We're launching Australia's first scratch-built satellite, and it's a giant leap toward the moon
Monday, 23 August 2021 11:50
On August 28, a SpaceX rocket will blast off from Cape Canaveral in Florida, carrying supplies bound for the International Space Station. But also on board will be a small satellite that represents a giant leap into space for our research program here in Western Australia.
Our satellite, called Binar-1 after the Noongar word for "fireball," was designed and built from scratch by our team at Curtin University's Space Science and Technology Center.
We chose this name for two reasons: to acknowledge the Wadjuk people of the Noongar Nation, and to recognize the relationship between our satellite program and Curtin's Desert Fireball Network, which has successfully searched for meteorites in the Australian desert.
Binar-1 is a CubeSat—a type of small satellite made from 10-centimeter cube-shaped modules. Binar-1 consists of just one such module, meaning it's technically a 1U CubeSat.
Its main objective is to prove the technology works in space, thereby taking a first step towards future missions in which we hope ultimately to send CubeSats to the moon.
Virgin Orbit to go public in SPAC merger
Monday, 23 August 2021 11:07
Small launch vehicle developer Virgin Orbit will go public through a merger with a special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC) in a deal that includes an investment by Boeing, the company announced Aug. 23.
Millennium Space in an experiment de-orbited a satellite in eight months
Monday, 23 August 2021 11:00
Millennium Space Systems announced Aug. 23 it successfully demonstrated the use of a deployable tether to de-orbit a satellite after it completes its mission.
Astronaut applicants asked for patience as numbers exceed forecasts
Monday, 23 August 2021 09:49
Astronaut hopefuls are being asked for their patience as ESA processes over 23 000 applications to its Astronaut and Astronaut (with a disability) vacancies. This number far exceeds the Agency’s most optimistic forecasts.
On National Security | In the new space era, a changing role for the U.S. government
Monday, 23 August 2021 09:08
The pace of technological innovation in the space business has long been dictated by government-funded programs of record. But as the private sector increasingly drives innovation, government buyers are trying to figure out their role in the new space era.
Nelson: Blue Origin lawsuit adds further delays to Artemis
Monday, 23 August 2021 09:00
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson talks Artemis, HLS, budget prospects and more in an exclusive interview with SpaceNews.
Crowdsourcing to improve weather forecasting
Monday, 23 August 2021 03:33
Preparing for a Space Symposium like no other
Monday, 23 August 2021 01:24
The 36th annual Space Symposium expects to attract 7,500 to 8,000 attendees to the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs and a virtual platform streaming presentations and discussions.
Cyberspace and outer space are new frontiers for national security
Monday, 23 August 2021 00:05
What do cyberspace and outer space have in common? As we make clear in a new report to the Department of Defence, both are new frontiers for national security that blur traditional ideas about borders, sovereignty and defence strategy.
These "areas" are important elements of Australia's critical infrastructure and are vital to our ability to defend our nation and keep it secure. They also Soyuz launches 34 UK OneWeb satellites
Monday, 23 August 2021 00:05
A Russian Soyuz rocket has blasted into space carrying 34 new satellites from British operator Oneweb, which aims to provide broadband internet everywhere in the world.
The rocket operated by Europe's Arianespace took off successfully at 2213 GMT Saturday from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the Roscosmos space agency said in a statement.
It was the fifth launch of OneWeb sate Making machines that make robots, and robots that make themselves
Monday, 23 August 2021 00:05
After a summer of billionaires in space, many people have begun to wonder when they will get their turn. The cost of entering space is currently too high for the average citizen, but the work of PhD candidate Martin Nisser may help change that. His work on self-assembling robots could be key to reducing the costs that help determine the price of a ticket.
Nisser's fascination with engineer Strategic commander shares update on space defense
Monday, 23 August 2021 00:05
The leader of the Space and Missile Defense Command said during the 24th annual Space and Missile Defense Symposium that his "People First" team ensures space and missile defense capabilities for the Soldier, the Army and the nation.
Lt. Gen. Daniel Karbler, SMDC commander, said that because the command occupies strategic key terrain that lies at the nexus of integrated deterrence between AFRL showcases space-related tech and SpaceWERX aT National Space Symposium
Monday, 23 August 2021 00:05
The Air Force Research Laboratory will showcase several space-related technologies, new ways to connect with and share an idea or capability with AFRL, and the beginning of SpaceWERX, the U.S. Space Force affiliated arm of AFWERX during the 36th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Aug. 23-26, 2021.
AFRL supports both the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force with Airmen and Guardi How satellite maps help prevent another 'great grain robbery'
Monday, 23 August 2021 00:05
Mid-June in Utah usually marks the tail end of the most fertile time of year for crops. In a typical year, snowmelt in April and May wets the soil, resulting in a burst of blooming flowers and crop growth.
"Usually we have a beautiful, green landscape right now," said Dr. Jon Meyer, a research climatologist with the Utah Climate Center. "It's one of my favorite times of year because we get Leak and destroy: On the hunt for climate killing gas
Monday, 23 August 2021 00:05
After finding a rusty gas canister near his midwest US home, Rick Karas checked online if it was worth anything. Incredibly, it turned out to be a coveted commodity in the battle against climate change.
His roughly basketball-sized container was filled with CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons), a potent greenhouse gas that is perfectly legal to possess but which has been globally banned from manufactu