Author: starpathwp-production
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Top SATCOM Amplifier Systems in 2023
SATCOM Amplifier Systems stand as vital components amplifying the strength and clarity of signals between Earth and orbiting satellites. These systems play a crucial role in enhancing the transmission and reception capabilities, ensuring efficient and reliable communication for a diverse range of applications, including telecommunications, data relay, and scientific telemetry. As the demand for seamless…
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Falcon Heavy launches USSF-52 spaceplane
As 2023 draws to a close, the US Department of Defense’s X-37B spaceplane returned to space on the OTV-7 mission aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket. USSF-52, the fifth Falcon Heavy flight of the year, and ninth overall, lifted off on Dec. 28 at 8:07 PM EST (01:07 UTC on Dec. 29). USSF-52 flew from…
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A year for gearing up: Aerospace ventures are counting down to big missions in 2024
United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V rocket lifts off with two prototype Amazon satellites on Oct. 6. (ULA Photo) If 2022 was packed with headline-grabbing aerospace developments — including the first pictures from the James Webb Telescope and the first launch of NASA’s giant moon rocket — 2023 was what you might call a rebuilding year.…
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Firefly’s second stage failed to deliver payload to correct orbit
Lockheed Martin’s payload lower than intended Firefly, a small lift launcher, lifted off on December 22 from SLC-2 at Vandenberg with Lockheed Martin’s Electronically Steerable Antenna Demo mission on top. The goal was to place this small satellite into orbit, calibrate it, and put it into service quickly. No signs of issues were seen during…
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NASA’s Juno Spacecraft to Get Close Look at Jupiter’s Volcanic Moon Io on Dec 30
NASA’s Juno spacecraft will make the closest flyby of Jupiter’s moon Io, that any spacecraft has made in over 20 years, on Saturday, Dec. 30. Coming within roughly 930 miles (1,500 kilometers) from the surface of the most volcanic world in our solar system, the pass is expected to allow Juno instruments to generate a…
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JAXA’s Smart Lander for Investigating Moon Successfully Enters Lunar Orbit
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has announced that the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) was successfully inserted into lunar orbit at 16:51 (Japan Standard Time, JST) on December 25, 2023. The lunar orbit of SLIM will be inserted into an elliptical lunar orbit connecting the Moon’s north and south poles with a period…
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Top SATCOM Antennas in 2023
SATCOM Antennas stand as essential conduits facilitating seamless connectivity between Earth and orbiting satellites. These antennas play a crucial role in transmitting and receiving signals, enabling the vital exchange of information for a myriad of applications, including telecommunications, weather monitoring, and scientific research. As the demand for space exploration and satellite deployment continues to escalate…
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Historic SpaceX Falcon 9 booster topples over and is lost at sea
The remains of Falcon 9 booster 1058 arrive at Port Canaveral after the vehicle toppled over and broke apart in bad weather. Image: Steven Young/Spaceflight Now. A piece of America’s space history is now on the ocean’s floor. During its return voyage to Port Canaveral in Central Florida, a SpaceX Falcon 9 first stage booster…
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China’s 2023: closing out a busy year amidst preparations for lunar missions
Following China’s impressive 2022, the country once again managed to launch over 60 times in a calendar year. While the year lacked high-profile missions, more are on the horizon as China focuses on the Moon. The launches While the year is not fully over yet, China already managed to build up an impressive manifest for…
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Top Satellite On-Board Computers in 2023
On-board Computers represent the core processing units orchestrating intricate operations within satellites. These computers are pivotal in executing commands, processing data, and managing onboard systems, enabling a myriad of satellite functionalities such as communication, navigation, and scientific data collection. As the demand for advanced satellite missions and precise operational capabilities intensifies across governmental and commercial…