The best way to test new space technologies is to actually fly them in space. Today the European Space Agency signed on behalf of the European Commission a series of contracts with small satellite makers from across our continent to ensure rapid access to orbit through rideshare services for future European innovations.

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jan 29, 2025
NASA has selected Firefly Aerospace to deliver the Lunar Vulkan Imaging and Spectroscopy Explorer (Lunar-VISE) payload to the enigmatic Gruithuisen Domes, located on the moon's surface. Spearheaded by the University of Central Florida (UCF) with support from partners such as the University of Maryland (UMD), this ambitious mission seeks to unravel the origins of the Domes and assess the moon's p

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jan 29, 2025
As humanity eyes a future beyond Earth, sustaining life on the moon has emerged as a critical challenge. Essential resources such as oxygen, food, and water will be key to success. While scientists have confirmed the presence of water on the moon, identifying its precise locations and origins remains crucial for enabling long-term habitation. Researchers at the University of California San

London, UK (SPX) Jan 29, 2025
The UK Government has taken a significant step in bolstering the nation's space capabilities, investing GBP 20 million into spaceflight company Orbex as part of its Series D funding round. This marks the first time the government has taken an equity stake in a UK rocket launch provider. Announced by Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) Secretary Peter Kyle at the 17th E

Washington (AFP) Jan 29, 2025
US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Elon Musk's company SpaceX will "soon" begin a mission to repatriate two American astronauts who have been stranded for months on the International Space Station. Veteran astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams arrived at the ISS in June aboard Boeing's Starliner, and were due to spend only eight days on the orbiting laboratory, but technical pr

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jan 29, 2025
Oracle is leveraging Starlink's low Earth orbit satellite broadband network to deliver enhanced high-speed connectivity for its Enterprise Communications Platform (ECP). This collaboration empowers Oracle customers to seamlessly connect from virtually any location - including remote and underserved areas - while accessing features such as real-time video and audio streaming for industry applicat

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jan 29, 2025
Safran Defense and Space, Inc. (DSI) has announced the successful production of its first U.S.-manufactured VISION 5.5-meter full-motion satellite tracking antenna. The advanced unit, designed for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) operations, was built at the company's Norcross, Georgia, facility, marking a significant step in U.S.-based manufacturing capabilities. Four additional units are slated for produ

Paris, France (SPX) Jan 29, 2025
Helioseismology, the study of the Sun's acoustic oscillations, provides a powerful tool for probing the internal properties of our star with remarkable precision. By analyzing these sound waves, scientists can reconstruct critical parameters such as the Sun's density, temperature, and chemical composition. This transformative method enables researchers to explore the Sun's inner workings as an a

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jan 29, 2025
NASA's Juno mission has uncovered an extraordinary volcanic feature on Io, Jupiter's highly active moon. This newly discovered hot spot, located in Io's southern hemisphere, surpasses Earth's Lake Superior in size and emits an astonishing energy output six times greater than all of Earth's power plants combined. The revelation, made possible by Juno's Jovian Infrared Auroral Mapper (JIRAM), high

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jan 29, 2025
The moon's surface has long been a subject of study, offering clues about its geological and evolutionary history. Dark, flat regions known as lunar maria, which are filled with solidified lava, were thought to have formed through significant compression billions of years ago. Many researchers concluded that these regions have remained dormant ever since. However, a new study indicates that the