UMD astronomer prepares for NASA mission to study mysterious lunar domes
Wednesday, 29 January 2025 09:18
NASA has selected Firefly Aerospace to deliver the Lunar Vulkan Imaging and Spectroscopy Explorer (Lunar-VISE) payload to the enigmatic Gruithuisen Domes, located on the moon's surface. Spearheaded by the University of Central Florida (UCF) with support from partners such as the University of Maryland (UMD), this ambitious mission seeks to unravel the origins of the Domes and assess the moon's p 19 New Space signatures for Copernicus Contributing Missions
Tuesday, 28 January 2025 14:15
Nineteen satellite data companies have signed agreements to provide new or enhanced services to the Copernicus programme in their roles as Copernicus Contributing Missions.
Europe’s carbon dioxide monitoring mission elevated to the power of three
Tuesday, 28 January 2025 12:34
Building on the initial contract to develop two satellites for the Copernicus Anthropogenic Carbon Dioxide Monitoring mission, the European Commission and ESA have now entrusted OHB System AG with the development of a third satellite.
This addition will accelerate global coverage, enabling faster and more comprehensive measurements of carbon dioxide and methane emissions from human activities to enhance the evaluation of climate mitigation efforts.
Ariane 6 to take Sentinel-1D into orbit
Tuesday, 28 January 2025 11:16
Entrusted by the European Commission, ESA has signed a contract with Arianespace to secure an Ariane 6 rocket for the launch of the Sentinel-1D satellite, the fourth unit of the Copernicus Sentinel-1 mission, scheduled for the second half of this year.
First MetOp Second Generation satellite to launch in August
Tuesday, 28 January 2025 11:15
ESA, Eumetsat, the European Commission and Arianespace have announced an agreement to advance the launch of the first MetOp Second Generation weather satellite, which also carries the Copernicus Sentinel-5 mission, to August 2025 aboard an Ariane 6 rocket.
Rideshare deal opens new path to space for European innovation
Tuesday, 28 January 2025 11:15
The best way to test new space technologies is to actually fly them in space. Today the European Space Agency signed on behalf of the European Commission a series of contracts with small satellite makers from across our continent to ensure rapid access to orbit through rideshare services for future European innovations.
ESA grows private investment in Europe’s space sector
Tuesday, 28 January 2025 09:45
The commercialisation of space is one of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) strategic priorities. By attracting private investors to the space sector, the Agency enables European entrepreneurs and established industry to innovate and develop new uses of space beyond infrastructure and ESA missions.
BlackSky prepares for milestone February launch with new Gen-3 satellite
Tuesday, 28 January 2025 08:55
BlackSky Technology Inc. (NYSE: BKSY) has shipped its first Gen-3 satellite to Rocket Lab (NASDAQ: RKLB) for an anticipated February launch. The satellite is scheduled to lift off from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand. This next-generation addition to BlackSky's constellation is designed to deliver advanced capabilities, including high-resolution 35-centimeter imagery and AI-enh SpaceX launches 21 Starlink satellites from Cape Caneveral
Tuesday, 28 January 2025 08:55
SpaceX launched its next round of Starlink satellites into lower Earth orbit on Monday afternoon from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
It marked SpaceX's 12th mission of the year, when it lifted off at 5:05 EST from Launch Complex 40.
The payload included 21 Starlink satellites, 13 of them with "direct-to-cell" capabilities. Meanwhile, the first stage of the roc China deploys new communication technology satellite
Tuesday, 28 January 2025 08:55
China successfully launched a Long March 3B carrier rocket on Thursday night, placing an experimental satellite into orbit. According to China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp (CASC), the nation's leading space contractor, the rocket lifted off at 11:32 pm local time from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan province.
The satellite, named Communication Technology Demonstrato US Space Force breaks ground on Space Campus at Al Udeid Air Base
Tuesday, 28 January 2025 08:55
In a pivotal development for the U.S. Space Force, U.S. Space Forces - Central officially commenced construction on the Space Campus at Al Udeid Air Base on January 14. The groundbreaking ceremony, which involved key personnel and stakeholders, marked the start of a transformative phase in space capabilities for the region.
The Space Campus is a key project aimed at strengthening the base' UAE's earth observation satellite MBZ-SAT on oribit
Tuesday, 28 January 2025 08:55
The UAE's MBZ-SAT Earth observation satellite was successfully launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on January 14, marking a significant achievement for the country's space program. This satellite is the fourth Earth observation satellite developed and launched by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), and it stands as the most advanced commercial satellite in the regio Vandenberg achieves historic milestone with 51 launches in 2024
Tuesday, 28 January 2025 08:55
Vandenberg Space Force Base has revolutionized west coast space and test launch with an historic 51 launches in 2024 from the United States Space Force's West Coast Spaceport and Test Range. This achievement was driven by the base's commitment to innovation, revising practices and procedures and close partnerships with launch and test mission partners.
"This year marks a historic milestone Estonia to host Europe's premier space cybersecurity hub
Tuesday, 28 January 2025 08:55
The European Space Agency (ESA) has partnered with the Estonian Space Office to establish a state-of-the-art space cyber range designed to bolster the security and accessibility of Europe's space technologies. Following an industry-wide call for proposals last year, a contract has been awarded to a consortium led by Spaceit to spearhead the development of this cutting-edge facility.
The sp Rocket Lab to launch wildfire detection satellites for OroraTech
Tuesday, 28 January 2025 08:55
Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB), a global leader in launch services and space systems, has announced a contract with Orora Technologies (OroraTech) to launch a mission dedicated to wildfire detection and monitoring. OroraTech, a German company, is building a satellite constellation designed to monitor wildfires and provide critical alerts to first responders.
The mission will take plac