October 14, 2024

NASA's Europa Clipper Blasts Off at Cape Canaveral Spaceport (Source: New York Times)
NASA’s first mission to Jupiter in more than a decade launched on Monday. This time, the object of investigation is not the giant planet itself, but one of its moons: Europa. This Jovian satellite possesses an ocean of liquid water beneath its icy shell, and many scientists think it is the most promising place to look for life elsewhere in the solar system.

A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 12:06 p.m. Eastern time, lifting the Europa Clipper spacecraft into orbit around Earth. About 47 minutes after launch, the rocket's upper stage will fire again to push the spacecraft away from Earth into orbit around the sun before deploying the spacecraft. (10/14)

Space-Made Aluminum Weld Analyzed at ESA Lab (Source: Space Daily)
ESA engineers have closely examined an aluminum weld produced in space, marking a historic achievement as the first autonomous welding conducted in orbit, and the first of its kind involving ESA. The weld, just one centimeter in size, was produced using electron beam welding during an experiment initiated by ThinkOrbital, a US startup. This weld, created aboard a spacecraft launched via a SpaceX Falcon 9 in May, is being scrutinized at ESA's Materials and Electrical Components Laboratory in the Netherlands, using various testing tools such as microscopes and X-ray tomography. The goal is to compare this space-made weld with identical samples produced on Earth. (10/11)

Parry Labs Wins Contract From US Space Force to Modernize Digital Spaceports (Source: Space Daily)
Parry Labs has secured a Direct to Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract from the U.S. Space Force (USSF) as part of its "Digital Spaceport of the Future" challenge. This initiative focuses on enhancing spaceport operations with cutting-edge digital solutions. Out of over 150 submitted proposals, Parry Labs was one of 12 companies chosen for this contract, issued through SpaceWERX, the USSF's innovation branch. This selection highlights the company's pivotal role in supporting the digital transformation of U.S. military space activities. (10/11)

Space Club's Destination Space Program Will Inspire Central Florida Students at KSC (Source: NSCFL)
The National Space Club, Florida Committee's annual Destination Space program will inspire and estimated 4369 Central Florida students to focus on STEM careers with local companies who are an integral part of space exploration. Students will study the rise of the Space Coast and learn about NASA's Artemis mission. There are pre-launch activities for students to complete in the classroom, hands-on space science projects, a student learning guide, and a daylong study trip to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

From the beginning, funding for this important program has come from outside Brevard Public School’s operating budget and is dependent on contributions from the community. The Brevard Schools Foundation serves as the fiscal agent for the program, and seeks support from the community at large, and through possible grants that match funding from private industry. The NSCFL will financially contribute to Destination Space based on contributions received from the aerospace community. Click here. (10/14)

France's Constellation Technologies Secures $10 Million for VLEO Project (Source: Space News)
French startup Constellation Technologies & Operations has secured a seed round of funding for a very low Earth orbit (VLEO) constellation. The two-year-old company said France's state-backed Expansion Ventures invested about $10 million, allowing the company to complete engineering studies for its first two satellites, slated to launch in 2026. the company is proposing a constellation of up to 1,500 VLEO satellites to provide 5G broadband services. (10/14)

Anduril Partners with Impulse for In-Space Maneuvering Tech (Source: Space News)
Defense tech firm Anduril Industries is partnering with Impulse Space to develop advanced in-space maneuvering capabilities. The companies plan to pursue military and defense contracts for space missions that involve complex orbital maneuvers, Anduril announced. Anduril will integrate its Lattice AI-enabled software platform to operate Impulse's Mira orbital trasfer vehicle, allowing a single operator to control and maneuver multiple spacecraft simultaneously. Anduril will equip those spacecraft with its own payloads as well as those from customers. (10/14)

GPS Issue Scrubs Blue Origin Suborbital Mission (Source: Space.com)
Blue Origin postponed a second attempt to launch a new suborbital vehicle Sunday. The company called off the New Shepard launch on the uncrewed NS-27 mission, citing a "GPS issue." The company postponed a launch attempt last Monday because of unspecified technical issues, and did not announce a new launch date after this latest scrub. The flight will be the first for a new model of New Shepard for crewed flights, which Blue Origin said it built to meet growing demand. (10/14)

Estonia Joins Artemis Accords (Source: NASA)
Estonia is the latest country to sign the Artemis Accords. NASA announced Sunday that Estonia signed the accords in Milan ahead of this week's International Astronautical Congress (IAC) there. Estonia is the 45th nation to sign the Accords and the second in less than a week. Nations who signed the Accords will meet at IAC this week to discuss topics related to safe and sustainable space exploration. (10/14)