Space for Earth News

The Karman Project, a globally recognized non-profit foundation, has announced the launch of applications for the Karman Fellowship 2024. With the space sector aiding some of humanity's most time-critical needs - from communication to climate monitoring, food supply and disaster management - the foundation considers its investment in the people shaping these technologies as equally time-critical.

Hellas Sat and Thales Alenia Space have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on the development of an optical communication payload for the upcoming new mission to go on the future Hellas Sat 5 telecommunications satellite, operating in geostationary orbit at 39 degrees East.

SpaceWatch.Global's Editor-in-Chief Dr Emma Gatti, interviews Eric Morel de Westgaver, the Director European, Legal and International Matters at the European Space Agency (ESA), about ESA's interest in the Asia market and their ongoing projects and collaborations with countries like Japan, India, South Korea, and China. They discuss various space missions, scientific cooperation, and upcoming ministerial meetings of ESA to propose new programs."

At the 16th European Space Conference, SpaceWatch.Global's Editor-in-Chief Dr Emma Gatti spoke with Simonetta Cheli, ESA's Director of Earth Observation Program. The conversation focuses on ESA's projects related to sustainable development goals, such as food security and water management. It also discusses ESA's role in facilitating government decisions based on data, specifically in the context of climate change. The interview concludes with a mention of upcoming projects and the integration of digital technologies in Earth observation.

ClearSpace and Orbit Fab have announced a multi-faceted strategic partnership to advance in-space refuelling and servicing capabilities that aim to revolutionize space operations and serve as a foundation for a vibrant and sustainable space economy. Under the memorandum of understanding (MoU), Orbit Fab and ClearSpace will develop key enabling technologies, building on their initial collaborative work that began several years ago

OIKON Ltd, the Croatian Institute of Applied Ecology, together with other partners has launched the National Map of Marine Habitats of the Republic of Croatia. The new, unique map of marine habitats for 51% of Croatia’s marine area provides a detailed insight into the distribution of species and habitats and is a key tool for the conservation and sustainable use of the Adriatic Sea.

GITAI USA Inc. has announced that its 1.5-meter-long autonomous dual robotic arm system (S2) is scheduled to launch to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket (NG-20) on January 29. Having passed the necessary NASA safety reviews, the S2 will conduct an external demonstration of in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM) while onboard the ISS.

Astroscale Holdings Inc. has announced the completion of the final phase of its End-of-Life Services by Astroscale (ELSA-d) mission with the safe and controlled de-orbit operations of the ELSA-d servicer satellite. The satellite leveraged its remaining operational thrusters to achieve the controlled de-orbiting, marking the successful conclusion of the pioneering mission.

ALDORIA (formerly Share My Space) has announced closing its Serie A funding round, securing €10 million in equity investments from a strong syndicate, bringing the total amount of investment in the company to €22 million to date. To support this new stage of development, the company is strengthening its brand and effective today, Share My Space has become ALDORIA, a former name of the Pleiades nebula.

Following a successful launch and separation from the ULA Vulcan Centaur rocket on Jan. 8, 2024, Peregrine experienced a loss of propellant. Not only did that prevent any soft landing on the Moon, but the valve connecting helium to oxidizer had caused flooding and ruptured the tank. The spacecraft was now a flying hazard that could potentially create more debris in cislunar space or lunar orbit. After analysis and recommendations from NASA and the space community, Astrobotic determined the best option for minimizing risk and ensuring responsible disposal of the spacecraft would be to maintain Peregrine's trajectory toward Earth for atmospheric re-entry and burnup.