Heidelberg, Germany (SPX) Jun 23, 2023
Researchers have reconstructed what alien astronomers, observing our Milky Way galaxy from afar, would find if they analysed our home galaxy's chemical composition. The study, which is led by researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, is relevant for our own understanding of the cosmos: It allows for a new kind of comparison between our home galaxy and the many distant galaxies tha

Greenbelt MD (SPX) Jun 23, 2023
NASA's MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN) mission acquired stunning views of Mars in two ultraviolet images taken at different points along our neighboring planet's orbit around the Sun. By viewing the planet in ultraviolet wavelengths, scientists can gain insight into the Martian atmosphere and view surface features in remarkable ways. MAVEN's Imaging Ultraviolet Spectrograph

Washington DC (SPX) Jun 23, 2023
SpiderOak, a leader in zero-trust cybersecurity and resiliency software for space systems, is excited to announce the successful achievement of flight heritage through the deployment and demonstration of its OrbitSecure platform in space. SpiderOak conducted rigorous testing of its end-to-end data security solution on a Ball Aerospace prototype payload currently operational in low-Earth orbit (L

Fino Mornasco, Italy (SPX) Jun 23, 2023
Space logistics and orbital transportation company D-Orbit secured four multi-million contracts under the framework of Italy's National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). These contracts represent a great opportunity to take part in national projects that will mark historic milestones the space sector and cooperate with some of the most renown and innovative Italian companies in the industry.

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jun 23, 2023
Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) has signed a dedicated launch deal with Spire Global (NYSE: SPIR) ("Spire") to deliver its first four Space Situational Awareness (SSA) satellites to low Earth orbit for its Space Services customer NorthStar Earth and Space Inc. ("NorthStar"). The dedicated mission on Electron will deploy the satellites to a 530km circular orbit from Rocket Lab Launch Co

Warwick UK (SPX) Jun 22, 2023
A UK-wide consortium is developing technologies to use nanoparticles as state-of-the-art sensors on small, shoebox-sized satellites known as CubeSats. The Universities of Warwick, Swansea and Strathclyde have been awarded 250k pounds to further research into nanoparticles and quantum physics in the application of space technology. Recent advances in the field of levitated optomechani

Pasadena CA (JPL) Jun 23, 2023
Today we started planning at a location short of our intended drive end position. Mars has, once again, not read our script! Regular readers of this blog will have noticed lately that many reports start with some news about a shortened drive that didn't quite complete, and that Abigail got really excited on June 20th, when three drives in a row had completed successfully. And that's not the rove

Paris, France (SPX) Jun 23, 2023
As part of the combined tests campaign, the Ariane 6 mobile gantry was retracted on June 22, unveiling the launch vehicle on its launch pad. During a rehearsal representative of a real launch sequence, the removal of the mobile gantry marks the completion of the functional tests performed so far and precedes ignition of the core stage Vulcain 2.1 engine on the launch pad. The rehearsal serves to

Le Bourget, France (SPX) Jun 23, 2023
Safran Electronics and Defense and Terran Orbital (NYSE: LLAP) announced they have signed a Memorandum of Agreement to study and validate the prerequisites for production of a new generation of electric propulsion systems for satellites in the United States, based on Safran's PPSX00 plasma thruster. Safran Electronics and Defense, via Safran Spacecraft Propulsion, and Terran Orbital will u

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jun 23, 2023
Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) reports that its next Electron mission will deploy seven satellites to space and include an attempt to recover the rocket's booster after launch. The 'Baby Come Back' mission, Rocket Lab's 39th Electron launch, is scheduled to deploy from Pad A at Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand during a launch window that opens July 14, 2023 UTC. Rocke