Author: starpathwp-production
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NASA Invites Feedback for Future Lunar Surface Resource Utilization Demonstration
As NASA ushers in an exciting era of long-term exploration on the Moon with Artemis, new strategies are being formulated to determine how technology, infrastructure, and operations will function together as a cohesive and cross-cutting system. As a sustained presence grows at the Moon, opportunities to harvest lunar resources could lead to safer, more efficient…
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Capitol Hill budget battle may limit initial funding of some National Security Space Launch missions
A ULA Vulcan rocket during a testing campaign (left) and a Falcon Heavy rocket at liftoff (right). Both launch vehicles were tapped to launch National Security Space Launch (NSSL) missions during the fifth and final ordering year procurement by the U.S. Space Systems Command. Images: ULA, SpaceX The U.S. Space Systems Command revealed the details…
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Leidos Successfully Deploys Its Potable Water System to the International Space Station
Leidos, a FORTUNE 500 science and technology leader, announced the successful deployment of its Exploration Potable Water Dispenser (xPWD) for the International Space Station (ISS). The xPWD is the culmination of nearly three years of design, development, testing, and certification work performed by Leidos as part of NASA’s Cargo Mission Contract (CMC). “Leidos is devoted…
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After the sting of Ariane 6, Europe finally embraces commercial rockets
Representatives from 22 European countries reached an agreement Monday to change the way the continent’s rockets are developed, moving from a government-driven approach to a commercial paradigm that appears to be modeled after how NASA and the US military do business. This is a big moment for the European Space Agency and its member states,…
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SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off on 80th orbital launch of the year
Updated: Satellites deployed. SpaceX sent up 23 Starlink satellites during a mission from Cape Canaveral just on the other side of midnight, the first of two planned Falcon 9 launches in less than 48 hours. Liftoff from pad 40 occurred at 12:05 a.m. EST (0505 UTC). Near-perfect weather was forecast for the launch of…
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Planet Releases New Forest Carbon Diligence Dataset, Archiving 10 Years of Carbon Data
Earth observation data company Planet Labs released its new Forest Carbon Diligence dataset — a 10-year archive of global forest carbon, tree height, and cover readings at 30-meter resolution. The company described the archive as a “groundbreaking data product that aims to provide unprecedented insights into forest change and carbon stocks — a crucial tool…
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Space Operators Should Harden Cryptography Defenses, NSA Cyber Official Says
RESTON, VIRGINIA — Space operators must start planning for and implementing quantum-resistant cryptography now to ensure that space national security systems are resistant to emerging threats, a senior cyber official for the National Security Agency (NSA) said. Darren Turner, chief of Critical Networks Defense for the NSA’s Cybersecurity Directorate, said cryptography is a key part…
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Early Production Continues on Advanced Upper Stage for NASA’s Space Launch System
Technicians at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans have completed a major portion of a weld confidence article for the advanced upper stage of NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket. The hardware was rotated to a horizontal position and moved to another part of the facility on October 24. The weld confidence article forms…
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ESA and European Commission Join Forces for Climate Action from Space
ESA and the European Commission are joining forces to accelerate the use of Earth-observing satellites and the information they provide to address the pressing challenge of climate change. This landmark initiative signifies a firm commitment to advancing our understanding of Earth’s climate system and enhancing our ability to take timely and informed actions to mitigate…
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United Launch Alliance’s New Vulcan Rocket Set for Debut Launch
The United Launch Alliance (ULA) new innovative Vulcan rocket is beginning final processing milestones in advance of the inaugural launch. The first certification mission (Cert-1) is planned to launch on December 24, from Space Launch Complex-41 (SLC-41) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. The Vulcan rocket will provide higher performance and greater affordability for…