Dirty laundry in space? NASA, Tide tackle cleaning challenge
Space object with orbit stretching into the Oort cloud discovered
Astronomers Pedro Bernardinelli and Gary Bernstein discovered a space object recently that has an orbit around the sun and also stretches into the Oort cloud—they have named it 2014 UN271. The researchers made the discovery while studying archival images collected for the Dark Energy Survey over the years 2014 to 2018. Since its discovery, entities such as the MMPL forum, the Minor Planet Center and JPL Solar System Dynamics have been tracking the object and have found that it will make its closest approach to Earth in 2031.
Measurements of the object put it between the size of a very small planet and a comet—it is believed to have a diameter of 100 to 370 km. If it turns out to be on the larger end of that spectrum, it would mark the largest Oort cloud object discovered to date. But it is the path of the object that has drawn the attention of astronomers—its orbit is nearly perpendicular to the plane created by the nine inner planets and takes it deep into the solar system and into the Oort cloud.
U.S. Army to evaluate Kymeta’s flat satellite antennas for mobile connectivity
WASHINGTON — Kymeta’s flat panel satellite antennas will be among the products the U.S. Army will evaluate for future use in its communications networks, the company announced June 22.
Eight Kymeta u8 flat panel satellite antennas will be installed on military vehicles and tested as part of an Army pilot program.
Ligado Networks passes 3GPP review for 5G plan
TAMPA, Fla. — Ligado Networks is a step closer toward using its L-band satellite spectrum for terrestrial wireless services in the U.S., after getting clearance from the 3GPP consortium that sets global communications standards for 5G.
The company said June 21 that 3GPP approved technical specifications that enable vendors to build 5G-compatible products on its spectrum.
Patents help build a global map of new space industry
Skoltech researchers and their colleagues from Russia and Serbia have reviewed almost a thousand patents held by some two hundred organizations involved in the New Space economy. The analysis helped draw a comprehensive picture of technology trends in the field. The paper was published in the journal Progress in Aerospace Sciences.
'New Space' is a loosely-defined term that encompasses the recent flurry of space-related activities coming from smaller actors rather than a handful of space-faring nations. Put somewhat simply, while the Apollo missions were more traditional, SpaceX, Rocket Lab (launching small satellites from New Zealand) or LeoLabs (a space junk tracking company) are undeniably parts of a new and different space economy. In a 2020 paper, Skoltech Associate Professor Alessandro Golkar and Alejandro Salado of Virginia Tech found three distinguishing traits of New Space companies: explicit customer focus, new product development approaches, and new business models.
"In a nutshell, the main difference relates to how New Space organizations develop their products and how they approach the business. New Space organizations tend to embrace innovative development processes such as agile, have a risk-taker attitude, and focus on profit.
Space Development Agency to launch five satellites aboard SpaceX rideshare
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Development Agency has five satellites riding on SpaceX’s Transporter-2 rideshare mission scheduled to launch June 25.
“There’s nothing in the space business that gets your blood pumping like the idea of a launch, especially if you’ve got multiple satellites,” a senior Space Development Agency (SDA) official told reporters June 22.
Europe proposes launcher alliance
WASHINGTON — The European Union is proposing a “launcher alliance” involving companies and governments to develop the next generation of European launch vehicles, although some European startups are skeptical of those plans.
In a June 22 speech highlighting the EU’s space programs, including the signing of a Financial Framework Partnership Agreement with the European Space Agency, the EU commissioner responsible for space highlighted the launcher alliance as part of a “ambitious and disruptive space agenda.
DoD space agency to create marketplace for commercial satellite data
WASHINGTON — The Space Development Agency is looking to work with commercial operators of imaging satellites so they can send data directly to U.S. government satellites in orbit, the agency’s director Derek Tournear said June 22.
Does outer space end or go on forever
Right above you is the sky - or as scientists would call it, the atmosphere. It extends about 20 miles (32 kilometers) above the Earth. Floating around the atmosphere is a mixture of molecules - tiny bits of air so small you take in billions of them every time you breathe.
Above the atmosphere is space. It's called that because it has far fewer molecules, with lots of empty space between t Astronauts enjoy many food, beverage choices in orbit
Astronauts on board the core module of China's space station have a wide variety of foods specifically designed for them to enjoy during their three-month space journey, according to project leaders.
Ji Qiming, assistant director of the China Manned Space Agency, said that there are more than 120 kinds of food and beverages inside the core module, named Tianhe, or Harmony of Heavens. These 
