Copernical Team
Wednesday, 01 November 2023 14:20
Space Force to split 21 launches between SpaceX, United Launch Alliance
The Space Force is giving a nearly even share of 21 upcoming national security launches between SpaceX and United Launch Alliance.
Space Systems Command, which manages a $15 billion budget for the Department of Defense to ensure U.S. strategic advantage in space, announced ULA will provide 11 missions on its new Vulcan Centaur rocket while SpaceX will be responsible for 10 missions on its Falcon 9 or Falcon Heavy rockets as part of the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 2 Launch Service Procurement contract for fiscal year 2024, which began on Oct. 1.
This is the fifth and final year of the NSSL Phase 2 contract, and will be for missions flown over the next two to three years. The majority of launches will come from ULA and SpaceX's launch facilities at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, although Falcon Heavy launches if required are limited to Kennedy Space Center, and both ULA and SpaceX can launch from Vandenburg Space Force Base in California.
"Over the five-year Phase 2 contract, we will have ordered a total of 48 missions, a significant increase over the 34 missions originally estimated leading up to Phase 2," said Brig.
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Wednesday, 01 November 2023 11:01
Chinese astronauts return to Earth with fruitful experimental results
Jiuquan (XNA) Nov 01, 2023
The Shenzhou XVI crew consisting of three Chinese astronauts returned to Earth safely on Tuesday, after completing a five-month space station mission.
Shenzhou XVI's return capsule, carrying astronauts Jing Haipeng, Zhu Yangzhu and Gui Haichao, touched down at the Dongfeng landing site in North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region at 8:11 am (Beijing Time), and the crew had all left th
The Shenzhou XVI crew consisting of three Chinese astronauts returned to Earth safely on Tuesday, after completing a five-month space station mission.
Shenzhou XVI's return capsule, carrying astronauts Jing Haipeng, Zhu Yangzhu and Gui Haichao, touched down at the Dongfeng landing site in North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region at 8:11 am (Beijing Time), and the crew had all left th
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Wednesday, 01 November 2023 11:01
Why the Roman Space Telescope will study the flickering lights of the Milky Way
Greenbelt MD (SPX) Oct 31, 2023
NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will provide one of the deepest-ever views into the heart of our Milky Way galaxy. The mission will monitor hundreds of millions of stars in search of tell-tale flickers that betray the presence of planets, distant stars, small icy objects that haunt the outskirts of our solar system, isolated black holes, and more. Roman will likely set a new record for
NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will provide one of the deepest-ever views into the heart of our Milky Way galaxy. The mission will monitor hundreds of millions of stars in search of tell-tale flickers that betray the presence of planets, distant stars, small icy objects that haunt the outskirts of our solar system, isolated black holes, and more. Roman will likely set a new record for
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Wednesday, 01 November 2023 11:01
Physicists embark on six-year hunt for dark matter particle
Espoo, Finland (SPX) Oct 31, 2023
In the pitch dark of the cosmos lurks an invisible kind of matter. Its presence is seen in the rippling ebb and flow of galaxies, but it's never been directly observed. What secrets lie beneath the surface, brewing in the deep?
Physicists have long theorized about the composition of dark matter, which is thought to be five times more abundant than regular matter. Among competing hypotheses
In the pitch dark of the cosmos lurks an invisible kind of matter. Its presence is seen in the rippling ebb and flow of galaxies, but it's never been directly observed. What secrets lie beneath the surface, brewing in the deep?
Physicists have long theorized about the composition of dark matter, which is thought to be five times more abundant than regular matter. Among competing hypotheses
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Wednesday, 01 November 2023 11:01
New jet stream discovered in Jupiter's upper atmosphere
Bilbo, Spain (SPX) Oct 31, 2023
High-speed jet streams are a common feature in the atmospheres of many planets. On the Earth, jet streams form at various latitudes and meander around the planet, changing latitude and reaching speeds approaching 400 km/h at an altitude of over 10 km above the surface. On the giant planets Jupiter and Saturn, jet streams are one of the main features of the atmosphere; they are perfectly aligned
High-speed jet streams are a common feature in the atmospheres of many planets. On the Earth, jet streams form at various latitudes and meander around the planet, changing latitude and reaching speeds approaching 400 km/h at an altitude of over 10 km above the surface. On the giant planets Jupiter and Saturn, jet streams are one of the main features of the atmosphere; they are perfectly aligned
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Wednesday, 01 November 2023 11:01
Scientists discover molten layer covering Martian core
College Park MD (SPX) Oct 31, 2023
NASA's InSight mission to Mars helped scientists map out Mars' internal structure, including the size and composition of its core, and provided general hints about its tumultuous formation.
But findings from a new paper published in the journal Nature could lead to reanalysis of that data. An international team of researchers discovered the presence of a molten silicate layer overlying Mar
NASA's InSight mission to Mars helped scientists map out Mars' internal structure, including the size and composition of its core, and provided general hints about its tumultuous formation.
But findings from a new paper published in the journal Nature could lead to reanalysis of that data. An international team of researchers discovered the presence of a molten silicate layer overlying Mar
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Wednesday, 01 November 2023 11:01
Daily Minor Planet volunteers spot an asteroid passing close to Earth
Washington DC (SPX) Oct 31, 2023
Volunteers working with The Daily Minor Planet have made the project's first big discovery: an asteroid passing very near planet Earth. On the night of October 3rd, a telescope for the Catalina Sky Survey snapped four pictures of a far northern section of the sky. The next day, volunteers H. N. DiRuscio, X. Liao, V. Gonano and E. Chaghafi spotted a clear streak moving through each image and quic
Volunteers working with The Daily Minor Planet have made the project's first big discovery: an asteroid passing very near planet Earth. On the night of October 3rd, a telescope for the Catalina Sky Survey snapped four pictures of a far northern section of the sky. The next day, volunteers H. N. DiRuscio, X. Liao, V. Gonano and E. Chaghafi spotted a clear streak moving through each image and quic
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Wednesday, 01 November 2023 11:01
MDA acquires SatixFy's Digital Payload Division in $60 Million deal
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Nov 01, 2023
In a significant move, SatixFy Communications Ltd. has concluded its $60 million strategic transaction with MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA), according to a company announcement. Both firms are pivotal players in the satellite communications space, with SatixFy known for its cutting-edge chipsets and MDA as a powerhouse in the provision of technology and services for the ever-growi
In a significant move, SatixFy Communications Ltd. has concluded its $60 million strategic transaction with MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA), according to a company announcement. Both firms are pivotal players in the satellite communications space, with SatixFy known for its cutting-edge chipsets and MDA as a powerhouse in the provision of technology and services for the ever-growi
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Wednesday, 01 November 2023 11:01
InSPA collaborates with multi-sector partners to fast-track space commercialization
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Nov 01, 2023
Aiming to bring commercial manufacturing in space closer to reality, NASA's Inter-Agency Space Platform for Advanced (InSPA) portfolio is rallying support from diverse sectors. NASA is engaging with professionals from industry, academia, and other government agencies to help fine-tune its InSPA objectives, share expertise, and increase the chances of commercial success in space.
These coll
Aiming to bring commercial manufacturing in space closer to reality, NASA's Inter-Agency Space Platform for Advanced (InSPA) portfolio is rallying support from diverse sectors. NASA is engaging with professionals from industry, academia, and other government agencies to help fine-tune its InSPA objectives, share expertise, and increase the chances of commercial success in space.
These coll
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Wednesday, 01 November 2023 11:01
AI-enhanced LizzieSat satellite by Sidus Space clears crucial environmental tests
Cape Canaveral FL (SPX) Nov 01, 2023
Sidus Space, listed on the NASDAQ as SIDU, has reached a key juncture in its satellite development timeline. The company recently concluded environmental testing on its LizzieSat satellite bus, setting the stage for a launch slated for the first quarter of 2024. This satellite is notably enhanced with artificial intelligence capabilities, which are expected to give it a leading edge in its opera
Sidus Space, listed on the NASDAQ as SIDU, has reached a key juncture in its satellite development timeline. The company recently concluded environmental testing on its LizzieSat satellite bus, setting the stage for a launch slated for the first quarter of 2024. This satellite is notably enhanced with artificial intelligence capabilities, which are expected to give it a leading edge in its opera
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