Author: starpathwp-production
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ESA Introduces Pinhole Propulsion for Satellites
ESA has introduced a palm-size pinhole propulsion for satellites. This option for future space missions: each one of these seven emitter arrays etched onto this silicon wafer using micro- and nano-technology possesses more than 500 pinhole-sized emitters that spray out ions, accelerated via an electrostatic field to maximise thrust. Inherently scalable, this ‘electrospray’ technology is…
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Top Satellite Reaction Wheels in 2023
Reaction wheels represent the zenith of attitude control technology, serving as indispensable components in spacecraft stabilization and orientation management. They are instrumental in maintaining precise spacecraft positioning, facilitating the execution of orbital adjustments, and ensuring accurate trajectory alignments. With the increasing demand for space missions and satellite operations intensifying across governmental and commercial domains, the…
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Top Satellite Star Trackers in 2023
Star trackers represent the pinnacle of celestial navigation technology and play a major role in accurately identifying and tracking stellar objects, facilitating precise spacecraft alignments, orbital positioning, and trajectory calibrations. As the demand for space missions and satellite operations escalates across governmental and commercial realms, the development and deployment of advanced star tracker systems have…
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NASA’s Aeronautics Achievements in 2023
NASA, in 2023, has advanced aviation technologies to improve passenger experiences, stimulate U.S. economic growth, and create a future of cleaner, quieter, and safer skies — all while working to support the U.S. goal of reaching net-zero aviation greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. “This year, NASA continued to make the impossible, possible while sharing our story…
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Starship Flight 3 hardware testing in full swing
Starship and Super Heavy ready for Flight 3 testing This week Starbase action is back with a series of tests on hardware that will be eventually used on SpaceX‘s Starship Flight 3 next year. Elon Musk after Flight 2 said that he wanted hardware ready to fly by the holidays and while we’re not quite…
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SpaceX launches twin radar satellites for German military from California
SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying the SARah 2 & 3 satellites for the German military Sunday. The twin craft, equipped with passive synthetic aperture radar reflectors, lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 5:11 a.m. PST / 8:11 a.m. EST / 1311 UTC.
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SpaceX launches Falcon 9 first-stage booster on record-breaking 19th flight
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches for a record-breaking 19th time, sending 23 Starlink satellites up to low Earth orbit. Image: Pete Carstens Update 1:06 a.m. EST: Liftoff of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket confirmed. The booster, B1058, landed on the droneship several minutes after launch. SpaceX sent off a Falcon 9 first-stage booster for a…
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Rocket Lab Wins $515M Contract to Build 18 Satellites for Space Development Agency
The Space Development Agency confirmed it is the customer for Rocket Lab‘s $515 million, 18-satellite contract announced in December. Rocket Lab will build 18 satellites for the SDA’s Tranche 2 Transport Layer (T2TL) – Beta variant, marking Rocket Lab’s first award as a defense prime. Rocket Lab disclosed the award in a Dec. 21 filing…
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CAS and ESA Collaborative Mission Einstein Probe Set for Launch
The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) spacecraft Einstein Probe is ready to launch in January 2024. Equipped with a new generation of X-ray instruments with high sensitivity and a very wide view, this mission will survey the sky and hunt for powerful blasts of X-ray light coming from mysterious celestial objects such as neutron stars…
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Vice President announces first international astronaut to land on the Moon through Artemis
More than just the US will be Moonwalkers Vice President Harris spoke at the Wednesday’s National Space Council meeting with an announcement many of us saw coming for a while now. “I am proud, then, to announce that alongside American astronauts, we intend to land an international astronaut on the surface of the Moon by…