For transport to Japan and the subsequent flight to the martian moon Phobos, IDEFIX is travelling in a configuration in which, among other things, the four legs with wheels fit snugly and the solar panels are folded in. Components are
[16 Jan 2024] Starliner parachute system upgrade tested before crewed flight
File image of a Starliner parachute system test. Yuma AZ (SPX) Jan 15, 2024 A modified parachute system for Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program was tested over the Arizona desert on Jan. 9. Parachute deployment and a
[16 Jan 2024] Research sheds new light on Moon rock formation solving major puzzle in lunar geology
Image shows a map of the Titanium abundances of the Moon’s surface, obtained from NASA’sClementine spacecraft. The red parts indicate extremely high concentrations compared to terrestrial rocks. by Staff Writers | University of Bristol Bristol UK (SPX) Jan 16, 2024
[16 Jan 2024] Japan startup eyes fusion laser to shoot down space junk from ground
EX-Fusion to employ powerful nuclear fusion laser to perform unprecedented task EX-Fusion’s plan, displayed here in Japanese, is to fire lasers from the ground to slow the speed of space debris, causing it to drop into the Earth’s atmosphere. (Ex-Fusion)
[14 Jan 2024] Update #17 For Peregine Mission One
For 16 years, Astrobotic has been dedicated to making the Moon accessible to the world. The responsible preservation of the cislunar space environment for all is top of mind as we complete this mission. Since the Peregrine lunar lander’s anomaly
[13 Jan 2024] Perigrine Mission One: Updates 13-16
UPDATE #13 FOR PEREGRINE MISSION ONE Since receiving power and telemetry, the Iris Rover payload (pictured) has sent a message from space (pictured). NASA has also released a preliminary science assessment on blogs.nasa.gov: “Two of the payloads, NSS and LETS,
[13 Jan 2024] Momentus, low on cash, delays next mission
Jeff Foust January 12, 2024 Vigoride tugs developed by Momentus change orbits using the company’s Microwave Electrothermal Thruster. Credit: Momentus ORLANDO, Fla. — In-space transportation company Momentus has postponed the next flight of its space tug and laid off
[12 Jan 2024] Japanese Mars mission launch delayed to 2026
JAXA’s Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission will now launch in 2026, two years later than previously planned. Credit: JAXA NEW ORLEANS — The launch of a Japanese mission to collect samples from the Martian moon Phobos and return them to
[12 Jan 2024] Orienspace breaks Chinese commercial launch records with Gravity-1 solid rocket
Launch preparations for Gravity-1 aboard the Defu-15002 sea platform. Credit: Orienspace HELSINKI — A young Chinese launch startup has reached orbit with its Gravity-1 all-solid launch vehicle, smashing the record for payload capacity for Chinese commercial rockets. Orienspace’s Gravity-1 rocket
[12 Jan 2024] Starlink’s first texts via “cellphone towers in space”
Starlink’s Direct to Cell satellites to fill in dead spots in T-Mobile network. JON BRODKIN – 1/11/2024, 1:03 PM Starlink satellites with direct-to-cell capability. SpaceX is showing off the first text messages sent between T-Mobile phones via one of Starlink’s