House introduces NASA reauthorization act
Original Publication Date: 2024-07-10 04:38
The bill would formally authorize $25.225 billion in funding for NASA in fiscal year 2025. The key purpose of the bill is to address a wide range of NASA programs and policies. The bill signals its support for the Chandra X-ray Observatory amid concerns by astronomers.
Japanese venture seeks to develop commercial space station module
Original Publication Date: 2024-07-09 21:59
Mitsui & Co. Subsidiary seeks to develop module for commercial space stations. Japan LEO Shachu, Inc., is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsui & Co. The goal of the company is to “leverage Japan’s strengths in LEO’
Astroscale spacecraft continues inspection of upper stage
Original Publication Date: 2024-07-09 20:53
Astroscale spacecraft conducts "fly around" Maneuver to inspect Japanese upper stage. About one third of the way through the maneuver, ADRAS-J encountered an "unexpected attitude anomaly" The spacecraft moved away from the stage as designed to avoid any risk of a collision.
Space Force preparing for the age of proliferated low Earth orbit satellite networks
Original Publication Date: 2024-07-08 20:32
Pentagon plans to deploy hundreds of satellites in low Earth orbit for missile detection, tracking, and data transport. New constellation represents a paradigm shift in military space operations, official says. Space Force is used to operating single-digit numbers of missile-warning and communications satellites.
Pentagon greenlights $140 billion ICBM program despite cost overruns
Original Publication Date: 2024-07-08 20:03
The U.S. Department of Defense has decided to proceed with the $140 billion Sentinel program. The program aims to replace the aging Minuteman III ICBMs, which form the land-based leg of the U.S. Nuclear triad. Total program acquisition costs are now estimated at $140.9 billion.
Nine ventures join first SoCal-UK Space Accelerator
Original Publication Date: 2024-07-08 19:00
Mandala Space Ventures announces nine U.K. Startups participating in its accelerator program. The eight-week virtual course starts Sept. 3 and culminates with an in-person investor pitch day. SoCal-UK Space Accelerator is one of four accelerators the UK Space Agency announced in February.
Tres Bon! As ESA celebrates successful sendoff of Ariane 6 – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-07-09 00:00
Photo captured on Tuesday, July 9, by Satnews from ESA’s video stream. Despite a slight delay due to a small data issue the successful launch and subsequent separation created energy in the center as techicians, engineers and others cheered and clapped. ArianeGroup, a venture of Airbus and Safran, made Ariane 6 for the ESA.
China successfully launches new satellite group – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-07-10 00:00
China successfully launched the Tianhui 5-02 satellite group at 6:49 a.m. Friday from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in northern Shanxi Province. The satellite group was carried by a modified Long March-6 carrier rocket and has entered the planned orbits.
Russia wants 2,600 satellites in orbit by 2036. Is this realistic? – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-07-09 00:00
Russia wants to have 2,600 satellites in orbit by 2036, according to the head of the Roscosmos space agency. The government has agreed to approve 180 billion rubles (U.S. $2 billion) for 162 satellites. The country currently makes about 15 annually — despite an existing capacity to manufacture about 40 each year.
Forrester’s Digest: German army orders €2.1 billion Airbus satellites – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-07-09 00:00
The European Commission wants to build a new satellite constellation called IRIS2. A consortium (SpaceRise) has submitted its best and final bid to secure the contract to build the highly-secure system. However, Germany has not been keen on the proposal and has issued very public reservations about IRIS2.
SpaceX’s Wednesday sendoff of 20 Starlink small sats including 13 Direct to Cell – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-07-09 00:00
SpaceX is targeting Wednesday, July 10 for a Falcon 9 launch of 20 Starlink satellites, including 13 with Direct to Cell capabilities. Liftoff is targeted for 7:00 p.m. PT, with backup opportunities available until 11:00 p.M. PT. A live webcast of this mission will begin about 15 minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch here.
Happy Birthday, Meatball! NASA’s Iconic Logo Turns 65
Original Publication Date: 2024-07-08 12:27
NASA’s logo, known affectionately as “the meatball,” was developed at NASA’s Lewis Research Center in Cleveland. The red, white, and blue design became the official logo of the United States’ new space agency in 1959. The logo has launched on rockets, flown to the Moon and beyond, and even adorns the International Space Station.
From Polar Peaks to Celestial Heights: Christy Hansen’s Unique Path to Leading NASA’s Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development Program
Original Publication Date: 2024-07-09 09:19
Christy Hansen is deputy manager for NASA’s Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development Program. She brings 25 years of human spaceflight experience and a global perspective on Earth sciences to her role. Hansen leverages her vast expertise to advance NASA’s commercial space initiatives and support the agency’s long-term goals.
Launch Roundup: SpaceX flies more customer payloads and Ariane 6 debuts
Original Publication Date: 2024-07-08 19:51
Four SpaceX Falcon 9 missions and the long-delayed inaugural flight of Ariane 6 make up the roster for this week’s launch schedule. The four SpaceX missions will be split evenly between Starlink and two payloads for other customers. At least one of the SpaceX missions is likely to be affected by the severe weather currently being experienced on the east coast of the United States.