocket launches from a modified ship in the Gulf of Mexico. The advantage of The Spaceport Company’s concept is that it doesn’t rely on any fixed infrastructure on land.