Space

Rocket Lab has successfully launched the U.S. Space Force’s (USSF) research and development satellite into Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The mission was one of Rocket Lab’s over 100 satellite launches, its fourth launch for the year and its 21st Electron mission, the company said.

At a time where space tourism is on the rise, the European Space Agency (ESA) engaged with the World Tourism Forum Lucerne (WTFL) to work on rules for a sustainable development of the emerging sector. ESA and WTFL have signed an agreement to advance a sustainable innovation for the travel

California based Varda Space Industries, a start-up founded last year by a pair with experience at SpaceX and Founders Fund, has raised over $50 million for its first mission due in 2023. The first on-orbit space factory is planned to bring back 100 kg of material during its first assignment.

Leaf Space, the Italy-based pioneering ground segment as-a-service (GSaaS) solutions provider, is launching the CARES project, the company said. The project utilises telemedicine via satellite transmission and allows for the home monitoring of patients recovering from COVID-19. CARES is co-funded by the European Space Agency (ESA).

British Crown Dependency, the Isle of Man’s government has agreed to join the 12 countries already embracing Artemis Accords. The Artemis Accords are an international agreement among participating nations setting out guidelines for cooperation in space exploration.

The British watchdog Ofcom wants to tighten the rules that govern satellite mega-constellations, Bloomberg reported. Satellite systems would be checked in the U.K. for whether they risk degrading other services, and if they could harm competition, Bloomberg said.

Isar Aerospace extended its series B funding by €63 million to over €140 million, the company founded in 2018 and specialising in small and medium satellites said. With a total financing volume of more than €150 million, Isar Aerospace now sees itself as "the most well-funded space start-up in the European Union".

Previously, research has suggested the presence of molecular oxygen (O2) after auroral bands were discovered in the ultraviolet (UV) images produced by the Hubble Space Telescope. However, when comparing these to recent datasets, astronomers have discovered that there was almost no O2 in the atmosphere in 2018 implying another reason for the charged particle bands.

Rocket Lab has opened a launch window for U.S. Space Force`s Monolith mission for 29 July, the company said. Rocket Lab aims at launching the Air Force Research Laboratory-sponsored demonstration satellite called Monolith into low Earth orbit (LEO) on its Electron rocket from its Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand.

As part of the partnership between SpaceWatch.Global and Orbital Gateway Consulting we have been granted permission to publish selected articles and texts. We are pleased to present “Dongfang Hour China Aerospace News Roundup 19 – 25 July”. Hello and welcome to another episode of the Dongfang Hour China Aero/Space News Roundup! A special shout-out to our friends at SpaceWatch.Global,