Article Archive

China"s Shenlong Spaceplane Deploys Object into Low Earth Orbit

During its ongoing fourth mission, China"s secretive Shenlong spaceplane has released an object into low Earth orbit, as detected by commercial space surveillance systems. This event marks a significant milestone in the development of China"s reusable spacecraft capabilities.

CNSALeoLabsU.S. Space Force

Astroscale Secures Significant Funding to Advance Commercial On-Orbit Servicing Capabilities

Astroscale has raised a substantial amount of funding, approximately 30.6 billion yen, through a combination of convertible bonds and equity, which will be used to support its growth strategy, including expanding production facilities and transitioning from technology demonstrations to commercial work. This development is expected to have major implications for the aerospace industry, particularly in the emerging field of on-orbit servicing.

AstroscaleU.S. Space ForceNASA

Policy & RegulationRegulation

US Influence in Africa's Emerging Space Industry at Risk

The United States is in danger of losing its influence in Africa's growing space industry to China due to the latter's aggressive economic strategy, despite the US being a major contributor to African development. This shift could have significant implications for the global aerospace sector.

25 days ago40/100

NASACNSA

Dying Stars’ Final Stage: A New Understanding of Red Giants and Their Impact

New research reveals that dying stars, including our sun, undergo a dramatic transformation in their final stage, expelling plasma blobs and receiving a significant kick in the opposite direction, which can propel them at speeds of up to 2,200 mph. This phenomenon has major implications for our understanding of stellar evolution and the behavior of celestial bodies in their final stages.

California Institute of Technology

ScienceResearch

James Webb Space Telescope Captures Detailed Image of Orion A Star-Forming Clouds

The James Webb Space Telescope has successfully imaged the star-forming clouds of Orion A, a giant molecular cloud approximately 1,300 light-years from Earth, providing valuable insights into the formation of stars and planets. This achievement marks a significant milestone in the telescope's mission to explore the universe and understand the processes that shape its evolution.

NASAESACSA

ScienceResearch

NASA"s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope Arrives at Kennedy Space Center Ahead of Launch

The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope has arrived at the Kennedy Space Center, marking a significant milestone in its preparation for launch to study dark matter and dark energy. The telescope will undergo a 70-day prelaunch campaign before launching on a Falcon Heavy rocket to operate near Lagrange Point 2.

NASA

LaunchesOrbital Operations

SpaceX Successfully Launches 24 Starlink Satellites on Falcon 9 Rocket

On June 21, 2023, SpaceX launched 24 Starlink satellites into Low Earth Orbit from Vandenberg Space Force Base, marking the 72nd Falcon 9 mission of the year. The successful launch brings the total number of active Starlink satellites to over 10,600, further expanding the company"s constellation.

25 days ago40/100

SpaceX

Astrobotic Acquisition by Voyager Technologies to Support NASA's Lunar Base Initiative

Voyager Technologies has acquired Astrobotic, a lunar lander developer, for $162 million, with the potential for an additional $129 million in earnout payments, to scale up production and support NASA's plans for a lunar base. This acquisition is expected to enhance Astrobotic's capabilities and contribute to the growth of the lunar exploration industry.

26 days ago60/100

NASAVoyager TechnologiesAstrobotic

NASA Partners with Relativity Space for Mars Orbiter Mission

NASA has announced a partnership with Relativity Space to design, build, and launch a spacecraft carrying the Aeolus instrument suite to orbit around Mars in 2028. The mission aims to provide daily measurements of the Martian global environment and reduce risks to future robotic and crewed missions.

27 days ago60/100

NASARelativity Space

Policy & RegulationRegulation

India"s Jio Platforms Announces Ambitious Plan for Sovereign Low Earth Orbit Constellation

Jio Platforms is set to launch a sovereign Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation consisting of 1,600 to 1,650 satellites, with an estimated cost of $10 billion to $15 billion, aiming to provide broadband services across India. The project is expected to be completed by 2025 and will include the development of ground infrastructure within the country.

27 days ago60/100

Jio PlatformsSpaceXESA

Chinese Aerospace Startup Achieves Milestone with Electric-Pump-Fed Engine Test and Secures Funding

Spark Space, a Chinese startup, has successfully tested its Lieyan-2 electric-pump-fed engine and raised nearly 100 million yuan in funding, paving the way for the debut of its Jinhua-1 rocket in 2027. The achievement marks a significant step forward for the company and the broader aerospace industry.

Spark SpaceRocket LabChina Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC)

TechnologyEngineering

MDA Space Expands into US Market with Acquisition of Blue Canyon Technologies

MDA Space has agreed to acquire smallsat manufacturer Blue Canyon Technologies for $620 million, gaining a foothold in the US market and increasing its access to government contracts. The deal is expected to close by the end of the year pending regulatory approvals.

28 days ago55/100

MDA SpaceBlue Canyon TechnologiesRTX

Northrop Grumman Invests in Solid Rocket Motor Production Expansion Amidst Growing Demand

Northrop Grumman has committed over $2 billion to expand its solid rocket motor production capabilities, aiming to produce 25,000 rocket motors annually by 2029, as the company argues that longer-term procurement commitments are necessary to support sustained growth in the industry. This development comes amidst warnings of potential shortages and increasing demand from the Pentagon and other agencies.

Northrop GrummanNASAPentagon

Policy & RegulationRegulation

The Challenges of Medium Earth Orbit: Why Standard Hardware Fails

As the space industry transitions from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), it faces a significant challenge: standard LEO hardware is not durable enough for the harsher MEO environment. This poses a major problem for companies and agencies like NASA and SpaceX, which are planning to operate in MEO.

NASASpaceX

TechnologyEngineering

NASA Initiates DAPHNE Mission to Investigate Space Weather's Impact on Earth's Atmosphere

NASA has selected the Dynamic Atmosphere-Ionosphere Explorer (DAPHNE) mission to study the interaction between space weather and Earth's atmosphere, with a planned launch no earlier than 2029. The mission aims to enhance our understanding of how solar activity affects the upper atmosphere, specifically the thermosphere.

NASABAE SystemsNaval Research Laboratory

Quantum Space Secures Pentagon Contract for Orbital Refueling Spacecraft Development

The US Department of Defense has awarded Quantum Space a contract to develop an orbital refueling spacecraft, capable of transferring propellant to satellites in geostationary orbit, with delivery expected by 2028. This development marks a significant step towards enhancing the operational capabilities of military spacecraft.

NASAUS Space ForceDepartment of Defense

Researchers to Study Menstruation in Microgravity for the First Time

A non-profit organization called Operation Period will conduct a study on menstruation in microgravity aboard a Virgin Galactic suborbital flight in 2027, aiming to provide comprehensive data on the topic. This research is crucial for longer spaceflights and extended stays on the moon.

NASAVirgin Galactic

ScienceResearch

Annie Easley: Pioneering Contributions to NASA's Space Program

Annie Easley, a human computer at NASA, made significant contributions to the space program despite facing discrimination, with her work on energy-conversion systems and the Cassini spacecraft leaving a lasting impact. Her story highlights the important role of unsung heroes in the history of space exploration.

NASANACA

News

International Effort to Study Asteroid Apophis During Close Approach to Earth

A Chinese university-led mission, in collaboration with international space agencies, aims to study the asteroid Apophis during its close approach to Earth in 2029, providing valuable insights into the asteroid's surface and composition. The mission will utilize advanced technologies, including xenon solar electric propulsion and hyperspectral imagers, to achieve high-resolution imaging and precise data collection.

Tsinghua UniversityLandspaceNASA

Mu-g Technologies Expands Parabolic Flight Capabilities with Dassault Falcon 50 Acquisition

Mu-g Technologies has acquired a Dassault Falcon 50 business jet to offer commercial parabolic flight services, providing brief periods of microgravity for research and technology demonstrations. This development coincides with NASA's efforts to acquire its own aircraft for reduced-gravity research, highlighting the growing importance of parabolic flights in the aerospace industry.

28 days ago40/100

NASAMu-g Technologies

Gate SpaceEuropean CommissionNASA

Austrian Propulsion Startup Secures Significant Funding for Advanced Satellite Technology

Gate Space, an Austrian propulsion startup, has been awarded 6.3 million euros in funding from the European Commission's government-backed accelerator program to support its development of high-thrust chemical propulsion systems for satellites. This investment is expected to have major implications for the aerospace industry, particularly in the areas of satellite maneuverability and autonomous docking capabilities.

28 days ago55/100