Pasadena CA (JPL) Mar 21, 2023
Our Tapo Caparo drill campaign is officially concluded and our wheels are turning again! Specifically, we're back on the strategically-created route up Aeolis Mons (aka Mount Sharp), "paving" the path as we go. As a personal habit, when we leave a distinct area I like to look back at the road behind and all we've accomplished along the way. So, a quick sentimental summary... we drove our wheels

Pasadena CA (JPL) Mar 21, 2023
With a jam packed three-sol plan on her plate, Curiosity won't have time to kick back and relax this weekend! The rover is heading south across the Marker Band and is currently sitting in front of a lovely view that includes a contact between two types of bedrock. The lower section of bedrock consists of very thin, horizontal layers, as though you were looking at the edge of a thick stack

New Orleans LA (SPX) Mar 21, 2023
Teams at NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans have fully integrated all five major structures of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket's core stage for Artemis II, the first crewed Artemis mission that will send four astronauts around the Moon and return them home. Technicians joined the engine section to the rest of the rocket stage March 17. Next, teams will integrate the four RS-25

Beijing (XNA) Mar 21, 2023
China's Long March 11 carrier rocket has successfully carried out 16 consecutive launches as of Wednesday, according to its developer. A Long March 11 rocket on Wednesday evening sent the Shiyan 19 satellite into space, marking the rocket's 16th successful launch since it was put into service in 2015, according to the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology under the China Aerospace Sci

Beijing (XNA) Mar 21, 2023
Scientists have proposed several objectives for a future international lunar research station, including moon-based Earth observation and lunar resource utilization, the China Science Daily reported on Friday. Zou Yongliao, head of the lunar and deep space exploration division of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, revealed the goals at a recent national space conference. China plans to

Tartu, Estonia (SPX) Mar 21, 2023
Researchers and students of the Tartu Observatory at the University of Tartu started the development of Estonia's first lunar rover, designed to take Estonian technology to the Moon at the end of this decade or the beginning of the next. The first step is a feasibility study to determine which lunar rover can be built in Estonia and realistically delivered to the surface of the Moon. It will als

Adelaide, Australia (SPX) Mar 20, 2023
Minister for Industry and Science, the Hon Ed Husic MP, along with dignitaries from the Australian Space Agency and NASA announced the EPE and Lunar Outpost Oceania Consortium as one of two successful groups to receive Stage 1 grant funding from the Australian Government's Moon to Mars Trailblazer Initiative. The project received grant funding from the Australian Government through the Australia

Burlington VT (SPX) Mar 21, 2023
Laser focused on delivering mobility without compromise, Benchmark Space Systems has signed contracts for nearly two dozen new electric metal plasma thrusters (MPTs), with some set to play a key role in upcoming, unnamed in-space servicing, assembly and manufacturing (ISAM) satellite docking demonstration missions. The bulk of Benchmark's first MPT orders will be delivered this year, signa

Adelaide, Australia (SPX) Mar 21, 2023
Neumann Space, a technology leader of in-space electric propulsion, has successfully completed integrating its world leading propulsion system called the Neumann Drive onto Skykraft's Australian designed and manufactured satellite. This marks the first time the Neumann Drive, whose unique propulsion technology uses solid metallic propellant, has been integrated onto a satellite. The satell

Tokyo, Japan (SPX) Mar 21, 2023
Pale Blue succeeded in operating the water vapor propulsion system (resistojet) in low earth orbit. Pale Blue's propulsion system was installed on "EYE," a nano-satellite for STAR SPHERE Project, and tested for the first time in space. Going forward, the company will innovate and expand the commercial use of its water-based propulsion systems for small satellites. Pale Blue's water-based p