Author: starpathwp-production
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Varda looks to Australia after delays in obtaining US reentry approval
Varda Space Industries says it has reached an agreement with a private range operator in Australia for spacecraft landings as early as next year after the US government declined to grant approval for the reentry of Varda’s first experimental mission carrying pharmaceuticals manufactured in orbit. After years of applications, reviews, and discussion, the Federal Aviation…
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Telespazio Extends Contract with AVIO for VEGA Launch Pad Maintenance and Operational Support
Telespazio, a joint venture between Leonardo (67%) and Thales (33%), has renewed its contract with AVIO for the provision of maintenance and operational support activities for the VEGA launch pad located at the Guiana space center in French Guiana. The company will ensure the continuity of operations for the period 2023-2025. The three-year contract has…
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Scientific Systems and SAIC to Deliver Space Battle Management Control Solution for SDA
Scientific Systems, a pioneer in intelligent autonomous systems, is a teammate of Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) supporting the development, implementation, and maintenance of the Battle Management Command, Control and Communications (BMC3) Application Factory and Secure Interoperability Layer (SIL) for the Space Development Agency’s (SDA) constellation of low-earth orbit satellites called the Proliferated Warfighter Space…
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SES Wins Space Force Contract, Launches New Media Platform
SES Space & Defense was awarded a five-year, Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) U.S. Space Force contract for proliferated Low Earth Orbit (pLEO) satellite-based services (SBS) through the Defense Information Systems Agency’s (DISA) Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization (DITCO). SES announced the deal, Oct. 20. “The pLEO IDIQ is the first multiple award contract to…
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Eutelsat Sets Out Ambitious Environmental Targets
Eutelsat hopes to be leading the charge for satellite companies as they look to reduce their carbon impact. The operator, announced, Oct. 19 that it has set itself some ambitious targets to reduce the environmental impact of all its operations, aligning itself with the goals of the Paris Agreement. Eutelsat said by 2030, it expects…
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Varda Collaborates with Southern Launch to Accept Re-Entry Capsules at Koonibba Test Range
South Australia will become a hub for an in-space manufacturing industry after Varda Space Industries and Southern Launch announced a partnership to conduct re-entry operations at the Koonibba Test Range. Varda Space Industries are pioneers in developing orbital manufacturing and space re-entry systems. The natural advantages of the space environment, in particular microgravity and vacuum,…
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Why NASA’s return to the Moon will likely succeed this time
During the height of the Cold War, the United States and Soviet Union engaged in a struggle across many fronts—economically, politically, diplomatically, and more. As part of this they were competing for hearts and minds of nations caught between the two superpowers. The Space Race in the 1960s was all about geopolitics. By accomplishing feats…
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Rocket Report: Key Ariane 6 test delayed; NASA urged to look at SLS alternatives
Welcome to Edition 6.16 of the Rocket Report! Lots of news here today about big rockets, including a push by SpaceX to speed up launch licensing by the Federal Aviation Administration. The full-court press in Washington, DC, comes as the company says its Starship rocket is ready for a second flight test but still awaiting…
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Horizon Wins UKSA Grant for Amber Mission
The UK Space Agency (UKSA) is giving a £1.2 million ($1.46 million) grant to Horizon Technologies for the Amber Phoenix Mission as the UK Government looks to boost its capabilities in the area of maritime intelligence. The Phoenix Mission will see another Amber RF (Radio Frequency) Earth Observation (EO) payload launched into orbit in mid-2024. Amber aims…
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NASA’s Innovative Rocket Nozzle to Revolutionize Deep Space Missions
NASA recently built and tested an additively manufactured or 3D-printed rocket engine nozzle made of aluminum, making it lighter than conventional nozzles and setting the course for deep space flights that can carry more payloads. Under the agency’s Announcement of Collaborative Opportunity, engineers from NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, partnered with Elementum…