Minerva Mission highlights
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ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti will soon complete her second mission to the International Space Station, Minerva.
She was launched from Kennedy Space Center in late April, and since then has supported numerous European and international science experiments, as well as taken responsibility for all operations within the US Orbital Segment. In July 2022 she performed her first spacewalk, during which she carried out work in the Russian segment to bring the European Robotic Arm into operation. At the end of September 2022, she became the first European woman to hold the role of crew commander on the Station.
Satellites detect methane plume in Nord Stream leak

Following unusual seismic disturbances in the Baltic Sea, several leaks were discovered last week in the underwater Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines, near Denmark and Sweden. Neither pipeline was transporting gas at the time of the blasts, but they still contained pressurised methane – the main component of natural gas – which spewed out producing a wide stream of bubbles on the sea surface.
With the unexplained gas release posing a serious question about the incident’s environmental impact, a suite of complementary Earth observation satellites carrying optical and radar imaging instruments were called
Run the Solar System in 20 km
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Run the Solar System in 20 km Ariane 6 takes next step to first flight with upper stage hot fire tests

ESA’s flagship Ariane 6 launch vehicle programme has taken a dramatic step towards first flight with the start of a series of hot fire tests of the rocket’s upper stage and its all-new Vinci engine.
Sierra Space hires former SpaceX executive as CIO

Sierra Space has hired a former SpaceX executive as its chief information officer as the company builds up its infrastructure to support work on commercial spacecraft and a space station.
The post Sierra Space hires former SpaceX executive as CIO appeared first on SpaceNews.
Roscosmos official supports continued cooperation with NASA on ISS

After a successful launch of a Crew Dragon spacecraft whose crew included a Russian cosmonaut, a Roscosmos official struck a more conciliatory tone about relations with NASA.
The post Roscosmos official supports continued cooperation with NASA on ISS appeared first on SpaceNews.
Report highlights U.S. concerns over China’s space infrastructure in South America

The expansion of Chinese ground stations in South America is generating concern regarding Beijing’s intentions in the region and in space, according to a new report.
The post Report highlights U.S.
India on track for OneWeb launch in second half of October

India expects to conduct the first launch of OneWeb satellites in eight months during the second half of October, Indian space agency ISRO said Oct. 5.
The post India on track for OneWeb launch in second half of October appeared first on SpaceNews.
York Space wins $200 million Space Development Agency contract for 12 satellites

York Space won a $200 million contract for the Space Development Agency's Tranche 1 Demonstration and Experimentation System (T1DES) program
The post York Space wins $200 million Space Development Agency contract for 12 satellites appeared first on SpaceNews.
UK competition watchdog has concerns about Viasat’s Inmarsat takeover

Viasat’s $7.3 billion Inmarsat takeover could lead to more expensive and poorer quality Wi-Fi for plane passengers, the U.K.’s competition watchdog said Oct.
