DARPA, NGA transition novel optics technology to fieldable prototypes
Friday, 29 October 2021 08:20
Materials with novel optical properties developed under DARPA's Extreme Optics and Imaging (EXTREME) program are providing new capabilities for government and military imaging systems. EXTREME, a basic research program in DARPA's Defense Sciences Office, successfully developed new optical components, devices, systems, architectures, and design tools using engineered optical materials, or metamat Watch live: liftoff of ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer
Friday, 29 October 2021 08:20
At 07:21 CET (06:21 GMT) Sunday 31 October ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer will be launched to the International Space Station to begin his Cosmic Kiss mission. Tune in to ESA Web TV channel two from 03:00 CET (01:00 GMT) for live coverage of the launch.
Launch and landing dates under review
Friday, 29 October 2021 08:20NASA and SpaceX continue to review launch and return opportunities for the upcoming flights to and from the International Space Station.
New dates for Crew-2 return and Crew-3 launch
Friday, 29 October 2021 08:20Update: Undocking of Crew-2 with Thomas Pesquet now planned for Sunday, 7 November, 18:05 GMT/19:05 CET for a splashdown on Monday, around 12:14 GMT/13:14 CET. Next launch opportunity for Crew-3 with Matthias Maurer is planned for Thursday, 11 November, 02:03 GMT/03:03 CET.
Low-gravity simulator design offers new avenues for space research and mission training
Friday, 29 October 2021 08:00
As humanity continues its exploration of the universe, the low-gravity environment of space presents unusual challenges for scientists and engineers.
Researchers at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering and the Florida State University-headquartered National High Magnetic Field Laboratory have developed a new tool to help meet that challenge—a novel design for a low-gravity simulator that promises to break new ground for future space research and habitation.
Revised budget reconciliation package reduces NASA infrastructure funds
Friday, 29 October 2021 07:57
A new, scaled-back version of a spending package released Oct. 28 sharply reduced the money allocated to NASA infrastructure and climate change projects, while continuing to exclude funding for a second Artemis lunar lander.
Earth from Space: Glasgow
Friday, 29 October 2021 07:00
Glasgow, host of the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP26), is featured in this image captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission.
ESA and NASA launch revolutionary open-source platform
Friday, 29 October 2021 06:00
Today, ESA and NASA have publicly released the first globally-harmonised assessment of above ground biomass – information that is vital for managing global climate change. The Multi-Mission Algorithm and Analysis Platform (MAAP) provides seamless access to above ground biomass information from both NASA and ESA Earth observation data. The revolutionary open-science tool is now fully operational and accessible online.
U.A.E. examining options for future human spaceflight missions
Friday, 29 October 2021 01:05
The space center responsible for the United Arab Emirates’ human spaceflight program is looking at a range of flight options for its astronaut corps.
Indonesia orders Thales Alenia Space satellite to replace lost Nusantara-2
Thursday, 28 October 2021 23:02
Indonesia has ordered a high-throughput communications satellite from Thales Alenia Space for a 2024 delivery to fill a gap left by last year’s loss of Nusantara-2 to a Chinese launch failure.
Terran Orbital plans to go public through SPAC merger
Thursday, 28 October 2021 22:43
Terran Orbital, the parent company of Tyvak and PredaSAR, announced plans Oct. 28 to go public through a merger with a special-purpose acquisition company.
NASA’s Juno: Science Results Offer First 3D View of Jupiter Atmosphere
Thursday, 28 October 2021 17:52
New findings from NASA’s Juno probe orbiting Jupiter provide a fuller picture of how the planet’s distinctive and colorful atmospheric features offer clues about the unseen processes below its clouds. DoD space agency changes course on satellite procurement in wake of Maxar’s protest
Thursday, 28 October 2021 17:16
In response to a protest filed by Maxar Technologies, the Defense Department’s Space Development Agency is canceling a solicitation issued Aug. 30 seeking bids for 144 satellites and will start over with a new procurement.
Hyten blasts ‘unbelievably’ slow DoD bureaucracy as China advances space weapons
Thursday, 28 October 2021 16:46
Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. John Hyten warned that bureaucratic inertia and fear of failing are thwarting innovation in the Department of Defense while China continues to roll out new military and space technologies.
Alpha Mission Overview
Thursday, 28 October 2021 15:00
Video:
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ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet from France began Alpha - his second mission to the International Space Station - on 23 April 2021. Launched from Cape Canaveral in Florida, USA, on the second operational flight of SpaceX Crew Dragon, he has now spent around six months in orbit on mission Alpha. In addition to science experiments, he has taken part in four spacewalks and countless scientific investigations. On 4 October Thomas became the fourth European International Space Station Commander. He is now the ESA astronaut with the most total time spent in space and on spacewalks.