Space domain awareness provisions in draft NDAA proposal
Monday, 12 June 2023 17:59The House Armed Services Committee’s strategic forces subcommittee is proposing legislation that would require DoD to share threat intelligence with commercial satellite operators.
The sun reaches solar maximum in 2032: A new NASA flagship mission could give us a perfect view
Monday, 12 June 2023 17:54There are always more space missions than there is money to support them. Ultimately, some make the cut, and some do not. Various factors go into that decision, though those factors can change over the years and decades that some of these missions are designed to take.
But the more ideas, the better, and now a new idea has sprung up from a group of scientists at SWRI, NASA, and the University of Minnesota, among others. It involves four different probes sent to various points in the solar system to observe the sun as it has never been seen before—and just in time to see its most spectacular display in 2032.
The mission, called COMPLETE (which does not appear to be an acronym), would send satellites to several different Lagrange points in the Earth-sun system.
U.S. defense companies find roadblocks in selling space technologies to allies
Monday, 12 June 2023 16:18One of the largest U.S. arms makers, Lockheed Martin, is seeing growing demand for space technologies from U.S. military allies overseas.
SES CEO Steve Collar announces sudden resignation
Monday, 12 June 2023 14:24Nicolas Bobrinsky on excellence | ESA Masterclass
Monday, 12 June 2023 13:00The level of practical expertise, technical and operational expertise required to operate in such a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment such as space needs to be permanently developed and improved to maintain the technical excellence at the right level. But the constant improvement of the technical and operational knowledge is an exciting journey. Nicolas has experienced this first-hand since he joined the European Space Agency Operation Centre as Ground Station Engineer. As a young engineer at ESA, you can gain extremely valuable expertise through launch campaigns, test and validation campaigns, time at the console in the operation control room together with your team, witnessing and learning from the whole
Falcon 9 deploys 53 Starlink satellites on SpaceX's 40th launch of the year
Monday, 12 June 2023 12:47A Falcon 9 rocket topped with 53 Starlink spacecraft lifted off in a southeast trajectory from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40), Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS), Florida, at 3:10 a.m. EDT (0710 UTC) Monday. The mission is called the Starlink Group 5-11 mission, 65 minutes after liftoff, with 53 older-generation Starlink V1.5 satellites deployed in an orbit inclined 43 degrees to
Space Force sorting out complexities of wartime contracting
Monday, 12 June 2023 12:32An initiative to ensure the U.S. military has access to commercial space industry services during conflicts is gaining support inside the Pentagon, although the details are still being ironed out.
Relay system speeds vital data flow with 75,000 links
Monday, 12 June 2023 06:44Life-saving data that enables European governments to respond rapidly to crises is flowing swiftly from space to Earth, thanks to the most sophisticated space-based laser communication network ever built.
Relay system speeds vital data flow with 75 000 links
Monday, 12 June 2023 06:44Life-saving data that enables European governments to respond rapidly to crises is flowing swiftly from space to Earth, thanks to the most sophisticated space-based laser communication network ever built.
State Department framework seeks to coordinate its space policy activities
Sunday, 11 June 2023 22:45A new State Department space policy framework is intended to align and guide ongoing work on space diplomacy by the department, including its work to support the Artemis Accords.
Using photosynthesis for living on Mars while making space travel sustainable
Sunday, 11 June 2023 10:32Researchers are working on sustainable technology to harvest solar power in space - which could supplement life support systems on the Moon and Mars. In a study published in Nature Communications, scientists assess a new technique which could convert renewable, green energy from outside the Earth's atmosphere. They are taking advantage of photosynthesis - the chemical process plants underg
China's parachute system makes controllable landing of rocket boosters
Sunday, 11 June 2023 10:32During a recent space launch, China tested a parachute system that can help guide fallen rocket boosters into targeted areas, the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology said on Friday. The system was used on a Long March-3B rocket carrying a BeiDou navigation satellite into orbit on May 17 from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province, according to the academy. Dev
US-German satellites show California water gains after record winter
Sunday, 11 June 2023 10:32Early data shows the greatest net gain of water over the winter in nearly 22 years, but the state's groundwater levels still suffer from the effects of years of drought. After years of intense drought and diminishing groundwater, California just saw its greatest year-over-year water gains in two decades, according to data from the GRACE-FO (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On
Time To Try a New Route: Sols 3853-3856
Sunday, 11 June 2023 10:32This blog covers two planning shifts this week, June 7 and Friday, June 9, 2023, for a total of four sols of activities. Curiosity has been trying to work her way to the top of a canyon towards an interesting cluster of craters. Unfortunately the current terrain is extremely challenging, and the drives have been stopping short of their intended distance. After multiple attempts to get uphi