Author: starpathwp-production
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MDA, SDA Satellites On Orbit After Launch
The Department of Defense confirmed late Wednesday that six demonstration satellites launched earlier that evening for the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and Space Development Agency (SDA) successfully reached orbit and have begun initial testing and checkout. The final four Tranche 0 Tracking Layer and the two Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS) satellites will…
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U.S. Military Explores AI Capabilities for Defense Applications
The U.S. military is venturing into various artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, ranging from predictive maintenance of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) to analyzing extensive satellite data for enhanced space situational awareness. This exploration opens avenues for AI startups like Virtualitics, which has secured research contracts from the Air Force and Space Force. The company offers…
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Launch Roundup: SpaceX to launch next ISS crew rotation; Electron launches debris removal demonstration
Despite multiple scrubs and delays due to weather violations, SpaceX broke its own cadence record in January with 10 launches and landings in a calendar month. Those weather challenges have prevailed into February. Between these and the pad logistics related to launching the Intuitive Machines IM-1 mission, PACE satellite, USSF-124, and an upcoming crewed mission,…
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Collins Aerospace Achieves Key NASA Milestone in Next-Gen Space Station Suit Development
A key NASA design milestone was recently completed by Collins Aerospace as the company works to develop a next-generation spacesuit for use on the International Space Station. The milestone – a pressure garment system fit and functionality test in a microgravity-like environment – marked an important step toward developing a suit for NASA that can…
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NASA Delays Ultraviolet Observatory Launch Due to Budget Constraints
NASA has announced a two-year delay in the launch of its Ultraviolet Explorer (UVEX) spacecraft due to budget challenges, despite selecting it as the next Medium-class Explorer mission for astrophysics development. On February 13, NASA revealed its decision to designate the UVEX spacecraft for an all-sky survey at ultraviolet wavelengths, aiming to identify sources of…
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SpaceX Launches Classified Mission for U.S. Military, Deploys Missile-Detection Satellites
SpaceX successfully launched a classified mission for the U.S. military on February 14, deploying six missile-detection satellites into orbit. The mission, known as USSF-124, saw the Falcon 9 rocket carrying payloads for both the Missile Defense Agency and the Space Development Agency. Taking off from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in…
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Merida Aerospace Developing Perovskite Solar Cells for Low Earth Orbit Satellites
Merida Aerospace, a Tampa-based aerospace company, is developing perovskite solar cells tailored for space applications, with a specific emphasis on enhancing performance and economy for low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. LEO satellites often rely on solar panels as their primary power source, capturing sunlight during orbital solar exposure for sustained operation. These panels enhance weight…
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SpaceX launches Falcon 9 rocket with national security satellites from Cape Canaveral
A Falcon 9 rocket supporting the USSF-124 mission for the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and Space Development Agency (SDA) launches from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Image: Adam Bernstein/Spaceflight Now SpaceX launched its eighth Falcon 9 rocket on a National Security Space Launch (NSSL) mission on Wednesday evening. The launch, named United…
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KVH to Move Away from Hardware Manufacturing to Focus on Multi-Orbit Service
Maritime service provider KVH Industries is stepping away from hardware manufacturing to focus on its position as a hardware-agnostic multi-orbit connectivity provider. This comes after KVH added Starlink and Eutelsat OneWeb to its connectivity portfolio. The company is laying off about 20% of its workforce, about 75 employees with this change. KVH Chairman David Tolley…
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Sidus Space on Track to Launch the Next Two LizzieSat Satellites
Sidus Space, a multi-faceted Space and Data-as-a-Service company announced LS-2 and LS-3 LizzieSat production is underway and on schedule for launch later this year. With LS-1 ready for launch and delivered to the SpaceX launch site in Vandenburg, CA earlier this month, the Sidus team in Cape Canaveral is focused on upcoming milestones for LS-2…