No major issues found with Artemis 1 mission
Original Publication Date: 2023-03-08 04:58
Artemis 1 mission found only minor issues that can be addressed ahead of Artemis 2. The biggest issue, and one not previously disclosed, was with the heat shield on the Orion crew capsule. Engineers are just beginning detailed analysis of the heat shield to determine why it behaved differently. Some work after the Dec. 11 splashdown took place ahead of schedule.
Rocket Lab ‘very happy’ with Space Force plan to procure launch services
Original Publication Date: 2023-03-07 19:57
Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck says he's "very happy with the outcome" Of the draft solicitation. The draft solicitation is for the next round of national security space launch contracts. Lane 1 is for lower-end launch missions, and Lane 2 is for most demanding heavy-lift launches. Beck expects Rocket Lab to compete against new players like Relativity Space.
Florida’s Space Economy: The Future is Now
Original Publication Date: 2023-03-07 18:59
Florida Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez chairs the Space Florida Board of Directors. She says the foundation for a global aerospace economy was born in Florida. Space Florida projects are responsible for nearly 20% of Florida’s estimated aerospace workforce, she says.
Boeing’s ground system for U.S. satellite communications passes key test
Original Publication Date: 2023-03-07 14:34
Boeing completed a demonstration of a U.S. Military ground system. The Protected Tactical Enterprise Service is designed to protect satellite communications. The company developed the PTES under a $383 million U.S. Air Force contract. The U.S. Space Force initially plans to deploy the PTES as the ground system.
Antenna verification framework now accepting drone measurements
Original Publication Date: 2023-03-07 14:13
Danish drone venture Quadsat says it is now compliant with SOMAP. SOMAP is an antenna verification framework used by geostationary satellite operators. Quadsat’s pseudo-satellites have been used to test OneWeb’s low Earth orbit network.
JPL making progress on Psyche independent review recommendations
Original Publication Date: 2023-03-07 13:03
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory is making progress addressing problems that led to Psyche delay. Independent review found "broader institutional issues" At JPL linked to heavy workload. Among those issues was a shift to remote or hybrid work during the pandemic. Another issue has been hiring and retention.
Japan’s H3 rocket launch fails after second stage malfunction
Original Publication Date: 2023-03-07 11:45
Japan's new H3 rocket destroyed on its March 7 inaugural flight. The vehicle's second-stage engine failed to ignite. This marked a major setback for the nation's efforts to develop a more capable rocket. H3 was co-developed by JAXA and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries at a cost of 200 billion yen.
Relativity Space ready to launch first 3D-printed, methane-fueled orbital rocket
Original Publication Date: 2023-03-08 00:00
Relativity Space will try to launch the first 3D-printed, methane-fueled rocket into orbit Wednesday. The two-stage rocket, called the Terran 1, will lift off from Launch Complex 16 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The mission is a demonstration for Relativity’s Terran 1, a 110-foot-tall (33.5-meter) launcher designed to haul more than a ton of cargo.
Space Launch Delta implements launch pad allocation strategy – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-03-08 00:00
Space Launch Delta (SLD) 45 will allocate several launch pads at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Offering excess launch property to CLSPs fosters development of new launch space systems. Additional rounds of allocation for medium, heavy and super heavy launch vehicles may occur in the future.
Rocket Lab’s launch window for the 2nd Electron mission from Virginia announced – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-03-07 00:00
Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) has scheduled their next Electron launch from Virginia during a launch window that opens on March 11, 2023, ET. The “Stronger Together” mission is scheduled to launch from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 (LC-2) on Wallops Island, Virginia, for Capella Space, a provider of commercial Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery.
Navarino + Cobham Satcom enhance strategic partnership – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-03-07 00:00
Navarino and Cobham Satcom have extended their strategic partnership based on integration of next generation SAILOR XTR antennas with Navarino’s global connectivity services. Navarino offers a full portfolio of Ku-band solutions leveraging networks from Intelsat and SES.
Stoke Space allocated historic launch complex at Cape Canaveral SFS – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-03-07 00:00
Stoke Space, building an efficient and rapidly reusable rocket, has been allocated Launch Complex 14 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. On February 20, 1962, John Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth when he launched from site 14. Stoke Space is on a mission to sustainably scale the space economy using 100% reusable rockets designed to fly daily.
Gilat’s SkyEdge IV platform selected by Hispasat for Amazonas Nexus expanding their strategic partnership – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-03-07 00:00
Hispasat, a global satellite operator based in Spain, selected Gilat’s SkyEdge IV platform for operation with its highly flexible and efficient Amazonas Nexus satellite. Hispasat’s Amazonas Nexus high throughput satellite features a cutting-edge Digital Transparent Processor (DTP) that allows it to increase its geographic coverage and capacity flexibility. The satellite will cover all of the Americas, Greenland, and the North and South Atlantic corridors.
NASA Space Mission Takes Stock of Carbon Dioxide Emissions by Countries
Study offers a complex picture of carbon moving through Earth’s land, ocean, and atmosphere. Unmanaged ecosystems like some tropical and boreal forests can sequester carbon from the atmosphere, thus reducing potential global warming. Looking forward, the researchers said their pilot project can be further refined to understand how emissions from individual nations are changing.