NASA brands future Earth science missions as Earth System Observatory
WASHINGTON — A set of missions recommended by the Earth science decadal survey more than three years ago will be developed under a program called the Earth System Observatory, NASA and the White House announced May 24.
The White House announced the Earth System Observatory program in a fact sheet that outlined a broader program to monitor and address the impacts of climate change, including $1 billion in “pre-disaster mitigation resources” for communities provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Lynk files FCC license application for initial satellite system
WASHINGTON — Lynk, a startup developing a constellation of satellites to provide connectivity for mobile phones, has filed a license application with the Federal Communications Commission to operate an initial set of satellites.
Lynk announced May 25 that it filed the FCC application using the commission’s streamlined licensing process for smallsats established in 2019.
Join us for live lunar eclipse
Join us, and the Moon, for a lunch date like no other starting from 11:30 CEST on Wednesday 26 May.
Viasat asks FCC to halt Starlink launches while it seeks court ruling
TAMPA, Fla. — Satellite operator Viasat is asking the FCC to stop SpaceX from launching more Starlink satellites as it heads to court to compel a thorough environmental review of the rapidly growing megaconstellation.
Whitson to command second Axiom Space mission
WASHINGTON — A former NASA astronaut who holds the record for the most time spent in space by an American will command Axiom Space’s second commercial mission to the International Space Station, the company announced May 25.
Axiom said that Peggy Whitson will serve as commander of the Ax-2 mission to the ISS.
Op-ed | America’s future in space is nuclear
Public interest and recent accomplishments in civil and scientific spaceflight are running at historically high levels. The United States lands rovers on Mars and flies ‘helicopters’ through its tenuous atmosphere. SpaceX and NASA have partnered for three successful human spaceflight launches from U.S.
CesiumAstro unveils plan to test active phased array in orbit
SAN FRANCISCO — CesiumAstro is preparing to launch two cubesats in September to demonstrate the firm’s active phased array technology and to provide customers with an on-orbit testbed.
Through the Cesium Mission 1 announced May 25, Cesium plans to demonstrate proprietary hardware and software in addition to testing intersatellite links and Ka-band communications.
With Artemis Accords on the table, South Korea, U.S. to widen cooperation in space exploration, security
SEOUL, South Korea — President Moon Jae-in of South Korea and his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden have promised to cooperate toward South Korea signing the Artemis Accords, a set of principles governing norms of behavior for those who want to participate in the NASA-led Artemis lunar exploration program.
Viasat names new leader for its government business
WASHINGTON — Viasat, a provider of satellite-based communications services, announced May 25 it has named Craig Miller to lead the company’s government business.
Miller, who joined the company in 1995 and most recently was Viasat’s chief technology officer, takes over as president of Viasat Government Systems, a post previously held by Ken Peterman.
Lynk files FCC license application for initial direct-to-cellphone satellite system
WASHINGTON — Lynk, a startup developing a constellation of satellites to provide connectivity for mobile phones, has filed a license application with the Federal Communications Commission to operate an initial set of satellites.
Lynk announced May 25 that it filed the FCC application using the commission’s streamlined licensing process for smallsats established in 2019.
