Infrastructure
ESA scientists: diamonds in the sky could signal early Supernova
There may be diamonds in the sky. The James Webb Space Telescope’s spectrometry gear identified carbon molecules in dust that formed during the universe’s infancy, but debate rages over just what they could be, the European Space Agency said in July.
How artificial intelligence in space will play key roles for the US Space Force
Artificial Intelligence (AI) will play key roles for the military, from helping humans parse through oceans of Earth observation data to maneuvering satellites as constellations grow ever larger, Space Force Lt. Gen. John Shaw predicted during an online discussion with America’s Future Series.
Celebrating 60 years of women in space
June 16 marks the 60th anniversary of Valentina Tereshkova’s historic launch to orbit, where she became the first woman to reach space. She orbited Earth 48 times during the three-day Vostok 6 mission.
In 22nd Launch of 2023, China lofts national record of 26 satellites to orbit
China on June 7 lofted a national record of 26 satellites to orbit in a single launch atop its Lijian-1 launch vehicle, a solid-fueled rocket developed for commercial use by the Chinese Academy of Science.
Spain signs up as 25th nation in Artemis pact
Officials from NASA and the U.S. State Department gathered in Madrid Tuesday as Science and Innovation Minister Diana Morant signed off for Spanish agreement to the Artemis Accords, marking the 25th nation to join the U.S.-led treaty to govern conduct in orbit and beyond.
Number of people to reach orbit climbs to 600 with Axiom’s private mission to ISS
Axiom’s second private astronaut crew arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) on May 22, 2023, beginning their eight-day science mission. The four members of the Ax-2 crew join the seven Expedition 69 crew members currently on the ISS.
Space Force unveils antisatellite weapons program, reserve branch plans at Senate hearing
Space Force leaders pulled back the veil of secrecy on one of the service’s most-secretive programs and made a push for congressional authorization of a new part-time branch during a May 2 hearing before the Senate.
Spaceport Development: Progress is Slow, but Global Interest is Strong
As the pace of small satellite development and global launches continues to accelerate, nations around the world are developing spaceport policies and courting launch providers and other space industries with the intent of expanding their access space.
SNAPSHOT: Launch Vehicle Operators
Orbital launch attempts have more than tripled since a lull in activity in the early 2000s bottomed out at 55 attempts in 2004. Part of the rapid growth in the past few years is due to a sharp increase in launch vehicle operators . . .
Commercial Space Stations Steadily Make Progress, Begin Preliminary Tests
As the International Space Station (ISS) nears the end of its life and the U.S. celebrates the 50th anniversary of Skylab, its first space station, the commercial sector is hard at work designing the next generation of space stations in low Earth orbit (LEO).