Leidos secures $476M NASA contract for ISS and Artemis Cargo Support
Friday, 12 July 2024 17:40Leidos (NYSE: LDOS) has been awarded a significant contract to continue providing cargo mission engineering and integration services for NASA's International Space Station (ISS) Program and Artemis campaign. The contract, which holds a total potential value of $476 million, includes a base performance period of two years. The primary work will be conducted at Leidos' facilities in Webster, Texas
i-Space Rocket Test Faces Setback with SQX-1 Y8 Launch
Friday, 12 July 2024 17:40The recent test flight of the SQX-1 Y8, a commercial carrier rocket developed by the Chinese private aerospace firm i-Space, ended in failure on Thursday. The rocket launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 7:40 am Beijing Time. Shortly after liftoff, the SQX-1 Y8 exhibited abnormal performance, leading to an unsuccessful mission. The SQX-1, also known
Hera's Propulsion System Passes Critical Leak Test
Friday, 12 July 2024 17:40ESA's Hera asteroid mission, designed for planetary defense, has successfully undergone a crucial phase in its test campaign by being placed back in its transport container. The spacecraft will remain at the ESTEC Test Centre in Noordwijk, the Netherlands, until the end of August. During this period, Hera's container was used for a global leak test to confirm the integrity of its propulsio
China's Tianwen 2 Mission Targets Asteroid and Comet Exploration
Friday, 12 July 2024 17:40
China's Tianwen 2 probe is set to launch aboard a Long March 3B rocket in May 2025. This mission aims to collect samples from a near-Earth asteroid and deliver them to Earth, followed by a journey to study a comet in deep space.
The probe's first target is the near-Earth asteroid 469219, known as Kamo'oalewa in Hawaiian. After reaching the asteroid, Tianwen 2 will perform remote sensing
NASA Evaluates Electrical Components for Europa Clipper Mission
Friday, 12 July 2024 17:40Launch preparations for NASA's Europa Clipper mission are moving forward. The spacecraft, which arrived at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida in May, recently had its high-gain antenna installed. "Engineers with NASA's Europa Clipper mission continue to conduct extensive testing of transistors that help control the flow of electricity on the spacecraft." This follows concerns that thes
Building a Digital Preview of the Universe
Friday, 12 July 2024 17:40Imagine gazing into the night sky and observing millions of galaxies spanning a vast expanse of space. Consider the thrill of searching for exoplanets or witnessing the explosive deaths of stars. In the upcoming years, two U.S.-funded telescopes will make these observations possible. Ahead of their operational debut, a Duke researcher is spearheading an initiative under the OpenUniverse pr
New Proposal Redefines Planetary Criteria Beyond Our Solar System
Friday, 12 July 2024 17:40Planetary scientists are suggesting an updated definition of a planet to replace the current, sun-centric one deemed outdated by many researchers. Established in 2006 by the International Astronomical Union (IAU), the existing definition states that a celestial body must orbit the sun within our solar system to be classified as a planet. However, scientists recognize the prevalence of cele
Galactic 'Heart and Lungs' Mechanism Regulates Growth
Friday, 12 July 2024 17:40A recent study published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society proposes that galaxies possess a "heart and lungs" mechanism that regulates their growth and prevents them from becoming overly large. This finding sheds light on why galaxies are not as massive as previously anticipated. The research, conducted by astrophysicists at the University of Kent, suggests that gala
Astronomical Satellite Observes Multiple Gamma-Ray Bursts
Friday, 12 July 2024 17:40A state-of-the-art astronomical satellite, developed through a collaboration between China and France, has successfully detected three gamma-ray bursts, the Chinese Academy of Sciences announced. The Space Variable Objects Monitor (SVOM) detected a gamma-ray burst on the morning of June 27, shortly after its Gamma-ray Burst Monitor was activated for testing. The satellite also observed two
Booz Allen Invests in Quindar to Enhance Satellite Automation
Friday, 12 July 2024 17:40Booz Allen Hamilton (NYSE: BAH) reports that its corporate venture capital arm, Booz Allen Ventures, LLC, has made a strategic investment in Quindar, a commercial space technology startup focused on automating satellite operations. This investment supports Booz Allen's VoLT business strategy-emphasizing velocity, leadership, and technology-and underscores the importance of integrating advanced t
International Law Crucial in Preventing Space Militarization
Friday, 12 July 2024 17:40A recent study emphasizes the urgent need for countries and international organizations to leverage existing international law to address rising concerns about the militarization of outer space. The militarization of space is escalating, with the potential to become a battleground. Nations are testing anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons, and satellites could become significant targets during con
Dawn’s Mk-II cleared for supersonic flight tests
Friday, 12 July 2024 16:00U.S. military to award $3 billion contract for AI-driven intelligence
Friday, 12 July 2024 14:44SpaceX space junk crashed onto Saskatchewan farmland, highlighting a potential impending disaster
Friday, 12 July 2024 14:43In late April, farmers in Saskatchewan stumbled upon spacecraft fragments while preparing their fields for seeding. It sounds like the beginning of a science fiction movie, but this really happened, sending a powerful warning: it is only a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt or killed by falling space junk.
The Axiom Space private astronaut mission (Ax-3) concluded safely on Feb. 9 when its SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule splashed down off the coast of Florida. Several weeks later, the Crew Dragon's cargo trunk re-entered the atmosphere over Canada after being abandoned in orbit prior to the capsule's return.
Several incidents
The Federal Aviation Administration, charged with approving commercial spaceflight launches in the United States, has claimed that such trunks typically "burn up" during their re-entry.
This is clearly incorrect. Similar fragments, likely from the trunk of a different Crew Dragon mission, were found in North Carolina in May, including a smaller piece that landed on the roof of a house.