Europe's first lunar ‘lamb-bassador’
Friday, 12 May 2023 14:14![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![Shaun at ESTEC & Space Expo](https://www.esa.int/var/esa/storage/images/esa_multimedia/images/2023/05/shaun_at_estec_space_expo/24882807-1-eng-GB/Shaun_at_ESTEC_Space_Expo_card_full.jpg)
Last month, ESA’s woolly astronaut became Europe's first lunar ‘lamb-bassador’: Shaun the Sheep returned home from his Artemis I mission to a hero's welcome and then was herded off on a celebratory post-flight tour.
Op-ed | The dramatic influence of generative AI on the space industry
Friday, 12 May 2023 12:33![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![](https://i0.wp.com/spacenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/image-24.jpg?fit=300%2C200&ssl=1)
As we find ourselves amidst a tectonic technology shift, adopting AI systems will undoubtedly prove critical in protecting our national security and our space infrastructure.
Week in images: 08-12 May 2023
Friday, 12 May 2023 12:10![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![This Copernicus Sentinel-2 image features the Japanese island of Nishinoshima, in the northwest Pacific Ocean.](https://www.esa.int/var/esa/storage/images/esa_multimedia/images/2023/05/earth_from_space_nishinoshima_island_japan/24874792-4-eng-GB/Earth_from_Space_Nishinoshima_island_Japan_card_full.jpg)
Week in images: 08-12 May 2023
Discover our week through the lens
First Intuitive Machine lunar lander mission slips to the third quarter
Friday, 12 May 2023 10:35![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![IM-1 at lunar south pole](https://i0.wp.com/spacenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/im1-southpole.jpg?fit=300%2C169&ssl=1)
Intuitive Machines says its first lunar lander mission has slipped into the third quarter of this year as pursues a wider range of business opportunities.
SmartSat unveils CHORUS prototype terminal for faster, safer military communications
Friday, 12 May 2023 07:39![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![](https://www.spxdaily.com/images-bg/smartsat-crc-logo-bg.jpg)
SES and TESAT to develop payload for Europe's EAGLE-1 quantum cryptography satellite system
Friday, 12 May 2023 07:39![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![](https://www.spxdaily.com/images-bg/eagle-1-leo-satellite-concept-bg.jpg)
Airbus selects UK National Satellite Test Facility for SKYNET 6A testing
Friday, 12 May 2023 07:39![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![](https://www.spxdaily.com/images-bg/airbus-ral-space-skynet-6a-testing-bg.jpg)
Researchers discover twisted fields around mysterious fast radio burst
Friday, 12 May 2023 07:39![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![](https://www.spxdaily.com/images-bg/twisted-fields-fast-radio-burst-bg.jpg)
Ariane 6 joint update report, 12 May 2023
Friday, 12 May 2023 07:30![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![](https://www.esa.int/extension/pillars/design/pillars/images/nebula.jpg)
The Ariane 6 Launcher Task Force consists of top management of ESA, launch base prime contractor CNES, launcher system prime contractor ArianeGroup and launch service provider Arianespace. This regular update will follow Task Force meetings, to report on the progress being made towards inaugural flight of the new Ariane 6 launcher.
The next update is expected on or soon after 8 June.
Earth from Space: Nishinoshima island, Japan
Friday, 12 May 2023 07:00![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![This Copernicus Sentinel-2 image features the Japanese island of Nishinoshima, in the northwest Pacific Ocean.](https://www.esa.int/var/esa/storage/images/esa_multimedia/images/2023/05/earth_from_space_nishinoshima_island_japan/24874792-4-eng-GB/Earth_from_Space_Nishinoshima_island_Japan_card_full.jpg)
USAF awards contract to Above: Orbital and Ascent Solar for on-orbit PV production
Friday, 12 May 2023 02:56![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![](https://www.spxdaily.com/images-bg/ascent-solarcell-panel-pv-marker-bg.jpg)
Sidus Space selected by OneWeb to manufacture satellite hardware
Friday, 12 May 2023 02:56![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![](https://www.spxdaily.com/images-bg/oneweb-satellite-orbit-marker-bg.jpg)
NASA and partners achieve fastest space-to-ground laser comms link
Friday, 12 May 2023 02:56![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![](https://www.spxdaily.com/images-bg/nasa-cubesat-tbird-marker-bg.jpg)
Upcoming ISS project will test 3D materials for satellite manufacturing
Friday, 12 May 2023 02:56![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![](https://www.spxdaily.com/images-bg/misse-exterior-iss-marker-bg.jpg)
Imaging satellite takes piggyback ride on spacecraft
Friday, 12 May 2023 02:56![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![](https://www.spxdaily.com/images-bg/china-tiangong-space-station-tianzhou-6-cargo-craft-docked-bg.jpg)