Inside the ‘Wormhole,’ Relativity Space’s monster factory 3D-printing reusable rockets
CNBC | 2023-02-04 15:00:32
LONG BEACH, California – It was a few days into the new year yet Relativity Space’s factory was anything but quiet, a din of activity with massive 3D printers humming and the clanging of construction ringing out.
Read More →
Why would the Chinese government be flying a large stratospheric balloon?
Arstechnica | 2023-02-03 21:29:58
It is possible that the balloon's flight termination system failed.
Read More →
NASA Awards Spacecraft Processing Operations Contract
NASA | 2023-02-03 21:11:00
NASA has selected Astrotech Space Operations, LLC of Titusville, Florida, and Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) of Hawthorne, California, to provide commercial payload processing services for agency missions launching from multiple locations.
Read More →
NASA Awards Millions to Historically Black Colleges, Universities
NASA | 2023-02-03 21:01:00
NASA is awarding $11.7 million to eight Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through the new Data Science Equity, Access, and Priority in Research and Education (DEAP) opportunity. These awards will enable HBCU students and faculty to conduct innovative data science research that contributes to NASA’s missions.
Read More →
NASA flight software for SLS navigates through clean first launch
NASASpaceflight | 2023-02-03 16:33:01
The NASA-developed flight software for the agency’s Space Launch System (SLS) vehicle successfully flew the program’s first launch on the Artemis I mission on Nov. 16. The vehicle’s Integrated Avionics and Software conducted the final countdown and first eight minutes of launch, commanding the Core Stage, RS-25 engines, and Solid Rocket Boosters (SRB) to orbital insertion.
Read More →
When will United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket fly?
Arstechnica | 2023-02-03 15:48:42
The Peregrine lander is ready for launch. Sort of.
Read More →
More worlds, anyone?
Planetary Society | 2023-02-03 15:31:32
The more we search, the more we find. From exoplanets to moons to asteroids, the list of worlds just keeps growing.
Read More →
Rocket Report: Tearing down Ariane’s SUSIE concept; is ChatGPT a rocket scientist?
Arstechnica | 2023-02-03 12:00:44
"If you have someone who is worried, don't slough it off. Deal with it."
Read More →
SpaceX Starlink Gen2 mission marks Falcon 9 rocket’s 200th successful launch
Teslarati | 2023-02-02 22:31:37
A day and a half after its 200th launch overall, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket has successfully launched for the 200th time. Falcon...
Read More →
Space station astronauts finish preps for next pair of new solar arrays
Spaceflight Now | 2023-02-02 19:51:18
Continuing work left over from a spacewalk last month, astronauts Nicole Mann and Koichi Wakata headed outside the International Space Station Thursday to finish installing a mounting bracket for new solar arrays due to arrive at the complex on a SpaceX resupply mission in June.
Read More →
Investing in Space: Picture day
CNBC | 2023-02-02 16:23:13
Smile. You’re on camera (in space).
Read More →
NASA’s Joe Acaba to Serve as Agency’s Chief Astronaut
NASA | 2023-02-02 15:11:00
NASA has appointed veteran astronaut Joe Acaba as chief of the Astronaut Office at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. A decorated veteran of multiple spaceflights, as well a former U.S. Marine and former educator, Acaba is the first person of Hispanic heritage selected to lead the office.
Read More →
Joe Acabá, de la NASA, será el astronauta jefe de la agencia
NASA | 2023-02-02 15:11:00
La NASA ha nombrado al astronauta veterano Joe Acabá jefe de la Oficina de Astronautas del Centro Espacial Johnson de la agencia. Veterano condecorado de múltiples vuelos espaciales, así como ex marine estadounidense y exeducador, Acabá es la primera persona de ascendencia hispana seleccionada para dirigir la oficina.
Read More →
Astronauts conduct second EVA to lay groundwork for final iROSA arrays
NASASpaceflight | 2023-02-02 14:48:41
Astronauts Koichi Wakata and Nicole Mann have completed another spacewalk, continuing work to enable the final set of upgraded ISS Roll-Out Solar Array (iROSA) “solar wings” to be installed on ISS sometime this summer.
Read More →
ISS Daily Summary Report – 2/02/2023
NASA | 2023-02-02 14:41:00
Payloads: None Systems: USOS EVA 85: ISS Roll Out Solar Array (IROSA) Prep 1A Troubleshooting EVA: Today, ISS crewmembers Nicole Mann and Koichi Wakata completed the 85h USOS Extravehicular Activity (EVA). The main goal of this EVA was to troubleshoot interface issues encountered during a previous EVA installation activity that was initiated but not completed. …
Read More →
Watch live: SpaceX set to launch 53 more Starlink internet satellites
Spaceflight Now | 2023-02-02 04:21:18
SpaceX’s launch team in Florida is counting down to an overnight blastoff early Thursday, with a Falcon 9 rocket set to loft 53 more Starlink internet satellites into orbit. Liftoff from Kennedy Space Center is scheduled for 2:43 a.m. EST (0743 GMT).
Read More →
SpaceX preparing for surge of geostationary satellite launches
Teslarati | 2023-02-02 01:12:04
SpaceX is preparing for a surge of geostationary communications satellite launches after several slow years. In the late 2010s, orders of large...
Read More →
20 years after Columbia disaster, lessons learned still in sharp focus at NASA
Spaceflight Now | 2023-02-01 23:31:18
Twenty years ago, the space shuttle Columbia broke apart high over Texas on the way to landing in Florida, killing a crew of seven astronauts in a tragedy with long-lasting consequences that still reverberate across the space program.
Read More →
Second flight of cross-country Starlink doubleheader targeting Thursday
NASASpaceflight | 2023-02-01 21:40:09
SpaceX ended January with and will begin February with two Starlink missions. These launches will occur two days apart from separate launch sites.
Read More →
ISS Daily Summary Report – 2/01/2023
NASA | 2023-02-01 17:31:00
Payloads: Fluid Dynamics in Space (FLUIDICS): The crew disconnected and stowed the Fluidics HDD and its cable from the CMAU Z-book laptop. The measurement of liquid displacement within a sphere in microgravity relates to a given kinematic representation of a spacecraft’s fuel tank. The FLUIDICS investigation evaluates the Center of Mass (CoM) position regarding a …
Read More →
Virgin Orbit receives another small investment from Branson—and it’s worrisome
Arstechnica | 2023-02-01 15:25:05
More clarity on the company's financial situation should come by late March.
Read More →
Two decades after the Columbia disaster, is NASA’s safety culture fixed?
Arstechnica | 2023-02-01 12:01:54
"We all know that to engineer is human."
Read More →
Governments to be major customers of future Axiom Space private astronaut missions
SpaceNews | 2023-02-01 07:11:22
Axiom Space says the customers for its upcoming private astronaut missions to the International Space Station are dominated by governments rather than individuals.
Read More →
Elon Musk teases expendable version of SpaceX’s reusable Starship rocket
Teslarati | 2023-02-01 00:11:37
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk says that the company could eventually develop an expendable version of its next-generation Starship rocket. Starship is extraordinarily...
Read More →
VP Awards Former NASA Astronauts Congressional Space Medal of Honor
NASA | 2023-01-31 23:51:00
On behalf of President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris awarded former NASA astronauts Douglas Hurley and Robert Behnken the Congressional Space Medal of Honor Tuesday for their bravery in NASA’s SpaceX Demonstration Mission-2 (Demo-2) to the International Space Station in 2020.
Read More →
Starlink satellites, Italian space tug launched by SpaceX rocket
Spaceflight Now | 2023-01-31 23:31:18
SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket Tuesday from California’s Central Coast with 49 Starlink internet satellites and a rideshare space tug for the Italian company D-Orbit, itself carrying tech demo experiments and cremated human remains for customers in the United States, Germany, New Zealand, and Switzerland.
Read More →
SpaceX launches 200th Falcon 9 rocket
Teslarati | 2023-01-31 22:41:40
SpaceX has launched its Falcon 9 rocket for the 200th time. Measuring 70 meters (230 ft) tall and 3.7 meters (12 ft)...
Read More →
Space Force chief: Satellites are under threat, ‘we have to be ready’
SpaceNews | 2023-01-31 21:21:21
Threats to U.S. satellites are becoming more complex and unpredictable, which will require new ways of training and preparing for a possible conflict, Gen. B. Chance Saltzman, U.S. chief of space operations, said Jan. 31.
Read More →
NASA Extends Goddard Logistics, Technical Services Contract
NASA | 2023-01-31 21:11:00
NASA has awarded a modification to extend the period of performance of the Goddard Logistics and Technical Information II (GLTI II) Services Contract with TRAX International Corporation of Las Vegas.
Read More →
Orbital Sidekick raises $10 million from customers and existing investors
SpaceNews | 2023-01-31 19:11:22
Hyperspectral imaging startup Orbital Sidekick raised $10 million in an investment round led by Energy Innovation Capital.
Read More →
NASA Spinoffs Bolster Climate Resilience, Improve Medical Care, More
NASA | 2023-01-31 18:11:00
When it comes to NASA, most people look to the skies as rockets, rovers, and astronauts push the boundaries of space exploration. But the benefits of going above and beyond can be found here on Earth through products and services born from NASA innovation.
Read More →
Best space pictures of the month: January 2023
Planetary Society | 2023-01-31 15:01:38
A sample depot on Mars and a stunning green comet top this month's space highlights.
Read More →
Crew Dragon astronauts to receive rare space medal from the White House
Arstechnica | 2023-01-31 14:49:12
Outside of space circles, the space medal is not a particularly well-known honor.
Read More →
ISS Daily Summary Report – 1/31/2023
NASA | 2023-01-31 14:41:00
Payloads: ADvanced Space Experiment Processor (ADSEP): The ADSEP hardware was installed and activated. A Tissue Cassette was inserted for equipment check out. ADSEP is a thermally controlled single-middeck-locker equivalent that accommodates up to three cassette-based experiments that can be independently operated. Its companion hardware consists of a collection of several experiment cassettes, each doubly or …
Read More →
China’s CAS Space outlines rocket series, inaugurates manufacturing facility
SpaceNews | 2023-01-31 14:11:22
A Chinese space launch company has outlined its plans for a series of solid and reusable rockets for launch services and space tourism and opened a new industrial base.
Read More →
Xplore announces first launch of remote-sensing smallsat
SpaceNews | 2023-01-31 14:01:20
Xplore, a startup based in Redmond, Washington, announced Jan. 31 it was granted a remote-sensing license for the company's first mission to low Earth orbit.
Read More →
Capella Space establishes new business unit focused on U.S. defense market
SpaceNews | 2023-01-31 14:01:20
Capella Space announced Jan. 31 it is forming a new business unit, Capella Federal, that will offer “increased Earth observation access to select U.S. defense customers.”
Read More →
LA-based Embedded Ventures launches inaugural fund, with focus on national security and space tech
CNBC | 2023-01-31 14:00:01
Los Angeles-based Embedded Ventures kicked off an inaugural $100 million fund, the firm announced Tuesday, as it looks to back companies building for both commercial and national security customers, especially in the space sector.
Read More →
NASA hits limits of space station utilization
SpaceNews | 2023-01-31 13:21:20
NASA has effectively reached full utilization of the International Space Station given limitations on crew time and the ability to get cargo to and from the station, an agency official said Jan. 30.
Read More →
House passes commercial remote sensing bill
SpaceNews | 2023-01-31 13:01:22
The House Science Committee scored a bipartisan victory Jan. 30 with the passage of a minor commercial remote sensing bill even before the committee’s first meeting of the new Congress.
Read More →
Lockheed Martin to launch first demo of new mid-size bus
SpaceNews | 2023-01-31 11:01:23
Lockheed Martin plans to launch the first demonstration mission of its new LM 400 mid-sized satellite bus in 2023.
Read More →
SpaceX installs rocket-catching arms on Starship’s Florida launch tower
Teslarati | 2023-01-31 01:11:38
SpaceX has installed a pair of rocket-catching arms on a tower meant to support the first East Coast launches of its next-generation...
Read More →
First commercial crew astronauts receive Congressional Space Medal of Honor
SpaceNews | 2023-01-31 00:41:21
The two men who flew on the first NASA commercial crew mission to the International Space Station in 2020 received a rarely awarded medal from the White House Jan. 31.
Read More →
ISS Daily Summary Report – 1/30/2023
NASA | 2023-01-30 22:11:00
Payloads: Actiwatch-Plus (AWP): The crew connected the AWP devices to a Human Research Facility (HRF) rack Universal Serial Bus (USB) hub to charge them and transfer data for subsequent downlink. The Actiwatch-Plus is a waterproof, non-intrusive, sleep-wake activity monitor worn on the wrist of a crewmember and contains a miniature uniaxial accelerometer that produces a …
Read More →
Inmarsat-6 F2 satellite completes three-day trip to SpaceX launch site
SpaceNews | 2023-01-30 21:31:22
Inmarsat’s latest geostationary telecoms satellite has arrived at its Florida launch site after a three-day journey from Airbus’ testing facilities in France.
Read More →
Former NASA Astronauts to Receive Congressional Space Medal of Honor
NASA | 2023-01-30 21:31:00
Vice President Kamala Harris will award former NASA astronauts Douglas Hurley and Robert Behnken the Congressional Space Medal of Honor at 4:15 p.m. EST on Tuesday, Jan. 31. Hurley and Behnken will receive the award for bravery in NASA’s SpaceX Demonstration Mission-2 (Demo-2) to the International Space Station in 2020.
Read More →
NASA to Air Live Coverage of Spacewalk for Power System Upgrades
NASA | 2023-01-30 19:01:00
Two astronauts aboard the International Space Station will conduct a spacewalk Thursday, Feb. 2, to continue the installation of hardware for future power system upgrades. The spacewalk is scheduled to begin at 8:15 a.m. EST and last about six and a half hours.
Read More →
NASA's Perseverance Rover Completes Mars Sample Depot
NASA | 2023-01-30 17:41:00
Ten sample tubes, capturing an amazing variety of Martian geology, have been deposited on Mars’ surface so they could be studied on Earth in the future.
Read More →
SpaceX gearing up for cross-country Starlink doubleheader
NASASpaceflight | 2023-01-30 14:40:09
With five Falcon 9 launches and a single Falcon Heavy flight already under its belt so far in 2023, SpaceX is set to end January and begin February by launching two Starlink missions. These launches will occur two days apart and from separate launch sites.
Read More →
After a failure 4 months ago, the New Shepard spacecraft remains in limbo
Arstechnica | 2023-01-30 13:55:23
Blue Origin has said nothing publicly about the September failure of New Shepard.
Read More →