Author: starpathwp-production
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Artemis II Core Stage rolls out, leaves New Orleans
Image: Daryl Sausse / Space Explored The team in charge of moving this massive piece of rocket hardware wasted no time in making the approximately 1 1/4 mile journey. Once they started, they didn’t stop until they reached the waiting barge. In fact, they were so far ahead of schedule, speakers were still talking on…
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Thales to Lead French Carbon-Monitoring and Orbital Inspection Missions
Thales Alenia Space recently received contracts for space-based carbon monitoring and an in-orbit capture and inspection service, both supported by the France 2030 national investment plan. On July 18, Thales announced a deal with French space agency CNES and Bpifrance to lead a consortium along with Magellium Artal Group to demonstrate an in-orbit capture and…
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NASA Discontinues VIPER Moon Exploration Project Citing Cost Increases and Launch Delays
Following a comprehensive internal review, NASA announced its intent to discontinue development of its VIPER (Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover) project. NASA stated cost increases, delays to the launch date, and the risks of future cost growth as the reasons to stand down on the mission. The rover was originally planned to launch in late…
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Renesas Unveils Power Management Solution for AMD’s Space-Grade Versal AI Edge Adaptive SoC
Renesas Electronics Corporation, a premier supplier of advanced semiconductor solutions, announced a complete space-ready reference design for the AMD Versal AI Edge XQRVE2302 Adaptive SOC. Developed in collaboration with AMD, the ISLVERSALDEMO3Z power management reference design integrates key space-grade components for power management. It targets the cost-effective AI Edge with both rad-hard & rad-tolerant plastic…
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NASA built a Moon rover but can’t afford to get it to the launch pad
NASA has spent $450 million designing and building a first-of-its-kind robot to drive into eternally dark craters at the Moon’s south pole, but the agency announced Wednesday it will cancel the rover due to delays and cost overruns. “NASA intends to discontinue the VIPER mission,” said Nicky Fox, head of the agency’s science mission directorate.…
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Astrobotic’s VOLT Lunar Rover Completes Surface Stability Testing at NASA Glenn Research Center
Astrobotic is one step closer to establishing a lunar power grid with the initiation of a summer-long test campaign for its VSAT Optimized for Lunar Traverse (VOLT). VOLT is a specialized lunar rover equipped with a vertical solar array designed to drive across the Moon, and harness solar energy to charge a variety of lunar…
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e-GEOS Wins European Environmental Contract
e-GEOS has won a new five-year contract from the European Environment Agency (EEA) which will enable better detection and measurement of ground movements from space. The contract is for the end-to-end implementation and operation of the European Ground Motion Service (EGMS). e-GEOS will lead an international consortium ‘ORIGINAL’ (OpeRatIonal Ground motion INsar Alliance) on the…
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Global Satellite Operators Report No Impact from Microsoft Outage
A number of major satellite operators said they were unaffected by the Microsoft outage on July 19 that created IT issues in multiple industries around the world and grounded flights. Intelsat, Eutelsat Communications, SES, Telesat, and Iridium Communications said in statements to Via Satellite they were not impacted by the Microsoft outage. Intelsat operates a fleet…
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Axelspace Introduces New Service for In-Orbit Demonstration of Space Components
Axelspace Corporation announced the launch of AxelLiner Laboratory (AL Lab), a new service under AxelLiner introduced in 2022. This service specializes in in-orbit demonstration of space components with sales set to begin in the near future. Additionally, a new memorandum was signed between Axelspace and ASPINA Shinano Kenshi, a partner in developing a reaction wheel…
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NASA plans for space station’s demise with new SpaceX ‘Deorbit Vehicle’
An artist’s impression of SpaceX’s ISS Deorbit Vehicle pushing the lab toward a controlled re-entry and breakup in the 2030 timeframe, after a formal decision to retire the lab complex after three decades of operation. Graphic: SpaceX SpaceX is building a souped-up version of its cargo Dragon spacecraft to drive the International Space Station out…