Satellite News
Hyperspectral Imaging: from Earth-Observation to Industrial Applications
Initiated as a part of Earth-observation missions, hyperspectral imaging has nowadays expanded its horizons in various industrial and research applications in manufacturing, engineering, agriculture, environmental, mining, defence, and, medical and healthcare applications. Non-destructive and non-invasive monitoring is making hyperspectral imaging popular among many commercial and industrial applications such as food quality testing, diagnosis of cancer, identifying counterfeits,
Robotic mission to Uranus receives top priority in decadal survey
In a long-awaited report released Tuesday, a panel of planetary scientists recommended NASA prioritize development of a flagship robotic mission that would orbit Uranus, a frozen world with 27 known moons that has not been explored since a fleeting visit by the Voyager 2 spacecraft 36 years ago.
European Space Agency stops cooperation with Russian lunar missions
The European Space Agency on Wednesday ended cooperation with Russia on three missions to the Moon due to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, following a previous decision to do the same for a Mars mission.
NASA selects six companies to demonstrate commercial successors to TDRS
Six companies, including both traditional satellite operators and constellation developers, have won NASA awards to demonstrate services that could ultimately replace the agency’s existing fleet of communications satellites.
Launcher News
OneWeb agrees satellite launch program with New Space India
OneWeb reports that the company and New Space India Limited, the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation, have entered into an agreement that will help ensure OneWeb completes its satellite launch programme.
Chinese reusable rocket startup secures new funding round
Chinese launch firm Deep Blue Aerospace announced A+ round financing April 19, with funding in the Chinese commercial sector apparently on the rise.
Rocket Lab to launch HawkEye 360 satellites on first Wallops Electron mission
by Jeff Foust — April 20, 2022
The long-delayed first launch of a Rocket Lab Electron rocket from Virginia is now scheduled for late this year, carrying satellites for HawkEye 360.
Exploration News
SpaceX again waves off return of Axiom crew mission
With persistent high winds off the Florida coast, SpaceX on Saturday again waved off the undocking and return to Earth of a Dragon crew capsule from the International Space Station with four private astronauts. The decision delays the Axiom crew’s departure until no earlier than Sunday night, with splashdown Monday afternoon.
Ingenuity’s record-breaking year transforms Mars exploration
The first-ever powered flights over another planet have proved a resounding success for NASA’s JPL team, which is celebrating Ingenuity’s 12-month anniversary of its first helicopter hop on Mars Tuesday.
NewSpace News
Finnish Startup Kuva Most Extensive Hyperspectral Constellation Will Fight Climate Change
Solid track record on reliable nanosatellitesWith three satellites currently active, we already have several years of successful heritage with space-tech know-how. The World’s highest performing, miniaturized NIR hyperspectral camera has been in orbit since 2018, and through our ESA collaborations we’ve provided commercial satellites to various global partners. Hyperspectral satellite technologies enable environmentally responsible decision-making
Planet unveils details about Pelican Constellation
Planet Labs PBC (NYSE: PL), a leading provider of daily data and insights about Earth, today unveiled details about plans for Pelican, its next-generation satellite constellation. Planet plans to launch Pelican starting early next year, subject to obtaining an FCC license, with a constellation of up to 32 new tasking satellites, to replenish and improve upon the capabilities of Planet’s existing 21 SkySat satellites. Pelican will provide higher resolution images at up to 30 cm resolution, enabling customers to see finer detailed information, as well as improved locational accuracy.
D-Orbit Enters Agreement with Beyond Gravity for the Supply of Structural Components
D-Orbit, the space logistics and orbital transportation company, today announced the signing of a subcontract with space company Beyond Gravity, under which D-Orbit will deliver lightweight carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) tools and metallic structural components for the European Space Agency’s Space Rider reusable space vehicle. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. D-Orbit was selected for its experience and established know-how in space projects.
Japan’s ispace negotiating first commercial moon landing insurance
Japanese lunar lander developer ispace said April 21 it is negotiating the world’s first insurance coverage for a commercial mission to the moon’s surface.
Space Safety News
Experts issue call to regulate space debris as levels of junk mount
Proliferating levels of debris are posing a threat to the space environment and should be regulated as more satellites are being launched into space, researchers say. Edinburgh University researchers said in a study published Friday in the journal Nature Astronomy the debris is troublesome, potentially affecting “professional astronomy, public stargazing and the cultural importance of the sky” to indigenous populations.
Western’s all-sky cameras capture bright fireball event
A bright fireball was observed by a network of all-sky cameras across southern Ontario at 11:37pm on Sunday, April 17, 2022. Analysis of the video data suggests that fragments of the meteor are like.
India examining crashed space debris suspected to be parts of China’s Long March rocket
India’s space agency is examining a large metal ring and a cylinder-like object that fell into rural western India April 2, with a preliminary investigation suggesting they could be parts of a Chinese space rocket’s upper stage that reentered the atmosphere that day.
Science & Technology News
Perseverance captures video of solar eclipse on Mars
NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover has captured dramatic footage of Phobos, Mars’ potato-shaped moon, crossing the face of the Sun.
