Copernical Team
China sees commercial sector as next frontier in US space race
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A world-first launch from the far side of the moon this week showcased China's progress in space, and Beijing now wants its commercial sector to catch up to rivals such as Elon Musk's SpaceX.
Chinese companies lag far behind American frontrunners led by SpaceX, which plans to launch Starship, a massive prototype rocket that may one day send humans to Mars, on Thursday.
The gap is narrowing, however, as Beijing realizes the value a solid commercial sector can add to its existing capabilities, experts told AFP.
It could even become similar to the development of electric vehicles where EV pioneer Tesla, also founded by Musk, was an early mover in China but now faces fierce competition from a host of homegrown rivals, said analyst Chen Lan.
Boeing's space capsule springs more helium leaks on its first test flight with astronauts
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Boeing's space capsule developed more leaks during its first test flight with astronauts as it closed in on the International Space Station on Thursday.
The Starliner capsule already had one small helium leak when it rocketed into orbit Wednesday. Boeing and NASA managers were confident they could manage the propulsion system despite the problem and that more leaks were unlikely.
Boeing Starliner spacecraft springs more leaks on way to ISS
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Boeing's Starliner crew capsule, which is making its way to the International Space Station on its first mission carrying astronauts, has developed two helium leaks since entering orbit but remains stable and on course for docking, NASA said.
The spaceship finally blasted off from Florida on Wednesday following years of delays and safety scares - as well as two recently aborted launch atte Starship megarocket achieves first ocean splashdown: live feed
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Starship, SpaceX's massive prototype rocket that may one day send humans to Mars, achieved its first ever ocean splashdown during its fourth flight test, a live feed showed Thursday.
"Splashdown confirmed! Congratulations to the entire SpaceX team on an exciting fourth flight test of Starship!" Elon Musk's company posted on X.
The most powerful launch system ever built blasted off fr Opening day at ILA 2024
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The 2024 edition of the Berlin International Airshow (ILA), Germany's largest aerospace trade show, opened its doors on 5 June. ESA is taking part with an exhibition in the Space Pavilion alongside the German Space Agency (DLR) and the German Aerospace Industries Association (BDLI).
Highlights of the opening day included the visit of the German Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the Space Pavilion opening ceremony, and the kick-off press conference with ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher.
ILA 2024 – Day 2
Air-quality mission ready to join its host weather satellite
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Following months of meticulous testing to ensure that it will deliver first-class data on air quality around the world, the new Copernicus Sentinel-5 instrument has been delivered to Airbus in France ready to be installed on the first MetOp Second Generation weather satellite.
Gaia: Milky Way’s last major collision was surprisingly recent
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Our galaxy has collided with many others in its lifetime. ESA’s Gaia space telescope now reveals that the most recent of these crashes took place billions of years later than we thought.
Dozens of companies, institutions and NGOs sign the Zero Debris Charter
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More than 40 companies, research centres and international organisations signed the Zero Debris Charter at the Berlin International Airshow (ILA) today, confirming their dedication to the long-term sustainability of human activities in space.
Humanity's climate impact like dinosaur-ending meteor: UN chief
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Humankind's role in the destructive warming of the planet is comparable to the meteor that wiped out the dinosaurs, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Wednesday, calling for rapid steps including bans on fossil fuel advertising.
"Of the vast forces that have shaped life on Earth over billions of years, humanity is just one small blip on the radar," Guterres said in a speech at New Yo 
