House committee debates space mining
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-13 03:53
House subcommittee takes up the topic of mining the moon and asteroids for the first time. Witnesses argue that space resource extraction could be essential for the future of the U.S. Democrats argue that the issue of space mining should instead be considered by the House Science Committee. The committee’s jurisdiction, as stated on its website, does mention “mining interests generally”
Can the private sector plug the weather data gap? Space Force to launch new study
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-13 01:20
The U.S. Space Force will launch a new market research study next year. The study will assess commercial weather services to fill some of the military's data needs. Move comes amid concerns that the military’s current reliance on a patchwork of sources is inadequate.
Australian space startup Quasar takes aim at U.S. defense market
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-13 00:03
Quasar Satellite Technologies is setting sights on the U.S. Defense and intelligence market. The company developed a portable digital phased array antenna. It can monitor the RF transmissions of dozens of satellites at a time. The technology is currently used by Australia’s military and intelligence agencies.
Cubesat offers template for future astronomy missions
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-12 22:11
The Colorado Ultraviolet Transit Experiment, known as CUTE, launched in September 2021. The six-unit cubesat is equipped with a telescope to funnel data to a spectrograph. Two additional NASA-funded, LASP-led missions have adopted similar mission and instrument designs.
Air New Zealand to trial Starlink in key year for LEO-enabled plane Wi-Fi
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-12 21:50
Air New Zealand will trial Starlink broadband on domestic flights in 2024. The agreement marks an important win for Starlink's aviation business. Rival LEO services from OneWeb are slated to launch commercially next year. OneWeb recently amassed enough satellites for its constellation to offer global coverage.
True Anomaly raises $100 million to expand investments in space security technologies
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-12 19:30
True Anomaly is producing small satellites for surveillance and reconnaissance of objects in space. The company in August unveiled a 35,000 square-foot facility in Centennial, Colorado. True Anomaly designed a spacecraft, called Jackal, for rendezvous and proximity operations. The company also offers training services for military satellite operators.
Blue Origin to resume New Shepard suborbital launches
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-12 19:23
Blue Origin says it will launch its New Shepard vehicle no earlier than Dec. 18. The mission, designated NS-24, would be the first for New Shepard since a mishap. A problem with the vehicle’s main engine triggered the crew capsule’s abort motor.
UPDATE: Yet another scrub for SpaceX Falcon Heavy’s launch of USSF-52 – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-12 00:00
SpaceX is now targeting no earlier than Wednesday, December 13 for Falcon Heavy to launch USSF-52. The extra time allows teams to complete system checkouts ahead of liftoff. The Falcon Heavy had been scheduled to launch the U.S. Space Force’s robotic X-37B space plane from Florida on Monday night.
Rocket Lab’s The Moon God Awakens launch set for December 15th – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-12 00:00
Rocket Lab will launch the TSUKUYOMI-I synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite for Japan-based Earth imaging company the Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc. (iQPS) The company is targeting no earlier than December 15, 2023, UTC, with a two hour, daily window. ‘The Moon God Awakens’ will be Rocket Lab’s 42nd Electron launch, overall.
Scrub for one SpaceX Starlink launch and another scheduled for tomorrow of more Starlinks – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-12 00:00
SpaceX is targeting Tuesday, December 12 for a Falcon 9 launch of 23 second-generation Starlink V2 Mini internet satellites to low-Earth orbit. Liftoff is targeted for 11:39 p.m. ET, with backup opportunities available until 2:58 a.m. ET on Wednesday, December 13. A live webcast of this mission will begin on X @SpaceX about five minutes prior to liftoff.
Ovzon 3 launch targeting no earlier than December 15, 2023 – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-12 00:00
Ovzon had previously indicated that the launch of the company’s Ovzon 3 satellite would occur as soon as December 2023. In coordination with launch provider SpaceX, the window has now been narrowed further with the liftoff now targeted for no earlier than December 15, 2023. The launch of spacecraft is, in general, dependent on good weather conditions and other circumstances that could alter the planned launch date, sometimes by several days.
SmallSat Symposium update: Two new keynotes – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-12 00:00
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AFRL’s Oracle systems family developing nation’s 1st cislunar SSA capabilities – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-12 00:00
The Air Force Research Laboratory’s Oracle spacecraft will collect observations of resident space objects in the region near the Moon and potentially beyond. These observations will be cataloged and used to maintain awareness in the regime. Military, civilian and contractor scientists and engineers will analyze the data over the next several years.
NASA’s Perseverance Rover Deciphers Ancient History of Martian Lake
NASA's Perseverance rover recently completed its exploration of the ancient river delta that holds evidence of a lake that filled Jezero Crater billions of years ago. The six-wheeled scientist has to date collected a total of 23 samples, revealing the geologic history of this region of Mars.