Planet and Airbus to Collaborate on Joint Imagery Product
“The partnership combines the lower resolution but daily global coverage of Planet’s cubesat constellation with Airbus’ fleet of high-resolution satellites that have more limited coverage.”
Northrop Grumman Awarded $47 Million to Start Work on Overhead Persistent Infrared Polar Space Vehicles 1 and 2
About two months ago, we heard that Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin would be receiving sole-source contracts for the next-generation Overhead Persistent Infrared program. I believe this is the first official contract award we’ve seen posted.
NASA Selects Tethers Unlimited’s HYDROS-C for Flight in Early 2019
The HYDROS-C propulsion unit is tiny—just 1U in size. NASA also has a nice video up showing PTD-1 in action.
Aerojet Rocketdyne Gets Another $70 Million for AR1 and RL10C-X Development
I don’t remember RL10 being part of the previously-awarded EELV propulsion contracts. Wonder if that’s related to the recent announcements that both Vulcan and OmegA will use the RL10 as their upper stage.
Air Force Certifies Falcon Heavy, Awards SpaceX AFSPC-52 Launch
AFSPC-52 is well within the performance of an expended Falcon 9, so this is exactly one of those scenarios predicted for Falcon Heavy’s use: flying a recoverable Falcon Heavy instead of an expended Falcon 9.
JPL Says Martian Dust Storm is Now a Planet-Encircling Dust Event
Just in time for opposition, when we take out our telescopes and try to get a glimpse of some surface detail. Hoping it clears up for us —and Opportunity—by mid-July.
Episode T+85: Support and Criticism for the Lunar Gateway
ESA has all but given its full support to the (newly renamed) Lunar Gateway, and Terry Virts threw some criticism its way during the third meeting of the National Space Council. I break down what those things mean for the future of Lunar Gateway, and discuss why I’m (gasp!) supportive of the program.
Chang’e-4 Lander to Launch in December
That means the relay satellite is doing well at Earth-Moon L2. I’m really excited to watch this mission get up there.
Ride Along with Opportunity for 5,104 Sols
Incredible video (with accelerometer data turned into sound) that really gives you a sense for just how far Opportunity has traveled.
Spirits Are High for Opportunity
The thermal limits were a main concern of mine going into the press conference NASA held yesterday about Opportunity and the currently-active Martian dust storm. Things seem okay!
Photos Taken by Longjiang-2 From Lunar Orbit
Beautiful shots. Earth from lunar orbit is always something special.
Spaceflight Books Three Electron Flights
Good news for Rocket Lab, and better news for Spaceflight, who seemingly had no problem filling these flights.
Episode 09 - Randomly Throwing Money Out Into the Cosmos
Jason Davis joins Jake and Anthony to discuss when and why—but not how—humanity will go to the Moon and Mars. Okay, maybe a little how. And also some space policy talk.
Episode 09 - Randomly Throwing Money Out Into the Cosmos
Jason Davis joins Jake and Anthony to discuss when and why—but not how—humanity will go to the Moon and Mars. Okay, maybe a little how. And also some space policy talk.
Episode 09 - Randomly Throwing Money Out Into the Cosmos
Jason Davis joins Jake and Anthony to discuss when and why—but not how—humanity will go to the Moon and Mars. Okay, maybe a little how. And also some space policy talk.
Off-Nominal 09
This month, Jason Davis of the Planetary Society joined Jake and I on Off-Nominal. We talked about when and why—but not how—humanity will go to the Moon and Mars. Okay, maybe a little about how.
Juno Gets an Extension
Juno is on its 13th orbit right now, so an additional 41 months allows Juno to make 37 orbits—the exact amount originally planned.
Acquisition of Orbital ATK approved, company renamed Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems
These two really are a perfect fit for each other. What a horrible name.
Episode T+84: The End of NASA Exploration Exclusivity
Last week, China opened up their future space station to other nations, and Blue Origin laid some hints about their lunar ambitions. Both of these stories are indicative of what I think the next era of exploration will look like, and it has interesting implications for NASA.
Off-Nominal Studios East
May was absolutely crazy—a bit of vacation, a new (first!) house, and a few more life events sprinkled in. But things are just about settled down, and Off-Nominal Studios East is complete.