Satellite News
DARPA picks Northrop Grumman as its commercial partner for satellite servicing program
Under the agreement, DARPA will provide the robotics payload for a Mission Robotic Vehicle.
ExoMars parachute tests delayed, mission faces review
The European and Russian space agencies have delayed crucial ExoMars 2020 parachute tests to late March, with the mission also set to undergo review.
Boeing, Lockheed win U.S. Space Force contracts to develop satcom payloads
Boeing and Lockheed Martin each received $191 million and $240 million contracts, respectively.
Exploration News
Axiom Space plans first-ever fully private human spaceflight mission to ISS
Axiom has signed a contract with SpaceX for a Crew Dragon flight which will transport a commander professionally trained by Axiom alongside three private astronauts to and from the International Space Station. The mission, set to launch as soon as the second half of 2021, will allow the crew to live aboard the ISS and experience at least eight days of microgravity and views of Earth
Zero-G plans international expansion
Zero Gravity Corporation, which provides reduced gravity aircraft flights for tourists and researchers, plans to expand its services outside the United States in the next year.
NASA exploring ways to fly astronauts on commercial suborbital vehicles
With NASA now allowing researchers to fly with experiments on commercial suborbital spacecraft, the agency is beginning a certification process that would allow its astronauts to also fly on such vehicles.
Launcher News
Second Starship prototype damaged in pressurization test
A second prototype of SpaceX’s Starship launch vehicle was destroyed in a pressurization test Feb. 28 at the company’s Boca Chica, Texas, facility.
Falcon 9 launches final first-generation Dragon
A SpaceX Falcon 9 lifted off March 6 and placed into orbit a Dragon spacecraft on the final flight of that version of the cargo vehicle.
First SLS launch now expected in second half of 2021
A top NASA official said Feb. 28 he expects the first flight of the Space Launch System to take place in the second half of 2021, a later date than prior agency statements.
NewSpace News
Megaconstellation startup raises $110 million to connect smartphones via satellite
AST & Science’s immediate focus is starting revenue generation in the next few years with low Earth orbit satellites numbering in the “low twenties” in an equatorial orbit.
Stratolaunch to resume test flights in September
by Jeff Foust — March 4, 2020
Stratolaunch plans to resume test flights of its giant aircraft later this year as the company continues its shift from a launch services company to a provider of high-speed flight test services.
Space Safety News
No decision yet on need for second Starliner uncrewed test flight
Although an independent review team has wrapped up its investigation into issues with last December’s uncrewed test flight of Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner, NASA says it will be some time before it decides if a second uncrewed test flight is needed.
Science & Technology News
Organic molecules discovered by Curiosity Rover consistent with early life on Mars
Organic compounds called thiophenes are found on Earth in coal, crude oil and oddly enough, in white truffles, the mushroom beloved by epicureans and wild pigs.
Gastronauts: Developing food ready for the next space race
For the new space race, astronauts and space tourists will want to eat a little better than the corn beef sandwiches, applesauce and high-calorie cubes of protein, fat and sugar consumed by NASA
3D-Printed Thrust Chamber Passes 1st Tests for Vega Evolutions
The 3D-printed thrust chamber assembly of the methane-fuelled M10 rocket engine has passed its first series of hot firing tests. The M10 engine will power the upper stage of future Vega evolutions from 2025. “These test results are encouraging, confirming that our propulsion teams are right on track along the development path identified for such novel technology for Vega evolutions,” commented Giorgio Tumino, managing ESA’s Vega and Space Rider development programmes.
3D-Printed Thrust Chamber Passes 1st Tests for Vega Evolutions
The 3D-printed thrust chamber assembly of the methane-fuelled M10 rocket engine has passed its first series of hot firing tests. The M10 engine will power the upper stage of future Vega evolutions from 2025. “These test results are encouraging, confirming that our propulsion teams are right on track along the development path identified for such novel technology for Vega evolutions,” commented Giorgio Tumino, managing ESA’s Vega and Space Rider development programmes. M10 will improve
