Satellite News
Webb telescope eyes Phantom Galaxy with mid-infrared camera
Fresh images from the James Webb Space Telescope show the Phantom Galaxy in vibrant infrared light, part of a series of observations with the new $10 billion observatory to help astronomers study the formation of stars.
Webb Takes its 1st Exoplanet Image
For the first time, astronomers have used the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope to take a direct image of an exoplanet. The exoplanet is a gas giant, meaning it has no rocky surface and could not be habitable. The image, as seen through four different light filters, shows how Webb’s powerful infrared gaze can easily capture worlds beyond our Solar System, pointing the way to future observations that will reveal more information than ever before about exoplanets.
You’ll Soon be Able to Access Starlink Directly With Your Cellphone, From Anywhere in the US, and Eventually the World
The future of satellite communications is almost upon us. SpaceX has signed a deal with T-Mobile to provide the carrier’s customers with text services from its Starlink satellites anywhere in the US starting next year. It was only a matter of time before SpaceX turned its attention to the cellular industry. The company has recently … Continue reading “You’ll Soon be Able to Access Starlink Directly With Your Cellphone, From Anywhere in the US, and Eventually the World” The post You’ll Soon be Able to Access Starlink Directly With Your Cellphone, From Anywhere in the US, and Eventually the World appeared first on Universe Today.
Launcher News
Live coverage: NASA scrubs second Artemis 1 launch attempt
NASA’s second try to launch the Artemis 1 moon mission ended in a scrub Saturday after a persistent hydrogen leak during the countdown. The more than 30-story-tall Space Launch System moon rocket is awaiting its first test flight from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center with an unpiloted Orion crew capsule on a mission to orbit the moon.
Hydrogen leak delays moonshot by at least several weeks
NASA’s star-crossed Space Launch System moon rocket was grounded for the second time in five days Saturday, this time by a large hydrogen leak in a fuel line quick-disconnect fitting that will delay the $4.1 billion booster’s maiden flight by several weeks, likely into October.
Rocket Lab Successfully Completes 1st Test Fire of Reused Rutherford Engine
Rocket Lab USA, Inc (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab”, or “the Company”), a leading launch and space systems company, has successfully test fired a reused Rutherford first stage engine for the first time – a significant technical achievement in the Company’s efforts to make its Electron launch vehicle the world’s first reusable orbital small rocket. Rocket Lab conducted the full duration, full-thrust test fire of the refurbished Rutherford engine earlier this week at the Company’s engine test
Skyroot Aerospace raises $51 Million to propel the new future of small satellite launches
Space-tech startup Skyroot Aerospace from India, successfully raised US$51 million Series-B funding round led by GIC, a leading global investment firm. This is the largest funding round ever in the Indian private Space-Tech sector,
Exploration News
After NASA’s asteroid impact, ESA’s Hera comes next
This month NASA’s DART spacecraft will collide with the smaller of the two Didymos asteroids in deep space, attempting to shift its orbit in what will be humankind’s first test of the ‘kinetic impactor on a asteroid.
NASA, Axiom Sign 2nd Private Astronaut Mission to Space Station Order
NASA and Axiom Space have signed a mission order for the second private astronaut mission to the International Space Station to take place in the second quarter of 2023. “With each new step forward, we are working together with commercial space companies and growing the economy in low-Earth orbit,”
NASA Gives a Detailed Analysis of all the Landing Debris Perseverance Has Found on Mars
A recent blog by Dr. Justin Maki, Imaging Scientist and the Deputy Principal Investigator on the Perseverance rover Mastcam-Z camera, provides a detailed account about the debris the entry, descent, and landing (EDL) system left scattered around the Martian surface while delivering the Perseverance rover to Jezero Crater.
NewSpace News
Seven propulsion systems from ThrustMe delivered to Spire Global for their LEMUR satellites
ThrustMe has delivered seven propulsion systems to Spire Global, Inc. for that company’s LEMUR 3U satellites as it continues to build upon its fully deployed constellation of more than 100 satellites.
Astra Space to supply Airbus OneWeb Satellites’ Arrow smallsats with the Astra Spacecraft Engine
Astra Space, Inc. has been selected by Airbus OneWeb Satellites, LLC (“AOS”) to supply the Astra Spacecraft Engine for integration into the portfolio of Arrow commercial smallsats manufactured by AOS.
Outpost raises million$ in seed round to develop reusable satellites for Earth return service
Outpost Technologies Corporation (“Outpost”) has closed a $7.1 million series Seed round. This round was oversubscribed, demonstrating Outpost’s visionary approach to disrupting the satellite market. The company has developed and flight tested a novel, re-entry method that enables satellites to safely return to Earth with precision landing. This technology makes single-use satellites obsolete as well as enables the broader aerospace market to attain dedicated payload return to Earth. This round of funding will enable Outpost to advance technology development and build their team with exceptional talent.
Space Safety News
Science &Technology News
It’s raining diamonds across the universe, research suggests
It could be raining diamonds on planets throughout the universe, scientists suggested Friday, after using common plastic to recreate the strange precipitation believed to form deep inside Uranus and Neptune.
Legendary Astronomer Frank Drake has Passed Away
Legendary astronomer Frank Drake has passed away at the age of 92. Known primarily for his Drake Equation — an estimate of the probability of intelligent extraterrestrial life — he pioneered the field of SETI, the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, and was a noted astronomer and astrophysicist.
MIT’s MOXIE experiment reliably produces oxygen on Mars
On the red and dusty surface of Mars, nearly 100 million miles from Earth, an instrument the size of a lunchbox is proving it can reliably do the work of a small tree.