What geologists see when they look at Perseverance's landing site
Thursday, 25 February 2021 13:10
Geologists love fieldwork. They love getting their specialized hammers and chisels into seams in the rock, exposing unweathered surfaces and teasing out the rock's secrets. Mars would be the ultimate field trip for many of them, but sadly, that's not possible.
Instead, we've sent the Perseverance rover on the field trip. But if a geologist were along for the ride, what would it look like to them?
Geologists tell us there's no substitute for fieldwork.
NASA and Roscosmos leaders speak as plans finalized for flying astronaut on upcoming Soyuz flight
Thursday, 25 February 2021 12:40
WASHINGTON — It is increasingly likely that a NASA astronaut will fly on a Russian Soyuz mission to the International Space Station in April as the agency finalizes an agreement with its Russian counterpart.
In a Feb.
Report: Space weapons are a fact of life, but there are many ways to counter them
Thursday, 25 February 2021 11:00
WASHINGTON — Nations around the world — notably China and Russia — are building arsenals of weapons that can destroy or disrupt satellites in orbit. Not much can be done to slow that trend down, but these threats can be countered with technologies and tactics, says a report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies released Feb.
Apply now to the ESA Teach with Space Online Conference
Thursday, 25 February 2021 09:10
Register now for ESA’s first-ever virtual teacher conference! Over the course of three days, from 6 to 8 July 2021, ESA Education will bring space into your classroom. Explore space by hearing from space experts; discover inspiring ways to use space as a context to teach STEM in your physical and virtual classrooms; experience demonstrations of our fun classroom activities; and enjoy social space-themed events and more!
Applications are open until 15 June 2021 on a first-come, first-served basis, so apply now!
Earth from Space: Vancouver
Thursday, 25 February 2021 09:00
The Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission takes us over Vancouver – the third largest city in Canada.
Virgin Galactic further delays SpaceShipTwo test flights
Thursday, 25 February 2021 00:18
WASHINGTON — Virgin Galactic says it is delaying the next test flight of its SpaceShipTwo suborbital vehicle by more than two months to address technical issues, part of a revamped flight test program that will postpone flights of space tourists to 2022.
Orbex commissions 3D printer capable of producing 35+ rocket engines a year
Wednesday, 24 February 2021 21:11
VALETTA, Malta — On the heels of raising $24 million in December, Orbex announced Feb. 24 that it has commissioned AMCM to build a large-volume 3D printer for manufacturing its rocket engines.
The Scottish microlauncher startup is currently developing Prime, a two-stage launch vehicle powered by six first-stage and one second-stage biopropane engines.
Maxar remains focused on multiyear diversification strategy
Wednesday, 24 February 2021 20:40
SAN FRANCISCO — Maxar Technologies is continuing to diversify its business but remains in the “early innings” in attracting more defense and intelligence work, said Dan Jablonsky, Maxar president and CEO.
“It’s a multiyear journey that we’re on,” Jablonsky said Feb.
Space Force sees itself as a startup trying to launch a new product
Wednesday, 24 February 2021 19:57
WASHINGTON — The top enlisted leader of the U.S. Space Force compared the service to a startup that is trying to be “a little bit more adventurous” than the established branches of the military.
Stoke raises seed round to work on fully reusable rockets
Wednesday, 24 February 2021 17:05
WASHINGTON — A startup founded by a group of former Blue Origin and SpaceX employees has raised a seed round of funding to support their effort to make a fully reusable launch vehicle.
Stoke Space Technologies announced Feb.
Book excerpt | Liftoff: Elon Musk and the Desperate Early Days That Launched SpaceX
Wednesday, 24 February 2021 16:37
A fat, red sun sank into the Texas horizon as Elon Musk bounded toward a silvery spaceship. Reaching its concrete landing pad, Musk marveled up at the stainless steel, steampunk contraption looming above, which shone brilliantly in the dying light.
South Korea to spend $553 million on space projects in 2021
Wednesday, 24 February 2021 16:12
SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea will spend 615 billion won ($553.1 million) in 2021 on space activities aimed at bolstering its capacity to produce satellites, rockets and other key equipment. The Ministry of Science and ICT announced the budget on Feb.
Blue Origin delays first launch of New Glenn to late 2022
Wednesday, 24 February 2021 15:53
WASHINGTON — Blue Origin is pushing back the first launch of its New Glenn rocket to late 2022, saying it “re-baselined” the development of the launch vehicle after losing a key Pentagon contract last year.
ExoMars orbiter images Perseverance landing site
Wednesday, 24 February 2021 15:00
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ExoMars orbiter images Perseverance landing site