Paris, France (SPX) Jun 13, 2024
A drone took flight over Finland to evaluate the use of automotive radar technology for space applications. This technology, used in cars for automated cruise control, was tested for its potential in planetary landings and orbital rendezvous. ESA collaborated with the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland to test 77 GHz 'frequency-modulated continuous-wave' (FMCW) radar systems. These s

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jun 13, 2024
Apex, a Los Angeles-based spacecraft manufacturing company, announced its $95 million Series B funding round. The round was led by XYZ Venture Capital and co-led by CRV, with participation from new investors Upfront, 8VC, Toyota Ventures, Point72 Ventures, Mirae Asset Capital, Outsiders Fund, GSBackers, and existing investors Andreessen Horowitz, Shield Capital, J2 Ventures, Ravelin, Baiju Bhatt

Baltimore MD (SPX) Jun 13, 2024
Scientists have for the first time observed how atoms in magnesium oxide morph and melt under ultra-harsh conditions, providing new insights into this key mineral within Earth's mantle that is known to influence planet formation. High-energy laser experiments-which subjected tiny crystals of the mineral to the type of heat and pressure found deep inside a rocky planet's mantle-suggest the

Paris, France (SPX) Jun 13, 2024
Europe's newest rocket, Ariane 6, is set to launch soon, carrying multiple space missions. This flight will demonstrate the rocket's ability to launch various payloads, including new satellites for Earth observation, deep space exploration, and technology testing. UARX Space's advanced mission injector, RAMI, will be part of the launch. This payload, about the size of a small suitcase, is

Washington DC (UPI) Jun 12, 2024
Officials with the Federal Aviation Administration are preparing an environmental impact statement regarding licensing for the SpaceX Starship and its super-heavy launch vehicle and want public input. SpaceX wants a commercial launch vehicle operator license to use Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the FAA says. SpaceX also wants to build launch and landing s

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jun 13, 2024
When old satellites fall into Earth's atmosphere and burn up, they leave behind tiny particles of aluminum oxide, which eat away at Earth's protective ozone layer. A new study finds these oxides have increased 8-fold between 2016 and 2022 and will continue to accumulate as the number of low-Earth-orbit satellites increases. The 1987 Montreal Protocol successfully regulated ozone-damaging C

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jun 13, 2024
Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), an EchoStar company (Nasdaq: SATS), announced that Luna Space Telecommunications Co. Ltd., a leading Saudi Arabia service provider under the Skyband Holding company, has purchased a JUPITER System Gateway and 1,200 Hughes JUPITER Terminals to transform its VSAT network. With the latest JUPITER technology, Skyband can provide higher speeds and throughput, rea

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jun 13, 2024
RTX's (NYSE: RTX) small satellite manufacturer and mission services provider, Blue Canyon Technologies, has been chosen to construct two 12U CubeSat buses for NASA's PolSIR mission. This mission aims to study ice clouds that form at high altitudes in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Blue Canyon will design and manufacture the bus platforms and provide mission operations services. T

Paris, France (SPX) Jun 13, 2024
Production of Galileo Second Generation satellites advances as two independent Satellite Critical Design Review boards confirm the satellite designs meet all mission and performance requirements. This milestone is part of the schedule to develop the first 12 satellites of the Galileo Second Generation fleet. The European Galileo navigation system, known for its precision, is preparing for

Boston MA (SPX) Jun 13, 2024
Astronomers using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and ESA's XMM-Newton are investigating nearby stars to determine if they could host habitable exoplanets. This research will aid future telescopes in making the first images of Earth-like planets. Researchers examined stars close enough to Earth for future telescopes to capture images of planets in their habitable zones, where liquid water