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Blue Origin wins NASA contract for telecommunications on Mars
Blue Origin has been awarded a contract by NASA to develop a high-performance telecommunications orbiter for Mars. The orbiter is expected to be completed by December 31, 2028, contributing to NASA's ongoing space exploration efforts.
NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is now on its way to study the 'dark universe'
NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope has begun its journey to study the 'dark universe.' The telescope's first images are anticipated to be released in early 2027.
Roman Space Telescope Buttoned Up Inside Falcon Heavy Fairing Ahead of Aug. 30 Launch
NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope has been encapsulated within the payload fairing of a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket ahead of its planned August 30th launch. This encapsulation marks the transition from project to payload, protecting the observatory from the harsh conditions of ascent. The telescope is destined for the Sun-Earth Lagrange point 2 and is expected to discover thousands of exoplanets, study dark matter, and investigate dark energy.
How to watch the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope's launch
NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is scheduled to launch on August 30. This marks a significant event in space exploration, with the telescope set to embark on its mission.
Trump Signs Space Transportation Policy Ordering Interior to Find Federal Land for a New Spaceport
President Donald Trump signed a new space transportation policy aiming to significantly increase the nation's launch and reentry capacity to over 1,000 annually by 2030. The policy directs the Department of the Interior to identify federal lands for a new spaceport and encourages repurposing existing infrastructure. It also calls for improved transparency in range schedules and enhanced capabilities for responsive launch operations.
A Falcon 9 stage gouged a 60-foot crater into the Moon — and ULA finally has a new chief
A spent Falcon 9 upper stage created a 60-foot crater on the Moon, captured by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. In leadership news, Mark Peller has become the new CEO of United Launch Alliance, taking over from Tory Bruno. The article also covers recent developments in rocket launches and failures from various companies including SpaceX, Innospace, and China's LandSpace, alongside updates on European and Chinese space programs.
Six Days of Waiting: NASA’s Orbiter Finally Captures the Moon Crater Left by a Falcon 9
NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter captured images of a crater left by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stage impact on the Moon. The crater, measuring approximately 60 feet across, was observed after a six-day wait to align the orbiter's position and lighting conditions. The impact provided scientists with a cross-section of the Moon's uppermost layers, and independent astronomers initially helped pinpoint the impact trajectory.
Swift Observatory Left to Burn Up as NASA Calls Off Its Orbital Rescue
NASA has cancelled the mission to boost the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory back into a safe orbit due to an attitude control failure in the rescue spacecraft, LINK. The telescope is now expected to burn up in Earth's atmosphere by the end of the year. While the primary mission failed, LINK will still attempt a rendezvous to gather data for future satellite servicing efforts.
NASA calls off mission to rescue the falling Swift observatory
NASA has called off its mission to rescue the Swift observatory, which is expected to re-enter Earth's atmosphere this year. The decision means the observatory will not be saved.
Falcon 9 Debris Leaves a 60-Foot Scar on the Moon, and NASA Just Photographed It
NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter captured images of a new 60-foot crater on the Moon, caused by the impact of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket's upper stage. The debris left a significant scar and a visible streak on the lunar surface. Independent astronomer Bill Grey had previously predicted the collision course of the rocket stage.
NASA images show crater on the moon caused by SpaceX Falcon 9 crash
NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has captured images of a crater on the moon, which was formed by the crash of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The images provide visual evidence of the impact event.
NASA updates Voyager 2 to extend the 1977 probe's lifespan yet again
NASA has successfully implemented a plan to extend the operational lifespan of the Voyager 2 probe's scientific instruments. This update aims to further prolong the mission of the 1977 spacecraft.
Voyager 2 Gets a Power Reprieve: NASA’s “Big Bang” Buys the Probe Another Year
NASA engineers at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory have implemented a power-saving procedure nicknamed the "Big Bang" for the Voyager 2 spacecraft. This initiative is expected to extend the operational life of its remaining science instruments by at least another year, preventing the loss of another instrument before the end of 2026. A similar procedure is planned for Voyager 1 in the coming months.
NASA’s Perseverance is about to out-drive every rover that ever reached Mars
NASA's Perseverance rover is set to break the record for the longest distance driven by any vehicle on another world, surpassing the mark set by the Opportunity rover. Perseverance has achieved this milestone primarily through its advanced auto-navigation system, which allows it to drive autonomously for most of its journey on Mars. This technology, enabled by a more modern processor compared to its predecessor Curiosity, allows Perseverance to cover ground more efficiently and expand the scope of its scientific investigations in Jezero Crater.
NASA may reroute Perseverance’s Earthbound twin to the lunar south pole
NASA is considering repurposing a ground-based engineering test model of its Perseverance rover, potentially as a hybrid with the Curiosity rover, for a lunar south pole mission named PROMISE. This rover would utilize a plutonium-powered radioisotope thermoelectric generator for continuous operation, independent of sunlight, to survey the lunar south pole for water ice and characterize the environment. The project, estimated to cost between $700 million and $1.3 billion, is not expected to launch before the early 2030s.
One of NASA's Mars rovers could find itself promised to the moon instead
NASA is planning to leverage existing technology from its Mars rover program to gather more information about the moon. This initiative aims to explore various aspects of lunar exploration using repurposed or adapted existing systems.
Roman Space Telescope Was Built to Hunt Dark Energy — It Could Also Catch City-Killer Asteroids
The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, initially designed to study dark energy and dark matter, is being proposed as a tool for detecting city-killer asteroids. Its wide-field infrared camera can identify smaller asteroids, complementing instruments like the James Webb Space Telescope and the upcoming NEO Surveyor. While not its primary mission, Roman's capabilities could significantly enhance planetary defense efforts by identifying and tracking potentially hazardous near-Earth objects.
NASA's PUNCH mission can now accurately predict when solar storms will hit Earth
NASA's PUNCH mission has significantly improved the ability to predict when solar storms will impact Earth. This advancement enhances our understanding and preparedness for space weather events.
Endeavor Optical Networks exits stealth with $10.75M and a plan to beam data center traffic by laser
Endeavor Optical Networks has emerged from stealth with $10.75 million in seed funding from General Catalyst and Andreessen Horowitz. The startup plans to use laser-carrying spacecraft in orbit to connect data centers, aiming for a throughput of 2.4 terabits per second, significantly higher than current satellite communication capabilities. The company intends to launch a demonstration satellite by the end of 2027.
The spacecraft NASA sent to rescue the falling Swift observatory is in trouble
NASA's spacecraft LINK, sent to rescue the falling Swift observatory, is now facing its own operational difficulties. It is uncertain if the mission can be successfully completed.