Space Missions

L3Harris Technologies has successfully deployed reflectors onboard the Hughes JUPITER™ 3 ultra high-density satellite to provide HughesNet® internet access across the Americas and to support enterprise networks, in-flight Wi-Fi, cellular backhaul and community Wi-Fi solutions.

Space Systems Command (SSC) has awarded a Command-and-Control System Consolidated (CCS-C) Sustainment and Resiliency (C-SAR) contract to Kratos Defense and Security Solutions to provide U.S. Space Force and U.S. Space Command satellite control capabilities and directly support the Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) III, Milstar Satellite Communications System, Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF), and Wideband Global Satellite (WGS) satellite systems.

The German Space Agency at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) has announced the winners of the three competitions that matched the theme of the second National Small Satellite Conference in Berlin – the Microlauncher Payload Competition, the Small Satellite Competition and the Small Satellite Payload Competition. The German Government launched the 'Small Satellite Initiative' to strengthen the German space industry and promote small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and, in particular, start-ups in the field of small satellites.

The European Space Agency has announced the successful hot-fire test of the Ariane-6 rocket, passing a major full-scale rehearsal in preparation for its first flight. The teams on the ground went through a complete launch countdown followed by a seven-minute full firing of the core stage’s engine, as it would fire on a launch into space. The trial, using a test model on the launch pad at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, was the longest ‘full-stack' run yet for Ariane 6’s lower liquid propulsion module with a Vulcain 2.1 engine.

SWISSto12 and ESA are developing the HummingSat range of satellites under the ARTES Partnership Project. The program aims for SWISSto12 to capture a significant part of the expanding global market of small and flexible geostationary satellites.

The UK Space Command and the UK Space Agency have announced the award of a contract to Spaceflux to build a new ground-based space camera-telescope system in Cyprus to monitor objects in geostationary orbit, approximately 36,000km above Earth’s equator. the telescope's mission will be to provide position information on UK satellites, helping to prevent collisions, protect critical space assets, and enhance the UK’s Space Domain Awareness (SDA).

Azercosmos, the Space Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the Brazilian Space Agency (AEB) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on space cooperation. The MoU envisages Brazil-Azerbaijan collaboration in space science, technology, and application and will serve as an instrument to establish a framework for future cooperation in the domain of outer space

Interstellar Lab, a biotech startup that develops, builds, and operates biofarming solutions on Earth and in Space, has announced its collaboration with Astrolab on a lunar mission named LITTLE PRINCE. The Mission aims to grow flowers on the Moon in transparent controlled-environment plant pods and capture data and pictures of this first step towards making any life multi-planetary. The company partnered with Astrolab to install the payloads on the lunar surface with the FLEX (Flexible Logistics and Exploration) rover. As a result, the LITTLE PRINCE Mission will be part of Astrolab’s Mission 1.

The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the Government of Japan, in cooperation with the Kyushu Institute of Technology (Kyutech), are providing opportunities for students from developing countries to study nano-satellite development. As a result, the Post-graduate Study on Nano-Satellite Technologies (PNST) Fellowship Program is making three slots in the Master Programme and three slots in the Doctoral Programme available. The program will also cover tuition fees and provide a stipend to cover living expenses. As a result, students are invited to submit their applications by 5 January 2024 and follow in the footsteps of more than 60 graduates over the years.

Join us in this episode of Space Cafe Podcast as Markus Mooslechner talks with Andy Rivkin about the thrilling DART mission. As its Lead Investigator, Rivkin offers a rare glimpse into the world of planetary defense, sharing the intricate dance between meticulously executed plans and the unpredictable nature of space exploration. From the collision course with Dimorphos to the anticipation of Hera's future findings, Rivkin’s narrative is a testament to human ingenuity and our relentless pursuit of cosmic knowledge.