The visibility and attention space missions often get work to the industry’s advantage, from helping to attract top engineering talent to top investment dollars. But it also comes with heightened scrutiny that risks tripping up young space companies rushing to the commercial market. The industry is “highly dependent on customer sentiment and regulatory potential impacts,”
Science
While many activities here on Earth have slowed down or been put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, that has not stopped China – and other countries – from forging ahead in space. China has managed several firsts this year, notably landing its first rover on Mars, starting construction of a fully-fledged space station,
HASC approved a proposal by Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) to add $23.9 billion to the Pentagon’s $715 billion budget request for fiscal year 2022 WASHINGTON — The House Armed Services Committee in its version of the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed several provisions on national security space policy and DoD procurement of space
Small satellite propulsion has a critical role to play in keeping space sustainable. While in-orbit debris cleaners and other emerging capabilities capture imaginations, thrusters underpin a healthy operating environment in space. Onboard thrusters can help ensure a satellite safely reaches its assigned orbit, moves out of harm’s way, relocates as market and mission requirements warrant,
Open-source software has been critical to the famous image of a black hole – but also for many other areas of physics besides Picture of success: The importance of open-source software to physics Twenty-three thousand. That’s roughly how many people helped create the first ever image of a black hole, taken by the Event Horizon
WASHINGTON — NASA currently has no plans to trade any of its Apollo-era lunar samples with those returned by China’s Chang’e-5 mission, although then agency’s chief scientist held out hope for such an exchange in the future. Speaking at the annual meeting of the Lunar Exploration Analysis Group Aug. 31, Jim Green said that the
COLORADO SPRINGS — Leaders of national space agencies agree that space traffic management (STM) should be a priority but have differing views on who should be responsible for it. During a panel discussion at the 36th Space Symposium Aug. 25, the heads of space agencies in Europe and North America emphasized the importance of space
Follow the eyes: By identifying the patient’s eye corners, the VR system can utilize gaze tracking information to trigger interactions in the virtual world. (Courtesy: CC BY 4.0/Sci. Rep. 10.1038/s41598-021-95634-y) The gaze tracking system acts as the crux of the VR system, as it allows immersive control of the environment without bodily movement. First, the
National Guard units have expertise in space operations such as strategic missile warning, space situational awareness and space control WASHINGTON — Reps. Doug Lamborn (R) and Jason Crow (D), both from Colorado, announced Aug. 30 they are introducing legislation to establish a Space National Guard as a reserve component of the U.S. Space Force. Lamborn
Clinton Crosier, a retired U.S. Air Force major general who helped organize the standup of the U.S. Space Force, recently celebrated his anniversary of joining cloud giant AWS to lead its newly created Aerospace and Satellite business team. SpaceNews caught up with Crosier at the Space Symposium in Colorado to learn more about AWS’ plans
Taken from the August 2021 issue of Physics World where it first appeared under the headline “The cosmos in 30 questions”. Members of the Institute of Physics can enjoy the full issue via the Physics World app. Laura Hiscott reviews What’s Eating the Universe and Other Cosmic Questions by Paul Davies (Courtesy: NASA/JPL-Caltech and Planck US
The completion of the environmental review does not guarantee the FAA will issue a launch license to Virgin Orbit WASHINGTON — Virgin Orbit is one step closer to getting approval to launch satellites from Guam, a U.S. island territory in the Western Pacific. The Federal Aviation Administration on Aug. 27 released its final environmental assessment
WASHINGTON — SpaceX performed its first Falcon 9 launch in two months Aug. 29, sending a cargo Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station. The Falcon 9 lifted off from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center at 3:14 a.m. Eastern after a one-day delay because of weather. The Dragon spacecraft separated from the
Updated 8:40 p.m. Eastern with comments from media call. WASHINGTON — Astra’s third attempt to reach orbit failed Aug. 28 when its Rocket 3.3 vehicle struggled to get off the launch pad because of an engine shutdown and eventually failed in flight. The small launch vehicle, designated LV0006 by Astra, ignited its five first-stage engines
COLORADO SPRINGS — Defense Department satellite programs are feeling the effects of the widespread microchip shortage that has stymied carmakers and consumer electronic manufacturers. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is hoping to launch as many as 12 satellites into low Earth orbit next year for the Blackjack program, but supply shortages are creating schedule
Taken from the August 2021 issue of Physics World where it first appeared under the headline “History made tangible”. Members of the Institute of Physics can enjoy the full issue via the Physics World app. Laura Hiscott reviews Sir James Jeans: Scientist, Philosopher and Musician by Christopher Jeans and Alexandr Kozenko (Courtesy: AIP Emilio Segrè
HELSINKI — The National Natural Science Foundation of China has outlined a five-year project for researchers to study the assembly of ultra-large spacecraft. Scientists are being directed to meet the “urgent need” for the construction of ultra-large spacecraft. Preliminary research is to include studying the challenges of developing lightweight structures and subsequent on-orbit assembly and