Paris, France (SPX) Nov 18, 2021
Arianespace and Australian operator SingTel Optus signed the launch contract for the Optus-11 communications satellite. The launch, scheduled for the second half of 2023, will use the Ariane 64 version of the Ariane 6 launcher, with four solid boosters. Optus-11 is a Ku-band communications satellite with a coverage zone encompassing Australia and New Zealand. Optus-11 incorporates a number

Washington DC (UPI) Nov 17, 2021
A private space company that's planning to send the first all-private crew to the International Space Station announced on Wednesday that they will conduct medical and scientific experiments during their time in low Earth orbit. Axiom Space said former NASA astronaut Michael Lopez-Alegria will command the crew of four, who will fly to the space station on a SpaceX rocket in February. Th

Pasadena CA (JPL) Nov 18, 2021
NASA has awarded Intuitive Machines of Houston a contract to deliver research, including science investigations and a technology demonstration, to the Moon in 2024. The commercial delivery is part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative and the Artemis program. The investigations aboard Intuitive Machines' Nova-C lander are destined for Reiner Gamma, one of the most d

Edinburgh UK (SPX) Nov 18, 2021
Mars explorers searching for signs of ancient life could be fooled by fossil-like specimens created by chemical processes, research suggests. Rocks on Mars may contain numerous types of non-biological deposits that look similar to the kinds of fossils likely to be found if the planet ever supported life, a study says. Telling these false fossils apart

Noordwijk, Netherland (SPX) Nov 18, 2021
Celestia STS, a specialist in ground-based solutions for satellite testing, communications and data processing, has launched MPIP, a multi-purpose interface platform that offers a novel approach to spacecraft test and simulation. MPIP is a modular, scalable electrical ground support equipment (EGSE) that enables space equipment builders or integrators to test and simulate different electri

Kourou, French Guiana (ESA) Nov 18, 2021
The CERES space system (Capacite de Renseignement Electromagnetique Spatiale or Space-based Signal Intelligence Capability) satellites designed and built by Airbus Defence and Space and Thales for the French Armament General Directorate (DGA) have been successfully launched from the European spaceport in French Guiana, on-board a Vega launcher. "We are ready to go with the next generation

Beijing (XNA) Nov 18, 2021
A space weather center set up by China and Russia began operating on Tuesday to provide services for aviation operators around the world. The China-Russia Consortium Global Space Weather Center monitors space weather events including solar activities and releases advisories for aviation operators, said Zhang Xiaoxin, director of the National Satellite Meteorological Center's space weather

Moscow (Sputnik) Nov 18, 2021
Earlier in the day, the Defence Ministry confirmed that Russia had successfully conducted an anti-satellite test on Monday, hitting a long-defunct Soviet satellite floating lifelessly in orbit. The military dismissed claims made by US officials that the test creates thousands of pieces of debris "threatening the interests of all nations." The Russian Ministry of Defence published a video T

Moscow (Sputnik) Nov 18, 2021
On Monday, State Department spokesman Ned Price accused Russia of "recklessly" carrying out a destructive satellite test using an anti-satellite missile against a defunct Soviet satellite. Washington claims the test generated "over 1,500 pieces of trackable orbital debris" which now "threaten the interests of all nations." The Russian military confirmed Tuesday that it has carried out a su

Moscow (Sputnik) Nov 18, 2021
Russia is ready to discuss the entire spectrum of space security issues with all interested countries, including the United States, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. "We confirm our readiness to discuss the entire spectrum of space security issues with all interested states, including the United States. We are convinced that the launch of negotiations on an interna