Europe has just endured its second warmest winter on record. Much of southern and western Europe has been affected by substantial anomalies of soil moisture owing to this exceptionally dry and warm winter. Data from ESA’s Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity mission have been used to monitor the low levels of soil moisture across Europe.

The flag of Belgium flew proudly over ESA’s technical heart in the Netherlands as ESTEC was honoured with a visit by Thomas Dermine, Belgium’s State Secretary for Science Policy, Recovery Program and Strategic Investments, accompanied by new Belgian astronaut Raphaël Liégeois.

Image: Inflatable fuel tank offers extra space for space

Vienna VA (SPX) Mar 28, 2023
Spire Global, Inc. (NYSE: SPIR) has been awarded an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to compete for orders under a $59 million ceiling. The award is part of NOAA's Commercial Weather Data Program's Radio Occultation Data Buy II. The contract commenced on March 27, 2023 and will run until March 26, 2028. Sp

Washington DC (SPX) Mar 30, 2023
Delivering a unified and unambiguous message, the Department of the Air Force's highest-ranking civilian and military leaders told Congress March 28 that progress is being made modernizing the Air and Space Forces, but to fully succeed Congress must pass the budget on-time so critical "transformation" is not delayed. To properly modernize and transform both the Air Force and Space Force to

Covington LA (SPX) Mar 30, 2023
Globalstar, Inc. (NYSE American: GSAT) has entered into a purchase agreement with an affiliate of Varde Partners and others providing for the sale of $200 million in aggregate principal amount of 13% Senior Notes due 2029. This transaction is expected to close on or around March 31, 2023. The notes are non-convertible and therefore do not result in equity dilution. Goldman Sachs and Co. LLC acte

Paris (AFP) March 29, 2023
European satellite telecommunications provider SES said Wednesday it is exploring a possible merger with US rival Intelsat in what would be another tie-up in the sector as the race for space-based internet service heats up. "In response to rumours in the market, SES S.A. confirms that the company has engaged in discussions regarding a possible combination with Intelsat." The firm added t

Morgantown WV (SPX) Mar 31, 2023
Satellites and spacecraft are running on empty due to a worldwide shortage of traditional propulsion fuels. In response, two West Virginia University researchers are seeking alternative ways of powering the thrusters that keep satellites in orbit and could potentially drive deep space vessels. Earl Scime, Oleg D. Jefimenko professor of physics and astronomy, and Thomas Steinberger, researc

Beijing, China (SPX) Mar 31, 2023
On March 27, an article published in the international academic journal "Nature Earth Science" stated that Chinese and British scholars measured the water in the impact glass beads in the Chang'e-5 lunar samples, and found that the water content in the glass beads decreased from the edges taper off towards the center. The scientific research team speculates that this is because the hydrogen ions

Pasadena CA (JPL) Mar 31, 2023
Signs of spring are all around as most of us come on shift from various locations within the northern hemisphere today. We still have thick snow on the ground here in eastern Canada, but the sounds of melting snow and bird song are all around. Meanwhile on Mars, we may not be tiptoeing through the tulips, but we are certainly, very carefully, tiptoeing our way through the many loose blocks