SpaceWatch.Global is pleased to present: The Space Café Podcast #90: Space Archaeology and an attempt to rethink humanity with multi award winning author and researcher Dr Alice Gorman. In this enlightening episode, host Markus engages in a comprehensive discussion about space archaeology and space debris with Dr. Alice Gorman, an internationally recognized leader in the field of space archaeology. Dr. Gorman's innovative research on space exploration has been featured in National Geographic, New Scientist, and Archaeology magazine.
Read More »Xenesis Patners with Airbus to Provide Services from ISS Platform
Xenesis, a laser optical communications company, have signed an exclusive agreement with Airbus to provide services from the International Space Station (ISS). Xenesis is preparing to install an optical communications hub to increase data downlink capacity on the Bartolomeo Platform, launched in 2020. In addition, the company plans to ship the Xen-Hub optical flight terminal to Airbus for a Q1 2025 launch on an ISS commercial resupply mission. After installation and testing, Xenesis will begin providing communications services to Bartolomeo customers in the summer of 2025.
Read More »Artemis II Astronauts Conduct Launch Day Demonstration
The Artemis II crew and teams with NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems Program have successfully completed the first in a series of integrated ground system tests at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida in preparation for their mission around the Moon. To prepare for their trip to space, NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, practiced the procedures they would undergo on launch day.
Read More »Exploration Company and Axiom Space sign Cargo Services Deal
The Exploration Company, a European commercial space company that is developing, manufacturing, and operating a reusable space capsule called 'Nyx,' and Axiom Space, architect of Axiom Station, the first commercial space station, announced that they have signed a cargo service pre-booking agreement. In addition, the agreement is the first time a European space capsule has been chosen by a commercial space company to develop cargo transportation services from Earth to Space and back to Earth.
Read More »Firefly Aerospace Awarded Multi-Launch Agreement with L3Harris
Firefly Aerospace, Inc. announced it signed a multi-launch agreement with L3Harris Technologies [NYSE: LHX] for three dedicated launches on Firefly's Alpha vehicle in 2026. The agreement further encourages Firefly, a small-lift launch services company, to ramp up production of its Alpha vehicle to support the growing needs of both Government and commercial customers. Firefly will provide rapid launch capabilities for L3Harris to achieve direct access to low Earth orbit at a lower cost and support the responsive space needs of the U.S. Government. The three missions will launch from Firefly's SLC-2 launch site at the Vandenberg Space Force Base.
Read More »Lockheed Martin Satellites Launch as Part of T0TL Mission
Lockheed Martin has successfully deployed ten of its satellites into low-Earth orbit (LEO) in support of the Space Development Agency's (SDA) Tranche 0 Transport Layer (T0TL) mission. SDA's T0TL is a proliferated LEO constellation that will demonstrate low-latency communication and provide a resilient network of integrated capabilities. The company's 10 small satellites successfully separated from the launch vehicle and are now in orbit.
Read More »Space in Africa Publishes Annual African Space Report
Space in Africa, a media, consulting, and analytics company, has published the 2023 edition of its African Space Industry Report. The report projects the African space economy to grow by 16.16% to USD 22.64 billion by 2026, and with the remarkable spurt in the economy in 2022, the industry is on track to reach this target.
Read More »ISRO Successfully Lands on the Moon’s South Pole
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has successfully soft-landed the Chandrayaan-3 lunar mission on the moon's south pole. Recall that the Space and Research Organization launched the spacecraft on July 14 from the Satish Dawan Space Center in India. India has successfully become the third Country to achieve this feat, joining the USA, USSR and China.
Read More »Sierra Space and Redwire Partner for In-Space Biotech Facilities
Sierra Space, a pureplay commercial space company, has announced that it has signed a strategic partnership with Redwire Corporation. As a result, both Companies will collaborate on groundbreaking commercial pharmaceutical and biotech R&D and manufacturing in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Redwire is delivering state-of-the-art, flight-proven biotechnology and manufacturing technologies that would integrate into Sierra Space's Large Integrated Flexible Environment (LIFE) habitat platform.
Read More »XRISM to Launch on Saturday From Japan
The X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM) is ready to launch on 26 August 2023 to observe the most energetic objects and events in the cosmos. In doing so, it will unveil the evolution of the Universe and the structure of spacetime. XRISM will tentatively launch from the Tanegashima Space Center in Japan at 09:34 JST / 01:34 BST / 02:34 CEST. The mission is a collaboration between the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and NASA, with significant participation from ESA. In return for providing hardware and scientific advice, ESA will also receive 8% of XRISM’s available observing time.
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