Author: starpathwp-production
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Rocket Lab’s 42nd Electron Mission to Launch Earth Observation Satellite for iQPS
Rocket Lab USA, one of the global leaders in launch services and space systems, is preparing to launch its 42nd Electron mission no earlier than December 15, 2023, between 17:00 – 19:00 NZDT / 04:00 – 06:00 UTC. The mission, named “The Moon God Awakens,” will lift off from Pad B at Rocket Lab’s Launch…
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Orbex Receives £3.3 Million in Funding as Part of ESA’s Boost! Initiative
UK-based orbital launch services company, Orbex, has been awarded £3.3 million in funding from the UK Space Agency as part of the European Space Agency’s (ESA’s) “Boost!” initiative. The initiative, which is part of ESA’s Commercial Space Transportation Services and Support program, is designed to further the development of world-leading space launch technologies. Orbex will…
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Rocket Lab successfully completes return-to-flight Electron launch
Update 12:05 a.m. EST: Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket successfully deployed the Tsukuyomi-1 satellite. Rocket Lab launched its first flight of its Electron rocket since a failure on Sept. 19. The 42nd mission for the small-satellite launcher lifted off on Dec. 15 from New Zealand during at about 1705 NZDT (0405 UTC or 11:05 p.m. EST).…
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SDA Goal to Field 8 ‘FOO Fighter’ Satellite Constellation
The U.S. Space Force’s Space Development Agency (SDA) wants companies to submit proposals by Jan. 19 for a four to eight satellite constellation to detect/track hypersonic and other advanced missiles of potential U.S. adversaries. The SDA’s customary Other Transaction Authority agreement seeks “the design, fabrication and launch” of four to eight satellites with electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR)…
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SpaceX Pushes Ahead to Flight 3 with the Rollout of Ship 28
After an exciting and milestone-achieving Flight Test Two, SpaceX is ready to move into Flight Three, with the opening of preflight testing via the rollout of Ship 28 to Suborbital Pad B. This will be the start of what is hoped to be a condensed testing campaign for Ship 28 and Booster 10 ahead of…
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Avanti CEO Previews Upcoming LEO Partnership, Multi-Orbit Outlook
In November, Avanti Communications made an announcement out of the blue that it would look to pursue a multi-orbit strategy. Avanti operates four Ka-band satellites, and now looks to embark on a new phase to invest in its managed services capabilities. So, why now? What has changed? Via Satellite caught up with Avanti CEO Kyle…
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Amazon Demonstrates 100 Gbps Laser Links on Prototype Kuiper Satellites
Amazon’s prototype Kuiper satellites are equipped with optical inter-satellite links, Amazon revealed Dec. 14, along with the news the links have been successfully tested in space. Amazon shared that its prototype satellites launched in October include advanced optical communications payloads which completed multiple successful demonstrations. In the tests in early November, the payloads maintained 100…
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Daily Telescope: How small can the smallest star be?
Welcome to the Daily Telescope. There is a little too much darkness in this world and not enough light, a little too much pseudoscience and not enough science. We’ll let other publications offer you a daily horoscope. At Ars Technica, we’re going to take a different route, finding inspiration from very real images of a…
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Vast Appoints Veteran NASA Astronaut Dr. Andrew J. Feustel as Its Human Spaceflight Advisor
Vast, a pioneer in space habitation technologies, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Andrew J. (Drew) Feustel as its newest advisor. Dr. Feustel is a veteran NASA Astronaut with 23 years of experience, most recently as NASA’s acting Chief Astronaut. Prior to that role, he served as the Deputy Chief of the Astronaut…
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Rocket Lab returns to flight following anomaly
Rocket Lab launched its first Electron rocket since a failure on Sept. 19. The mission, named “The Moon God Awakens” launched on Dec. 15 at 7:00 pm NZDT (04:00 UTC). The payload consisted of an Earth-observing satellite named Tsukuyomi-I for the Japan-based company the Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc. (iQPS). The Anomaly The…