International Space Station

Ascent Solar Technologies to Fly Space Solar Modules on NASA’s Upcoming LISA-T Mission

Retrieved on: 
Monday, February 26, 2024

The mission, led by NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate and the agency’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, will demonstrate the capability to deploy large-area arrays on lightweight, low-cost and small spacecraft.

Key Points: 
  • The mission, led by NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate and the agency’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, will demonstrate the capability to deploy large-area arrays on lightweight, low-cost and small spacecraft.
  • LISA-T is the fourth mission in NASA’s Pathfinder Technology Demonstrator (PTD) series of missions evaluating novel, small spacecraft capabilities on orbit.
  • “Selection for this upcoming space mission is the culmination of years of Ascent’s work with NASA to optimize the PV modules that enabled LISA-T’s ambitious spacecraft mass and power budgets to close,” said Paul Warley, CEO of Ascent Solar Technologies.
  • Additional Ascent modules with lower-cost and lighter-weight laminates are being evaluated on the upcoming MISSE payload slated to fly on SpaceX’s 30th Commercial Resupply Mission to the space station scheduled for March.

Sierra Space Dream Chaser® Spaceplane Successfully Completes First Phase of Pre-Flight Testing

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, March 7, 2024

Sierra Space , a leading commercial space company and emerging defense tech prime building a platform in space to benefit and protect life on Earth, announced today the successful completion of the initial phase of environmental testing on the revolutionary Dream Chaser® spaceplane, Tenacity®, at NASA’s Neil Armstrong Test Facility in Sandusky, Ohio.

Key Points: 
  • Sierra Space , a leading commercial space company and emerging defense tech prime building a platform in space to benefit and protect life on Earth, announced today the successful completion of the initial phase of environmental testing on the revolutionary Dream Chaser® spaceplane, Tenacity®, at NASA’s Neil Armstrong Test Facility in Sandusky, Ohio.
  • (PHOTO CREDIT: Shay Saldana/Sierra Space)
    Over the past month, the Sierra Space Dream Chaser and its cargo companion, Shooting Star™, underwent rigorous vibration testing while stacked in launch configuration inside the Mechanical Vibration Facility at the NASA complex.
  • “This phase of development illustrates how Dream Chaser and the Shooting Star cargo module will handle the mechanical rigors of launch.
  • ‘Joint Test #3,’ a critical phase in the testing process, represented an integrated assessment of the completed system in a flight-like configuration.

Rocket Lab Successfully Returns Spacecraft Capsule to Earth, Brings Back Pharmaceuticals Made in Space

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Rocket Lab designed, manufactured and operated a bespoke spacecraft to enable Varda’s capsule manufacturing demonstration.

Key Points: 
  • Rocket Lab designed, manufactured and operated a bespoke spacecraft to enable Varda’s capsule manufacturing demonstration.
  • The spacecraft included a full suite of Rocket Lab sub-systems and components built in-house, spanning spacecraft engine, flight software, avionics, reaction wheels, star trackers, capsule dispenser, solar panels, radio, composite structures and tanks, and more.
  • Rocket Lab also supported the mission with 24/7 satellite operations to return Varda’s capsule to Earth.
  • There can be no assurance that the future developments affecting Rocket Lab will be those that we have anticipated.

NASA's SpaceX Crew-7 Return to Earth to Air Live on NASA Platforms

Retrieved on: 
Friday, March 8, 2024

WASHINGTON, March 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA will provide live coverage of the agency's SpaceX Crew-7 return to Earth from the International Space Station, beginning with a change-of-command ceremony at 11:55 a.m. EDT on Sunday, March 10.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, March 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA will provide live coverage of the agency's SpaceX Crew-7 return to Earth from the International Space Station, beginning with a change-of-command ceremony at 11:55 a.m. EDT on Sunday, March 10.
  • The return and related activities will air live on NASA+ , NASA Television, the NASA app , and the agency's website .
  • Learn how to stream NASA TV through a variety of platforms including social media.
  • Following conclusion of Dragon departure from station, NASA coverage will continue with audio only , with full coverage resuming ahead of the deorbit burn and splashdown.

UAE EMBASSY, MOHAMMED BIN RASHID SPACE CENTRE, UAE SPACE AGENCY AND NASA CELEBRATE GROWING COLLABORATION TO EXPAND HUMAN SPACE EXPLORATION

Retrieved on: 
Friday, March 8, 2024

WASHINGTON, March 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Senior officials from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the United States (US) today reaffirmed their shared commitment to expand cooperation and advance scientific and technical collaboration in the fields of human space exploration and aeronautics research. The officials spoke at a briefing in Washington, D.C. that included representatives from the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) the UAE Space Agency and the National Space Council. The event was hosted by UAE Ambassador to the US Yousef Al Otaiba.

Key Points: 
  • The officials spoke at a briefing in Washington, D.C. that included representatives from the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) the UAE Space Agency and the National Space Council.
  • Together, we are taking giant leaps in science and technology that will further the Artemis campaign, and the future of human space exploration."
  • "From the Gateway program to exploring Mars' atmosphere, our two nations' partnership continues to go from strength to strength.
  • The event comprised a series of discussions featuring senior government officials from the US and UAE space sectors.

Texas Students to Hear from NASA Astronaut Aboard Space Station

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, March 7, 2024

WASHINGTON, March 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The San Antonio River Authority and students from the Advanced Learning Academy in San Antonio, Texas, will have an opportunity Friday, March 8, to hear from NASA astronaut Loral O'Hara aboard the International Space Station.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, March 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The San Antonio River Authority and students from the Advanced Learning Academy in San Antonio, Texas, will have an opportunity Friday, March 8, to hear from NASA astronaut Loral O'Hara aboard the International Space Station.
  • The space to Earth call will air live at 12:30 p.m. EST March 8, on NASA+ , NASA Television, the NASA app , and the agency's website .
  • Astronauts living in space aboard the orbiting laboratory communicate with NASA's Mission Control Center in Houston 24 hours a day through the Space Communications and Navigation ( SCaN ) Near Space Network.
  • Important research and technology investigations taking place aboard the International Space Station benefits people on Earth and lays the groundwork for future exploration.

ISS National Lab Releases In-Space Production Applications Funding Opportunity

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 6, 2024

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla., March 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory announced a new funding opportunity for concepts that further in-space production applications in the areas of advanced materials and manufacturing. In-space production applications is a strategic focus area for the ISS National Lab, and this research announcement is soliciting flight projects that can bring value to humanity and enable business models in low Earth orbit (LEO).

Key Points: 
  • KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla., March 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory announced a new funding opportunity for concepts that further in-space production applications in the areas of advanced materials and manufacturing.
  • In-space production applications is a strategic focus area for the ISS National Lab, and this research announcement is soliciting flight projects that can bring value to humanity and enable business models in low Earth orbit (LEO).
  • An example of a recent in-space production applications investigation awarded through a prior ISS National Lab opportunity is from Flawless Photonics .
  • To learn more about the ISS National Lab and the science that it sponsors, please visit our website .

NASA Opens Astronaut Applications as Newest Class Graduates

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 5, 2024

The agency also announced the opening for the next round of NASA astronaut applications.

Key Points: 
  • The agency also announced the opening for the next round of NASA astronaut applications.
  • "Congratulations to the newest class of NASA astronauts!
  • "Congratulations to NASA and the astronaut graduates," said U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director Kiran Ahuja.
  • To apply to become a NASA astronaut, applicants should go to:
    View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nasa-opens-astronaut-applicatio...

Space Debris Monitoring and Removal Industry Report 2024: Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, & Forecasts 2018-2028

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 5, 2024

The market for space debris monitoring and removal is driven by the need to ensure the long-term sustainability of space activities and to mitigate the risks associated with space debris collisions.

Key Points: 
  • The market for space debris monitoring and removal is driven by the need to ensure the long-term sustainability of space activities and to mitigate the risks associated with space debris collisions.
  • The market is also witnessing collaborations between space agencies, private companies, and research institutions to develop innovative solutions for space debris monitoring and removal.
  • In conclusion, the global space debris monitoring, and removal market is driven by the need to ensure the long-term sustainability of space activities and mitigate the risks posed by space debris.
  • Increased Satellite Deployment: The growth of the commercial space industry, including satellite constellations and space tourism, amplifies the need for space debris monitoring and removal.

NASA's SpaceX Crew-8 Launches to International Space Station

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 4, 2024

WASHINGTON, March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- An international crew of four reached orbit following a successful launch to the International Space Station at 10:53 p.m. EST Sunday from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- An international crew of four reached orbit following a successful launch to the International Space Station at 10:53 p.m. EST Sunday from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
  • NASA's SpaceX Crew-8 mission is the agency's eighth commercial crew rotation mission with the company to the space station.
  • "Congratulations to NASA and SpaceX on another successful launch to the International Space Station!
  • NASA teams will monitor space station operations throughout the flight from the Mission Control Center at the agency's Johnson Space Center in Houston.