More wait for stranded astronauts after replacement crew delayed
Thursday, 13 March 2025 10:14
Washington (AFP) Mar 13, 2025
A pair of astronauts stuck aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for over nine months may have to wait a little longer to return home after the launch of their replacements was postponed.
The Falcon 9 rocket propelling the NASA-SpaceX Crew-10 mission was set to blast off from Florida's Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday at 7:48 pm (2348 GMT).
But with around 45 minutes left on the

Scientists Develop New Technique to Detect Life in Martian Rock Samples
Thursday, 13 March 2025 10:14
Tokyo, Japan (SPX) Mar 13, 2025
Within the next decade, space agencies aim to bring back rock samples from Mars for examination on Earth. A major concern surrounding these missions is the potential presence of extraterrestrial microbes, which could pose unknown risks. To mitigate such concerns, scientists are developing advanced methods to detect life. For the first time, researchers from the University of Tokyo and NASA have

Signal Acquired NASA SPHEREx Begins Science Mission
Thursday, 13 March 2025 10:14
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Mar 13, 2025
NASA's SPHEREx (Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer) mission has successfully established communication with ground controllers, confirming that the spacecraft is fully operational and generating power as expected.
In the coming weeks, mission specialists will ready the observatory for its scientific survey by performing instrument ca

NASA's PUNCH Mission Commences Study of Solar Wind
Thursday, 13 March 2025 10:14
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Mar 13, 2025
NASA's Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere (PUNCH) mission has successfully established full contact with its four small satellites, confirming they are operational and fully powered.
Over its planned two-year duration, PUNCH will conduct extensive 3D imaging of the Sun's corona, or outermost atmosphere, and its transformation into the solar wind.
The solar wind, along wi

China's first commercial spaceport launches 18 satellites
Thursday, 13 March 2025 10:14
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Mar 13, 2025
China's first commercial spaceport successfully launched 18 satellites into orbit early Wednesday, utilizing a Long March 8 carrier rocket from the Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Center in Wenchang, Hainan province.
According to China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), the state-owned enterprise overseeing the mission, the rocket lifted off at 12:38 a.m.

Airbus Selects Rocket Lab to Supply Solar Panels for Next-Gen OneWeb Satellites
Thursday, 13 March 2025 10:14
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Mar 13, 2025
Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB), a leading provider of space systems and launch services, has been awarded a contract by Airbus Constellation Satellites to supply high-efficiency solar panels for 100 OneWeb Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites commissioned by Eutelsat Group. These satellites are designed to extend high-speed, low-latency internet connectivity to underserved regions worldwide.

NASA Works to Regain Contact with Lunar Trailblazer and Evaluate Future Possibilities
Thursday, 13 March 2025 10:14
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Mar 13, 2025
NASA's mission team is continuing efforts to restore communication with the Lunar Trailblazer spacecraft after losing contact on February 27, just a day after its launch. The mission operators at Caltech's IPAC are working alongside NASA's Deep Space Network to send commands in an attempt to establish a connection.
Several radio ground stations have also volunteered their resources to dete

Planetary system discovered around Barnard's Star
Thursday, 13 March 2025 10:14
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Mar 13, 2025
For over a century, astronomers have been intrigued by Barnard's Star, the closest single-star system to Earth, in their quest to identify planetary bodies orbiting it. Initially observed in 1916 by E. E. Barnard at Yerkes Observatory, this red dwarf has long been a target for exoplanet research. Red dwarfs are known for their propensity to host compact planetary systems, often composed of multi

Signs of alien life may be hiding in these gases
Thursday, 13 March 2025 10:14
Riverside CA (SPX) Mar 13, 2025
Scientists have identified a promising new way to detect life on faraway planets, hinging on worlds that look nothing like Earth and gases rarely considered in the search for extraterrestrials.
In a new Astrophysical Journal Letters paper, researchers from the University of California, Riverside, describe these gases, which could be detected in the atmospheres of exoplanets - planets outsi

Quantum Space Introduces Life Extension Services for Satellite Operators
Thursday, 13 March 2025 10:14
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Mar 13, 2025
Quantum Space, a pioneer in advanced space operations, has unveiled a new suite of life extension services designed to enhance satellite mission longevity and operational flexibility. Utilizing its agile Ranger spacecraft, the company aims to provide mission extension, orbital repositioning, and refueling solutions to meet the increasing demand for sustainable and cost-effective satellite manage

Rocket Lab Plans to Acquire Mynaric to Strengthen Space Communications Portfolio
Thursday, 13 March 2025 10:14
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Mar 13, 2025
Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB), a leading provider of launch services and space systems, has announced its intention to acquire a controlling equity stake in Mynaric AG, a prominent developer of laser optical communications terminals. The proposed acquisition is contingent upon receiving necessary governmental approvals and the successful completion of Mynaric's ongoing StaRUG restructuring

Rocket Lab to twice in three Days, set to complete Kineis IoT constellation
Thursday, 13 March 2025 10:14
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Mar 13, 2025
Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB), a premier launch provider and space systems company, is set to achieve a new milestone with two Electron launches scheduled just three days apart from its private launch facility in New Zealand, marking a first for the company.
The upcoming Electron mission for iQPS is planned for no earlier than March 15th NZDT. This will be swiftly followed by another

Sidus Space and Warpspace Form Joint Venture to Enhance Optical Space Communication
Thursday, 13 March 2025 10:14
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Mar 13, 2025
Sidus Space (NASDAQ: SIDU), a leading space mission solutions provider, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Warpspace, a Japanese space technology firm specializing in near real-time high-speed communication networks. This agreement paves the way for a Joint Venture aimed at advancing integrated solutions for cutting-edge satellite communications and mission operations.
"Th

Joint initiatives to propel China's commercial space industry forward
Thursday, 13 March 2025 10:14
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Mar 13, 2025
China's commercial space industry is gaining momentum, and experts are calling for collaborative efforts between government entities, trade organizations, and enterprises to develop a comprehensive roadmap ensuring the sector's sustainable growth.
According to Wang Runfu, a senior researcher at the China Academy of Space Technology, the sector aligns with the nation's broader economic stra

Chinese Remote Sensing Constellation Expands for Global Market
Thursday, 13 March 2025 10:14
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Mar 11, 2025
China's Earth observation capabilities have advanced with the recent launch of two new satellites, further expanding its remote sensing constellation. The newly deployed satellites aim to offer global services and compete with leading international providers such as Maxar in the U.S. and Airbus in Europe, according to China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).
The constella
