NOAA might revise geostationary weather satellite timeline
DENVER – High demand for space weather data is prompting the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to consider revising the schedule for its geostationary weather satellite fleet.
Senators seek funding boost for NASA and NSF astrophysics programs
WASHINGTON — Five senators are asking the White House to add at least $300 million in the next budget proposal for NASA and the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support priorities from the astrophysics decadal survey.
China’s Tianwen-1 Mars orbiter and rover appear to be in trouble
HELSINKI — The two spacecraft making up China’s first interplanetary mission are both suffering issues, with the rover potentially lost on the surface after winter hibernation.
Observing lightning with a cubesat constellation
DENVER – NASA Marshall Space Flight Center is working with the Los Alamos National Laboratory and the University of Alabama, Huntsville, on Cubespark, a proposed constellation of six cubesats to map lightning.
European firms partner for LEO collision avoidance demo
TAMPA, Fla. — Three young European space companies said Jan. 9 they have teamed up to test a collision avoidance system on a small satellite this year in low Earth orbit (LEO).
Op-ed | Artemis Missions Support the Space Economy
After several delays caused by COVID-19, recurring natural disasters, and technical issues, SLS successfully launched from Kennedy Space Center and splashed down to Earth on December 11. This success marks the beginning of the next generation of space exploration and pushes NASA to the forefront of congressional priorities. This is a win, win for the future of the space industry.
Astronomers celebrate performance of JWST
SEATTLE — Six months after the release of the first science images from the James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers and NASA officials say the observatory continues to exceed expectations while providing lessons for future space telescopes.
Defunct NASA satellite reenters
WASHINGTON — A defunct NASA satellite, launched nearly four decades ago, reentered late Jan. 8 with a very small risk to people on the ground.
Astronomers find 2nd Earth-size planet in intriguing alien solar system
NASA’s leading planet-hunting spacecraft has spotted its second planet that matches Earth’s size and may be able to retain liquid water — and both worlds orbit the same star.
China issues gold and silver coins to mark completion of Tiangong space station
China’s first space station is now complete in Earth orbit — and on a new set of coins.
Full steam ahead for NOAA’s $20 billion GeoXO program
DENVER – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is embarking on its largest procurement ever: the $19.6 billion Geostationary Extended Observations program.
First Virgin Orbit U.K. launch fails
SEATTLE — Virgin Orbit’s first launch from the United Kingdom failed to reach orbit Jan. 9, dealing a high-profile setback to a company that has been struggling financially.
L3Harris to acquire Aerojet Rocketdyne for $4.7 billion
WASHINGTON — L3Harris Technologies on Dec. 18 announced an agreement to acquire Aerojet Rocketdyne for $4.7 billion.
South Korean spacecraft enters lunar orbit with deceleration maneuver
SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea’s first robotic lunar orbiter, Danuri, entered the lunar orbit after conducting its first lunar orbit insertion maneuver Dec. 16.