Author: starpathwp-production
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Chinese spaceplane takes flight again; iSpace and LandSpace prepare to hop
China is aiming for a strong finish to 2023, with several high-profile launches happening in a short period. At the same time, both LandSpace, and iSpace have been directing their attention to reusable rocket stages, with vertical takeoff and landing testing of pathfinder prototypes. China’s reusable spaceplane – Chang Zheng 2F/T With the American X-37B…
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A top-secret Chinese spy satellite just launched on a supersized rocket
China’s largest rocket apparently wasn’t big enough to launch the country’s newest spy satellite, so engineers gave the rocket an upgrade. The Long March 5 launcher flew with a payload fairing some 20 feet (6.2 meters) taller than its usual nose cone when it took off on Friday with a Chinese military spy satellite. This…
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Space Explored Podcast 72: Was 2023 a good year for space?
Subscribe: Spotify Apple Podcasts Overcast PausePlay% buffered00:0042:08UnmuteMuteDisable captionsEnable captionsSettingsCaptionsDisabledQualityundefinedSpeedNormalCaptionsGo back to previous menuQualityGo back to previous menuSpeedGo back to previous menu0.5×0.75×Normal1.25×1.5×1.75×2×4×PIPExit fullscreenEnter fullscreenPlay The Space Explored Podcast is hosted by Editor-in-Chief Seth Kurkowski and YouTuber Jared Sanders, who discuss the last week’s biggest stories with a main deep dive topic. Recorded Tuesdays and released Thursday,…
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Amazon’s Project Kuiper Successfully Concludes Testing of Optical Mesh Network in LEO
Since the successful launch and deployment of two prototype satellites in October 2023, Project Kuiper has been conducting extensive testing of its end-to-end communications payload and network. In November, we confirmed we had validated all priority systems and subsystems within 30 days of launch, and we shared a first look at demos over the Kuiper…
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Optical Filters with Peak Performance Developed for ESA’s Athena Mission
A GSTP activity led by Ametek in Finland has built high-performance optical filters representative of those that will be used by one of ESA’s biggest upcoming missions. For the Advanced Telescope for High-Energy Astrophysics (Athena) mission to be successful large, optical filters are needed but until recently high-performing filters like those needed were not made…
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SpaceX delays first Starlink satellites with direct-to-cell capability
A Falcon 9 rocket stands ready to support the Starlink 7-9 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base. The mission also includes the first six satellites that will be used for the company’s direct-to-cell service. Image: SpaceX Update 9:45 p.m. EST: The launch is now scheduled for December 28 at 9:09 p.m. PST (12:09 a.m. EST,…
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Eutelsat OneWeb Wins Hybrid LEO/GEO Deal In Libya
Eutelsat OneWeb is beginning to see the benefits of offering multi-orbit services. It has won a new contract to deliver connectivity services, on both Geostationary Orbit (GEO) and Low-Earth Orbit (LEO), to Libya. Rawafed Libya for Telecommunications & Technology (RLTT) has decided to expand its partnership with the Eutelsat Group as it adds new exclusive…
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Daily Telescope: One of the most stunning Andromeda photos I’ve ever seen
Welcome to the Daily Telescope. There is a little too much darkness in this world and not enough light, a little too much pseudoscience and not enough science. We’ll let other publications offer you a daily horoscope. At Ars Technica, we’re going to take a different route, finding inspiration from very real images of a…
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Laser communication: the future of communicating in space
Laser communications, an ever so important factor for the future of space exploration, has seen some important steps forward recently. Two test missions are on the way to provide important information, and a third one is planned for next year. The Integrated LCRD LEO User Modem and Amplifier Terminal (ILLUMA-T), which flew to the International…
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Rocket Lab Returns to Flight With Successful iQPS Mission
Rocket Lab returned the Electron vehicle to flight on Friday with a successful mission for Japanese company Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc., known as iQPS. This was Rocket Lab’s first mission after resolving an issue that caused the September launch failure. This was Rocket Lab’s 10th mission in 2023. While the gap in launches due…