Boulder CO (SPX) May 25, 2023
China's newest hypersonic missile, the DF-27, can fly as far as Hawaii, penetrate U.S. missile defenses and pose a particular threat to U.S. aircraft carriers, according to news reports of an assessment from the Pentagon. Chinese researchers claimed in a May 2023 research journal report that the country's hypersonic missiles could destroy a U.S. carrier group "with certainty." This capabil

Cleveland OH (SPX) May 25, 2023
NASA has made significant progress toward its goal of creating a more fuel-efficient jet engine core for next-generation sustainable commercial aircraft. In just a year and a half since it began, the Hybrid Thermally Efficient Core (HyTEC) project already is moving forward into the advanced testing required before conducting an engine core demonstration with industry partners. "The first s

Arlington TX (SPX) May 25, 2023
Today, large commercial jets fly around 580 mph. The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird introduced in 1966 is the fastest supersonic jet vehicle in the world, reaching speeds of more than 2,200 mph, nearly four times faster than a commercial jet. The fastest rocket-powered hypersonic vehicle developed in the late 1960s carrying a human has been the North American X-15, reaching a top speed of 4,520

Washington (AFP) May 26, 2023
Neuralink, Elon Musk's brain-implant company, has won US approval to test on humans. Here is what to know about the multi-billionaire's dream project to enable the human brain to communicate directly with computers. - Cyborg future? - Neuralink is a neurotechnology company co-founded by Musk along with a team of scientists and engineers in 2016 to build direct communication channels betw

London, UK (SPX) May 26, 2023
Every major industry across Australia and New Zealand, from transport and construction to resources and agriculture, will gain positioning and navigation benefits from the Southern Positioning Augmentation Network's (SouthPAN) new satellite service. With the signing of a contract with Inmarsat Australia for the new service on one of Inmarsat's three new I-8 satellites, SouthPAN partners Ge

Huntsville AL (SPX) May 26, 2023
Technicians at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, have completed applying thermal protection system material to the launch vehicle stage adapter (LVSA) of NASA's SLS (Space Launch System) rocket for Artemis III, which will land astronauts on the Moon to advance long-term lunar exploration and scientific discovery and inspire the Artemis Generation. The LVSA is a cone-sha

Toulouse, France (SPX) May 26, 2023
The Airbus-built Arabsat Badr-8 telecommunications satellite has been successfully launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Based on Airbus' latest geostationary Eurostar Neo satellite, Badr-8 will provide connectivity for users across Europe, Middle East, Africa, and central Asia. The spacecraft is also equipped with a world first, Airbus' innovative space demonstrator TELEO to provide spac

Washington DC (SPX) May 26, 2023
NASA is seeking industry proposals for a next-generation LTV (Lunar Terrain Vehicle) that will allow astronauts to go farther and conduct more science than ever before as they explore the south polar region of the Moon during Artemis missions. Artemis astronauts will drive to explore and sample more of the lunar surface using the LTV than they could on foot. NASA will contract LTV as a ser

Kennedy Space Center FL (SPX) May 26, 2023
NASA and Boeing completed a joint Crew Flight Test checkpoint review May 25 ahead of the first flight of Starliner with astronauts to the International Space Station. During the checkpoint, mission teams reviewed open work ahead of launch planned no earlier than July 21, including emerging issues that need a path to closure prior to a decision to fuel the spacecraft in June. "We are taking

Mojave CA (SPX) May 26, 2023
Stratolaunch has received approval from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware to acquire Virgin Orbit's modified Boeing 747 and its related parts and equipment, marking an expansion of Stratolaunch's air-launch fleet. The acquisition is expected to close by July 31, 2023. Stratolaunch is a technology accelerator that enables reusable and routine hypersonic testing through