Ukrainian government criticizes Vega C investigation
Original Publication Date: 2023-03-07 01:17
The State Space Agency of Ukraine took issue with the findings of an investigation. The investigation into the failed Dec. 20 launch of the Vega C. It concluded that a component from a Ukrainian company was the blame. That caused a drop in pressure and loss of thrust in the second stage.
Investors in space startups see hurdles in defense market
Original Publication Date: 2023-03-06 22:16
SpaceX sued the Air Force to be allowed to compete for national security launches. The Space Force now plans to open up the next round of launch procurements to commercial players. Many emerging technologies from startups don't stand much of a chance to be part of a DoD program. A key obstacle for startups is that DoD procurements ask for “prescriptive solutions.
NASA shifts focus of suborbital crew program
Original Publication Date: 2023-03-06 13:21
NASA program originally intended to fly astronauts on commercial suborbital vehicles. That effort has evolved into a broader effort to enable flights by agency personnel. NASA is also supporting the ongoing investigation into the anomaly in Blue Origin’s most recent New Shepard flight last September. Neither Blue Origin nor Virgin Galactic require those on board to wear pressure suits.
Lonestar raises $5 million for lunar data centers
Original Publication Date: 2023-03-06 11:00
Lonestar Data Holdings raises $5 million in seed funding for its plan to establish lunar data centers. Scout Ventures led the round. Lonestar is preparing to send a proof-of-concept data center to the moon later this year. An early market for Lonestar will be disaster recovery as a service for terrestrial customers.
Japan’s flagship H3 rocket fails on first test flight
Original Publication Date: 2023-03-07 00:00
Japan's first H3 rocket fell back to Earth after its second stage engine failed to ignite. The rocket and a three-ton Earth observation spacecraft fell back to Earth. The rocket's two core stage engines ignited in the final seconds of the countdown. The rocket’s design builds on propulsion technology used on Japan’s earlier generation of H-2A and H-2B rockets.
The 1st 3D printed rocket ready for launch – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-03-06 00:00
Relativity Space is scheduled for the first launch of their Terran 1 rocket. The launch window opens at 1:00 p.m., ET, on March 8, 2023. This launch of Terran 1 is the first orbital attempt by Relativity and will not include a customer payload. As a two-stage, 110 ft. Tall, 7.5 ft. Wide, expendable rocket, Terran 1 is the largest 3D printed object to exist.
New ‘phase shifter’ technology will reduce signal loss in antenna systems – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-03-07 00:00
Researchers created a new type of high-performance ‘phase shifter’ using a liquid Gallium alloy. It varies the phase angle of microwave and millimeter-wave radio signals. The phase shifter is a key enabling technology for advanced phased array antennas. University of Birmingham Enterprise has filed a patent application.
SOMAP’s approval of QuadSAT measurement for ground antenna performance – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-03-06 00:00
QuadSAT ApS has received acceptance confirmation from SOMAP for its drone-based antenna verification system. QuadSAT’s unique testing solution provides a cost-effective, scalable and precise way to test antennas and satellite systems in operation anywhere in the world. The SOMAP (Satellite Operators Minimum Antenna Performance) Group was formed in 2013 by industry leading satellite operators.
Orbit Communication Systems introduces AirTRx family of multi-purpose airborne satellite terminals – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-03-06 00:00
Orbit Communication Systems Ltd. Has introduced their AirTRx system for continuous communication for regional jets. These systems are extremely compact and can be installed either on the tail of the aircraft or on the fuselage to provide exceptionally high-performance Wi-Fi communication during an entire flight. The AirTRx 30 has a 12” antenna and weighs less than 22 pounds; AirTRx 46 has a 18” antenna and weighing less than 32 pounds.
NASA’s Curiosity Views First ‘Sun Rays’ on Mars
NASA's Curiosity rover captured the first time sun rays have been so clearly viewed on Mars. It was captured during the rover’s newest twilight cloud survey. The clouds appear to be at a higher altitude, where it’s especially cold. That suggests these clouds are made of carbon dioxide ice, or dry ice.