Tag: DSN
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NASA loses contact with MAVEN, Perseverance continues roving around Jezero
In early December, NASA lost contact with its MAVEN spacecraft, which has been orbiting Mars since 2014. MAVEN was supposed to reestablish communications with NASA’s Deep Space Network on Dec. 6 after emerging from behind Mars during a routine blackout period when the spacecraft’s orbit takes it behind the red planet, blocking all communications to…
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NASA officials sound alarm over future of the Deep Space Network
NASA officials sounded an alarm Tuesday about the agency’s Deep Space Network, a collection of antennas in California, Spain, and Australia used to maintain contact with missions scattered across the Solar System. Everything from NASA’s Artemis missions to the Moon to the Voyager probes in interstellar space rely on the Deep Space Network (DSN) to…
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Using data from InSight, scientists discover that Mars is rotating faster
In December 2022, NASA lost contact with its Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport (InSight) Mars lander, which had been operating on the Martian surface for just over four years. In the time since InSight’s mission was declared over, scientists have continued to analyze the incredible data the lander collected and have…
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Deep Space Network upgrades and new antennas increase vital communication capabilities
NASA’s Deep Space Network, commonly referred to as the DSN, has welcomed a new dish, Deep Space Station 56, to its family of powerful ground listening stations around the world. The now-operational 34-meter antenna joins the network’s Madrid Deep Space Communications Complex located 60 kilometers west of Madrid, Spain while other dishes within the network…
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Live coverage: Ariane 5 lifts off on first flight since off-target launch
Live coverage of the countdown and launch of an Ariane 5 rocket with the DSN 1/Superbird 8 and Hylas 4 communications satellites. Text updates will appear automatically below; there is no need to reload the page. Follow us on Twitter. Arianespace’s live video webcast will begin approximately 15 minutes before launch.
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Ariane 5 returns to service with dual-satellite launch
A European Ariane 5 rocket lifts off Thursday from French Guiana. Credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace – Photo Optique Video du CSG – S. Martin Boosted by two solid-fueled motors and a hydrogen-burning main engine, a European Ariane 5 rocket took off Thursday from French Guiana with a Japanese military communications payload and a U.S.-built, British-owned broadband satellite,…
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Video: Ariane 5 rocket lifts off with communications satellites
Video credit: Arianespace A European Ariane 5 rocket climbed off its launch pad in French Guiana with nearly 3 million pounds of thrust Thursday, carrying two communications satellites to orbit for the Japanese military and British-based Avanti Communications. The nearly 180-foot-tall (55-meter) Ariane 5 launcher took off at 2134 GMT (5:34 p.m. EDT; 6:34…
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Japan puts its first military communications satellite into orbit
The H-2A rocket’s four solid rocket boosters and LE-7A main engine are seen firing seconds after liftoff Tuesday. The rocket flew in the rarely-used most powerful “204” configuration designed to loft heavier cargo. Credit: NVS on YouTube A Japanese H-2A rocket took off Tuesday with a communications satellite to relay messages and commands among the…
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H-2A rocket primed for launch of Japanese military communications satellite
File photo of an H-2A rocket on its launch pad at Tanegashima Space Center, Japan. The rocket slated to launch the DSN 2 satellite will fly in the same “204” configuration with four solid rocket boosters. Credit: JAXA The first communications satellite dedicated to support Japanese military forces will launch Tuesday on top of an…