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Copernical Team
USSPACECOM Deputy Commander discusses deep space exploration
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NASA laser project benefits animal researchers, UW scientists show
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Let the Detour Begin - To Gediz Vallis Ridge We Go: Sols 3637-3638
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18 SDS, France's COSMOS integrate SDA knowledge during 'Operator Exchange'
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AFWERX AFVentures enhances SBIR/STTR program to increase tech transition
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CAPSTONE 2 weeks from lunar arrival
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Largest potentially hazardous asteroid detected in eight years
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Arianespace and Space Machines sign MOU to study last-mile services
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Final module docks at China's Tiangong space station
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![China successfully launched the final module of its Tiangong space station. China successfully launched the final module of its Tiangong space station](https://scx1.b-cdn.net/csz/news/800a/2022/china-successfully-lau.jpg)
The final module of China's Tiangong space station successfully docked with the core structure on Tuesday, state media said—a key step in its completion by year's end and a landmark moment in the country's space ambitions.
Tiangong is one of the crown jewels in Beijing's well-funded programme—which has landed robotic rovers on Mars and the Moon, and made the country only the third to put humans in orbit—as it looks to catch up with major spacefaring powers like the United States and Russia.
China has been excluded from the International Space Station (ISS) since 2011, when Washington banned NASA from engaging with Beijing.
Tiangong's completion would signal "China is now an equal player in space with the United States, Russia and Europe", analyst Chen Lan told AFP.
"In terms of scientific and commercial aspects, it is always good to see new players coming.... Competition will always speed up innovation," he added.
'Earth is in our hands': Astronaut Pesquet's plea for the planet
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![While on the ISS, French astronaut Thomas Pesquet watched the "sinister spectacle" of hurricanes, tornadoes and fires storm across Earth. While on the ISS, French astronaut Thomas Pesquet watched the "sinister spectacle" of hurricanes, tornadoes and fires](https://scx1.b-cdn.net/csz/news/800a/2022/while-on-the-iss-frenc.jpg)
From his unique viewpoint hundreds of kilometres above Earth, French astronaut Thomas Pesquet told AFP he felt helpless watching fires rage across the planet below, calling for more to be done to protect this fragile "island of life".
Pesquet said his two tours onboard the International Space Station convinced him more than ever that the world is failing to address the threat posed by climate change.
He also witnessed moments of astonishing beauty while in space, some of which are captured in 300 photos published in his new book "La Terre entre nos mains" (Earth is in our Hands), released this week in France, the profits of which will go to charity.
Pesquet wrote that he initially "caught the photo bug" during his first tour on the ISS in 2016-2017.