Mexico joins Artemis Accords
Friday, 10 December 2021 10:28
The government of Mexico announced Dec. 9 that it is signing the U.S.-led Artemis Accords outlining best practices for space exploration.
Contract signed to build Scout CubeMAP
Friday, 10 December 2021 09:07
ESA has signed a contract with GomSpace to build the Scout CubeMAP mission. Embracing the concept of New Space, CubeMAP is a trio of nanosatellites to help quantify atmospheric processes in the upper atmosphere and how they impact our climate. The constellation will measure water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, ozone, nitrous oxide and aerosols – all of which play a key role in the greenhouse effect and climate change.
Science with Webb: the nearby cosmos
Friday, 10 December 2021 09:00
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The James Webb Space Telescope (Webb) is designed to answer fundamental questions about the Universe.
One of Webb’s key science goals is to study the nearby cosmos: uncovering hidden parts of our Solar System, peering inside dust clouds where stars and planetary systems are forming, and revealing the composition of exoplanets in more detail.
Exoplanets
Thanks to its powerful capabilities at infrared wavelengths, Webb will offer a unique view of the outer planets in our own magnificent Solar System. Looking beyond, Webb will study in detail the atmospheres of a wide diversity of exoplanets.
Webb can study exoplanets as
China sends classified Shijian satellites into orbit with milestone Long March launch
Friday, 10 December 2021 08:34
A Long March 4B launched the Shijian-06 (05) group of satellites Dec. 9, marking the 400th launch of China’s Long March family of launch vehicles.
Earth from Space: Fairbanks, Alaska
Friday, 10 December 2021 08:00
The city of Fairbanks, the largest city in the Interior region of Alaska, and its surroundings, are featured in this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image.
James Webb Space Telescope moved to meet its rocket
Friday, 10 December 2021 07:36
On Dec. 7, NASA's James Webb Space Telescope was transferred to the final assembly building at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana to meet its Ariane 5 launch vehicle.
Stowed inside a special transport container and mobile clean room, Webb's vitals were meticulously monitored throughout the entire process of moving between buildings.
The Ariane 5 rocket Webb will ride to space was moved to the same building on Nov. 29. Here, adjustable platforms allow engineers to access the launch vehicle and its payload.
The next steps ahead are to safely lift Webb to an upper platform which has been prepared so that Webb can be connected to the Ariane 5's upper stage. After being connected to the rocket, technicians will move forward to encapsulate Webb inside Ariane 5's specially adapted fairing.
In preparation for a Dec. 22 launch, ground teams have already successfully completed the delicate operation of loading the spacecraft with the propellant it will use to steer itself while in space.
Astronaut applicants thanked as ESA contacts all candidates
Friday, 10 December 2021 07:09
Applicants to ESA’s astronaut selection are being thanked for their patience as thousands of acceptance or rejection notifications are distributed to candidates across Europe.
Five things to know about the James Webb Space Telescope
Friday, 10 December 2021 06:28
The James Webb Space Telescope, the most powerful space observatory ever built, is finally set for launch in late December after decades of waiting.
An engineering marvel, it will help answer fundamental questions about the Universe, peering back in time 13 billion years. Here are five things to know.
Giant gold mirror
The telescope's centerpiece is its enormous primary mirror, a concave structure 21.5 feet (6.5 meters) wide and made up of 18 smaller hexagonal mirrors. They're made from beryllium coated with gold, optimized for reflecting infrared light from the far reaches of the universe.
The observatory also has four scientific instruments, which together fulfill two main purposes: imaging cosmic objects, and spectroscopy—breaking down light into separate wavelengths to study the physical and chemical properties of cosmic matter.
Rocket Lab launches 109th satellite to orbit
Friday, 10 December 2021 06:18
Rocket Lab USA, Inc. has successfully deployed two satellites to orbit for real-time geospatial intelligence company BlackSky, bringing the total number of satellites deployed by Rocket Lab to 109.
The 'A Data With Destiny' mission, arranged for BlackSky through global launch services provider Spaceflight Inc., was Electron's 23rd liftoff from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 on New Zealand's M Spire Global selects Virgin Orbit for late-load addition to next flight
Friday, 10 December 2021 06:18
Leading launch company Virgin Orbit, which has announced a planned business combination with special purpose acquisition company NextGen Acquisition Corp. II, has announced alongside space-based data and analytics provider Spire Global, Inc. that they have received waiver approval from the Federal Aviation Authority to include Spire on Virgin Orbit's upcoming launch. The satellite, which was int Redwire announces supplier agreement with Terran Orbital to support satellite manufacturing
Friday, 10 December 2021 06:18
Redwire Corporation, a global leader in mission critical space infrastructure for the next generation space economy, has announced a three-year supplier agreement with Terran Orbital, a global leader and pioneer in the development, innovation and operation of small satellites and Earth observation solutions.
Through this agreement, Redwire will deliver a range of advanced components and so New rocket test facility under construction in Scotland
Friday, 10 December 2021 06:18
The UK Space Agency welcomes the news that British company Orbex is constructing a state-of-the-art rocket test facility in Kinloss, Scotland.
Ian Annett, Deputy CEO of the UK Space Agency, said:
The construction of this new facility marks another major milestone in our ambitions to become a modern, agile spacefaring nation. Orbex is an innovative spaceflight company developing its o Los Alamos National Laboratory awards satellite mission contract to NanoAvionics US
Friday, 10 December 2021 06:18
Smallsat mission integrator NanoAvionics US has received a mission contract by Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), one of the largest science and technology institutions in the world. The 12U (1U equals 10 + 10 + 10 cm3) spacecraft, about the size of a microwave oven, will host the Mini Astrophysical MeV Background Observatory (MAMBO) mission.
The goal of MAMBO is to make the best-eve Kleos' Patrol Mission Satellites Ready and Shipped to Launch Site
Friday, 10 December 2021 06:18
Kleos Space S.A, a space-powered Radio Frequency Reconnaissance data-as-a- service (DaaS) company, confirms its Patrol Mission (KSF2) satellites are on track to launch onboard the
Transporter-3 SpaceX mission in January 2022, successfully passing the final technical milestone with satellite builder Innovative Solutions In Space (ISISPACE).
The Patrol Mission satellites are travelling Sol 3320: Flexibility is Key
Friday, 10 December 2021 06:18
Curiosity is currently located within "Maria Gordon notch," which is a rather tight canyon surrounded by high rock walls located at the transition onto the Greenheugh Pediment. Her views are currently magnificent - steep walls surround Curiosity and cast some rather dramatic shadows onto the workspace.
However, despite the beautiful views, today was a sobering lesson in the complexities of