China to launch near-Earth asteroid sample return mission in 2025
HELSINKI — China will launch the Tianwen-2 mission to sample a near-Earth asteroid next year, an official with the country’s space agency said Tuesday.
Planet unveils Forest Carbon Monitoring dataset
SAN FRANCISCO – Earth observation company Planet unveiled a product Sept. 24 for monitoring global forests.
U.S. GPS modernization faces delays, technical challenges: GAO report
WASHINGTON — A new U.S. government report highlights mixed progress in the modernization of the Global Positioning System (GPS), citing advancements in satellite and ground equipment upgrades alongside persistent delays in some areas.
NASA charts path toward commercial services for Mars
The vast distance between Earth and the Red Planet poses a significant challenge, as do the radiation and thermal issues spacecraft will experience on the journey. Still, the prospect of harnessing commercial innovation to reduce the cost of studying Mars is too enticing to ignore.
Starliner returns to Earth uncrewed
WASHINGTON — Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft successfully landed in New Mexico early Sept. 7, completing the Crew Flight Test (CFT) mission but without any crew on board.
ESA performs targeted reentry of Cluster satellite
WASHINGTON — The European Space Agency successfully deorbited the first of four Cluster space science satellites Sept. 8, performing a first-of-its-kind “targeted reentry” over the South Pacific.
Europa Clipper passes pre-launch review
WASHINGTON — A multibillion-dollar NASA mission to a potentially habitable moon of Jupiter has been cleared to begin final preparations for an October launch after resolving concerns about electronics on the spacecraft.
Moog Unveils New, Radiation-Hardened Space Computer to Support the Next Generation of High-Speed Computing On-Orbit
Moog Inc. (NYSE: MOG.A and MOG.B), a worldwide designer, manufacturer, and integrator of precision motion control components and systems, announces the development of its newest space computer to support the next-generation of on-orbit computing needs. The innovative Moog Cascade Single Board Computer (SBC) is the latest advancement of high-speed, radiation-hardened space computers for multi-mission, bus/payload applications for all orbital regimes.
Thailand joins China-led ILRS moon base initiative
HELSINKI — Thailand has signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation on the China-led International Lunar Research Station (ILRS).
We must adopt sustainability in planetary exploration
As humanity embarks on a new era of space exploration, of establishing permanent human bases on the moon and Mars, sustainability must become the bedrock of our exploration efforts beyond Earth. With the NASA-led Artemis program, private lunar exploration initiatives and the China-led upcoming International Lunar Research Station, our return to the moon and push towards Mars are set to define the 21st century. However, as we chart these new territories, the environments of the moon and Mars are at risk of irreversible alteration by human activity. We must adopt sustainability as a core principle in space exploration to safeguard their pristine environments and, by extension, our own future on Earth.
Intuitive Machines seeks to take over NASA’s VIPER lunar rover
WASHINGTON — Intuitive Machines says it is organizing a coalition of organizations that will offer to take over a NASA lunar rover mission, launching it on one of the company’s landers.
NASA payload to fly on first Blue Origin lunar lander mission
WASHINGTON — A NASA payload will hitch a ride to the moon on Blue Origin’s first lunar lander mission, scheduled to launch as soon as next March.
Senate bill would create center to study satellite interference with astronomy
WASHINGTON — Legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate would create a new center devoted to protecting astronomy from interference caused by satellite constellations even as existing efforts involving organizations and companies make progress.
Northrop Grumman continues to trim space workforce in California
WASHINGTON — U.S. defense contractor Northrop Grumman plans to lay off 550 full-time employees at its space business facilities in Redondo Beach and Manhattan Beach, California, marking another round of job cuts in the sector.