Northrop Grumman meets first-stage rocket motor milestone for Ground Based Strategic Deterrent Program
Wednesday, 17 November 2021 06:58
Northrop Grumman met a key manufacturing milestone in August, successfully performing the first insulation and case wind of the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) first-stage solid rocket motor.
"Working closely with the Air Force and nationwide team of industry partners, we continue to make progress to modernize the country's aging intercontinental ballistic missile system," said Ste Fleet Space raises $26.4 million in Series B round
Wednesday, 17 November 2021 02:48
Fleet Space Technologies raised $26.4 million in a Series B investment round that puts a value of $126 million on the Australian internet-of-things satellite constellation.
Nelson and Rogozin talk about ASAT test
Wednesday, 17 November 2021 00:49
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson spoke with his Russian counterpart a day after a Russian antisatellite test, as others in the Russian government dismissed the threat to space sustainability that test created.
Northrop-led team proposes Artemis lunar rover
Tuesday, 16 November 2021 23:38
An industry team led by Northrop Grumman has unveiled the design of a lunar rover it proposes to develop for NASA’s Artemis program.
Russia clearly knew the consequences of ASAT test, says former U.S. intelligence official
Tuesday, 16 November 2021 22:14
Sue Gordon, former principal deputy director of national intelligence, said the Russians fully understood the consequences of the ASAT test
Space Force satellite operators not yet ready to embrace in-orbit servicing
Tuesday, 16 November 2021 21:10
Space Force logistics lead Karl Stolleis said Nov. 16 at the ASCEND conference that the culture of military satellite operators has not yet caught up to the technology now available for in-orbit servicing
LeoLabs tracks debris cloud expanding in low Earth orbit
Tuesday, 16 November 2021 21:08
LeoLabs expects to be issuing collision alerts for many years to help satellite operators dodge the new debris field.
France boosts space surveillance with satellites launch
Tuesday, 16 November 2021 20:28
France on Tuesday boosted its space surveillance capabilities with the launch of three electromagnetic-monitoring military satellites, one of only four nations known to operate this kind of technology.
A Vega rocket carrying the Ceres satellites took off from Kourou in French Guiana, and placed them into orbit soon after.
Unlike conventional surveillance satellites, these are able to loc Russia dismisses U.S. concerns about missile test, danger to ISS crew
Tuesday, 16 November 2021 20:28
The Russian government responded on Tuesday to U.S. accusations that a missile test in space that blew apart an old satellite has endangered the lives of several astronauts on the International Space Station.
Russia confirmed that it performed a missile test to destroy a satellite that's been in orbit for almost 40 years, but rejected accusations that the resulting debris poses a threat Germany calls for space security rules; Russia dismisses any danger to ISS crew
Tuesday, 16 November 2021 20:28
Germany's government said Tuesday it was "very concerned" by Russia's destruction of one of its own satellites during a missile test, calling for urgent measures to "strengthen security and confidence".
"We call on all states to engage constructively in this process and in the development of principles for responsible behaviour in space," the Germany foreign ministry said in a statement. European space industry alarmed by Russian ASAT test
Tuesday, 16 November 2021 19:15
European space industry figures have expressed alarm at Russia’s destructive antisatellite test which has created thousands of pieces of orbital debris.
Russia satellite destruction put ISS at greater risk: ESA official
Tuesday, 16 November 2021 19:14
Russia's destruction of one of its own satellites generated a cloud of debris near the International Space Station (ISS) and its seven-strong crew.
For Didier Schmitt, a senior figure at the European Space Agency (ESA), Moscow's action increased the risk of a collision in space.
Question: Was this a close call for the seven astronauts—four US, two Russians and a German - aboard the ISS?
Answer: "It's difficult to say with hindsight. But what we know is that from now on, according to our sources, the risk of collision could be five times greater in the weeks, even the months ahead.
"The new debris is moving in the same orbit as the Station, which is to around 400 kilometres in altitude, at more than 8 kilometres a second. That's seven to eight times faster than a rifle bullet! So to avoid them you have to predict a long time in advance: you can raise or lower the ISS a little.
NASA Invites Media to Webb Telescope Science Briefings
Tuesday, 16 November 2021 18:26
NASA will hold two virtual media briefings Thursday, Nov. 18, on the science goals and capabilities of the James Webb Space Telescope. Hydrosat raises $10 million for thermal infrared imagery constellation
Tuesday, 16 November 2021 17:53
Hydrosat, a geospatial data and analytics startup, raised $10 million in seed funding for a satellite constellation to produce thermal infrared maps.
The longest lunar eclipse in centuries will happen this week, NASA says
Tuesday, 16 November 2021 16:57
You can see the longest partial lunar eclipse in hundreds of years this week.
The "nearly total" lunar eclipse is expected overnight Thursday, Nov. 18, to Friday, Nov. 19, NASA said.
"The Moon will be so close to opposite the Sun on Nov 19 that it will pass through the southern part of the shadow of the Earth for a nearly total lunar eclipse," NASA said on its website.
The eclipse will last 3 hours, 28 minutes and 23 seconds, making it the longest in centuries, Space.com reported.
Only a small sliver of the moon will be visible during the eclipse. About 97% of the moon will disappear into Earth's shadow as the sun and moon pass opposite sides of the planet, EarthSky reported.
The moon should appear to be a reddish-brown color as it slips into the shadow, NASA reported.
The eclipse will be visible in many parts of the world, including North America, eastern Australia, New Zealand and Japan, according to EarthSky.
"For U.S. East Coast observers, the partial eclipse begins a little after 2 a.m.