https://spacewatch.global/space-frontiers/frontiers-news/ AN INDEPENDENT PERSPECTIVE ON SPACE Thu, 12 Nov 2026 07:15:13 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.4 https://spacewatch.global/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SpaceWatchGlobal-Sign-90x90.png https://spacewatch.global/space-frontiers/frontiers-news/ 32 32 https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/orbital-matter-3d-prints-structural-components-in-open-space/ Thu, 12 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=80118 Orbital Matter has successfully 3D-printed a rigid structural boom directly in the vacuum of open space, marking a significant step toward manufacturing spacecraft structures in orbit. The demonstration involved producing a 32.5-centimeter hollow boom outside its satellite, which extended outward to help deploy a stowed solar array. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/esas-hera-captures-first-close-up-image-of-didymos-binary-asteroid-system/ Mon, 09 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79916 The European Space Agency's Hera spacecraft has captured its first close-up image of the Didymos binary asteroid system, providing a new view of the larger asteroid that NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test mission targeted for its 2022 planetary defense experiment. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/nasa-expands-lunar-delivery-network-with-clps-2-and-new-moon-base-awards/ Mon, 09 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=80000 NASA has selected eight companies to compete for future lunar delivery missions under its new $10 billion Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) 2 contract, expanding its commercial approach to transporting payloads to the Moon.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/leap-revives-hope-for-mainland-uk-vertical-launch-with-sutherland-spaceport-mou/ Fri, 06 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79905 U.S.-based LEAP and Scotland's Highlands and Islands Enterprise signed an MoU to develop the currently-dormant Sutherland Spaceport projject on Scotlland's northern coast. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/esas-trace-gas-orbiter-detects-potential-signs-of-volcanic-activity-on-mars/ Thu, 05 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79874 The European Space Agency's ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter has detected atmospheric hydrogen chloride above the northern flanks of Alba Mons, a massive shield volcano on Mars. The findings, published in Science Advances on November 4, 2026, point to a possible source of volcanic gas emissions beneath the Martian surface, suggesting that the planet may still retain some degree of magmatic activity.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/starfish-space-loses-otter-24c-servicing-spacecraft-following-communications-failure/ Wed, 04 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79813 Starfish Space has lost contact with its first full-scale Otter servicing spacecraft, Otter 24C, following a communications failure during commissioning in orbit. Launched on October 1, 2026, the spacecraft was intended to demonstrate autonomous rendezvous and inspection capabilities for approaching and observing inactive satellites in low Earth orbit.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/stellar-alpina-expands-beyond-rocket-engines-with-new-orbital-and-lunar-spacecraft/ Tue, 03 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79770 Swiss startup Stellar Alpina has unveiled two spacecraft concepts, the Monarch orbital vehicle and Morpho lunar lander, marking an expansion from propulsion technology development into spacecraft manufacturing and operations.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/nasas-upcoming-uvex-space-telescope-advances-toward-new-era-of-ultraviolet-astronomy/ Mon, 02 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79706 NASA has confirmed its $590 million UltraViolet EXplorer (UVEX) space telescope for further development after the mission successfully completed Key Decision Point C, a major review of its technical and programmatic readiness. The decision commits NASA to launching the observatory by January 2031 and allows the mission to proceed into its next development phase, bringing it closer to delivering a new ultraviolet observatory for studying the universe.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/10/the-rubin-observatory-in-chile-has-discovered-a-potential-new-dwarf-planet-ed138-beyond-pluto/ Thu, 29 Oct 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79556 Using the NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile, scientists have discovered a large object beyond Pluto that could become the Solar System’s sixth recognised dwarf planet. Designated 2026 ED138, the trans-Neptunian object was announced by the International Astronomical Union’s Minor Planet Center on October 27.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/10/interstellar-lab-taps-voyager-to-manage-iss-plant-growth-experiment/ Tue, 27 Oct 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79455 Voyager Technologies has signed a mission management contract with Interstellar Lab to host the latter's BioPod EDEN plant-growth experiment aboard the ISS. Under the agreement, Voyager will oversee payload preparation, engineering and integration, safety reviews, and on-orbit operations for the experiment, which is designed to study plant growth in microgravity.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/10/eradrive-cleared-to-test-autonomous-spacecraft-manoeuvring-software-on-nasas-starling-mission/ Tue, 27 Oct 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79466 EraDrive has been cleared to proceed with autonomous manoeuvring experiments aboard NASA’s Starling mission, advancing efforts to let spacecraft adjust their trajectories in orbit without waiting for ground operators to issue corrective commands. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/10/nasa-revises-spacex-and-blue-origin-lander-plans-for-2028-artemis-moon-landing/ Mon, 26 Oct 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79392 NASA is revising the designs and operational plans for SpaceX’s and Blue Origin’s lunar landers as it works to return astronauts to the Moon in 2028. In an October 23 update, the agency outlined changes to how the two landers will be fuelled, travel to the Moon, and rendezvous with NASA’s Orion spacecraft. The update also introduces additional development milestones intended to accelerate lander readiness and strengthen crew safety.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/10/zero-industries-raises-3-million-pre-seed-to-develop-laser-based-orbital-power-system/ Mon, 26 Oct 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79406 Zero Industries has raised US$3 million in a pre-seed funding round to develop a laser-based system for transmitting electricity between satellites in orbit. Led by 16-year-old CEO Kai Sugihara, the company is developing its Helios system to transmit electricity between satellites using lasers, potentially reducing spacecraft operators’ reliance on onboard solar panels and batteries.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/10/ispace-selected-by-jaxa-to-design-lunar-solar-power-tower-to-facilitate-sustainable-lunar-exploration/ Mon, 26 Oct 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79419 ispace has been selected by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency to conduct conceptual design work for a lunar solar power tower, a proposed system intended to generate electricity for activities on the Moon’s surface. The project aims to address power-generation challenges in lunar polar regions, where the low angle of sunlight and local terrain can limit the effectiveness of solar arrays.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/10/obruta-targets-two-isam-bottlenecks-with-c1-5-million-in-canadian-space-agency-funding/ Wed, 21 Oct 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79202 Canadian space technology company Obruta Space Solutions has received C$1.5 million in contributions from the Canadian Space Agency to advance two technologies addressing key challenges in in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing: autonomous spacecraft operations and vision systems designed to function in the challenging lighting conditions of orbit.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/10/japan-launches-mmx-mission-with-european-built-rover-bound-for-mars-phobos-moon/ Tue, 20 Oct 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79154 JAXA has successfully launched its Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission aboard an H3 rocket, beginning a five-year journey to explore Mars’ two moons and return samples to Earth. The H3 Flight No. 10 vehicle lifted off from Tanegashima Space Center on October 20 at 4:41 a.m. Japan Standard Time, with JAXA confirming that MMX separated from the rocket and entered orbit approximately 71 minutes later. The mission aims to return the first samples collected from a moon of Mars.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/10/nasa-to-host-media-briefing-outlining-artemis-mission-plans-ahead-of-2028s-lunar-landing-target/ Fri, 16 Oct 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79042 NASA will outline the next steps in its Artemis lunar exploration campaign during a media briefing on October 23, as the agency works toward returning astronauts to the Moon by 2028. Scheduled for 2 p.m. EDT at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the briefing will cover the status of upcoming missions, including Artemis III, which is planned to send four astronauts into low Earth orbit in 2027 to test systems needed for future lunar landings.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/10/orbity-deorbitface-uk-space-agency-opens-competition-to-name-active-debris-removal-mission/ Fri, 16 Oct 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79056 The UK Space Agency has opened a public competition to name its Active Debris Removal mission, which is designed to capture and remove two defunct satellites from orbit. Developed with ClearSpace UK, the mission is scheduled to launch in 2029 and will demonstrate how robotic capture technology could help tackle space debris.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/10/voyager-technologies-griffin-1-lunar-lander-ends-acceptance-testing-ahead-of-2026-launch/ Thu, 15 Oct 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=78997 Voyager Technologies’ Griffin-1 lunar lander has completed acceptance testing and returned to Pittsburgh for final assembly, ahead of a targeted late-2026 launch.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/10/jaxas-martian-moons-exploration-mmx-mission-set-to-launch-next-tuesday-on-h3-rocket/ Wed, 14 Oct 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=78947 JAXA’s Martian Moons eXploration mission launches on 20 October aboard an H3 from Tanegashima, bound for Phobos and Deimos with a sample return from Phobos.]]>