SWIM’s latest map of where water ice is likely to be located on Mars. Blue areas represent positive locations. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Planetary Science Institute) The NASA-funded Subsurface Water Ice Mapping (SWIM) project released its fourth and most recent map of
[29 Oct 2023] On-time Artemis landings by SpaceX, Blue Origin possible, but face “great challenges”
Lisa Watson-Morgan, program manager for the Human Landing System program, moderates a fireside chat with Benji Reed, Sr. Director of Human Spaceflight Programs at SpaceX (left) and John Couluris, Sr. VP of Lunar Transportation at Blue Origin. Image: Will Robinson-Smith
[28 Oct 2023] New agreement enables U.S. launches from Australian spaceports
https://spacenews.com/new-agreement-enables-u-s-launches-from-australian-spaceports/ Jeff Foust October 27, 2023 Equatorial Launch Australia announced in April an agreement with Phantom Space that could see it host launches of Phantom’s Daytona rocket. Credit: ELA HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The governments of Australia and the United
[27 Oct 2023] Intuitive Machines targets launch to the Moon in mid-January
The completed Nova-C lander for the IM-1 mission is photographed in mid-October at Intuitive Machines’ facilities in Houston, Texas, ahead of it being shipped to Cape Canaveral, Florida. Image: Intuitive Machines The first lunar lander aiming for a touchdown at
[26 Oct 2023] Marcus House on Lunar Exploration plans
YouTuber Marcus House has an interesting video up about various plans for Lunar Exploration. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B57GDeirtJY “SpaceX’s Colossal Starship Superheavy launch vehicle! The largest rocket ever created, promises the ability to send massive payloads into orbit at an affordable cost, much
[25 Oct 2023] NASA’s Lucy Spacecraft Is About To Flyby An Asteroid In Its First Major Test Flight
On November 1, NASA’s Lucy spacecraft will visit its first asteroid, Dinkinesh. Their meeting will be a critical, ultra-brief encounter between two of the loneliest drifters in the Solar System. Lucy has already been flying through space for two years.
[24 Oct 2023] ULA sets Christmas Eve launch date for first Vulcan Centaur
Jeff Foust on SpaceNews has a story on the new target for ULA’s Vulcan Centaur launch: VEGAS — United Launch Alliance now plans to launch its first Vulcan Centaur rocket on Christmas Eve, carrying a commercial lunar lander. The company