Space news

Firefly sets January launch date for first lunar lander mission

Firefly Aerospace says it is planning a launch of its first lunar lander mission in January, meaning that none of the three commercial lander missions once slated to launch in the fourth quarter of this year will do so. The post Firefly sets January launch date for first lunar lander mission appeared first on SpaceNews..

NASA’s Commercial Partners Make Progress on Low Earth Orbit Projects

NASA and its commercial partners continue to drive innovation in space exploration, achieving milestones that will ultimately benefit human spaceflight and commercial low Earth orbit efforts. These recent achievements from NASA’s industry partners include completed safety milestones, successful flight tests, and major technological advancements. “Our commercial partners’ growing capabilities in low Earth orbit underscore NASA’s […].

NASA Awards Launch Services Contract for Dragonfly Mission

NASA has selected SpaceX to provide launch services for the Dragonfly mission, a rotorcraft lander mission under NASA’s New Frontiers Program, designed to explore Saturn’s moon Titan. The mission will sample materials and determine surface composition in different geologic settings, advancing our search for the building blocks of life. The firm-fixed-price contract has a value […].

SpaceX eyes 25 annual Starship launches starting next year

SpaceX is potentially looking to launch Starship 25 times starting next year, a major uptick in the number of times the rocket will take off compared to years past. Starship launches are becoming more frequent now that SpaceX is moving quickly toward both unmanned and manned missions to Mars in the coming years. This year, […] The post SpaceX eyes 25 annual Starship launches starting next year appeared first on TESLARATI..

Mini NASA Robot Takes a SWIM

A 16.5-inch-long prototype of a robot designed to explore subsurface oceans of icy moons is reflected in the water’s surface during a test in a competition swimming pool in September 2024. Conducted by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the testing showed the feasibility of a mission concept called SWIM, short for Sensing With Independent Micro-swimmers. The […].

NASA Ames Stars of the Month: November 2024

The NASA Ames Science Directorate recognizes the outstanding contributions of (pictured left to right) Forrest Melton, Ariel Deutsch, Dan Sirbu, and Chanel Idos. Their commitment to the NASA mission represents the entrepreneurial spirit, technical expertise, and collaborative disposition needed to explore this world and beyond. Earth Science Star: Forrest Melton Forrest Melton serves as Senior […].

Station Science Top News: Nov. 22, 2024

Space-grown crystals could lead to targeted cancer drugs Researchers used space-grown protein crystals to determine the structure of a helix-loop-helix (HLH) peptide (one with a double helix and connecting loop) in a complex with vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF). VEGF prompts the formation of new blood vessels and inhibiting it can stop tumor growth. This […].

Pentagon underestimated supply chain fragility, now racing to fix gaps

Lt. Gen. Philip Garrant, head of Space Systems Command: ‘We're realizing there are true industrial base concerns’ The post Pentagon underestimated supply chain fragility, now racing to fix gaps appeared first on SpaceNews..

EnduroSat orders 100 Enpulsion propulsion systems

Bulgarian microsatellite specialist EnduroSat has ordered 100 electric propulsion systems from Austria’s Enpulsion as demand for larger spacecraft continues to rise. The post EnduroSat orders 100 Enpulsion propulsion systems appeared first on SpaceNews..

Optimax names new CEO and president

Ontario, N.Y. — Optimax, the largest precision optics manufacturer in the United States, has announced the appointment of Joseph Spilman as CEO and Pete Kupinski as president. With a solid […] The post Optimax names new CEO and president appeared first on SpaceNews..