Gravitics, a firm known for building parts for space stations, has just scored a big deal. They won an award from the Space Force to use their tech for quick space missions. This isn't just any award. It's called a STRATFI, and it's worth up to $60 million. The Space Force puts in half, and Gravitics matches it. This money will go towards creating something called th...
A Dutch company has made a significant mark in space exploration. They have created a powerful camera, the HyperScout H, which is part of the European Space Agency’s Hera mission. This small but mighty tool has captured a unique image of Mars and its moon Deimos. This is a big deal because it gives scientists new information about these celestial bodies. The Hera mi...
In a significant move, the United States and Norway have inked a deal that allows American space hardware to be exported to Norway for launches. This agreement, called the Technology Safeguards Agreement (TSA), is designed to ensure the security of U. S. launch vehicles and satellites sent to Norway. Andøya Spaceport, nestled on an Arctic island in Norway, is the fo...
NATO leans heavily on space technology for its missions, but a big worry is cyber threats. Why? The supply chain isn't well-managed, and old systems are easy targets. Experts agree that better rules and management are a must. Early threat detection and safeguarding crucial data should be at the top of the list. Think about it like this: if your laptop’s software is ...
On December 29, SpaceX sent four satellites built by Astranis towards geostationary orbit. This launch was unique because it marked the first time a single company launched four of its own satellites on one mission to GEO. A Falcon 9 rocket carrying the satellites blasted off at midnight from Florida's Cape Canaveral. In about three hours, signals from all four sate...
You might be wondering why the NISAR mission isn't already up in space. Well, there's been a bit of a hiccup. Originally planned for launch this spring, NASA and its Indian counterpart decided to push it back. Why? The spacecraft's main radar antenna needed some TLC. Engineers found out that once it was in orbit, the antenna would get warmer than expected. Woops! So,...
The U. S. Space Force is gearing up to test new modular satellite technology in an upcoming mission. This mission is part of their Tactically Responsive Space (TacRS) program, aiming to speed up the launch of important payloads like surveillance sensors into space. The Space Force wants to use a system called Handle, created by The Aerospace Corporation. Handle makes...
Even when they're orbiting Earth, astronauts still have the right to vote. Voting from space isn't as simple as heading to the local polling station, though. Instead, astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) use NASA's Space Communication and Navigation Program. They start by filling out a Federal Post Card Application to get an absentee ballot since t...
Running a space startup that caters to both the Department of Defense (DOD) and commercial companies can be tricky. Even Rogers, CEO of True Anomaly, warns that young startups might lose focus trying to sell to both. True Anomaly, for instance, sees itself as a defense company, not just a space one. Investors pushing for a dual-use strategy can further complicate thi...
Late on a Monday night, China sent up not one, but three satellites – Tianping-3A, B, and another B. These little guys are on a big mission: to calibrate ground radar equipment and collect other data. The launch happened from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in northern China. A Long March 6 rocket did the heavy lifting, and it was a success, according to the Shan...