ABL loses rocket after static-fire test
Original Publication Date: 2024-07-23 09:09
ABL Space Systems says its RS1 rocket suffered "irrecoverable" Damage in a fire after a test firing. The company has kept a low profile in recent months as it prepared for the launch. The launch was to be the first since the inaugural RS1 launch in January 2023. That launch suffered a shutdown of all nine first-stage engines 10 seconds after liftoff.
NASA awards launch services contract for NOAA’s JPSS-4 mission – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-07-22 00:00
NOAA’s JPSS-4 mission currently is targeted to launch in 2027, on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. JPSS constellation of satellites collects global multi-spectral radiometry and other specialized meteorologic, oceanographic, and solar-geophysical data.
Astra closes the firm’s take-private transaction – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-07-23 00:00
Astra Space, Inc. (Nasdaq: ASTRA) has successfully closed the firm’s move to take the company to private ownership. Under the terms of the definitive agreement for the transaction (the “Merger Agreement”) that was previously announced on March 7, 2024, Apogee Parent, Inc. Will acquire all of the outstanding shares of the Company’s Class A common stock.
Aldoria continues to track the Russian Luch-2 satellite as it approaches telecom satellites – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-07-22 00:00
Aldoria is reporting that the Russian satellite, Luch-2, continues to closely approach telecommunication satellites in GEO at an altitude of 35,780 km. Aldoria had already detected suspicious behavior from Luch-2 in April and has been extremely vigilant in monitoring the satellite’s pattern of life since then.
UK Space Agency launches million£ grant to Orbit Fab – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-07-22 00:00
Orbit Fab has been awarded a £1.3 million Major Project grant under their National Space Innovation Program. The grant will fund the design of a high-pressure variant of the RAFTI™ (Rapidly Attachable Fuel Transfer Interface) refueling port, set to be available in 2025. Orbit Fab has secured additional contracts with the European Space Agency (ESA) and City University London.
SpaceX is ready to begin launches with a July 23 Starlink smallsat Group 10-4 launch – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-07-22 00:00
SpaceX is planning a July 23rd launch of a batch of satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) received a request from SpaceX on Monday (July 15) to continue launching Falcon 9 flights during the investigation following July 11 failure of the Starlink 9-3 mission.
25 Images to Celebrate NASA’s Chandra 25th Anniversary
Original Publication Date: 2024-07-22 14:06
Chandra X-ray Observatory launched into space on July 23, 1999. The space shuttle Columbia launched into orbit carrying Chandra, which was then the heaviest payload ever carried by the shuttle. The new set of images is a sample of almost 25,000 observations Chandra has taken during its quarter century in space.
Ground Antenna Trio to Give NASA’s Artemis Campaign ‘LEGS’ to Stand On
Original Publication Date: 2024-07-22 13:33
Lunar Exploration Ground Sites are planned for sites in New Mexico, South Africa, and Australia. The antennas represent critical infrastructure for NASA’s vision of supporting a sustained human presence at the Moon. LEGS will become part of NASA’s Near Space Network.
Curiosity discovers pure sulfur rocks, continues to explore Mount Sharp on Mars
Original Publication Date: 2024-07-21 22:16
NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover found yellow sulfur crystals in a rock. This is the first time these crystals have been spotted on Mars. Sulfur can only form in a very narrow set of conditions, which is why the team was shocked by the crystals. This also isn’t the only rock in this region like this — the team has since identified an entire field of similar rocks.