From the Magazine Archives - SpaceNews https://spacenews.com Covering the business and politics of space Fri, 05 Jul 2024 13:06:33 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.5 https://spacenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/cropped-SN_forza_star-32x32.png From the Magazine Archives - SpaceNews https://spacenews.com 32 32 80681979 Seeding the future of space warfare https://spacenews.com/seeding-the-future-of-space-warfare/ https://spacenews.com/seeding-the-future-of-space-warfare/#respond Fri, 05 Jul 2024 13:00:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=465767 Arthur Grijalva, SpaceWERX director, addresses tech startups at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas, March 9, 2024. Credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Matthew Clouse
Arthur Grijalva, SpaceWERX director, addresses tech startups at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas, March 9, 2024. Credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Matthew Clouse

SpaceWERX is emphasizing pragmatic military tech over exploratory research.

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What the biggest solar storm in decades revealed about space system resilience https://spacenews.com/what-the-biggest-solar-storm-in-decades-revealed-about-space-system-resilience/ https://spacenews.com/what-the-biggest-solar-storm-in-decades-revealed-about-space-system-resilience/#respond Fri, 05 Jul 2024 13:00:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=465881 Coronal Mass Ejection imagery captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Ob- servatory.
Coronal Mass Ejection imagery captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Ob- servatory.

A solar storm in May revealed the challenges and current state of space weather modeling and readiness.

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The Space Relayers: NASA’s latest bet on the private sector is starting to take shape https://spacenews.com/the-space-relayers-nasas-latest-bet-on-the-private-sector-is-starting-to-take-shape/ https://spacenews.com/the-space-relayers-nasas-latest-bet-on-the-private-sector-is-starting-to-take-shape/#respond Fri, 05 Jul 2024 13:00:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=465902 Illustration of TDRS-13, the final sat- ellite in NASA’s Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) constellation, which has provided crucial connectivity for govern- ment users like the ISS and the U.S. De- partment of Defense for decades. NASA is transitioning to commercial alternatives to meet future data relay needs.
Illustration of TDRS-13, the final sat- ellite in NASA’s Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) constellation, which has provided crucial connectivity for govern- ment users like the ISS and the U.S. De- partment of Defense for decades. NASA is transitioning to commercial alternatives to meet future data relay needs.

NASA is just months away from closing off its data relay satellite fleet to new users in preparation for switching over to commercial alternatives.

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Connecting the Dots: From oil to orbit https://spacenews.com/connecting-the-dots-from-oil-to-orbit/ https://spacenews.com/connecting-the-dots-from-oil-to-orbit/#respond Fri, 05 Jul 2024 13:00:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=465913 A 2011 dust storm in Saudi Arabia imaged by NASA. Credit: NASA/GSFC/Jeff Schmaltz/MODIS Land Rapid Response Team
A 2011 dust storm in Saudi Arabia imaged by NASA. Credit: NASA/GSFC/Jeff Schmaltz/MODIS Land Rapid Response Team

Saudi Arabia is stepping up efforts to become a major force in space as commercial activity in the industry rises across the Middle East.

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Foust Forward: Who’s afraid of the big bad Starship? https://spacenews.com/foust-forward-whos-afraid-of-the-big-bad-starship/ https://spacenews.com/foust-forward-whos-afraid-of-the-big-bad-starship/#respond Fri, 05 Jul 2024 13:00:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=465944 SpaceX’s Starship’s rocket performed a test flight on June 6, 2024. Credit: SpaceX
SpaceX’s Starship’s rocket performed a test flight on June 6, 2024. Credit: SpaceX

Many in the launch industry on both sides of the Atlantic are skeptical that Starship will dominate the industry and force competitors out of business, at least over the next several years.

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Commercial space stations go international https://spacenews.com/commercial-space-stations-go-international/ https://spacenews.com/commercial-space-stations-go-international/#respond Wed, 03 Jul 2024 13:00:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=465772 Rendering of the Starlab space station in orbit. Starlab Space is a joint venture involving companies representing all Western ISS partners.
Rendering of the Starlab space station in orbit. Starlab Space is a joint venture involving companies representing all Western ISS partners.

Ventures racing to replace the International Space Station are forging new partnerships that echo the cooperation of the ISS era

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How the Applied Physics Laboratory is tackling Artemis moon exploration https://spacenews.com/how-the-applied-physics-laboratory-is-tackling-challenges-facing-artemis-moon-exploration/ https://spacenews.com/how-the-applied-physics-laboratory-is-tackling-challenges-facing-artemis-moon-exploration/#respond Tue, 02 Jul 2024 13:00:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=445932 Image showing an astronaut on the moon sifting dust through their fingers.
Image showing an astronaut on the moon sifting dust through their fingers.

The Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) is tackling many of the challenges facing crewed Artemis missions.

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Transferring the International Space Station into the future https://spacenews.com/transferring-the-international-space-station-into-the-future/ https://spacenews.com/transferring-the-international-space-station-into-the-future/#respond Mon, 01 Jul 2024 13:00:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=445987 Photo of the International Space Station taken by Maxar’s WorldView-3 in September 2022. Credit: Maxar Technologies
Photo of the International Space Station taken by Maxar’s WorldView-3 in September 2022. Credit: Maxar Technologies

When it's time to retire the International Space Station, it should be moved to higher orbit, so that it may one day be made useful again, rather than incinerated.

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Competing with Uncle Sam’s free space offerings https://spacenews.com/competing-with-uncle-sams-free-space-offerings/ https://spacenews.com/competing-with-uncle-sams-free-space-offerings/#respond Fri, 07 Jun 2024 15:06:59 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=441187 painting of a GPS satellite in orbit.
painting of a GPS satellite in orbit.

Convincing customers to pay for Space Domain Awareness and Alt-PNT services over free alternatives remains a challenge.

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Space tourism dreams live on https://spacenews.com/space-tourism-dreams-live-on/ https://spacenews.com/space-tourism-dreams-live-on/#respond Fri, 07 Jun 2024 13:00:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=441191 New Shepard spaceflight participants
New Shepard spaceflight participants

Twenty years ago, SpaceShipOne appeared to open the door to a new spaceflight era. Today, that door is barely ajar.

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Tools for space sustainability watchdogs https://spacenews.com/tools-for-space-sustainability-watchdogs/ https://spacenews.com/tools-for-space-sustainability-watchdogs/#respond Fri, 07 Jun 2024 13:00:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=441173 An illustration of objects and space debris in Earth orbit.
An illustration of objects and space debris in Earth orbit.

The FCC has made a landmark foray into space debris enforcement but it’s unclear how it would translate greater visibility into action.

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HPE’s Spaceborne Computer offers template for space-based AI https://spacenews.com/hpes-spaceborne-computer-offers-template-space-based-ai/ https://spacenews.com/hpes-spaceborne-computer-offers-template-space-based-ai/#respond Thu, 06 Jun 2024 13:00:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=440886 NASA astronaut Kayla Barron conducts research experiments with plants on the International Space Station. The HPE Spaceborne Computer-2 is visible over Barron's back.
NASA astronaut Kayla Barron conducts research experiments with plants on the International Space Station. The HPE Spaceborne Computer-2 is visible over Barron's back.

Recently upgraded and returned to the ISS, Spaceborne-2.5 is ready for new duties.

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China seeks its own Apollo moment – and more https://spacenews.com/china-seeks-its-own-apollo-moment-and-more/ https://spacenews.com/china-seeks-its-own-apollo-moment-and-more/#respond Thu, 06 Jun 2024 13:00:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=440900 Shenzhou-18 commander Ye Guangfu (right) and astronauts Li Cong (center) and Li Guangsu (left) are celebrated prior to their sendoff.
Shenzhou-18 commander Ye Guangfu (right) and astronauts Li Cong (center) and Li Guangsu (left) are celebrated prior to their sendoff.

From expanding the Tiangong space station to a crewed moon landing by 2030, China aims to become the leading human spaceflight power.

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The Satellite Breakup: Military’s Push to Go Small https://spacenews.com/the-satellite-breakup-militarys-push-to-go-small/ https://spacenews.com/the-satellite-breakup-militarys-push-to-go-small/#respond Wed, 05 Jun 2024 14:00:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=429166 is being emulated across the Space Force. Credit: Northrop Grumman
is being emulated across the Space Force. Credit: Northrop Grumman

Taking cues from the Space Development Agency, the Space Force is rethinking its future satellite architecture

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Uncontrolled reentry of space debris poses a real and growing threat https://spacenews.com/uncontrolled-reentry-of-space-debris-poses-a-real-and-growing-threat/ https://spacenews.com/uncontrolled-reentry-of-space-debris-poses-a-real-and-growing-threat/#respond Wed, 05 Jun 2024 13:00:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=429150 An external pallet packed with old nickel-hydrogen batteries was released from the Canadarm2 robotic arm in 2021 as the International Space Station orbited 260 miles above the Pacific Ocean west of Central America. Credit: NASA/Mike Hopkins
An external pallet packed with old nickel-hydrogen batteries was released from the Canadarm2 robotic arm in 2021 as the International Space Station orbited 260 miles above the Pacific Ocean west of Central America. Credit: NASA/Mike Hopkins

The Florida crash landing of space debris jettisoned from the ISS has spun up worrisome views regarding the escalation of human-made space debris plummeting to Earth in an uncontrolled manner.

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Europe seeks to launch into clearing skies https://spacenews.com/europe-seeks-to-launch-into-clearing-skies/ https://spacenews.com/europe-seeks-to-launch-into-clearing-skies/#respond Tue, 04 Jun 2024 13:00:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=428870

As Ariane 6 and Vega C face high stakes, ESA champions space sustainability, says Josef Aschbacher, director general of ESA.

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Making the case for multi-orbit broadband https://spacenews.com/making-case-multi-orbit-broadband/ https://spacenews.com/making-case-multi-orbit-broadband/#respond Tue, 04 Jun 2024 13:00:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=428884 GEO satellites have a broader vantage point than those with less latency in LEO.
GEO satellites have a broader vantage point than those with less latency in LEO.

A Q&A with Eutelsat Group CEO Eva Berneke on the French company's multi-orbit broadband plans after its OneWeb acquisition.

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Beyond blueprints: DoD’s commercial space strategy leaves industry wanting more https://spacenews.com/beyond-blueprints-dods-commercial-space-strategy-leaves-industry-wanting-more/ https://spacenews.com/beyond-blueprints-dods-commercial-space-strategy-leaves-industry-wanting-more/#respond Tue, 14 May 2024 15:48:44 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=423219 Photo of Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman standing at a podium
Photo of Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman standing at a podium

The recent release of Defense Department and Space Force strategic blueprints for the use of commercial space technologies has been met with cautious optimism by the industry.

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Consent to advise https://spacenews.com/consent-to-advise/ https://spacenews.com/consent-to-advise/#respond Mon, 13 May 2024 14:30:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=421983 Nelson
Nelson

The NASA Advisory Council has met just three times since 2019; its upcoming meeting will be its first in nearly 16 months.

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NASA’s strategy for space sustainability https://spacenews.com/nasas-strategy-space-sustainability/ https://spacenews.com/nasas-strategy-space-sustainability/#respond Fri, 10 May 2024 14:30:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=421915 Illustration of NASA's TIMED spacecraft in orbit.
Illustration of NASA's TIMED spacecraft in orbit.

While satellites frequently pass close to each other in low Earth orbit, TIMED and Cosmos 2221's near miss was a particular cause for concern for NASA.

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Aiming for Apophis https://spacenews.com/aiming-for-apophis/ https://spacenews.com/aiming-for-apophis/#respond Thu, 09 May 2024 14:30:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=397769 Illustration of the Blue Origin Blue Ring orbital transfer vehicle.
Illustration of the Blue Origin Blue Ring orbital transfer vehicle.

Rick Binzel had three key messages to convey to attendees at the start of a workshop held in April at a European Space Agency center in the Netherlands: “Apophis will miss the Earth. Apophis will miss the Earth. Apophis will miss the Earth.”

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NRO expands commercial partnerships https://spacenews.com/nro-expands-commercial-partnerships/ https://spacenews.com/nro-expands-commercial-partnerships/#respond Tue, 07 May 2024 19:17:03 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=373085 Headshot of Pete Muend, director of the NRO Commercial Systems Program Office.
Headshot of Pete Muend, director of the NRO Commercial Systems Program Office.

Leaders of the National Reconnaissance Office, the U.S. government agency responsible for designing, building, launching and maintaining America’s intelligence satellites, often cite their commitment to commercial purchases.

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Geospatial intelligence gets smart https://spacenews.com/geospatial-intelligence-gets-smart/ https://spacenews.com/geospatial-intelligence-gets-smart/#respond Tue, 07 May 2024 16:17:49 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=373022 A satellite photo showing gray, logged, and cleared forest on one side of a road, and lush, green forest on the other.
A satellite photo showing gray, logged, and cleared forest on one side of a road, and lush, green forest on the other.

How the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency is leveraging AI for battlefield awareness and geopolitical insights

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Congress pushes DoD to deliver https://spacenews.com/congress-pushes-dod-to-deliver/ https://spacenews.com/congress-pushes-dod-to-deliver/#respond Fri, 19 Apr 2024 15:31:01 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=366984 Lettering reading "Defense Innovation Unit Experimental" on an office wall.
Lettering reading "Defense Innovation Unit Experimental" on an office wall.

A big budget boost for the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) sends a loud, clear message.

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