Satellite News
Sanctions could cause space station to crash: Roscosmos
According to Dmitry Rogozin, the sanctions, some of which predate Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, could disrupt the operation of Russian spacecraft servicing the ISS. As a result, the Russian segment of the station – which helps correct its orbit – could be affected, causing the 500-tonne structure “fall down into the sea or onto land”,
Soyuz embargo strands satellites with limited launch options
More than a dozen former Soyuz satellite missions need new rides after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, raising questions over how fast the launch market can absorb the loss of the workhorse rocket.
With Soyuz off the table, OneWeb back in the mix
OneWeb is considering American, European, Indian and Japanese rockets for launching its remaining 220 satellites after the company announced March 3 that it would stop using Russia’s Soyuz rocket.
How commercial satellites are shaping the Ukraine conflict
Thanks to the explosive growth of the private satellite industry, the volume of imagery is greater and turnaround time faster compared to prior conflicts, such as Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea.
Exploration News
Boeing Starliner test flight next on ULA’s launch schedule
The U.S. Space Force has postponed a multi-spacecraft mission that was booked to fly on a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 r
Team Chosen to Make 1st Oxygen on the Moon
Following a competition, ESA has selected the industrial team that will design and build the first experimental payload to extract oxygen from the surface of the Moon. The winning consortium, led by Thales Alenia Space in the UK , has been tasked with producing a small piece of equipment that will evaluate the prospect of building larger lunar plants to extract propellant for spacecraft and breathable air for astronauts – as well as metallic raw materials for equipment.
In-orbit construction of China’s space station going smoothly
Construction work on the core module of China’s Tiangong space station is proceeding steadily, In 2022, China plans to launch the Wentian and Mengtian experimental modules, the Shenzhou manned spacecraft and the cargo spacecraft. China will also complete the in-orbit construction of its space station and build a national space laboratory that operates stably in orbit, said the CMSA.
China to open space station to commercial activity
China is planning to open its space station to commercial missions and activities, according to a senior human spaceflight program official.
Bahrain joins Artemis Accords
Bahrain became the latest country to join the Artemis Accords as the agreement regarding principles for cooperation in space exploration continues to expand beyond traditional spacefaring nations.
Launcher News
Iran’s military successfully launches satellite
U.S. military tracking radars confirmed claims from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps Tuesday that the Iranian military placed a small satellite into orbit.
Schedule tight for June launch of first Momentus tug
In-space transportation company Momentus says it is making good progress toward the first launch of its Vigoride space tug, but that the schedule is “tight” for a launch in June.
NewSpace News
Critical EO Data Will Be Distributed To The Ukrainian Government By Satellogic + Astraea
Satellogic Inc. (NASDAQ:SATL), in collaboration with Astraea, will distribute critical Earth Observation (EO) data directly to the Ukrainian government, allied governments and humanitarian organizations on the ground. Satellogic is providing its Daily Collection Access service to the Ukrainian government and allied nations. This service delivers a direct stream of high-resolution satellite imagery collections over Ukraine’s
Slingshot Aerospace raises $25M in Series A-1 Funding Round
Slingshot Aerospace, Inc., a company building world-class space simulation and analytics products to accelerate space sustainability, has announced that it has raised $25 million in Series A-1 funds
ElevationSpace raises $2.7M in seed-funding
ElevationSpace Inc. (Headquartered: Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, Co-Founder and CEO: Ryohei Kobayashi), a space startup company that originated at Tohoku University in Japan and develops a space environment utilization and recovery platform to replace the International Space Station (ISS), has raised seed funding of $2.7 million from six investors
Space Safety News
Astra blames launch failure on wiring error and software flaw
Astra Space said March 7 it identified two problems that led to the failure of a launch last month as the company gears up for a new launch that may be imminent.
Science & Technology News
DoD space agency funds development of laser terminal that connects to multiple satellite at once
The Space Development Agency awarded BridgeComm and Space Micro a $1.7 million contract to demonstrate point-to-multipoint communications
