In what a growing number of analysts are calling a bold move, Japan's ANA Holdings – owner and operator of All Nippon Airways (ANA) – is partnering with the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and companies such as Softbank, Takenaka, and HIS, to create AVATAR X in a bid to revolutionize space exploration and development through the use of avatar space systems controlled by pilots on Earth utilising virtual reality (VR) technology.
Read More »Israel To Be Fourth Country On The Moon in 2019 Thanks To SpaceIL
Israel’s SpaceIL has announced that it will launch its Moon probe on a SpaceX launch vehicle, to land in February 2019. If successful, the SpaceIL lunar mission will make Israel the fourth-ever country to land on the Moon, after the Soviet Union, U.S., and China.
Read More »Tokyo-Based Start-Up InfoStellar Poised to Transform Communications in Space
InfoStellar is an innovative Japanese start-up with a vision: to extend the Internet that we know on Earth into outer space by creating the largest space communications infrastructure in history. This vision is set to be achieved through a unique antenna-sharing platform and also a one-stop small satellite shop that aims to connect customers from all over the world to Japanese manufacturers, universities, and service providers.
Read More »China Successfully Launches “Magpie Bridge” Relay Satellite in Run-Up to Historic Chang’e-4 Mission
China is on the verge of a space exploration breakthrough with the launch of the “Magpie Bridge” relay satellite for its Chang'e-4 lunar mission that will explore the dark side of the Moon, further establishing itself as a preeminent global space power.
Read More »South Korea’s KSLV-II Launch Vehicle Now On Track
After a number of delays and starts, South Korea is finally pressing ahead with the development of its second Korean Space Launch Vehicle (KSLV-II) as well as its lunar exploration programme. The KSLV-II is a three-stage launch vehicle which will put a 1.5-ton multipurpose satellite into low orbit at 600 to 800 kilometers (372 to 497 miles) above the Earth. The first-stage booster will consist of four 75-ton fuel engines, and the second stage will be made up of a single 75-ton engine. The third stage will come with a 7-ton liquid engine.
Read More »PTScientists Signs Red Bull Media House as Media Partner for Mission to the Moon
PTScientists has signed Red Bull Media House as the exclusive media partner for Mission to the Moon, enabling them to bring the world on their journey to the Moon. The announcement was made at MIPTV in Cannes, one of the largest trade shows for TV and media.
Read More »India and France in Talks on Venus and Mars Exploration
Following quickly on the heels of their expansive space cooperation agreement signed last month, India and France are moving forward by holding detailed talks about building and sending interplanetary probes to Mars and Venus in the coming years.
Read More »The Issues and Challenges of the Russian Space Industry – Part II
In part two of a three-part feature, Vitaly Egorov describes Russia’s modern posture in space and the challenges and possible ways of development of the national space industry. This second part looks at how space exploration is often associated with extremely ambitious goals. Which one will Russia choose for the next few decades? What will be more beneficial in terms of pub
Read More »Japanese Government to Support NewSpace Sector, Policy Review for Lunar Property Rights Unlikely
Japan has announced a significant commitment to developing its NewSpace sector, offering nearly U.S.$1 billion of support, according to a report in Japan’s Nikkei Asian Review. Japanese news outlet the Nikkei Asian Review also claims that the Japanese government is considering amending its space policy and legislation to allow Japanese companies to exploit space resources on the Moon, which would be similar to policy initiatives made by Luxembourg and the United States.
Read More »Russia to Send non-crewed Mission to Mars in 2019, According to Vladimir Putin
In what might be an election ploy or a signal of a growing space race, President Vladimir Putin announced plans for Russia to go to Mars in 2019 despite funding difficulties and a poor Russian track record for Martian exploration. Plans for this Mars mission come after 15 unsuccessful and …
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