Author: starpathwp-production
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Starfish Space Sets to Launch Otter Pup 2 Mission
Starfish Space announced its next demonstration mission, Otter Pup 2, set to launch this summer. Building on the heritage of the Otter Pup 1 mission, Otter Pup 2 will conduct rendezvous, proximity operations, and ultimately attempt docking with another spacecraft, an unprepared satellite in low Earth orbit (LEO). If successful, this will be the first…
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ESA Selects Emxys to Develop Second CubeSat for Ramses Mission to Asteroid Apophis
The European Space Agency (ESA) has selected Spanish company Emxys to lead the development of a CubeSat that will be deployed by its Rapid Apophis Mission for Space Safety (Ramses) at the asteroid Apophis. The project has been awarded 1.5 million euros of the funding allocated to Ramses mission preparations in July 2024. The 375…
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Chinese researchers uncover new microbial species aboard space station
Researchers have announced the discovery of a new microbial species in China’s space station for the first time, naming it Niallia tiangongensis, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). As one of Earth’s most ancient and diverse life forms, microorganisms are minuscule yet ubiquitous. The newly discovered species represents previously unknown microbes that had…
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Tianwen-2 probe scheduled for launch at end of May
China’s Tianwen-2 probe is scheduled for launch at the end of May, according to the China National Space Administration (CNSA) on Sunday. The probe has been transported to its launch area, after completing its scheduled assembly, testing and fueling at the technical area of the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China’s Sichuan Province. It…
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NOAA Announces Powerful Convergence of AI and Science with Fire System Technology
NOAA’s Fire Weather Testbed, the automated satellite fire detection capability of the experimental Next Generation Fire Systemoffsite link (NGFS) has been embraced by the firefighting community and is being increasingly integrated into operations across the country. The first of two key features of the revolutionary system are the Advanced Baseline Imager, the primary instrument on…
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New Falcon 9 booster makes its debut on Starlink delivery mission
New Falcon 9 booster 1095 lifts off from Cape Canaveral on May 20, 2025, on the Starlink 12-15 mission. Image: Adam Bernstein. SpaceX launched a brand-new Falcon 9 booster Tuesday after an abort halted its first attempt 24 hours earlier. Liftoff from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral, with 23 Starlink satellites aboard, came at 11:19…
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Space Force official: Commercial satellites can do a lot more than we thought
A generation ago, when former NASA Administrator Dan Goldin promoted the mantra of a “faster, better, cheaper” approach to the agency’s science missions, critics often joked that NASA could only pick two. That’s no longer the case. NASA is finding success in its partnerships with commercial space companies, especially SpaceX, with lower costs, quicker results,…
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UK’s Space Eye Ready to Revolutionize Water Leakage Detection
Space technology could be used going forward to detect water leakage throughout the U.K. thanks to an interesting new project called ‘Space Eye.’ Researchers at the University of Wolverhampton, alongside South Staffordshire Water believe ‘Space Eye’ could transform how water leakage is detected across the U.K., using next-generation satellite technology to deliver faster, more accurate…
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UAE, Space42 to Build SAR Satellite Manufacturing Facility
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is looking to expand its capabilities in the field of Earth Observation (EO). The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) is launching what it claims to be the Middle East’s first dedicated commercial synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite manufacturing facility in partnership with Space42. Space42 announced the new facility, May. 20.…
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Starfish Space announces plans for first commercial satellite docking
A new mission will aim to complete the first commercial satellite docking in low Earth orbit (LEO). However, the satellite it aims to dock with isn’t equipped with a docking adapter. Starfish Space is hoping to prove the concept of being able to dock to unprepared satellites for repair, refueling, or repositioning in orbit. The…