Copernical Team
DARPA seeks proposals leading to in-space demonstration of nuclear thermal rocket
DARPA is seeking proposals for Phases 2 and 3 of the Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO) program for the design, development, fabrication, and assembly of a nuclear thermal rocket engine. The goal is to execute an in-space flight demonstration of nuclear thermal propulsion in fiscal year 2026. The overall objective of DRACO is to enable time-critical missions over va
To sample or not to sample
One of the prime objectives of the Perseverance mission is to collect a diverse cache of rock samples for eventual return to Earth. Among the highest priority rocks to sample are those that make up the well-preserved delta located on the western side of Jezero crater. This delta was one of the key attributes that made this landing site so appealing for the search for ancient Martian life.
Maritime Launch plans inaugural flight for 2023
Maritime Launch Services Inc. (NEO: MAXQ) (MLSI) and Reaction Dynamics (RDX) are pleased to announce that they have signed a letter of intent to conduct launches from Spaceport Nova Scotia, expected to begin in 2023. These launches will provide the country sovereign launch capabilities and add Canada to the short list of "Launching States." This partnership will advance the continuing plan
NIC4 awarded satcomm service provider registry prototype contract for US Space Force
NIC4, a subsidiary of Network Innovations, has been awarded a Service Provider Registry (SPR) prototype, a component of the Satellite Communications (SATCOM) Enterprise Management and Control (EM&C). This software development effort is for the U.S. Space Force (USSF), Space Systems Command (SSC) through the Space Enterprise Consortium (SpEC) as an Other Transactional Authority (OTA) Agreem
Satellogic announces multiple launch agreement with SpaceX
Satellogic Inc. (NASDAQ: SATL), a leader in sub-meter resolution Earth Observation ("EO") data collection, reports it has signed a new Multiple Launch Agreement ("MLA") with SpaceX reserving launch capacity for its next 68 satellites. This new MLA follows the current MLA covering 2022 launches, and confirms that SpaceX continues to be Satellogic's preferred vendor for rideshare missions, meeting
MDA completes first commercial sale of Canadarm3 technology to Axiom space
MDA Ltd. (TSX:MDA), a leading provider of advanced technology and services to the rapidly expanding global space industry, has announced the first commercial sale of its Canadarm3 technology to Axiom Space. The contract is for the delivery of 32 external robotic interfaces for Axiom Space's Axiom Station which is now under construction and on schedule to be the world's first commercial spa
Physicists develop ideal testing conditions of solar cells for space applications
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma, with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the University of North Texas, the NASA Glenn Research Center and several collaborators within the space power community, have recently published a paper in the journal Joule that describes the optimal conditions for testing perovskite solar cells for space. Perovskites are a material used in a type o
Astroscale's ELSA-d completes complex rendezvous operation
Astroscale Holdings Inc. ("Astroscale"), the market leader in satellite servicing and long-term orbital sustainability across all orbits, has announced that, despite several unexpected setbacks, its End-of-Life Services by Astroscale-demonstration (ELSA-d) mission successfully completed further controlled close-approach rendezvous operations between its two spacecraft in orbit. The technol
Tracking agricultural-related deforestation
The global trade in agricultural commodities provides food, fuel and fibre to consumers around the world. Commodity production, however, is also linked with negative environmental impacts, including the loss and degradation of forested land.
Approximately 90% of global deforestation is driven by agricultural expansion – a phenomenon which has roots in the global demand for products such as palm oil, soy and beef. New research reveals how satellites can be used to map and monitor forest-cover changes and help implement effective zero deforestation commitments.
Sun releases moderate solar flare
The Sun emitted a moderate solar flare on May 4, 2022, peaking at 5:00 a.m. ET. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory, which watches the Sun constantly, captured an image of the event.