Interplanetary internet & cameras in space: ESA’s OPS-SAT first results
OPS-SAT is the world’s first open, in-orbit testbed for new spacecraft software and applications. By conducting low-cost, low-risk experiments with OPS-SAT, teams from across Europe are ushering in a new era for European spaceflight innovation and commercial opportunity.
ESA partnering on UK’s new space thruster test site
Today marks the start of final assembly of the UK’s new National Space Propulsion Facility. ESA is providing technical oversight and financial backing for the facility, which is being equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure to test the most powerful engines used to shift the orbits of space missions.
Giant A-68A iceberg loses chunk of ice
A large block of ice has broken off the northern tip of the A-68A iceberg as seen in new images captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-3 mission.
Rovaniemi, Lapland
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The Copernicus Sentinel-1 mission takes us over Lapland, the largest and northernmost region of Finland, just in time for Christmas. Earth from Space: Lapland
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In this week's edition of the Earth from Space programme, the Copernicus Sentinel-1 mission takes us over Lapland, the largest and northernmost region of Finland, just in time for Christmas.
See also Rovaniemi, Lapland to download the image.
P120C motor configured for Ariane 6 is test fired
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The second qualification model of the P120C solid rocket motor, configured for Ariane 6, completed its hot firing on 7 October 2020 at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana. China rolls out Long March 8 rocket for weekend test flight
HELSINKI — China has rolled out a Long March 8 to the pad for the first launch of a rocket that will later be adapted for vertical landing and reuse.
Investigation confirms improperly connected cables caused Vega launch failure
WASHINGTON — An independent investigation of a Vega launch failure in November confirmed that misconnected cables in the rocket’s upper stage doomed the mission and made recommendations to allow a return to flight in early 2021.
The European Space Agency announced Dec.
Jupiter, Saturn merging in night sky, closest in centuries
![Jupiter, Saturn merging in night sky, closest in centuries](https://scx1.b-cdn.net/csz/news/800/2020/jupitersatur.jpg "In this Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020 photo made available by NASA, Saturn, top, and Jupiter, below, are seen after sunset from Shenandoah National Park in Luray, Va. The two planets are drawing closer to each other in the sky as they head towards a "great conjunction" on Monday, Dec. 21, where the two giant planets will appear a tenth of a degree apart. (Bill Ingalls/NASA via AP)")
Russia launches UK telecom satellites into space
A Soyuz rocket blasted off from the Vostochny cosmodrome in Russia's Far East on Friday carrying 36 UK telecommunications and internet satellites, the Roscosmos space agency said.
The launch was the first and only one to take place from the cosmodrome this year, Roscosmos told AFP.
The rocket took off at 1226 GMT, Roscosmos said, carrying satellites made by the British-based company OneWeb.
Originally planned for April, the launch was delayed after OneWeb collapsed and was forced to declare bankruptcy.
Last month, the UK government and Indian telecommunications giant Bharti took control of the company, investing $500 million a piece.
The London-headquartered company is working to complete the construction of a constellation of low earth orbit satellites providing enhanced broadband and other services to countries around the world.
OneWeb's first six satellites were launched by a Russian-made Soyuz rocket from the space centre in Kourou in French Guiana in February 2019.
The company launched 34 more in February this year from the Baikanour launch site in Kazakhstan, then another 34 in March.
OneWeb plans for its global commercial internet service to be operational by 2022, supported by some 650 satellites.
"Today's launch will be the first fully commercial spacecraft launch from the Vostochny cosmodrome," Roscosmos said.
