Copernical Team
India's Gaganyatris complete initial astronaut training for ISRO-NASA mission to ISS
ISRO Update: Towards the goal of accomplishing a joint ISRO-NASA mission to the International Space Station, two Gaganyatris (Prime-Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and Backup-Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair) assigned for Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) have successfully completed their initial phase of training in the United States, which began in the first week of August, 2024. India's jo
BepiColombo collects data during its fifth Mercury flyby
BepiColombo successfully completed its fifth flyby of Mercury on December 1, 2024, passing between the planet and the Sun and reaching a closest approach of 37,630 kilometers at 15:23 CET. This flyby marks another milestone in the spacecraft's journey toward entering orbit around Mercury in 2026.
Taiwan's space sector gains momentum as Foxconn unveils advanced technologies at TASTI 2024
Hon Hai Technology Group, widely known as Foxconn (TWSE:2317), has showcased its latest advancements in space technology at the second annual Taiwan International Assembly of Space Science, Technology, and Industry (TASTI). As a title sponsor of the event, Foxconn emphasized its growing contributions to the satellite ecosystem and its commitment to elevating Taiwan's space industry on the global
LandSpace achieves milestone with successful ZQ 2E-Y1 rocket launch
LandSpace, a leading private aerospace company headquartered in Beijing, successfully launched the modified ZQ 2E-Y1 rocket on Wednesday, deploying two experimental satellites into orbit from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest China. The ZQ 2E-Y1, the first in the ZQ 2E series, lifted off at 10 a.m., marking a significant step for methane-powered rockets. According to LandSpa
China's Lijian-1 Y6 carrier rocket ready for late December launch
China's Lijian-1 Y6 carrier rocket has successfully completed its final assembly test in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, according to its developer, CAS Space. The rocket, which has also passed its factory review, is scheduled to launch in late December carrying 11 satellites. During the test, CAS Space utilized a self-developed initiator for the first time. This, alongside other innovative
China delivers first all-electric propulsion satellite in orbit
China has officially handed over its first all-electric propulsion telecommunications satellite, APSTAR-6E, to its customer while in orbit, marking a significant step in satellite operation and development, as reported by the Science and Technology Daily on Tuesday. Developed by the China Academy of Space Technology, APSTAR-6E operates as a geostationary satellite based on the advanced DFH
China aims to return Mars samples to Earth by 2031
China is targeting 2031 for the return of Martian samples to Earth, a mission set to advance the search for life on Mars. The Deep Space Exploration Laboratory announced that this ambitious project, part of the Tianwen 3 mission, will involve multiple scientific innovations and international collaborations. The mission is scheduled for dual launches around 2028. A lander will collect sampl
China advances construction of massive steerable radio telescope
The construction of the world's largest fully steerable radio telescope is underway in Huadian, Jilin Province, northeast China. The groundbreaking project, set to enhance scientific understanding of celestial bodies, is being developed with an impressive 120-meter diameter. Unlike traditional fixed telescopes, this state-of-the-art instrument will transmit electromagnetic waves to planets
China advances next-generation BeiDou satellite navigation system
China is embarking on the development of its next-generation BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS), designed to provide technologically superior capabilities and enhanced functionalities. This initiative aims to deliver higher-quality services to users worldwide. The plan includes the launch of three experimental satellites by 2027. Full network deployment is scheduled to commence in 20
Exolaunch to deploy 22 satellites on SpaceX Bandwagon-2 mission
Exolaunch, a global leader in satellite deployment and mission integration, is gearing up for the Bandwagon-2 Rideshare mission with SpaceX. Following the success of the first Bandwagon mission earlier this year, the company will deploy 22 satellites into orbit for a diverse roster of international clients. Scheduled for no earlier than December 2024, the mission will launch from Vandenberg Spac