Image: Mars terrain recreation at ESA
Wednesday, 24 May 2023 16:42
A downward view of ESA's rock-strewn recreation of the Red Planet, is designed to put prototype planetary rovers through their paces.
Officially part of the Planetary Robotics Laboratory at the Agency's ESTEC technical center in Noordwijk, the Netherlands, the nickname of this test site is the "Mars Yard."
An 9 x 9 m square filled with sand and different types of gravel and rocks, it is used to assess rover locomotion and navigation as well as the traction of wheels and other mechanisms. Then researchers can check how these elements work together in practice, with tests observed using precision cameras and sensors.
The Planetary Robotics Lab is part of a suite of more than 35 ESA laboratories focused on all aspects of space engineering, available to wider European Member States companies as well as ESA projects.
Provided by European Space Agency
NASA's LRO views impact site of HAKUTO-R mission 1 moon lander
Wednesday, 24 May 2023 16:38
The ispace HAKUTO-R Mission 1 lunar lander was launched on Dec. 11, 2022, a privately funded spacecraft planned to land on the lunar surface. After a several-month journey to the moon, the spacecraft started a controlled descent to the surface to land near Atlas crater. The ispace team announced the following day that an anomaly occurred, and the HAKUTO-R Mission 1 lunar lander had not safely touched down on the surface.
NASA's Chandra, Webb telescopes combine for arresting views
Wednesday, 24 May 2023 16:37
When multiple NASA telescopes observe the same cosmic region, the universe's true colors are revealed.
Four composite images deliver dazzling views from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and James Webb Space Telescope of two galaxies, a nebula, and a star cluster.
BlackSky, Spire roll out space-based maritime tracking service
Wednesday, 24 May 2023 16:02
BlackSky and Spire Global announced May 24 they are offering a new monitoring service that tracks ships via satellites.
Virgin Orbit to cease operations, sell assets of Richard Branson's satellite launcher
Wednesday, 24 May 2023 15:21
Japan’s GITAI raises $29 million for space robotics business
Wednesday, 24 May 2023 13:04
Japanese space robotics venture GITAI has raised around $29 million to accelerate technology development and its U.S.
Fighting wildfires in France | FIRE Preview
Wednesday, 24 May 2023 13:00
Video:
00:12:42
Enjoy a sneak peek of ESA’s new documentary that looks at fire in all its fury - and how satellite technology is helping to mitigate this consequence of climate change. Join us on this journey as we meet the firefighter who fought one of the largest wildfires in his career, climate scientists working with satellite data, and the people on the frontline using these data to aid those affected. The full documentary will be released this summer.
Missile-warning satellite passes preliminary design review
Wednesday, 24 May 2023 12:30
A U.S. missile-warning satellite completed a major review, keeping the spacecraft on track for launch in 2028.
The post Missile-warning satellite passes preliminary design review appeared first on SpaceNews.
Debut Astranis satellite beams first signals to Alaska
Wednesday, 24 May 2023 11:24
The first Astranis-built satellite has reached geostationary orbit over Alaska and completed a key end-to-end payload test following its Falcon Heavy launch at the end of April, the Californian manufacturer announced May 24.
Hark! A mystery sign in space (ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter)
Wednesday, 24 May 2023 10:51
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A message will soon be received from outer space and you are invited, along with the global community, to decipher it. Does its messenger, the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter, count as extraterrestrial intelligence? Probably not. So, until we hear from aliens themselves, the martian orbiter is playing the role of green man in the ‘A Sign in Space’ global art project.
If we were to receive a signal from space, it would likely not be just scientists who catch it. Today, many individuals, organisations, universities and companies have access to antennas that are pointed skyward.
Any message received would be for the whole planet
South Korea cancels satellite launch plan citing technical problem
Wednesday, 24 May 2023 10:17
South Korea canceled its planned launch Wednesday of its first commercial-grade satellite due to a technical issue, days after rival North Korea reaffirmed its push to place its first military spy satellite into orbit.
South Korea postpones third launch of homegrown rocket
Wednesday, 24 May 2023 10:02
South Korea on Wednesday postponed the launch of its homegrown Nuri rocket after a technical glitch was detected just hours before lift-off, officials said.
It was the third planned launch of Nuri, following a failed first attempt and a successful second mission last year.
A communication error between the launch control computer and another computer managing the launch pad was detected Shenzhou XVI mission to launch in days
Wednesday, 24 May 2023 10:02
China's next manned mission, the Shenzhou XVI, is scheduled to be launched in the coming days to transport three astronauts to the Tiangong space station, according to the China Manned Space Agency.
The Shenzhou XVI crewed spacecraft and its carrier, a Long March 2F rocket, were moved to the service tower on Monday at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China's Gobi Desert, Rocket Lab scoops up Virgin Orbit Long Beach California assets
Wednesday, 24 May 2023 10:02
Rocket Lab USA, Inc. has been selected as a successful bidder and is finalizing an asset purchase agreement for the purchase of certain Long Beach California aerospace production and manufacturing assets from Virgin Orbit Holdings, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries ("Virgin Orbit") in Virgin Orbit's Chapter 11 bankruptcy auction.
Rocket Lab's successful bid of approximately $16.1 millio Global team simulates message from extraterrestrial intelligence to Earth
Wednesday, 24 May 2023 10:02
What would happen if we received a message from an extraterrestrial civilization? Daniela de Paulis, an established interdisciplinary artist and licensed radio operator who currently serves as Artist in Residence at the SETI Institute and the Green Bank Observatory, has brought together a team of international experts, including SETI researchers, space scientists, and artists, to stage her lates