NorthStar raises $15 million for debris-tracking satellites waiting on Rocket Lab
Wednesday, 06 December 2023 18:38NASA finds likely cause of OSIRIS-REx parachute deployment sequence
Wednesday, 06 December 2023 16:19NASA's OSIRIS-REx sample return capsule landed under parachute in the Utah desert on Sept. 24, 2023, and safely delivered a cannister of rocks and dust collected from near-Earth asteroid Bennu. Although the delivery was successful, the landing sequence did not go entirely according to plan, with a small parachute called a drogue not deploying as expected.
After a thorough review of the descent video and the capsule's extensive documentation, NASA found that inconsistent wiring label definitions in the design plans likely caused engineers to wire the parachutes' release triggers such that signals meant to deploy the drogue chute fired out of order.
The drogue was expected to deploy at an altitude of about 100,000 feet. It was designed to slow and stabilize the capsule during a roughly five-minute descent prior to main parachute deployment at an altitude of about 10,000 feet. Instead, at 100,000 feet, the signal triggered the system to cut the drogue free while it was still packed in the capsule. When the capsule reached 9,000 feet, the drogue deployed.
With its retention cord already cut, the drogue was immediately released from the capsule.
Tracking human emissions from space
Wednesday, 06 December 2023 14:00The Copernicus Anthropogenic Carbon Dioxide Monitoring (CO2M) mission will be the first satellite mission to measure how much carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere through human activity.
CO2M isn't just a mission; it's a crucial step in our commitment to understanding and mitigating climate change. It will offer unprecedented precision in monitoring carbon dioxide emissions from the combustion of fossil fuel at national and regional scales.
Its data will provide the EU with a unique and independent source of information to assess the effectiveness of policy measures and to track their impact towards decarbonising Europe ahead of the
Understanding climate tipping points
Wednesday, 06 December 2023 12:30As the planet warms, many parts of the Earth system are undergoing large-scale changes. Ice sheets are shrinking, sea levels are rising and coral reefs are dying off.
While climate records are being continuously broken, the cumulative impact of these changes could also cause fundamental parts of the Earth system to change dramatically. These ‘tipping points’ of climate change are critical thresholds in that, if exceeded, can lead to irreversible consequences.
Capella to use SpaceX for two Acadia satellite launches
Wednesday, 06 December 2023 09:49China launches internet technology test satellite from sea barge
Wednesday, 06 December 2023 09:30Iran says it sent a capsule capable of carrying animals into orbit as it prepares for human missions
Wednesday, 06 December 2023 09:04Iran said Wednesday it sent a capsule into orbit capable of carrying animals as it prepares for human missions in coming years.
OSIRIS-REx parachute deployment affected by wiring error
Wednesday, 06 December 2023 08:04HawkEye 360's Pathfinder constellation complete five years of Advanced RF Detection
Wednesday, 06 December 2023 07:05Five years ago, HawkEye 360 Inc., a trailblazer in space-based radio frequency (RF) data and analytics, embarked on an ambitious journey with the launch of its Pathfinder satellite cluster. On December 3, 2018, the three Pathfinder satellites were successfully launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, marking a significant milestone in commercial spac
SDA's Tranche 0 satellites enable first ever Link 16 space to ground transmission
Wednesday, 06 December 2023 07:05The Space Development Agency (SDA), a key player in the United States Department of Defense's strategic initiatives, recently announced a significant milestone in space communication technology. In a series of demonstrations held from November 21-27, 2023, the SDA successfully executed the first-ever network entry using the Link 16 system from low Earth orbit (LEO) to a series of terrestrial rec
All-in-one YPSat, Ariane 6 bound
Wednesday, 06 December 2023 06:43Firefly Aerospace to develop framework for DARPA's LunA-10 orbital spacecraft hubs
Wednesday, 06 December 2023 02:21Firefly Aerospace, Inc., a key player in space transportation, has announced its selection to develop a framework for integrated on-orbit spacecraft hubs. This initiative supports DARPA's 10-Year Lunar Architecture (LunA-10) capability study. The proposed hubs, leveraging the capabilities of Firefly's Elytra orbital vehicles, aim to provide versatile cislunar services, including refueling, deliv
Intuitive Machines' IM-1 Nova-C lunar lander delivered to Cape Canaveral
Wednesday, 06 December 2023 02:21Intuitive Machines, Inc. (Nasdaq: LUNR, LUNRW), a prominent space exploration, infrastructure, and services company, has announced the successful arrival of its IM-1 mission Nova-C lunar lander at Cape Canaveral, Florida. Steve Altemus, CEO of Intuitive Machines, expressed his pride in this significant achievement. "This milestone is the culmination of four years of technical excellence, o
Rogue Space Systems debuts with successful Barry-1 launch and deployment
Wednesday, 06 December 2023 02:21Rogue Space Systems Corporation, a pioneer in satellite servicing technologies, has proudly announced the triumphant launch, deployment, and operational startup of its inaugural satellite, Barry-1. Since its launch on November 11th, the satellite has maintained stable communications and control, transitioning smoothly into the Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP), set to extend into Decembe
Sidus Space and Bechtel join forces for Artemis Mobile Launcher 2
Wednesday, 06 December 2023 02:21Sidus Space (NASDAQ: SIDU), a notable player in the Space and Data-as-a-Service sector, has recently announced its expanded involvement in the NASA Artemis missions. The company disclosed that it has secured an additional contract from Bechtel to manufacture supplementary cables for the NASA Mobile Launcher 2, a pivotal structure in the launch of Space Launch System (SLS) rockets. This new