Copernical Team
NASA does Dragon shuffle prepping for Starliner launch
Parking is at a premium at the International Space Station, but NASA and SpaceX cleared out one spot as a cargo Dragon spacecraft completed its trip home with a splashdown off the Florida coast.
NASA still needs to shift the remaining Dragon spacecraft from its spot to clear the path for next week's launch of Boeing's CST-100 Starliner.
The cargo Dragon from the CRS-30 resupply mission that arrived in March was attached to the ISS for more than 36 days. It returned for a 1:38 a.m. splashdown off Tampa, carrying more than 4,100 pounds of science experiments and other supplies back to Earth.
It departed the ISS Harmony module, which has two docking ports, on Sunday.
But now NASA wants the four members of Crew-8 to perform valet duties. They will climb aboard the Crew Dragon Endeavour that remains docked at Harmony's forward port, and fly it around and redock to the open port, called the zenith port.
NASA's Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt and Jeanette Epps along with Roscosmos' Alexander Grebenkin will take the short road trip at 7:45 a.m.
Sticker fun in space!
Exciting news for young space fans! PaniniPedia Space, the most complete and up-to-date sticker reference album about space, launches in France on 1 May 2024. Created by Panini in collaboration with ESA, PaniniPedia Space takes readers on a journey of discovery through our Solar System and beyond.
US commander sees 'breathtaking' development of China's space power
China's military capabilities in space are developing at a "breathtaking" pace that only looks set to intensify after recent defence reforms, the head of the US Space Command said Wednesday. General Stephen Whiting told journalists that Beijing had "tripled the number of intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance satellites on orbit" in just six years, with repercussions across military do
US Space Force renews partnership with L3Harris for space domain awareness
L3Harris Technologies (NYSE:LHX) has secured the fifth-year option of the Maintenance Of Space Situational Awareness Integrated Capabilities (MOSSAIC) program. This contract, valued at up to $187 million, is awarded by the U.S. Space Force to continue advancing the maintenance and modernization of essential space infrastructure. This initiative is crucial for maintaining the Space Force's core c
Space Systems Command Completes Key Software Upgrade for OPIR Monitoring at FORGE
On April 26, 2024, Space Systems Command's Space Sensing program executive office, based at Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo, California, facilitated the initial software deployment to operations in the Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) Battlespace Awareness Center (OBAC) at Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado. The integration of the FORGE framework into OBAC operations enhances cyber r
Enhancing connectivity and readiness at Space Systems Command
At a well-attended event on April 18, 2024, at Los Angeles Air Force Base, Lt. Gen. Philip Garrant emphasized the unity and purpose binding the personnel of Space Systems Command (SSC). He addressed the crowd, highlighting the crucial role of the command's blend of military, civilian, and contractor staff in achieving mission objectives. "One of our four 'Guardian Ideals' is connection - c
Finnair suspends flights to Estonian city over Russian GPS interference
Finnair said Monday it was suspending flights to the Estonian city of Tartu for one month due to GPS interference that the Estonian foreign minister labelled a Russian "hybrid attack". All flights to Tartu were suspended between April 29 and May 31 while "an alternative approach solution that doesn't require a GPS signal can be put in place at Tartu Airport," the Finnish carrier said in a s
Major advancements in US space domain awareness through Space Systems Command
Space Systems Command (SSC) has made significant strides in space domain awareness (SDA) with its Tools Applications and Processing (TAP) Lab, recently achieving mission success in collaboration with both commercial and academic partners for the Apollo Accelerator Cohort 2 on March 4, 2024. The SDA TAP Lab orchestrates structured programs like the Apollo Accelerator, which foster collabora
Intelsat and CNH to enhance Brazilian agriculture with satellite connectivity
Intelsat, a major provider in integrated satellite and terrestrial networks, alongside CNH (NYSE: CNHI), known for brands like Case IH, New Holland, and Steyr, have committed to implementing advanced satellite terminals on CNH farm equipment across Brazil's remote farmlands using Intelsat's extensive global network. "As the first satellite communications company to provide multi-orbit connectiv
NASA study reveals comprehensive global river water accounting
NASA has spearheaded a significant study that recalibrates our understanding of global river water volumes, offering new estimates on river flow and storage vital for managing the Earth's freshwater resources. The research, detailed in Nature Geoscience, employs an innovative methodology merging traditional stream-gauge readings with advanced computer simulations across approximately 3 million r