Efforts to collect samples on Mars using the Perseverance rover are ongoing, even as NASA reevaluates the timeline and approach for returning those samples to Earth. Since its landing on Mars in February 2021, the Perseverance rover has filled 26 of its 43 sample tubes, with 20 containing rock cores, two containing regolith, and one holding a sample of the atmosphere. Meenakshi Wadhwa, principal scientist for Mars Sample Return (MSR) at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, explained that the rover is currently navigating towards the remains of a river delta in Jezero Crater, which promises a diverse array of rocks with…
Author: Ethan Fisher
Chinese launch startup Space Circling, known officially as Shaanxi Tianhui Aerospace Technology Co., Ltd., has successfully clinched over 100 million yuan ($13.9 million) in funding to bolster its pioneering work on innovative rocket engines aimed at powering commercial space endeavors. The Series A funding, unveiled on February 18th, marks a significant milestone for the Xi’an-based company, which secured the financing in December last year. Among the strategic investors contributing to the round are Changsha Kaifu District Zhongxin High-tech Fund, Mianyang Kefa Fund, Xi’an Fulao Fund, SIRI New Materials, and Xi’an Talent Fund, with the latter being a local government-backed policy…
ClearSpace, a prominent player in space sustainability, has recently clinched a contract with the UK Space Agency (UKSA) to delve into the feasibility of an in-orbit satellite refueling mission. Dubbed the REFUEL.ME study, this endeavor, slated to continue until September 2024, will encompass establishing crucial mission requirements, defining operational concepts, and initiating the design phase for the servicer satellite. The overarching goal is to assess the extensive market potential while spearheading sustainable practices in space. Rory Holmes, Managing Director of ClearSpace UK, expressed the company’s commitment to advancing sustainable space endeavors. He stated, “ClearSpace commits to making humanity’s space operations…
Portuguese startup Connected has secured a groundbreaking €2 million funding round, marking the largest Pre-Seed investment ever raised by a Portuguese-based spacetech startup. The company aims to pioneer universal, standardized, and affordable Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) connectivity from space, addressing the growing demand for satellite-based communication in off-grid areas without terrestrial cellular coverage. Driven by the exponential growth of IoT devices worldwide, particularly in areas lacking mobile cellular coverage, the demand for space-based connectivity is on the rise. Projections suggest that by 2026, the number of IoT devices requiring satellite-based connectivity will surpass 21 million globally, highlighting the pressing…
Japanese scientists have unveiled an innovative solution to address environmental concerns surrounding space debris with the creation of LignoSat, a spacecraft crafted primarily from timber. Developed by researchers at Kyoto University in collaboration with Sumitomo Forestry, the satellite aims to explore the viability of using biodegradable materials in space technology. “We were astounded by wood’s ability to withstand the rigors of space,” remarked Koji Murata, project lead at Kyoto University. “Our experiments in simulated space conditions and on the International Space Station showed little signs of damage or decomposition.” The idea stems from the growing alarm over the environmental impact…
The U.S. Space Force is embarking on environmental studies to assess the feasibility of SpaceX Starship launches from either the current Cape Canaveral facility or a potential new complex. The Department of the Air Force, inclusive of the Space Force, unveiled plans for an environmental impact statement (EIS) to evaluate Starship launch operations at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. According to the newly launched website, the EIS will scrutinize the possibility of repurposing Space Launch Complex (SLC) 37, originally constructed in the 1960s for the Saturn rockets and later utilized for Delta 4 launches by Boeing. SpaceX aims to potentially…