Author: starpathwp-production
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Orion Space Solutions Completes Critical Design Review on SSC’s Tetra-5 Program
Orion Space Solutions and its teammates recently completed its Critical Design Review (CDR) on the U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC) and Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Tetra-5 program. The Tetra-5 mission will demonstrate multi-agent autonomous Rendezvous, Proximity Operations and Docking (RPOD) for on-orbit refueling. “Having completed a successful CDR, Orion Space Solutions and…
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ESA’s Proba-3 Dual Satellites to Pave the Way for Unprecedented Solar Observations
Ahead of the ESA’s Proba-3 pair launching together later this year, the scientists who will make use of Proba-3 observations were able to see the satellites with their own eyes. Members of this team will test hardware developed for the mission during an actual terrestrial solar eclipse over Northern America next April. The two satellites…
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SpaceX launches the first set of Starlink satellites for T-Mobile’s direct-to-cell plan
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket sends Starlink satellites to space from a California launch pad. (SpaceX via Twitter/X) The first satellites capable of providing direct-to-cellular service via SpaceX’s Starlink network and T-Mobile’s cellular network have been sent into orbit aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Six of the cell-capable satellites were among a batch of 21…
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Elon Musk is now safe from eating his hat ‘with a side of mustard’
Musk on Vulcan’s timeline In a tweet dug up by Eric Berger, back in 2018 Musk talked about ULA pricing and the eventual development of its competitor’s Vulcan rocket. “I will seriously eat my hat with a side of mustard if that rocket flies a national security spacecraft before 2023,” Musk said. Discussion of a…
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SpaceX Falcon 9 launches Ovzon-3 satellite, kicking off launch year at the Cape
The first Falcon 9 rocket to launch from Florida in 2024 lifts off from Space Launch Complex-40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. Image: Michael Cain/Spaceflight Now The orbital launch year in Florida began in the same way it ended 2023: with the launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9…
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A commander’s lament on the loss of a historic SpaceX rocket
The Falcon 9 rocket that launched NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken on SpaceX’s first crew mission in 2020 launched and landed for the 19th and final time just before Christmas, then tipped over on its recovery ship during the trip back to Cape Canaveral, Florida. This particular booster, known by the tail number…
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Top Satellite Bus and Platforms in 2023
Satellite Bus and Platforms serve as the backbone of space missions, providing the structural framework and essential systems that enable the functionality of various payloads and instruments in orbit. It serves as the infrastructure that facilitates the spacecraft’s operation, maneuverability, and communication with ground control. Satellite Platforms support a diverse array of scientific, communication, Earth…
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ISRO Launches Astronomy Satellite in New Year Mission
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched an astronomy satellite on a PSLV mission on Jan. 1. The PSLV-C58 mission launched the XPoSat — X-ray polarimeter satellite — into Eastward low inclination orbit. XPoSat is the first dedicated scientific satellite from ISRO to research space-based polarization measurements of X-ray emission from celestial sources. The satellite…
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ISRO Launches Astronomy Satellite in New Year Mission
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched an astronomy satellite on a PSLV mission on Jan. 1. The PSLV-C58 mission launched the XPoSat — X-ray polarimeter satellite — into Eastward low inclination orbit. XPoSat is the first dedicated scientific satellite from ISRO to research space-based polarization measurements of X-ray emission from celestial sources. The satellite…
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EchoStar Completes Merger With Dish Network
EchoStar Corporation completed its acquisition of Dish Network to close out 2023 on Dec. 31. The deal, first announced in August, combines Dish Network’s satellite technology, streaming services, and nationwide 5G network with EchoStar’s satellite communications solutions, which EchoStar said will create a leader in terrestrial and non-terrestrial wireless connectivity. Dish Network is now a…