Government

NASA has selected 16 proposals from 12 companies under the 2022 Announcement of Collaboration Opportunity (ACO) to advance capabilities and technologies related to NASA's Moon to Mars Objectives. As a result, the cadre of U.S. industry-led teams will test a new lunar rover tire design, develop a robotically assembled power system, build an electrically actuated device to join in-space propellant transfer lines, and more.

Astrobotic has announced its purchase of launch services aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket for its third upcoming lander mission to the Moon. The Company made the announcement during the spring Lunar Surface Innovation Consortium (LSIC) This mission will subsequently launch an Astrobotic lander to the Moon’s South Pole in 2026 to deliver payload customer instruments and cargo from around the world.

OQ Technology has received a space activity licence from the Government of Luxembourg after undergoing rigorous technical, legal, security, and administrative due diligence on the company, its operations and future plans. As a result, OQ Technology becomes one of the first space companies in Luxembourg to receive this authorization under Luxembourg’s new law on Space Activities

The European Space Agency (ESA) has signed a letter of intent with the Swedish National Space Agency to send an ESA astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS) on an Axiom mission. For this mission, Axiom and partners of the ISS have to approve the flight and the name of the astronauts that will go on the mission. 

The Swiss Federal Council has strengthened its commitment to space by adopting its 2023 Space Policy. This sets the course for the Confederation’s future space activities, providing a policy that is coordinated with Switzerland’s players in the space sector and embedded in its international context.

The UK Space Agency is launching a £20 million fund to support international partnerships that will harness the UK’s national strengths, support new space capabilities, and catalyze investment. This announcement came on the opening day of the Space Symposium conference in Colorado Springs, US.

Southern Launch and the Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation have partnered and will begin work on permanent world-class space facilities after the Australian Federal Government awarded almost $4.5 million in funding to the Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation.

NASA has selected Dr. Jon B. Olansen as the new manager of the Agency’s Gateway Program, an international collaboration building humanity's first lunar space station, which will support Artemis' missions to the Moon. Olansen will be replacing Dan Hartman, who is retiring after having served as Gateway program manager since its formation in 2019.

The European Space Agency (ESA) and Arianespace have successfully launched the JUpiter ICy moons Explorer (JUICE) mission after postponing it yesterday due to weather concerns. The spacecraft will now begin its eight-year journey to the Jovian system to explore its suitability for life, among other mission objectives. 

The European Space Agency and Arianespace have announced the postponement of the JUpiter ICy moons Explorer (JUICE) mission following uncertain weather conditions. Arianespace confirmed that the postponement was a result of lightning risk to the launch. As a result, the launch will now tentatively go on Friday, April 14, 2023, at 12:14 p.m. Universal time (UTC),