Satellite News
NASA Launches New Mission to Explore Universe’s Most Dramatic Objects
NASA’s Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) mission launched at 1 a.m. EST Thursday on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. A joint effort with the Italian Space Agency, the IXPE observatory is NASA’s first mission dedicated to measuring the polarization of X-rays from the most extreme and mysterious objects in the universe – supernova
Microsoft expands Azure Space ecosystem
Microsoft offered further proof of its intent to play a growing role in the space sector by unveiling new Azure Space products and announcing partnerships with Airbus, Kongsberg Satellite Services, STE iDirect, Orbital Insight, ESRI and Blackshark.ai.
Europe awards study contract for disruptive satellite constellation ideas
A consortium of more than 20 European space companies said Dec. 8 it won a six-month contract to study disruptive ideas for Europe’s planned satellite broadband constellation.
Space Development Agency to acquire 28 missile-tracking satellites to launch in late 2024
The Pentagon’s Space Development Agency is planning a new procurement of satellites that will be part of a global constellation of missile-tracking space sensors.
Exploration News
NASA’s eventual farewell to tiny Mars helicopter could be emotional
Orlando FL (UPI) Dec 10, 2021
Tears most likely will flow at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., when the extremely successful Mars helicopt
FAA to end commercial astronaut wings program
The Federal Aviation Administration will stop awarding commercial astronaut wings at the end of this year, five months after it revised the criteria for receiving the wings.
Launcher News
Orbex begins construction of new rocket launchpad in the UK
The Launch Platform, known as Orbex LP1, is expected to be fully operational by early 2022. It is the first launchpad of its kind to be built in the UK since the High Down Rocket Test Site facility on the Isle of Wight, which was decommissioned in the early 1970s[1]. High Down was the test site for the Black Arrow rocket, the first – and so far only – British-made rocket to successfully deliver a satellite into Earth’s orbit, launching from Woomera in Australia on 28 October 1971[2].
Chinese private firm Galactic Energy puts five satellites in orbit with second launch
Rocket company Galactic Energy launched its second Ceres-1 rocket late Dec. 6, becoming the first Chinese private firm to reach orbit twice.
NewSpace News
Euroconsult’s “Satellites To Be Launched” Forecast + Analysis Is Published
Euroconsult has released their “Satellites to be Built & Launched” report for 2021, the latest edition in a series that has consistently set the industry benchmark for analysis of the satellite market. The 17,000 satellites expected to be launched in the next ten years represents a fourfold increase over past decade
GomSpace + ESA Sign ESA SCOUT-1 Mission Implementation Contract
GomSpace A/S and the European Space Agency (ESA) have signed a contract for the ESA SCOUT Earth Observation mission to be launched in 2024. The contract value is 24 million euros. GomSpace revenue impact is 10 million euros, whereof direct GomSpace revenue share will be 7 million euros. The mission will consist of 3x12U cubesats […]
DoD has to explain to Congress how it will buy low-latency satellite broadband
The 2022 NDAA directs the Pentagon to brief lawmakers on military use of commercial satellite communications services, specifically those from non-geostationary orbit satellites.
Space Development Agency to acquire 28 missile-tracking satellites to launch in late 2024
The Pentagon’s Space Development Agency is planning a new procurement of satellites that will be part of a global constellation of missile-tracking space sensors.
NASA and industry embrace laser communications
Fiber optic connections send laser light densely packed with data through cables to bring these experiences to users. NASA and commercial aerospace companies are applying similar technologies to space communications, bringing optical speeds to the fina
ST Engineering leads $30 million fundraising for satellite IoT startup
Israeli startup hiSky said Dec. 8 it raised $30 million to mass-produce compact terminals designed to connect internet of things (IoT) devices to satellites in multiple orbits.
Space Safety News
South Australia’s Oculus Observatory hosts passive radar to track space objects
South Australia’s Oculus Observatory, which opened Dec. 9, houses the first in a planned global network of passive radars to track objects in orbit.
Third consortium gets UK funds to study potential deorbit mission
A consortium led by British small satellite maker SSTL has secured UK Space Agency funding to study a mission to remove two spacecraft from low Earth orbit by 2025.
Mexico joins Artemis Accords
The government of Mexico announced Dec. 9 that it is signing the U.S.-led Artemis Accords outlining best practices for space exploration.
Hubble is Fully Operational Once Again
After suffering a technical glitch and going into sleep mode for the second time this year, Hubble is once again back online! The post Hubble is Fully Operational Once Again appeared first on Universe Today.
Science & Technology News
Company Tests Iodine Thruster in Space for the First Time
Ion thrusters have played second fiddle to chemical rockets for most of the history of space exploration. Part of that is because of their inability to launch payloads into orbit. But in space, their high thrust-to-weight ratio has plenty of appeal. Other features have held the technology back, including the difficulty of working with the … Continue reading “Company Tests Iodine Thruster in Space for the First Time” The post Company Tests Iodine Thruster in Space for the First Time appeared first on Universe Today.
Comet Leonard Soon Visible to Naked Eye?
Not quite a Christmas miracle, nor the star of Bethlehem: comet Leonard is a rather typical comet going about its typical path around the Sun. However, it might become visible to the naked eye around its close approach on 12 December – a treat for those who spot it, but it gets a “yawn” (thankfully) from ESA’s Planetary Defence Office.
