NASA supports burst test for orbital reef commercial space station
Friday, 26 July 2024 14:44
An element of a commercial space station, Orbital Reef, under development by Blue Origin and Sierra Space, recently completed a full-scale ultimate burst pressure test as part of the agency's efforts for new destinations in low Earth orbit.
This milestone is part of a NASA Space Act Agreement awarded to Blue Origin in 2021. Orbital Reef includes elements provided by Sierra Space, including the LIFE (Large Integrated Flexible Environment) habitat structure.
Teams conducted the burst test on Sierra Space's LIFE habitat structure using testing capabilities at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The inflatable habitat is fabricated from high-strength webbings and fabric that form a solid structure once pressurized. The multiple layers of soft goods materials that make up the shell are compactly stowed in a payload fairing and inflated when ready for use, enabling the habitat to launch on a single rocket.
Week in images: 22-26 July 2024
Friday, 26 July 2024 12:10
Week in images: 22-26 July 2024
Discover our week through the lens
Space Team Europe for Ariane 6: Ambra Pedrazzini
Friday, 26 July 2024 08:30
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After taking an astronomy class in school, Ambra Pedrazzini now works for Arianespace on Europe’s newest rocket, Ariane 6. With past experience on Ariane 5, Ambra is now Fluid and Mechanical Interfaces Functional Assistant for the Ariane 6 upper liquid propulsion module.
Having worked on the development and implementation of the automatic programmes used during Ariane 6 launch campaign tests at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, Ambra was then part of the team in charge of the rocket’s qualification tests. Ambra is responsible for ‘functional testing’ – verifying that the rocket and its associated launch pad are ready
Earth from Space: Paris in focus
Friday, 26 July 2024 07:00
Image:
This striking high-resolution image offers an in-depth view of central Paris, allowing you to explore and zoom into the city’s most captivating areas in exceptional detail. 
AST SpaceMobile ready to ship first commercial satellites for SpaceX launch
Thursday, 25 July 2024 20:22
Akima lands $480 million Space Force contract to modernize Satellite Control Network
Thursday, 25 July 2024 16:34
Expert Q&A: NASA's cancellation of VIPER is a frustrating setback for lunar exploration
Thursday, 25 July 2024 16:29
In July 2024, NASA announced it canceled its plans to send the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) to the moon's southern polar region. The rover was meant to search for water and other resources called volatiles, such as hydrogen, ammonia and carbon dioxide, which easily evaporate in warm temperatures.
Nicola Fox, associate administrator of NASA's Science Mission Directorate, reiterated the agency's commitment "to exploring the moon for the benefit of humanity" through other missions.
Fifty-five years have passed since Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin made a giant leap for mankind.
Webb Spots Closest Super-Jupiter Paving Way for New Exoplanet Research
Thursday, 25 July 2024 16:11
"We were excited when we realised we had imaged this new planet," said Elisabeth Matthews, a researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy in Heidelberg, Germany. She is the main author of the underlying research article published in the journal Nature. "To our surprise, the bright spot that appeared in our MIRI images did not match the position we were expecting for the planet," Matthews Leicester Team to Minimize AI Algorithms for Enhanced Spacecraft Intelligence
Thursday, 25 July 2024 16:11
University of Leicester scientists are developing a method to miniaturize artificial intelligence algorithms, paving the way for smarter spacecraft. This initiative is part of over 20 national space projects unveiled by DSIT Secretary of State Peter Kyle at the Farnborough International Airshow. These projects, with a collective value of Pounds 33 million, are funded by the UK Space Agency's Na YPSat captures Ariane 6 inaugural launch
Thursday, 25 July 2024 16:11
If there had been an astronaut aboard the historic first launch of Europe's Ariane 6, this is what they would have seen: images and videos from key phases of the flight, captured by the YPSat payload, a project led by ESA Young Professionals during their own time.
Attached to the launcher's upper stage, YPSat served as a crucial observer throughout the test flight. The payload transmitted