Author: starpathwp-production
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A commander’s lament on the loss of a historic SpaceX rocket
The Falcon 9 rocket that launched NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken on SpaceX’s first crew mission in 2020 launched and landed for the 19th and final time just before Christmas, then tipped over on its recovery ship during the trip back to Cape Canaveral, Florida. This particular booster, known by the tail number…
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Top Satellite Bus and Platforms in 2023
Satellite Bus and Platforms serve as the backbone of space missions, providing the structural framework and essential systems that enable the functionality of various payloads and instruments in orbit. It serves as the infrastructure that facilitates the spacecraft’s operation, maneuverability, and communication with ground control. Satellite Platforms support a diverse array of scientific, communication, Earth…
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ISRO Launches Astronomy Satellite in New Year Mission
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched an astronomy satellite on a PSLV mission on Jan. 1. The PSLV-C58 mission launched the XPoSat — X-ray polarimeter satellite — into Eastward low inclination orbit. XPoSat is the first dedicated scientific satellite from ISRO to research space-based polarization measurements of X-ray emission from celestial sources. The satellite…
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ISRO Launches Astronomy Satellite in New Year Mission
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched an astronomy satellite on a PSLV mission on Jan. 1. The PSLV-C58 mission launched the XPoSat — X-ray polarimeter satellite — into Eastward low inclination orbit. XPoSat is the first dedicated scientific satellite from ISRO to research space-based polarization measurements of X-ray emission from celestial sources. The satellite…
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EchoStar Completes Merger With Dish Network
EchoStar Corporation completed its acquisition of Dish Network to close out 2023 on Dec. 31. The deal, first announced in August, combines Dish Network’s satellite technology, streaming services, and nationwide 5G network with EchoStar’s satellite communications solutions, which EchoStar said will create a leader in terrestrial and non-terrestrial wireless connectivity. Dish Network is now a…
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EchoStar Completes Merger With Dish Network
EchoStar Corporation completed its acquisition of Dish Network to close out 2023 on Dec. 31. The deal, first announced in August, combines Dish Network’s satellite technology, streaming services, and nationwide 5G network with EchoStar’s satellite communications solutions, which EchoStar said will create a leader in terrestrial and non-terrestrial wireless connectivity. Dish Network is now a…
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Top Satellite Launches to Watch in 2024
A number of anticipated satellite programs finally got off the ground in 2023. Unfortunately, some of those satellites including the first ViaSat-3, and four of the O3b mPOWER satellites, have experienced on-orbit issues, forcing operators to recalibrate their strategies. In this round-up, we take stock of 2024 and look at some of the top commercial…
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Juno makes its first ultra-close flyby of the volcano-covered moon Io
On Saturday NASA’s Juno spacecraft, which has been orbiting Jupiter for the better part of a decade, made its closest flyby of the innermost moon in the Jovian system. The spacecraft came to within 930 miles (1,500 km) of the surface of Io, a dense moon that is the fourth largest in the Solar System.…
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ISRO Successfully Launches X-ray Polarimeter Satellite Mission
ISRO’s PSLV-C58 launched the XPOSAT Satellite into an Eastward low inclination orbit on January 01, 2024, 09:10 Hrs IST. After injection of XPOSAT, the PS4 stage will be re-started twice to reduce the orbit into 350 km circular orbit to maintain in 3-axis stabilized mode for Orbital Platform (OP) experiments. The PSLV Orbital Experimental Module-3…
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SpaceX Launches Boeing-Built Spaceplane for US Space Force
SpaceX launched the Boeing-built X-37B orbital test vehicle on Dec. 28 in a mission for the U.S. Space Force. The Falcon Heavy mission, USSF-52, took off from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Thursday, Dec. 28 at 8:07 p.m. ET. This is the seventh flight of the X-37B, a reusable spacecraft…