Chang’e-6: Moon samples collected and launched into lunar orbit
Original Publication Date: 2024-06-04 07:57
China's Chang’e-6 mission ascent vehicle lifted off from atop the mission lander in Apollo crater at 7:38 p.m. Eastern June 3. The ascent vehicle lifted off and achieved autonomous positioning and attitude determination with the assistance of the Queqiao-2 relay satellite. The ascent vehicle is expected to rendezvous and dock with the mission’s service module in the next couple of days.
ULA’s new launch date of Boeing Starliner for NASA mission – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-06-03 00:00
NASA, Boeing set for June 5 Crew Flight Test launch attempt. Teams at NASA and Boeing confirmed Monday the company’s Starliner spacecraft, ULA (United Launch Alliance) Atlas V rocket, and ground support equipment are healthy and ready for the next launch attempt. The first Starliner flight with NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, known as NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test, is targeted to liftoff at 10:52 a.m. EDT Wednesday, June 5.
Airbus delivers 1st Sentinel-5 instrument for satellite integration – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-06-03 00:00
Sentinel-5 is a high-resolution imaging spectrometer system that will analyze the light reflected by Earth’s atmosphere. It will measure from LEO with unprecedented accuracy the atmospheric concentrations of ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, formaldehyde, glyoxal, carbon monoxide, methane and aerosols. Data obtained with Sentinel-5 will support operational climate monitoring and environmental decision-making authorities.
Neutron Star Systems + RFA sign agreement for demo mission – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-06-03 00:00
Neutron Star Systems UG and Rocket Factory Augsburg AG (RFA) have jointly signed an agreement for launching a demonstrator mission into LEO. RFA will launch Neutron Star Systems demonstrator mission in Q3 2023 on the RFA ONE launch system.
Silicon Sensing’s first U.S. office and returning employee is new head of sales – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-06-03 00:00
Silicon Sensing is to open its first U.S. Office, with a dedicated in-country team lead by the new head of sales – Americas, Kevin Swain. This new facility will help ensure the company efficiently supports the growing demand for their rugged, high performance inertial products across North and South America.
West Virginia University’s West Virginia Small Satellite Center Team awarded nanosat grant – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-06-03 00:00
The West Virginia Small Satellite Center (WVSSC) at West Virginia University (WVU) is among eight teams selected to work with NASA’s CubeSat Launch Initiative (CSLI) and the U.S. Military as part of the 2024 Mission Concept University Nanosat Program. The WVSSC team’s winning effort, “Advancing WVU Space,” will expand the application of the NASA Operational Simulator for Small Satellites.
June’s Night Sky Notes: Constant Companions: Circumpolar Constellations, Part III
Bode’s Galaxy is a classic spiral shape, similar to our own Milky Way galaxy and our neighbor, Andromeda. The Cigar Galaxy, however, is known as a starburst galaxy type, known to have a high star formation rate and incredible shapes. This image composite from 2006 combines the power of three great observatories: the Hubble Space Telescope imaged hydrogen in orange, and visible light in yellow green.
Magellan data unveils ongoing volcanic activity on the surface of Venus
Original Publication Date: 2024-06-02 19:35
NASA launched its Magellan mission to Venus in 1989 to map the entire surface of the planet. In 2023, Magellan data revealed what appeared to be an active volcano on the Venusian surface. Now, new data analysis has revealed two more volcanoes that were actively erupting on the surface in the 1990s when Magellan was active around Venus. This is only the second time that direct geological evidence for ongoing volcanic activity on Venus’ surface has been discovered.