NASA prepares for Space Launch System rocket services contract
Thursday, 28 July 2022 11:25
As NASA prepares for the first integrated flight test of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion spacecraft to the Moon this summer as part of Artemis, the agency is moving toward a services contract model for long-term SLS hardware production and operations to reduce costs.
"SLS is not just a NASA investment, it has been a national investment. Through this contract approach, we CAA launches consultation on UK space launch from Cornwall
Thursday, 28 July 2022 11:25
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has launched a consultation for the public and businesses to have their say on the assessment of environmental effects made by both Virgin Orbit and Spaceport Cornwall ahead of the proposed launch in Newquay.
To launch, Spaceport Cornwall must have a spaceport operator licence and Virgin Orbit must be issued a launch operator licence by the Civil Aviat NASA's VIPER prototype motors through Moon-like obstacle course
Thursday, 28 July 2022 11:25
It faced the quicksand-like soil in the "sink tank," climbed the "tilt bed," and conquered boulders and craters. NASA's Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) prototype recently endured the most realistic tests to-date of its ability to drive through the most difficult terrain during its mission to the Moon's South Pole.
Engineers tested the latest VIPER mobility engineeri NASA details plans to bring back Mars rock samples
Thursday, 28 July 2022 11:25
NASA plans to bring 30 Martian rock samples back to Earth in 2033, the agency said Wednesday - and is sending two small helicopters to help the mission.
The Perseverance rover, which landed on Mars in February 2021, has so far collected 11 samples as part of its hunt for signatures of ancient life.
But bringing them back for detailed lab study on Earth is proving to be a highly complex Sol 3544: Bye-Bye Bolivar
Thursday, 28 July 2022 11:25
We have come to the end of our detour to image the "Bolivar" butte and are starting back to the MSAR (Mount Sharp Ascent Route). This plan provides the last chance to image Bolivar from this vantage point, with the aim of characterizing, so Mastcam is taking one final large mosaic of the butte, before we move on and it is blocked from our sight.
We cannot drive up the side of Bolivar (alth Small but Mighty on Sol 3545
Thursday, 28 July 2022 11:25
Today's team planned a single-sol plan. Our greatest challenge was fitting in all the fantastic science observations and drive distance required during the ~3.5 hours of Mars time available before we need to communicate back to Earth for tomorrow's planning.
Often during single-sol plans we include contact science where we use our arm instruments to take a close look at the structure and c The plan to unlock the biggest wealth through asteroid mining
Thursday, 28 July 2022 11:25
The Asteroid Mining Program (AMi) is a ten-year program that aims to unlock one of the largest sources of wealth in history, through profitable asteroid mining.
We are committed to launch the first asteroid mining mission in 2027 targeting 1,000 kg of platinum worth around $34 million. However, the Recovery Capsule return capacity is up to 2,500 kg worth $85 million.
Until 2031 we pl Halos and dark matter: A recipe for discovery
Thursday, 28 July 2022 11:25
About three years ago, Wolfgang "Wolfi" Mittig and Yassid Ayyad went looking for the universe's missing mass, better known as dark matter, in the heart of an atom.
Their expedition didn't lead them to dark matter, but they still found something that had never been seen before, something that defied explanation. Well, at least an explanation that everyone could agree on.
"It's been so Boeing takes another Starliner charge against its earnings
Thursday, 28 July 2022 09:02
Boeing said July 27 it will take another charge against its earnings because of the CST-100 Starliner commercial crew program as the company and NASA get closer to a first flight of the vehicle with astronauts on board.
Saltzman tapped to succeed Raymond as chief of the U.S. Space Force
Thursday, 28 July 2022 06:31
President Biden has nominated Lt. Gen. B. Chance Saltzman, U.S. Space Force deputy chief of operations, for promotion to four-star general and selected to become chief of space operations
The post Saltzman tapped to succeed Raymond as chief of the U.S.
Readying spacecraft to surf Venus’ atmosphere
Thursday, 28 July 2022 06:30
ESA’s EnVision mission to Venus will perform optical, spectral and radar mapping of Earth’s sister planet. But before getting down to work the van-sized spacecraft needs to ‘aerobrake’ – lowering its orbit with thousands of passages through the planet’s hot, thick atmosphere for up to two years. A unique ESA facility is currently testing candidate spacecraft materials to check they can safely withstand this challenging process of atmospheric surfing.
SpaceX requests spectrum to upgrade Starlink mobile services
Wednesday, 27 July 2022 22:50
SpaceX has applied for more spectrum to upgrade Starlink satellite broadband services for mobile users.
The post SpaceX requests spectrum to upgrade Starlink mobile services appeared first on SpaceNews.
Lockheed Martin and Maxar win weather satellite contracts
Wednesday, 27 July 2022 22:44
Lockheed Martin and Maxar Space won contracts worth $5 million apiece to help define the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s future geostationary weather satellites.
The post Lockheed Martin and Maxar win weather satellite contracts appeared first on SpaceNews.
L3Harris to deliver five missile-warning satellites for 2023 launches
Wednesday, 27 July 2022 22:31
Five missile-detection satellites built by L3Harris under Pentagon contracts are projected to launch in 2023.
The post L3Harris to deliver five missile-warning satellites for 2023 launches appeared first on SpaceNews.
Iridium enters development deal to bring its network to smartphones
Wednesday, 27 July 2022 22:24
Satellite operator Iridium Communications said July 26 it has entered into a development agreement to enable its technology in smartphones.
The post Iridium enters development deal to bring its network to smartphones appeared first on SpaceNews.