Space Exploration

In this fascinating episode of the Space Cafe Podcast, host Markus Mooslechner is joined by Dr. Matt Russo, an astrophysicist, and musician, to discuss the connection between space and music. They delve into Dr. Russo's journey from a musician to an astrophysicist, the sound of gravitational waves, and the idea of life beyond Earth. The conversation also covers the importance of interdisciplinary collaborations and the role of music in understanding the universe.

Equatorial Space Systems has raised a Seed Round totaling USD 1.5 million. This fund will develop the company’s Dorado commercial-sounding rocket family, which will provide low-cost space access for science experiments, technology demonstrators, and academic payloads. lev8.VC led the funding round, with Seeds Capital and Masik Enterprises joining as well.

Dawn Aerospace has received certification from the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (CAA) for the imminent rocket-powered flight campaign of its Mk-II Aurora spaceplane. Mk-II Aurora's mission is to fly to space twice in a day and, in doing so, demonstrate that rocket-powered systems can be as reusable as commercial aircraft

In a bid for Europe, through the European Space Agency (ESA), to significantly increase its autonomy in human and robotic space exploration, a 12-person High-Level Advisory Group (HLAG) has presented an independent report on the state of European space exploration to the 315th session of the ESA Council at ESA Headquarters in Paris on 23 March 2023. The HLAG, which includes leaders across industry, Government, academia and civil society, came about in the summer of 2022 at the request of ESA’s Council.

In this  Space Café Radio - SpaceWatch.Global publisher Torsten Kriening spoke with Victor Danchev, Chief Technical Officer at Endurosat, about the Toliman mission, together with the University Of Syndey and the Breakthrough Initiatives

Spirit AeroSystems, Inc., and Astraius Ltd. have announced a collaboration to enhance future satellite launch capabilities from Prestwick Spaceport. During a visit to the Spaceport by Scottish Government Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism, and Enterprise, Ivan McKee, the companies commemorated the announcement with a signing ceremony.

Axiom Space has revealed the prototype spacesuit astronauts will wear during NASA’s Artemis III mission. NASA selected the company to develop the modern suits and the prototype was revealed on the 15th of March during an event at Space Center Houston in Texas. 

Researchers and students of the Tartu Observatory at the University of Tartu have begun the development of Estonia’s first lunar rover, designed to take Estonian technology to the Moon at the end of this decade or the beginning of the next. 

EnduroSat, a software-flexible NanoSats and space services provider, has announced a partnership with the University of Sydney and Breakthrough Initiatives on its TOLIMAN mission. EnduroSat will design and build a 16U MicroSat called TOLIMAN to perform high-precision astrometric measurements on the Alpha Centauri system. The search for exoplanets will focus on the habitable zone around two Sun-like stars, Alpha Centauri A and B.

Smallsat mission integrator and bus manufacturer Kongsberg NanoAvionics has received an order for three further satellites from 5G telecoms operator OQ Technology. As a result, these satellites will join OQ Technology’s existing constellation, turning the company into one of the largest 5G NB-IoT (narrowband Internet of things) satellite operators globally.