Mars Sample Return cost growth threatens other science missions Original Publication Date: 2023-03-18 23:54 NASA requests $949.3 million for Mars Sample Return in fiscal year 2024. That's a 19% increase from the $800 million NASA projected last year for the program. The growing cost of Mars ...

SpaceX launches final two satellites in SES C-band clearing plan Original Publication Date: 2023-03-18 01:32 SES-18 and SES-19 are in geosynchronous transfer orbit. SES needs to claim C-band spectrum clearing proceeds worth nearly $4 billion in total. SES-18 is set to replace the operator’s ...

Electron launches two Capella Space radar satellites Original Publication Date: 2023-03-16 23:46 Rocket Lab launches second Electron rocket from Virginia March 16. Rocket Lab expects to conduct up to 15 Electron launches this year. Rocket Lab is working on the larger Neutron rocket, slated to ...

Satellite executives spar over direct-to-device evolution Original Publication Date: 2023-03-14 02:12 Executives are divided over how quickly this market could grow. Regulatory challenges, potential spectrum interference, customer demand are big question marks. Iridium recently announced a ...

Managing the complexity of the world’s largest satellite navigation system Original Publication Date: 2023-03-13 04:00 Spaceopal is a joint venture between Telespazio and DLR-GfR. Founded in 2010, it is the prime contractor for the operational services of the European Satellite Navigation ...

Crew-5 mission ends with Florida splashdown Original Publication Date: 2023-03-12 02:18 SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft splashed down off Florida coast March 11. The splashdown marked the end of the 157-day Crew-5 mission. The next Crew Dragon mission is scheduled to launch March 14. The next ...

Canadian military orders space surveillance micro satellite Original Publication Date: 2023-03-10 23:24 Canada's Department of National Defence is moving ahead with a new microsatellite project. The Redwing satellite will monitor objects in congested orbits. It will be able to record and ...

China is developing a quantum communications satellite network Original Publication Date: 2023-03-10 10:11 Chinese research institutes are working to construct a quantum communications network. Network would use elements of quantum mechanics for encryption and secure transmission of ...

Relativity Space scrubs first launch attempt Original Publication Date: 2023-03-08 00:00 Relativity Space’s first launch countdown aborted about a minute before liftoff. The startup aerospace company plans to try again Saturday. The Terran 1 rocket could become the first methane-fueled launcher ...

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 ...