December 16, 2023

World's Best Space-Based Thermometer Dead 2 Months After 1st Image Release (Source: Space.com)
The world's most advanced space-based thermometer thrilled scientists when it first came online. The HOTSAT-1 satellite's first images, released in early October, revealed in unprecedented detail how temperatures change on Earth's surface. The satellite's camera was so sensitive it could even track trains from space from their thermal signatures.

But now, only six months after its launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, the experimental spacecraft is out of order. SatVu, HOTSAT-1's maker and operator, announced on Friday, Dec. 15, that the spacecraft suffered an "anomaly, which is expected to impact ongoing operations." The affected system is HOTSAT-1's precious thermal camera, which stopped working earlier last week. (12/15)

Dawn Aerospace Runs ‘Full-Duration’ Test Of Spaceplane Rocket Engine (Source: Aviation Week)
Dawn Aerospace has run a full-duration, bipropellant ground test of its Mk-II Aurora spaceplane’s rocket engine. The Mk-IIA engine was fired for 112 sec. at the company’s ground test facility in Christchurch, New Zealand, Dawn Aerospace said Dec. 12. The startup plans to install the engine into the Mk-II Aurora, its suborbital technology demonstrator. (12/13)

Space Domain Awareness Spacecraft Builder Raises $100 Million (Source: Aviation Week)
True Anomaly, a startup developing spacecraft for space domain awareness missions, has raised $100 million in a Series B round of funding. The Series B comes less than a year after the Centennial, Colorado-based company emerged from stealth and announced the closure of its Series A round. (12/12)

Rwanda and UAE Sign MoU on Civil Space Activities (Source: Africa In Space)
The Rwanda Space Agency and the UAE Space Agency have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on civil space activities, research and development, space technologies, geospatial data sharing, and joint space sector projects. (12/5)

Virgin Galactic Stock (NYSE:SPCE): Is Branson’s Plug Pull the Final Blow? (Source: TipRanks)
After enduring significant losses, Richard Branson has halted further investments in Virgin Galactic, exposing the company’s lack of a viable business model. With limited cash on hand and no clear turnaround plan, doubts arise about the company’s survival and its ability to secure favorable funding. In my view, Richard Branson’s decision to halt additional investments in Virgin Galactic starkly highlights the absence of a viable business model for the company. (12/15)

China Launches Large Classified Optical Satellite (Source: Space News)
China sent the classified Yaogan-41 optical satellite towards the geostationary belt Friday using the country’s largest launch vehicle. CASC revealed the payload to be the Yaogan-41 satellite. A new, elongated 18.5-meter-long, 5.2-meter-diameter payload fairing shrouded the spacecraft. Previous fairings were 12.3-meters long. (12/15)