Space

More than 12,000 people have applied to join NASA’s next class of astronauts, demonstrating strong national interest to take part in America’s plans to explore the Moon and take humanity’s next giant leap – human missions to Mars. Applications were received from every U.S. state, the District of Columbia, and …

In the EU project “High Performance AlexandriteCrystals and Coatings for High Power Space Applications” (GALACTIC), Laser Zentrum Hannover (LZH) aims to develop a solely European supply chain for space-qualified high-performance laser crystals made of Alexandrite with the partners Optomaterials S.r.l. (Italy) and Altechna Coatings UAB (Lithuania). These laser crystals are to be used in earth observation satellites in space.

The Hague International Space Resources Governance Working Group announced on 3 April 2020 that Commentary on the Building Blocks for the Development of an International Framework on Space Resources is now available in hard copy and as an online version.

The Airbus built BepiColombo mission will make a fly-by past Earth on 10 April 2020 as it continues on its epic journey to Mercury.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office recently issued three patents to the Space Dynamics Laboratory for innovative inventions used in researching cold atoms—a pivotal element to precise space-based timing. SDL’s Elemental Alkali-Metal Dispenser, and two types of Grating Magneto Optical Traps will enable scientists and engineers to design and build atomic clocks with hyper-accuracy.

Virgin Orbit, the California-based small satellite launch company, announced on 2 April 2020 that it has formed a new partnership with Oita Prefecture in Japan to bring horizontal launch to Japan.

SpaceWatch.Global is proud to republish this excerpt from the 2020 edition of Secure World Foundation's Global Counterspace Capabilities: An Open Source Assessment, edited by Dr. Brian Weeden and Ms. Victoria Samson.

On 1 April 2020, Momentus Space announced they had signed a launch service agreement with ODYSSEUS Space.

AXESS Networks (AXESS), a global leader of satellite-based communications solutions, announced on 31 March 2020 that it will further strengthen its market presence in the Middle East:

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation announced on 30 March 2020  that it has been designated by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) as the contractor of the Global Observing SATellite for Greenhouse gases and Water cycle (GOSAT-GW), the third in the GOSAT series, and has already initiated development activities.