Lockheed Martin has concluded the critical design review for the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 Transport Layer program. During the CDR, Lockheed and SDA performed various validation activities, including a system optical communications terminal interoperability test, to ensure that T1TL works as intended. Lockheed also 3D-printed a full-size replica of the satellite vehicle testbed for […]
The U.S. Air Force’s AFWERX has awarded Starfish Space a $1.8 million contract to mature the company’s Cephalopod autonomous trajectory planning software designed to enable in-orbit satellite servicing, proximity operations and spacecraft deorbiting missions. Cephalopod is currently being tested on board the Otter Pup docking spacecraft launched in June on a SpaceX Falcon 9 Transporter […]
U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, head of the U.S. Southern Command, participated in a Center for Strategic and International Studies event on Friday, where she said partnerships with Latin American countries in space could help push back against the threat China poses. Richardson, who had accompanied NASA Administrator Bill Nelson during his recent tour of […]
LeoStella has introduced the LS300, a satellite bus for companies looking to work with the Space Development Agency. Tim Kienberger, CEO of LeoStella, noted in an interview that the new offering has 250 kilograms of available payload space. He explained that LS300 can carry optical inter-satellite links and radio frequency downlink and uplink technology, which […]
NASA is using a manikin in Artemis-related tests to ensure the safety of astronauts selected to take on a journey to the moon. The manikin, called Commander Moonikin Campos, previously launched to the moon wearing the Orion Crew Survival System spacesuit as part of the Artemis I flight test that began in November. Moonikin Campos […]
The thermal vacuum test of the Enhanced Polar System-Recapitalization program’s Flight One payload has been completed and demonstrated the satellite’s ability to survive the harsh conditions of a polar orbit. The first EPS-R payload was delivered in June 2022, followed by a second delivery in November 2022. Both payloads are scheduled to fly aboard Space […]
NASA will send three mini rovers to the moon to see how they can work with each other to create a 3D map of the lunar surface. The mini rovers will demonstrate the Cooperative Autonomous Distributed Robotic Exploration project, designed to improve future mission efficiency by using robots operated by humans on Earth. Human operators […]
Axiom Space and NASA are planning to undertake a fourth private mission to the International Space Station. Under the terms of a mission-specific order and a reimbursable Space Act Agreement, NASA will provide Axiom with crew supplies, storage and in-orbit resources while Axiom could retrieve scientific samples and other cargo for the agency. Phil McAlister, […]
NASA’s Nexus for Exoplanet System Science program has awarded $5.7 million to a group of academic and public-sector scientists to study the composition of planets outside the solar system. NExSS’ objective is to coordinate research on the habitability of exoplanets and potential signs of life. The Tracing Rocky Exoplanet Compositions team, led by principal investigator and Arizona […]
NASA’s Mars Ascent Vehicle team has tested the first- and second-stage solid rocket motors needed to allow the MAV to launch from another planet. The MAV is being developed under the Mars Sample Return Program, managed by NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. It is expected to launch in June 2028 and bring back Martian soil samples […]
