Sentinel-6 passes in-orbit tests with flying colours
Sunday, 07 February 2021 14:00In November 2020, the Copernicus Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite was launched into orbit from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, US. Now, months later, the satellite has successfully passed what is known as the ‘in-orbit verification phase’, where its equipment is switched on and the instruments’ performance is checked.
Xenesis adopts revenue-sharing model for optical communications
Sunday, 07 February 2021 13:00SAN FRANCISCO – Xenesis is adopting an usual business model in its campaign to establish an optical communications constellation.
The Illinois startup is signing revenue-sharing agreements with key suppliers, including satellite component manufacturer Space Micro, Geost, a firm focused on sensors and electro-optics, and optical system specialist PlaneWave Instruments.
Call for media: ESA seeks new astronauts - applications open 31 March 2021
Sunday, 07 February 2021 12:00Press Release N° 3–2021
For the first time in 11 years, ESA is looking for new astronauts. These recruits will work alongside ESA’s existing astronauts as Europe enters a new era of space exploration.
Isotropic Systems raises $42 million
Sunday, 07 February 2021 11:17WASHINGTON — Isotropic Systems raised $42 million to continue development of broadband terminals for use by a wide range of satellite systems in a round led by satellite operator SES.
Isotropic announced Feb. 8 the new round, including equity investment as well as grant funding from the British government.
Happy new Mars year
Sunday, 07 February 2021 08:38Next stop Mars: 3 spacecraft arriving in quick succession
Sunday, 07 February 2021 07:46Lockheed Martin selects ABL Space Systems for UK launch
Sunday, 07 February 2021 00:02WASHINGTON — ABL Space Systems will conduct a launch for Lockheed Martin from a new spaceport in the Shetland Islands, fulfilling an agreement with the British government announced in 2018.
Lockheed said Feb. 7 that ABL will perform a launch of its RS1 rocket from the Shetland Space Centre, a spaceport to be developed on the island of Unst in the Shetlands, in 2022.
DARPA to survey private sector capabilities to build factories on the moon
Saturday, 06 February 2021 17:23WASHINGTON — The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency wants to hear from the space industry about their capabilities to manufacture large structures on the moon.
This is a new project that DARPA announced Feb. 5 called “Novel Orbital and Moon Manufacturing, Materials and Mass-efficient Design.
UAE's 'Hope' probe to be first in trio of Mars missions
Saturday, 06 February 2021 12:59The first Arab space mission, the UAE's "Hope" probe, is expected to reach Mars' orbit on Tuesday, making it the first of three spacecraft to arrive at the Red Planet this month. The United Arab Emirates, China and the United States all launched projects to Mars last July, taking advantage of a period when the Earth and Mars are nearest. If succesful, the wealthy Gulf state will become t
Sarah al-Amiri: young minister behind UAE mission to Mars
Saturday, 06 February 2021 12:59When Sarah al-Amiri was a child growing up in Abu Dhabi with a fascination for space, her young country seemed light years away from reaching for the stars. Now the 34-year-old is a government minister and one of the drivers of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) ambitious project behind the "Hope" probe that is due to reach the orbit of Mars on Tuesday. As a youngster poring over images of f
Astra to Become the First Publicly Traded Space Launch Company on NASDAQ via Merger with Holicity
Saturday, 06 February 2021 12:59Astra, the fastest privately-funded company in history to demonstrate orbital launch capability, and Holicity Inc. (NASDAQ: HOL) ("Holicity"), a special purpose acquisition company ("SPAC"), has announced a definitive business combination agreement that will result in Astra becoming a publicly-traded company. The transaction reflects an implied pro forma enterprise value for Astra of appro
ST Engineering iDirect's Dialog Platform Deployed by BSNL to Connect Remote Indian Islands
Saturday, 06 February 2021 12:59ST Engineering iDirect, a global leader in satellite communications, has been awarded a contract by system integrator Shaf Broadcast, Pvt. Ltd, on behalf of Indian state-owned telecommunications company, BSNL, to augment satellite bandwidth to the offshore Indian islands of Andaman, Nicobar and Lakshadweep under a Universal Service Obligation (USO) project funded by the Department of Telecommuni
NASA satellites help quantify forests' impacts on global carbon budget
Saturday, 06 February 2021 12:59Using ground, airborne, and satellite data, a diverse team of international researchers - including NASA scientists - has created a new method to assess how the changes in forests over the past two decades have impacted carbon concentrations in the atmosphere. In addition to better understanding the overall role of forests in the global carbon cycle, the scientists were also able to distin
Student Launch Teams Will Launch from Home Fields, Receive Awards Virtually
Saturday, 06 February 2021 12:59Student Launch, one of NASA's Artemis Student Challenges, is an annual competition that typically culminates each April with a gathering of teams for a weekend of rocket launches and celebration. This year, in an effort to comply with federal guidance and help restrict the spread of COVID-19, these events will be modified to take place locally to each team or virtually. A virtual awards ce
Calnetix Technologies Supplies Key Components for NASA's Next-Generation CO2 Removal System
Saturday, 06 February 2021 12:59Calnetix Technologies reports it has successfully designed and developed a high-speed in-line blower and a dual controller for NASA's next-generation CO2 removal system. The design and development of the Four Bed Carbon Dioxide Scrubber (4BCO2) is being led by NASA and is planned for installation on the International Space Station (ISS) after rigorous ground testing at its facilities.