SEAKR Engineering uses AdaCore technologies to develop software for spacecraft systems
Sunday, 16 May 2021 23:01
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When SEAKR Engineering decided to upgrade its mission-critical space data recorder applications to a new hardware platform, they kept their software in Ada.
SEAKR Engineering is a leading supplier of state-of-the-art spacecraft electronics and a pioneer in the development of solid-state data recorders for satellites. SEAKR's products are on the International Space Station, on satellites or Beidou has grown into world-class navigation system
Sunday, 16 May 2021 23:01 Write a comment
After decades of planning and construction, China possesses one of the world's major navigation satellite systems - the Beidou Navigation Satellite System.
Beidou is currently the country's largest space-based system and one of four global navigation networks, along with the United States' GPS, Russia's GLONASS and the European Union's Galileo.
"Beidou is the fruit of the determinati China's small-satellite smart manufacturing facility starts operations
Sunday, 16 May 2021 23:01 Write a comment
China's first smart manufacturing facility for small satellites in the central city of Wuhan is ready for official production operations, with the first satellite rolling off the production line on Thursday.
The first satellite is a typical product for mass production self-developed by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation, Ltd. (CASIC).
This new development demonstrates t CATALYST Develops Automated Workflow for South African National Space Agency
Sunday, 16 May 2021 23:01 Write a comment
CATALYST, a PCI Geomatics brand, has delivered an automated workflow for the South African National Space Agency's (SANSA) Earth Observation Department to convert decades of SPOT satellite imagery to CARD4L Analysis Ready Data (ARD). The scalable workflow enables SANSA to prepare its entire SPOT archive for immediate analysis using the Open Data Cube, machine learning, and AI models.
CATAL Rocket Lab's satellite launch from New Zealand site fails
Sunday, 16 May 2021 07:52 Write a comment
California-based Rocket Lab said a launch of satellites from its facility in New Zealand failed Saturday.
The problem occurred during ignition of the Electron rocket's second stage, the company said in a statement.
The rocket was carrying two Earth-observation satellites for BlackSky, a global monitoring company.
"Today's anomaly occurred after 17 successful orbital launches of the Electron launch vehicle. With multiple launch vehicles currently in production, Rocket Lab is prepared for a rapid return to flight as soon as investigations are complete and any required corrective actions are in place," the statement said.
Rocket Lab said the rocket's first stage successfully parachuted into the ocean and crews were working to recover it. The company is trying to develop a capability to recover and reuse Electron first stages.
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SpaceX launches Starlink satellites and rideshare payloads
Saturday, 15 May 2021 23:53 Write a comment
WASHINGTON — A SpaceX Falcon 9 launched another group of Starlink satellites May 15 on a mission that included two rideshare payloads.
The Falcon 9 lifted off from Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A at 6:56 p.m.
U.S. senator: China landing on Mars a reminder ‘we don’t own space anymore’
Saturday, 15 May 2021 16:53 Write a comment
WASHINGTON — Just hours after a Chinese rover successfully touched down on the surface of Mars Friday evening, Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) said the achievement puts to rest any doubt that China is a rising space power that will challenge the United States.
Electron launch fails
Saturday, 15 May 2021 10:53 Write a comment
WASHINGTON — A Rocket Lab Electron rocket failed to reach orbit May 15 when its second stage engine shut down seconds after ignition, the second launch failure in less than a year for the company.
China lands on Mars in major advance for its space ambitions
Saturday, 15 May 2021 05:35 Write a comment
China's probe to Mars touched down on the Red Planet early Saturday to deploy its Zhurong rover, state media reported, a triumph for Beijing's increasingly bold space ambitions and a history-making feat for a nation on its first-ever Martian mission.
The lander carrying Zhurong completed the treacherous descent through the Martian atmosphere using a parachute to navigate the "seven minutes of terror" as it is known, aiming for a vast northern lava plain known as the Utopia Planitia.
'Nihao Mars': China's Zhurong rover touches down on Red Planet
Saturday, 15 May 2021 00:42 Write a comment
China's probe to Mars touched down on the Red Planet early Saturday to deploy its Zhurong rover, state media reported, a triumph for Beijing's increasingly bold space ambitions and a history-making feat for a nation on its first-ever Martian mission.
The lander carrying Zhurong completed the treacherous descent through the Martian atmosphere using a parachute to navigate the "seven minutes o Perseverance, Hope and a fire god: a history of Mars rovers
Saturday, 15 May 2021 00:42 Write a comment
China's probe to Mars touched down on the Red Planet Saturday to deploy its Zhurong rover, during a busy time for Martian exploration.
China, the US and hitherto space minnows the UAE have sent probes to the treacherous planet, where failure to land safely is more frequent than success.
China's Tianwen-1 probe successfully launched last July and entered Mars' orbit in February - a major China’s Zhurong Mars rover lands safely in Utopia Planitia
Friday, 14 May 2021 23:46 Write a comment
HELSINKI — China succeeded with its first planetary landing attempt Friday, safely setting down the solar powered Zhurong rover on the surface of Mars.
Telesat ready to move fast on selling spectrum to fund Lightspeed constellation
Friday, 14 May 2021 19:24 Write a comment
TAMPA, Fla. — Telesat could start a spectrum auction to help fund its $5 billion Lightspeed low Earth orbit constellation “in a couple of months” if Canada’s government approves its proposal, according to CEO Dan Goldberg.
SpaceX outlines first orbital Starship test flight
Friday, 14 May 2021 18:01 Write a comment
WASHINGTON — SpaceX has disclosed details for the first orbital test flight of its next-generation Starship launch system, but the company is still far short of the regulatory approvals needed for the mission.
SpaceX filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission May 13 for special temporary authority for communications required to support a Starship test launch from the company’s Boca Chica, Texas, test site.
Vandenberg Air Force Base to be renamed Space Force Base
Friday, 14 May 2021 15:08 Write a comment
California's Vandenberg Air Force Base will be renamed as a U.S. Space Force Base on Friday.
The name will be changed to Vandenberg Space Force Base during an afternoon ceremony on the parade field at the sprawling base on the state's Central Coast, which tests ballistic missiles and conducts orbital launches for defense, science and commercial purposes.
The Space Force was created as the sixth uniformed military branch in 2019 during the administration of former President Donald Trump. Personnel assigned to the Air Force Space Command were reassigned to the Space Force, ending its Air Force lineage.
"Redesignating Air Force installations as Space Force installations is critical to establishing a distinct culture and identity for the Space Force," a base statement said.
Vandenberg's host unit, the 30th Space Wing, will be redesignated Space Launch Delta 30, under Space Operations Command.
Vandenberg was originally established in 1941 as Camp Cooke, an Army garrison for tank, infantry and artillery training.
Its geographical location made it ideal for missile tests and launches into polar orbit. During the Cold War, it was redesignated as Cooke Air Force Base and then Vandenberg in honor of Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg, the second chief of staff of the Air Force.