Space Missions

Leonardo DRS, Inc has announced that its new high-precision radiometer technology is helping to measure the Earth’s surface temperature from space. The image collection from the company’s Multiband Uncooled SmallSat Imaging Radiometer (MUSIR) payload is part of an innovative demonstration mission for NASA. MUSIR, with its space-based uncooled thermal imaging radiometer technology, aims to pave the way for small, affordable satellite constellations.

Unseenlabs has announced the successful launch of  BRO-9, its ninth satellite. The satellite launched into space as part of SpaceX's Transporter-7 mission from the Vandenberg space force base in California. Furthermore, the Company made contact with the satellite a few hours after the launch. 

Orbit Fab has announced that it has completed a successful Series A round of $28.5 million in funding during an up-round that will allow the company to accelerate fuel sales and the deployment of fuel delivery and storage infrastructure in GEO, LEO, and VLEO orbits.

Goonhilly has finalized the purchase of the two COMSAT teleports on the East and West coasts of the United States. As a result, it will manage and operate sites in Southbury, Connecticut, and Santa Paula, California, increasing the company’s global satellite communications coverage. The acquisition will enable customers on both sides of the Atlantic to have access Goonhilly's services. Furthermore, the purchase will move Goonhilly one step closer to providing a fully global, 24/7 space and satellite communications network service upon completion.

Exolaunch has successfully deployed 21 satellites on SpaceX’s Transporter-7 mission. The mission launched via SpaceX Falcon 9 on April 14 at 11:48 pm PT from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA. This is the 19th mission in Exolaunch’s flight heritage, bringing it to 290 satellites launched and taking the Company ever closer to the 300 satellites milestone. 

NASA has selected Dr. Jon B. Olansen as the new manager of the Agency’s Gateway Program, an international collaboration building humanity's first lunar space station, which will support Artemis' missions to the Moon. Olansen will be replacing Dan Hartman, who is retiring after having served as Gateway program manager since its formation in 2019.

ispace, inc., a global lunar exploration company, has announced that its HAKUTO-R Mission 1 Lunar Lander has completed all planned orbital control maneuvers, completing Success 8 of the Mission 1 Milestones.

The European Space Agency (ESA) and Arianespace have successfully launched the JUpiter ICy moons Explorer (JUICE) mission after postponing it yesterday due to weather concerns. The spacecraft will now begin its eight-year journey to the Jovian system to explore its suitability for life, among other mission objectives. 

Privateer Space has announced that Dr. Moriba Jah, the company’s co-founder and chief scientist, has received an award grant from the National Geographic Society and will become a National Geographic Explorer. This grant will go to Privateer’s launch of Glint Evader. Glint Evader will collect satellite data to develop software that predicts and helps astronomers anticipate when sunlight reflecting off of satellites may interfere with their observations.

The European Space Agency and Arianespace have announced the postponement of the JUpiter ICy moons Explorer (JUICE) mission following uncertain weather conditions. Arianespace confirmed that the postponement was a result of lightning risk to the launch. As a result, the launch will now tentatively go on Friday, April 14, 2023, at 12:14 p.m. Universal time (UTC),