Space news

Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser vehicle is one step closer to launching no earlier than the first half of 2024 following testing at NASA’s Neil Armstrong Test Facility, formerly known as Plum Brook Station, in Ohio.

You may have heard United Launch Alliance is for sale. 

After nearly nine years of planning, preparation, and even once being slated for cancellation entirely, NASA’s Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) Earth-observation mission lifted off from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on February 8, at 1:33:36 AM. This nearly billion dollar mission represents almost a decade of work, with the goal of revolutionizing our understanding of Earth’s dynamic oceans.

For space companies, the benefit comes from pairing generative AI with more traditional machine-learning algorithms and computer-vision models.

Payloads: Astrobee: The crew set up cameras to capture the Astrobee crew-minimal science operations. Astrobee is made up of free-flying, cube-shaped robots. These robots are designed to help scientists and engineers develop and test technologies for use in microgravity to assist astronauts with routine chores and to give ground controllers additional eyes and ears on …

The nebula can be found in the constellation Monoceros.

Small launch vehicle developers are working to carve out niches in a market for smallsat launches that is increasingly dominated by SpaceX’s Transporter rideshare missions.

Early this morning NASA launched the PACE satellite to advance understanding of the oceans, the atmosphere, and how they interact. The Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud ocean-Ecosystem satellite’s launch today is the […]

A SpaceX Falcon 9 placed a NASA Earth science satellite into orbit Feb. 8 on a launch that was the first of its kind for the U.S. government in more than 60 years.

BlackSky will work with Thales Alenia is support of the Indonesian Ministry of Defense

European Space Agency astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti has announced that she will be leading the agency’s team responsible for implementing its LEO Cargo Return Service initiative. The initiative was first announced in May 2023. Its aim is to support the development of a commercial cargo transportation service to and from low Earth orbit, offering resupply capabilities […] The post ESA Astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti to Lead Agency’s LEO Cargo Return Initiative appeared first on European Spaceflight.

Japan has awarded Tokyo-based small satellite thruster developer Pale Blue a grant worth up to $27 million to upgrade its water-based propulsion technology for larger spacecraft.

The combined Ariane 6 launcher task force, consisting of ESA, CNES, and ArianeGroup, has reported on the progress of Ariane 6, the steps to launch, and the beginning of stage shipments to the launch site.

The combined Ariane 6 launcher task force, consisting of ESA, CNES, and ArianeGroup, has reported on the progress of Ariane 6, the steps to launch, and the beginning of stage shipments to the launch site.

Founded in 2017, Slingshot is based in El Segundo, California; and Austin, Texas.

Axiom-3 (Ax-3) Private Astronaut Mission (PAM) Undock: SpaceX Crew Dragon Freedom undocked from the ISS at 8:15 AM CST to return private astronauts Michael López-Alegría, Walter Villadei, Alper Gezeravcı, and Marcus Wandt following a successful 18 day docked mission. The vehicle is scheduled to splash down near Daytona, Florida, on Friday at 7:30 AM CST. …

Intuitive Machines is targeting February 14th for the launch of IM-1, the first flight of its NOVA-C robotic moon lander as part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative. The spacecraft, christened Odysseus, aims to carry six NASA payloads to Malapert A, a crater near the lunar South Pole. The initial window lasts for three days this month, with all opportunities resulting in a landing on February 22nd; should the launch delay, the next window opens in March. The mission comes soon after the inaugural flight of the CLPS program, Astrobotic’s Peregrine Mission One, which failed to reach the lunar surface following a propellant leak shortly after launch. During a media briefing on Wednesday, January 31st, NASA and Intuitive Machines expressed optimism for the upcoming flight, amidst many questions surrounding the policy of the CLPS initiative as a whole.

Former Iceye US CEO Jerry Welsh, a Kuva Space US board member, is leading the company’s campaign to provide hyperspectral insights to U.S. government customers.

China is preparing to launch a pair of Tiandu lunar experimental technology satellites for a planned constellation of satellites to support lunar exploration.

The space industry need to take a broader examination of issues related to space sustainability that go beyond preventing the growth of space debris, one official says.

The European Space Agency’s deep-space communications station in Spain has been upgraded, boosting its download capacity. Deep space networks are facing an unprecedented demand for communication bandwidth from space agencies around the world and, increasingly, from private companies. One of the ways that ESA is working to meet this demand is by adding a fourth […] The post ESA Boosts Deep-Space Comms Capacity with Cryocooled Upgrade appeared first on European Spaceflight.

Viasat expects to start providing Wi-Fi to planes by the end of June from ViaSat-3 F1, the satellite that lost more than 90% of its 1 terabit per second capacity after an antenna deployment failure last year.

The aftermath of a “bubble” of investment in space startups in recent years could cause many companies to struggle to raise additional funding even as overall market conditions improve.

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory announced today that it is laying off 580 people, 8 percent of its workforce, plus contractors, because Congress has not passed FY2024 appropriations. One of JPL’s […]

On the week of the sixth anniversary of the first flight of Falcon Heavy, SpaceX looks to launch five separate Falcon 9 missions. Meanwhile, JAXA is preparing for the second flight of the H3 rocket after its unsuccessful maiden launch in 2023, while Roscosmos will resupply the International Space Station (ISS) with Progress MS-26 launching on Soyuz.

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory announced Feb. 6 it will lay off 530 employees, about 8% of its staff, citing uncertainty about its budget for 2024.

While venture capital has retrenched, “the government has stepped up and created a tailwind for the space industry."

"The FAA is overseeing the Virgin Galactic-led mishap investigation."

Private Astronaut Mission (PAM) Axiom 3: Outreach, Commercial, and Payload Activities: The Ax-3 crew continues to wait for an undock opportunity. Throughout the day, they have recorded several outreach events and taken outreach and payload imagery. The crew have completed additional work on their National Lab-sponsored payloads ISOC and Ready Pasta. Alongside these payload activities, Marcus …

The recent World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-23) in Dubai saw regulators and industry players from across the globe attempt to shape the future of telecom, satellite and space applications.

Juno continues to deliver in the Jovian system.

Synthetaic uses artificial intelligence to analyze data from space and air sensors.

The Greek Ministry of Digital Governance has announced that the country is going ahead with the development of a €60-million Earth observation microsatellite constellation. Once operational, the constellation will provide the country with optical, multispectral, and hyperspectral Earth observation data. An initial call for information for what was then referred to as the National Programme […] The post Greece Announces €60M Earth Observation Microsatellite Constellation appeared first on European Spaceflight.

Lynk Global has agreed to a merger that would raise money for the direct-to-smartphone operator and list its shares on Nasdaq, the venture said Feb. 5 in a regulatory filing that details its revenue projections for the emerging market.

Virgin Galactic said Feb. 5 it is investigating why a pin fell from the aircraft used by its VSS Unity suborbital spaceplane on its most recent flight last month, adding that the incident did not pose a safety risk to those on board.

Intuitive Machines and SpaceX have confirmed plans to launch the IM-1 lunar lander mission as soon as Feb. 14, pending a fueling test on the pad later this week.

After a record-setting month featuring 10 launches, SpaceX is gearing up for a busy February. One of the launches this month is the Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) ocean science satellite, which flew aboard a Falcon 9 in a rare polar corridor launch from Florida.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson appointed Joseph Pelfrey as the new Director of Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, AL today. Pelfrey has been acting Center Director since Jody Singer retired […]

Private Astronaut Mission (PAM) Axiom 3: Outreach, Commercial, and Payload Activities: With the undock slip, the Ax-3 crew performed cargo operations to unload the Dragon on Saturday, had a crew off day on Sunday, and have repacked Dragon cargo today. On Monday, the crew recorded multiple outreach videos. Additionally, throughout the weekend and today, Marcus …

Launch service provider SpaceX said today the first Intuitive Machines mission to the Moon is scheduled for launch on Valentine’s Day, February 14. Intuitive Machines is one of several companies […]

After nearly nine years of planning, preparation, and even once being slated for cancellation entirely, NASA’s Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) Earth-observation mission is set for launch. Initially conceived in 2015, PACE will finally reach orbit and begin its planned 3-10 year mission on a launch currently slated for February 6, 2024 at 1:33 AM.

Despite the recent explosive increase in launch cadence, ground systems tend to be outdated, underfunded, and overlooked.

German launch startup HyImpulse has confirmed that its SR75 rocket and all related support systems have been boxed up and have embarked on the long journey to Australia. SR75 is a single-stage suborbital launch vehicle that is designed to be capable of delivering up to 250 kilograms to a maximum altitude of around 200 kilometres. […] The post HyImpulse Are All Packed and Heading Down Under appeared first on European Spaceflight.

NASA is wrapping up an effort to collect lessons learned from the Artemis 1 mission that address both technical and programmatic issues that the agency hopes to apply more broadly to the overall Artemis lunar exploration campaign.

German payload aggregator and in-space logistics company Exolaunch has been awarded a contract to launch the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Arctic Weather Satellite (AWS). In addition to being the first ESA launch contract awarded to the Berlin-based company, the awarding also marks a significant milestone for the agency as the first launch contract awarded through […] The post Exolaunch Awarded First European Space Agency Launch Contract appeared first on European Spaceflight.

A nearly billion-dollar mission to study the Earth’s oceans and atmosphere is ready to launch after surviving several cancellation attempts earlier in its development.

Here is SpacePolicyOnline.com’s list of space policy events for the week of February 4-10, 2024 and any insight we can offer about them.  The Senate and House are in session […]

A pair of Chinese rockets launched 11 mobility services satellites for an automaker and nine further, diverse satellites into orbit late Friday.

With congestion growing at the nation’s major launch sites in California and Florida, operators of inland spaceports are seeking creative ways to host orbital launches.

At the Kennedy Space Center (KSC), NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) program continues to prepare for the Artemis II circumlunar mission that was recently delayed to September 2025. EGS is finishing certification of new ground systems to support crewed launches of the agency’s Orion spacecraft with its Space Launch System (SLS) rocket beginning with Artemis II.