Environmental groups sue FAA over Starship launch license
Original Publication Date: 2023-05-01 22:11
The lawsuit seeks to revoke the FAA’s launch license for Starship launches from Boca Chica. It says an environmental review done as part of that process violated the National Environmental Policy Act. The FAA and its acting administrator, Billy Nolen, are listed as defendants.
The next space race starts at our spaceports
Original Publication Date: 2023-05-01 20:10
Cape Canaveral has run out of physical space to accommodate the demand for dedicated facilities by launch providers. To capture the value that commercial launch promises, will require billions of dollars in investment. Cape Canaveral may be an ideal location for Launch Complex “X” (LC-X)
Lawmakers raise concerns about new plan to procure national security launch services
Original Publication Date: 2023-05-01 18:37
House Armed Services Committee questions Defense Department's launch strategy. Space Force in February released a draft solicitation for NSSL Phase 3 launch contracts. The procurement was divided into two tracks: Lane 1 and Lane 2. Lane 2 would select two launch providers that fly medium and heavy rockets.
ESA troubleshooting JUICE radar antenna
Original Publication Date: 2023-05-01 11:14
A radar antenna on a European mission to Jupiter has yet to fully deploy after launch. Engineers suspect that a pin in the antenna is stuck, keeping the antenna stowed. The European Space Agency is considering other measures to deploy the antenna. JUICE is designed to probe into the icy surfaces of Jupiter’s moons.
Mission Microwave Ka-Band BUCs to be offered on SES O3b mPOWER User Terminals – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-05-02 00:00
SES has selected Mission Microwave's 40 watt, Ka-band BUC for use in high throughput customer user terminals for SES’s second generation MEO system. The O3b mPOWER system can deliver connectivity services ranging from tens of megabits to multiple gigabits per second. Mission brings revolutionary design for RF (Radio Frequency) and microwave electronics, using the latest in semiconductor technology.
Synspective + Thaicom bringing advanced satellite data + monitoring to Southeast Asia – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-05-02 00:00
Synspective Inc. And Thaicom will supply a joint solution to government, defense, agriculture, and finance sectors in Thailand. The collaboration will combine Synspective’s expertise in SAR technology and Thaicom’s knowledge in the satellite and space technology in Thailand.
MDA’s appointment of VP of Satellite Systems – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-05-02 00:00
Luigi Pozzebon appointed Vice President of Satellite Systems. Mr. Pozzebon stepped into the role in an acting capacity earlier this year. MDA’s state-of-the art satellite manufacturing facilities in Montreal are home to more than 1,000 highly skilled engineering, technical and business staff.
Ariane Group + Eutelsat + Magellium to improve French SSA capabilities – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-05-01 00:00
A consortium led by ArianeGroup, in association with Eutelsat and Magellium, has been awarded a contract by CNES under the France 2030 investment plan. The consortium will provide CNES with a Space Situational Awareness (SSA) data service through the deployment of multi-orbital optical sensors.
On the Edge: NASA’s Last S-MODE Mission Studies the Ocean’s Surface
Models suggest that those eddies could have a net effect on air-sea exchange that is larger than the heating from the greenhouse effect. S-MODE is among the first NASA missions to test this conclusion with observations. The project is a team effort, with contributions from various NASA centers.