May 25, 2024

NASA's Compact Infrared Cameras Enable New Science (Source: Space Daily)
A new, higher-resolution infrared camera outfitted with a variety of lightweight filters could probe sunlight reflected off Earth's upper atmosphere and surface, improve forest fire warnings, and reveal the molecular composition of other planets. The cameras use sensitive, high-resolution strained-layer superlattice sensors, initially developed at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, using IRAD, Internal Research and Development funding. (5/23)

Small Satellite Launched to Monitor Ocean Health (Source: Space Daily)
A new CubeSat, AEROS-MH1, is now orbiting Earth as part of a collaborative project between Portugal and MIT, marking Portugal's return to space. Developed in Portugal through the MIT Portugal Program, the satellite aims to monitor ocean health using spectroscopic techniques and a software-defined radio to collect data from marine life and aerial drones. The project, known as AEROS Constellation, was supported financially by the Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation. (5/23)

SpaceX Weighs Plan to Sell Shares at $200 Billion Valuation (Source: Bloomberg)
Elon Musk’s SpaceX has initiated discussions about selling existing shares at a price that could value the closely held company at roughly $200 billion, according to people familiar with the matter.

SpaceX is discussing a tender offer — a transaction that enables employees and insiders like investors to sell shares — that may kick off in June, said some of the people, who asked not to be identified because the information is confidential. The price for the upcoming tender offer hasn’t been decided but SpaceX is weighing offering shares at $108 to $110 apiece, said one of the people. (5/23)