In an evolving space industry landscape marked by both innovation and competition, the emergence of SpaceX‘s Starship launch vehicle stands out as a pivotal development. Designed to place over 100 metric tons into low Earth orbit, Starship has garnered significant attention from companies specializing in the deployment of smaller payloads of about one metric ton or less.
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Theresa Cross grew up on the Space Coast. It’s only natural that she would develop a passion for anything “Space” and its exploration. During these formative years, she also discovered that she possessed a talent and love for defining the unique quirks and intricacies that exist in mankind, nature, and machines.
Hailing from a family of photographers—including her father and her son, Theresa herself started documenting her world through pictures at a very early age. As an adult, she now exhibits an innate photographic ability to combine what appeals to her heart and her love of technology to deliver a diversified approach to her work and artistic presentations.
Theresa has a background in water chemistry, fluid dynamics, and industrial utility.
The fusion of human ingenuity, robotic precision heralds new chapter in space exploration
In the vast and mysterious expanse of space, a story of partnership continues to unfold. This isn’t a tale of human camaraderie but a narrative of humans and robots joining forces in the pursuit of cosmic discovery, health, and technology. Taking a closer look at this fascinating topic suggests the future of space exploration is not a solo journey for humans or robots, but a collaborative venture that leverages the strengths of both.
Expand Expanding CloseThe global alliance pioneering NASA’s Lunar Gateway
NASA’s Lunar Gateway program represents a pivotal initiative under the agency’s leadership, aimed at facilitating sustainable human and robotic exploration of the Moon and Mars. This program is characterized by its emphasis on international and commercial partnerships, establishing a strategic outpost orbiting Earth’s nearest celestial neighbor to support scientific research, lunar surface expeditions, and deeper space ventures.
Expand Expanding CloseNavigating the future of commercial spaceflight regulation
As the deadline looms for Congress to decide on the future of commercial human spaceflight regulation, most space related insiders agree the industry is at a pivotal crossroad. The current restrictions encapsulating the “learning period” that limits the Federal Aviation Administration’s ability to regulate the safety of spaceflight participants are under scrutiny. These provisions are set to expire March 8 and United States House of Representatives and Senate negotiators are in the throes of finalizing a new long term FAA reauthorization bill.
Expand Expanding CloseJapan’s SLIM Moon lander woke up for a short period of time after a long lunar night
Japan’s Smart Lander for Investigating Moon, or SLIM, reestablished communication with Earth, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency announced. Despite the spacecraft not being expected to survive the harsh conditions of the lunar night, contact was made on February 25, offering a glimmer of hope for the mission’s continuation.
Expand Expanding CloseNASA ushers in new era of space exploration with newest class of astronauts
In a ceremony at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, the agency introduced its latest class of astronauts, 10 graduates ready to take humanity further into space as part of the Artemis program. Selected from over 12,000 hopefuls in 2021, these astronauts have completed rigorous training and are now poised for missions that could span from stays aboard the International Space Station or trips to the lunar surface and beyond.
Expand Expanding CloseNorthrop Grumman faces layoffs amid Space Force cancellations, lunar setbacks
In a significant series of events that underscores the volatile nature of the aerospace and defense sectors, Northrop Grumman, a titan in the industry, has issued “WARN notices” to its employees at Space Park in Redondo Beach, California, signaling potential layoffs in the near future. This move comes amid a series of financial and operational challenges, including a high-profile program cancellation by the U.S. Space Force and cost overruns on a critical NASA project.
Expand Expanding CloseNASA, Department of Defense conduct pioneering Artemis 2 recovery test
NASA, in conjunction with the Department of Defense, has successfully completed a pivotal recovery test for the Artemis 2 mission, marking a significant stride for the agency’s endeavor to return humans to the Moon. The exercise, conducted off the San Diego coast aboard the USS San Diego, was not just a routine operation but a crucial step in ensuring the safety and success of future lunar missions.
Expand Expanding CloseGilmour Space Technologies takes a $36M journey to the stars
Founded in 2012 by the Gilmour brothers, Adam and James, Gilmour Space aims to position itself as an industry leader with the development of the Eris launch vehicle, a three-stage rocket engineered to transport small to medium payloads into orbit. This initiative underscores the company’s commitment to democratizing space access through innovative technology and strategic investments.
Expand Expanding CloseVarda Space pioneers space manufacturing with landmark capsule recovery
Varda Space Industries accomplished a significant feat by safely returning a capsule to Earth, marking a pivotal moment in space material production for the company. The successful touchdown occurred at the Utah Test and Training Range, located west of Salt Lake City.
Expand Expanding CloseEarth-based surgeons control robot aboard ISS in historic experiment
In an experiment conducted over the weekend, surgeons stationed on Earth achieved a significant milestone by remotely controlling a small robot to perform surgery aboard the International Space Station. This highly anticipated event, involving the cutting of rubber bands as part of a surgical simulation, marks the first surgery of its kind in orbit that plays a giant leap in the development of space surgery capabilities.
Expand Expanding CloseHow South Australia is connecting its community to in-space manufacturing with Varda Space
In the remote landscapes of South Australia, a remarkable transformation is unfolding as the Koonibba Test Range, located just a 30-minute drive northwest of Ceduna, is poised to become a beacon of hope, empowerment, and innovation. This story weaves together the aspirations of the Koonibba Aboriginal community, the dreams of space exploration, and the limitless potential of in-space manufacturing.
Expand Expanding CloseIndia sets ambitious goals for lunar exploration and space station construction
India has set its sights on an inspiring future in space exploration, with plans to send astronauts to the moon by 2040 and to construct a space station by the mid-2030s. These ambitious goals were revealed following a high-level meeting chaired by India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, to assess the progress of the country’s Gaganyaan crew spacecraft.
Expand Expanding CloseUS, Australia sign technology safeguards agreement to boost space launch activities
The United States and Australia have signed a Technology Safeguards Agreement, or TSA, which aims to pave the way for U.S. commercial space launch vehicles to conduct launch activities Down Under. The TSA not only intends to facilitate collaboration between the two nations but also safeguards sensitive U.S. launch technology and data on Australian soil.
Expand Expanding CloseChina launches youngest-ever crew of taikonauts to advance space ambitions
China has embarked on a new era in its space exploration endeavors by launching the youngest-ever crew of astronauts, known as taikonauts, to its Tiangong space station, intended to cement the country’s position in the global space race. Shenzhou-17 or “divine vessel” took off October 26 with three crew members atop a Long March 2F rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.
Expand Expanding CloseSpace Force modernizing training with mixed reality for the competitive space domain
In an era where space has become a fiercely contested domain, the U.S. Space Force faces the formidable challenge of training its personnel to excel in an environment where real-world experience is limited. As such, the military branch is leveraging advanced technologies to revolutionize its training methods, preparing guardians for the intricacies of space operations in the face of evolving threats while their expanding role.
Expand Expanding CloseSpinLaunch and Sumitomo forge alliance for sustainable space access
A significant union has taken place in the realm of space exploration as space technology firm SpinLaunch and Japan’s Sumitomo Corporation join hands. This strategic partnership aims to redefine the global space industry, bringing together innovation and investment to pave the way for sustainable and affordable space access, according to insiders.
Expand Expanding CloseEthical guidelines proposed for space research on commercial flights
A global panel of experts has released a paper outlining a set of ethical guidelines and principles for research conducted aboard commercial spaceflights, marking a significant step in ensuring the safety and inclusivity of human research in space. These guidelines are especially crucial as private companies are poised to send thousands of individuals into space in the coming decades, providing unique opportunities for research.
Expand Expanding CloseGMV successfully concludes ground tests for ESA’s MIRROR space robot
Multinational technology company GMV has wrapped up ground validation tests for a cutting-edge space robot. Designed as part of the European Space Agency’s MIRROR project (Multi-arm Installation Robot for Readying ORUs and Reflectors), this innovative robot promises to transform the way structures are assembled in Earth’s orbit.
Expand Expanding CloseUnlocking lunar secrets: Exploring the enigmatic shadows of the Moon’s south pole
The Moon’s south pole is a realm of perpetual shadow, a place shrouded in mystery and intrigue for scientists and space enthusiasts alike. As NASA prepares for the historic Artemis 3 mission scheduled for late 2025, where humans will set foot in this region for the first time, the agency is embarking on a quest to gather as much information as possible about this lunar frontier.
Expand Expanding CloseNASA appoints first Director of UAP Research amid ongoing cosmic mysteries
NASA has taken a significant step in acknowledging the enigma of unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) with the appointment of its first-ever Director of UAP Research. The decision comes after a yearlong independent study into reported sightings of these mysterious flying objects, more popularly known as UFOs.
Expand Expanding CloseStoke Space performs a static fire on its Hopper2 test vehicle
In a journey marked by innovation and determination, Kent, Washington-based Stoke Space has been making strides in the field of space technology and exploration since 2019. The company recently transported its reusable second-stage prototype, known as the Hopper Test Vehicle, to its testing facility in Moses Lake, Washington.
Expand Expanding CloseFirefly Aerospace and Millennium Space Systems: Pioneering rapid satellite deployment
Firefly Aerospace and Millennium Space Systems have come together to showcase a demonstration mission called Victus Nox with the aim of setting a new industry standard for rapid satellite deployment. Last year, the two companies were chosen to conduct this mission, designed to demonstrate a 24-hour rapid-response capability for launching satellites into low Earth orbit for the U.S. Space Force.
Expand Expanding CloseAstrolab’s FLEX rover secures SpaceX deal for lunar mission aboard Starship
Venturi Astrolab, the developer of the Flexible Logistics and Exploration (FLEX) rover, has inked an agreement with SpaceX that is set to propel its innovative rover to the lunar surface aboard a Starship flight. This ambitious mission, scheduled for a potential launch in mid-2026, marks SpaceX’s first-ever commercial cargo contract for lunar delivery.
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