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Astrolab’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.
Expand Expanding CloseIndian Moon rover sends back photo of Chrandrayaan-3 lander on the lunar surface
It’s been an entire week since Chandrayaan-3 landed on the Moon, putting India in a small club of those who can do it. Since then ISRO has been sharing photos from its lander and rover, as well as some early science results. On Wednesday, ISRO treated us to a photo of the Chandrayaan-3 lander, on the surface of the Moon, courtesy of the small rover that tagged along for the ride.
Expand Expanding CloseNASA’s Deep Space Network can’t keep up with demand
Between the increasing need and decreasing budgets, NASA’s Deep Space Network is running into constraints during big missions like Artemis 1. DSN’s director is concerned the lack of funding to expand deep space communications and the continued requirement to drop everything for these missions will harm NASA’s other science missions.
Expand Expanding CloseJames Webb Space Telescope captures Whirlpool galaxy in never before seen detail
It’s clear the James Webb Space Telescope was set to stun in newly released galactic portraits of galaxy M51. Researchers tapped into two of the telescope’s powerful infrared instruments to capture the distant object. Let’s take a look!
Expand Expanding CloseWhat time is the rare ‘blue supermoon’ on August 30?
On Wednesday, August 30th, we’ll have our second full moon of the month! This occurrence is known as a “blue moon,” and just as the saying goes, it doesn’t happen often.
What makes this blue moon even more special is that it also coincides with a supermoon creating a rare event that won’t happen again until 2037. Here’s what time the rare blue supermoon occurs in different areas of the world…
Expand Expanding CloseRocket Lab reflies its first Electron engine, putting them on the heels of SpaceX
On Rocket Lab’s 40th Electron rocket launch, the company successfully re-debuted the Rutherford engine, but this time it was flight-proven. After a last-minute change, Capella Space’s latest satellite was deployed into orbit using a recoverable variant of the Electron with one of its nine first-stage engines being reused from a previous mission.
Expand Expanding CloseCrew-7 begins its six-month stay in space, lifting off from Florida
Early Saturday morning a crew of four astronauts from around the globe lifted off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on a SpaceX Falcon 9 for a six-month stay on the International Space Station. The crew is currently in transit to the ISS, and expecting to arrive Sunday morning.
Expand Expanding CloseSpaceX sued by DOJ over hiring practices
The Department of Justice announced Thursday that they are suing SpaceX over hiring practices that might have discriminated against non-US citizens and asylum/refugee seekers. This is not the first time this topic has been brought up about SpaceX but after years of investigation, the DOJ seems ready to bring suit.
Expand Expanding CloseAxiom Space secures $350M funding to propel vision of commercial space exploration
Houston-based Axiom Space secured a significant boost of $350 million in funding. The Series-C funding round was led by Aljazira Capital from Saudi Arabia and Boryung Pharmaceutical, a prominent South Korean healthcare company.
Expand Expanding CloseThe first 2024 Presidential debate ended in a question about UFOs
In case you didn’t watch or finish the first Presidential debate of the 2024 election, I don’t blame you it was chaos. Before moving to closing statements there was a rather interesting question to former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie about UFOs. While no answer was really given, it was an interesting addition to the night.
Expand Expanding CloseCrew-6 astronaut Sultan Alneyadi talks about photography and the overview effect
Over the course of the past six months, Crew-6 has delivered an abundance of breathtaking images from the International Space Station. These views of Earth give the rest of the population the ability to see our planet from unprecedented views.
Expand Expanding CloseFinancially, SpaceX is pretty well off to continue its crazy developments
According to financial documents seen by the Wall Street Journal, SpaceX brought in a small profit in the first quarter of 2023. However, the documents also saw large increases in expenses compared to years prior, echoing the company’s commitment to expand its Starship development program.
Expand Expanding CloseIndia’s Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft successfully lands on the Moon’s south pole
In a watershed moment for India’s space program, on Wednesday, the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft successfully touched down at the unexplored lunar south pole. This is the first time any country has visited this area of the Moon.
Update: The Pragyan rover has rolled off the Vikram lander. Due to the amount of dust kicked up upon the touchdown of the Vikram lander, the rollout of the rover was delayed.
Expand Expanding CloseJames Webb Space Telescope reveals new Ring Nebula images; surprising details
Fresh off the back of a detailed capture earlier this month, NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has released yet two more images of the famous Ring Nebula. Each reveals surprising new details about the intricate structures of the final stages of the dying star. Let’s take a look…
Expand Expanding CloseThis Week in Launches: SpaceX Crew-7 launch week, along with many other missions
This week has proven to be one of the most eventful in recent memory, featuring a flurry of activities including two launches to the International Space Station, four SpaceX launches, and four distinct rockets. From the Crew-7 rotation mission by SpaceX, a specialized SmallSat mission by Rocket Lab, to a rare Japanese launch, this week is poised to be action-packed.
Expand Expanding CloseCrew-7 astronauts arrive in Florida ahead of flight to International Space Station
The four members of the Crew-7 mission arrived at Kennedy Space Center and are in the final quarantine phase before starting their journey to the International Space Station. Launch week has begun with several events taking place as we get ready to see Crew-7 liftoff.
Expand Expanding CloseRussia hits lunar rough roads while India continues smoothly
We have been watching two lunar missions as they progress towards the lunar surface. The first mission involves India’s Chandrayaan 3 lunar lander and rover, while the second pertains to Russia’s Luna 25 lander. Presently, one mission is experiencing a smoother journey compared to the other.
Expand Expanding CloseKBR and Intuitive Machines to propel NASA’s space orbital systems engineering
NASA has selected the Space and Technology Solutions team, a joint venture with KBR and Intuitive Machines, to provide multifaceted engineering support for key space orbital systems.
Expand Expanding CloseEarth isn’t the only planet to have had seasons study shows
My favorite part of where I live now is four distinct seasons each year. Wisconsin brings cold winters, hot summers, beautiful falls, and well, rainy springs. In contrast, during my time in Florida, we experienced two seasons: intensely hot and wet, followed by relatively less hot and dry (if you’re curious, the latter is when you most likely came for vacation). Interestingly, seasons appear to have lost their uniqueness in space, as a study indicates that Mars once possessed them before its water reserves evaporated.
Expand Expanding CloseRare photo shows inside of Blue Origin’s New Glenn factory
In an Instagram post, Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin has granted us a rare glimpse into its Florida factory, showcasing the ongoing endeavors of the company. So, what insights does the photograph offer?
Expand Expanding CloseHubble space telescope captures strange image of ‘ghostly’ galaxy
The Hubble space telescope stuns–and spooks–in its latest image of a pale ‘ghostly’ galaxy in the deep reaches of space. Captured with Hubble’s Advanced Camera for Surveys from over 44 million light-years away.
Expand Expanding CloseSpaceX’s uphill climb: Will Artemis Moon landing face a 2026 delay?
NASA’s Artemis program is slated to land astronauts on the Moon by the end of 2025, but SpaceX’s hurdles with its lunar lander technology could potentially push the much-anticipated mission into 2026, warns a Senior NASA manager.
Expand Expanding CloseWho will win the space tourist sector: Blue Origin or Virgin Galactic?
Last Thursday, Virgin Galactic successfully launched its first group of commercial customers into space aboard its SpaceShipTwo suborbital spaceplane, named VSS Unity. This achievement occurred approximately one month after its previous flight. With Virgin Galactic now a significant player in the field, the question arises: Can they outpace Blue Origin in the realm of space tourism?
Expand Expanding CloseNASA says July 2023 was the hottest month ever; here’s why
Scientists at NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) in New York have officially confirmed that July 2023 held the hottest global temperature ever in recorded history.
It’s quite obvious at this point that we’re feeling the effects of climate change, but what specifically contributed the most to July’s unprecedented heatwave?
Expand Expanding Close