Humans are going back to the moon, and beyond—but how will we feed them?
Wednesday, 16 November 2022 16:57
NASA's Artemis I launch is a major step forward in humans going deeper and spending longer in space than ever before.
Future Artemis missions plan to take crew to the moon and eventually Mars, which is likely to be a three-year round-trip.
But what will the astronauts eat? There are only so many protein bars and vitamins one can tolerate and survive on for years on end.
Plants are the basis of life on Earth with their amazing ability to convert light, water and carbon dioxide (CO₂) into food, and are the logical solution to support humans in space.
The challenges of a space garden
Astronauts have already eaten space radish, chili peppers and lettuce grown on the International Space Station, and having freshly grown veggies in microgravity can support health and well-being. But there are a number of challenges in growing a flourishing space garden.
Space environments are CO₂-rich, lack soil microbes, have altered gravity, are exposed to potentially harmful solar radiation, and need to use recycled, high-salt water.
Rocket Factory Augsburg signs deal to test engines at DLR premises
Wednesday, 16 November 2022 15:57
Rocket Factory Augsburg has signed a deal allowing it to build and operate its own engine test stand at German Aerospace Center (DLR) premises.
The post Rocket Factory Augsburg signs deal to test engines at DLR premises appeared first on SpaceNews.
Op-ed | Artemis Launches Need to Set the World on Fire
Wednesday, 16 November 2022 15:39
Over and over, we’ve seen masses flock to watch astronauts begin their journey into the heavens, even when all they can see of that titanic cataract of flame is just a tiny smudge of brightness on the horizon.
Webb catches fiery hourglass as new star forms
Wednesday, 16 November 2022 14:28
The NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope has revealed the once-hidden features of the protostar within the dark cloud L1527 with its Near Infrared Camera (NIRCam), providing insight into the formation of a new star. These blazing clouds within the Taurus star-forming region are only visible in infrared light, making it an ideal target for Webb.
Op-ed | Parking spots for satellites reduce congestion, promote technological growth
Wednesday, 16 November 2022 14:00
The time is now for governments, technologists, and investors to collaborate on how to define and allocate orbital slots and capacity – namely the positions above Earth occupied by satellites — as part of an improved approach to space traffic management.
Companies have diverging views on the future of European launch
Wednesday, 16 November 2022 13:53
Arianespace and German launch startups Isar Aerospace and Rocket Factory Augsburg are moving towards first launches next year but have mixed views on how the European launch sector has and should develop.
ESA sets sights on space transportation ecosystem
Wednesday, 16 November 2022 12:00
Economic activity on Earth relies on a large logistics infrastructure – everything we buy and consume, and every trip we make, depends on a global transportation network connecting trucks, ships, aircraft, warehouses supported by fuel systems, maintenance services and communications. The same will be soon true in space – so ESA intends to connect Earth orbit and even the Moon and Mars with in-space transportation.
To set in motion the development of a comprehensive space logistics capability, ESA has asked European industry for proposals for in-orbit transportation demonstration missions. The objective will be to set up an efficient in-space system which would
Pushing the boundaries of space
Wednesday, 16 November 2022 11:30
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Space is delivering more accurate, more precise and more varied data than ever before. State-of-the-art digital technologies, such as Digital Twins of Earth and High Performance Computing, are enabling faster and more complex calculations, allowing us to replicate the Earth system, its climate and life on our planet.
ESA is exploiting digital technologies and artificial intelligence, supporting scientists and industry to respond to global challenges such as the climate crisis and designing innovative solutions for our future.
ESA’s Council at Ministerial level, CM22, taking place next week is a time for critical decisions. Space supports scientists, policymakers
AE Industrial Partners completes investment in York Space Systems
Wednesday, 16 November 2022 11:24
AE Industrial Partners, LP ("AEI"), a leader in space investing and a private equity firm specializing in aerospace, defense and government services, space, power and utility services, and specialty industrial markets, has completed its majority stake investment in York Space Systems ("York" or "the Company"), an independent provider of small satellites, satellite components and turnkey mission ATLAS wins data analytics SBIR to deliver resiliency and insight
Wednesday, 16 November 2022 11:24
ATLAS Space Operations, the leading Ground Software as a Service (GSaaS) provider, has announced the award of a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract to develop a data analytics platform for the United States Space Force.
The program will see ATLAS integrate communications infrastructure and multi-domain command and control systems to deliver enhanced insights regarding space Tenchijin develops a land surface temperature product with next level resolution and frequency
Wednesday, 16 November 2022 11:24
As the result of the NEDO SBIR acceleration program, Tenchijin, Inc, a JAXA accredited space venture successfully developed their Land Surface Temperature Product with high resolution and frequency. As their next step towards commercialization, they are planning to integrate the product into their land evaluation engine Tenchijin COMPASS to provide an advanced solution for their customers and en Northrop Grumman-built NOAA satellite launches with enhanced data tracking
Wednesday, 16 November 2022 11:24
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and NASA Joint Polar Satellite System-2 (JPSS-2) spacecraft, built by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC), successfully launched aboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket with launch services managed by NASA's Launch Service Program. JPSS-2 is the third satellite for the joint NOAA and NASA JPSS program. These satellites China sends multirole satellite into orbit
Wednesday, 16 November 2022 11:24
China launched a Long March 6A carrier rocket to send a multirole satellite into orbit on Saturday morning, according to China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp.
The State-owned space contractor said in a news release that the rocket blasted off at 6:52 am at the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Shanxi province and transported the Yunhai 3 satellite into its preset orbit.
The s Planet and Justdiggit enable nature-based solutions to regreen the land
Wednesday, 16 November 2022 11:24
Planet Labs PBC (NYSE: PL), a leading provider of daily data and insights about Earth, today shared that Justdiggit, a Dutch non-profit organization dedicated to supporting land restoration in sub-Saharan Africa, is leveraging Planet's high-resolution SkySat satellite tasking capabilities, their near-daily PlanetScope satellite imagery, and the Planetary Variables data feeds to quantify, evaluat Space Technologies offer opportunity to achieve one-sixth of emissions cuts needed to reach net zero by 2050
Wednesday, 16 November 2022 11:24
Satellite technologies are already reducing carbon emissions by 1.5 billion tonnes (or 1.5 gigatons) every year, according to independent research commissioned by Inmarsat from leading consultants at Globant's Sustainable Business Studio. This is equivalent to almost a third of the entire United States' carbon emissions in 2021, or the lifetime emissions of 50 million cars.
Demonstrating t