Quantum Space unveils plans for cislunar platforms
A startup led by a former acting administrator of NASA has announced plans to develop platforms serviced by robotic vehicles in cislunar space to support a range of applications.
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Space Force extends L3Harris’ contract to upgrade space tracking system
The U.S. Space Force has extended L3Harris’ contract to develop a software platform used to monitor satellites and debris in orbit, the company announced Feb. 3.
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Near Space Labs to offer 10-centimeter resolution imagery
Near Space Labs is upgrading instruments mounted on its Swifty high-altitude balloons to capture imagery with a resolution of 10 centimeters per pixel.
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Iceye raises $136 million in Series D round
Iceye raised $136 million in a Series D investment round led by Seraphim Space.
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Leftover SpaceX Falcon 9 upper stage will impact the lunar surface in early March
The moon is set to gain one more crater. A leftover SpaceX Falcon 9 upper stage will impact the lunar surface in early March, marking the first time that a human-made debris item unintentionally reaches our natural satellite.
In 2015 the Falcon 9 placed NOAA's DSCOVR climate observatory around the L1 Lagrange point, one of five such gravitationally-stable points between Earth and the Sun. Having reached L1, around 1.5 million km from Earth, the mission's upper stage ended up pointed away from Earth into interplanetary space.
This rendered a deorbit burn to dispose of it in our planet's atmosphere impractical, and the upper stage also lacked sufficient velocity to escape the Earth-moon system. Instead it was left in a chaotic Sun-orbiting orbit near the two bodies.
Now credible public estimates forecast its impact with the moon on 4 March at 12:25:39 UTC at a point on the lunar far side near the equator.
Webb Quest: Mind-blowing mission to the early Universe
Video:
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Embark on a mission with ESA astronomers Mark McCaughrean and Giovanna Giardino to learn more about the James Webb Space Telescope and the early Universe. This programme is suitable for primary and secondary students. Join the quest!
Find more educational resources, videos and links about astronomy on ESA Education's Teach with Astronomy webpage.
Space Force communications satellite WGS-11 clears critical design review
The WGS-11+ Wideband Global Satcom satellite that Boeing developed for the U.S. Space Force passed a critical design review and will transition to production.
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SpaceX launches latest Starlink batch ahead of premium service plan
SpaceX launched another set of Starlink satellites Feb. 3 as it prepares to offer a faster, more expensive premium service for the broadband network.
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India targets August launch for Chandrayaan-3 lunar lander
Delayed two years by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chandrayaan-3 mission will mark India’s second attempt to land on the moon.
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Earth from Space: Batura Glacier
The Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission takes us over Batura Glacier – one of the largest and longest glaciers in the world, outside of the polar regions.
