US and China Lead Launch Surge in Second Half of 2024

US and China Lead Launch Surge in Second Half of 2024

Moving into the second half of 2024, the first week of July has already begun with the third launch of the Japanese H3 rocket in the early hours of Monday morning UTC. The week ahead continues with two Starlink missions from SpaceX, pushing the number of Starlink satellites launched to over 6,700. Two more launches […]

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Ariane 6 rocket from Europe ready for launch

Ariane 6 rocket from Europe ready for launch

Ariane 6 represents Europe’s aspirations for maintaining an independent access to space. After a series of setbacks and delays, the new rocket is being hailed as “Europe’s sovereignty launcher.” In the face of fierce competition from SpaceX’s reusable rockets, the Ariane 6 program aims to secure Europe’s position in the rapidly growing space industry. While […]

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AI-powered satellite to imropve Earth observation

AI-powered satellite to imropve Earth observation

Here is a detailed text for the “Φsat-2 Mission Overview” section, formatted for embedding in a WordPress post using HTML tags: ESA’s Φsat-2 mission, launching in the coming weeks, will push the boundaries of AI for Earth observation – demonstrating the transformative potential of AI for space technology. Measuring just 22 x 10 x 33 […]

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Martian Meteorite Impacts Serve as Cosmic Clock for Dating Planets

Martian Meteorite Impacts Serve as Cosmic Clock for Dating Planets

Mars, the enigmatic red planet, has long captivated our imagination, challenging us to unravel its geological mysteries. One of the most intriguing aspects of Mars is its heavily cratered surface, a tapestry woven by eons of meteorite impacts. These celestial collisions have played an important role in shaping the Martian landscape, leaving behind craters that […]

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China retrieves nearly 2 kg of lunar samples from far side

China retrieves nearly 2 kg of lunar samples from far side

China’s Chang’e 6 robotic probe accomplished an extraordinary feat by retrieving nearly 2 kilograms (1,935.3 grams) of lunar samples from the far side of the moon. This mission marked the world’s first attempt to bring samples back from the lunar far side, a region that had never been explored until the Chang’e 4 probe landed […]

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Messier 4 (NGC 6121) is a standout globular cluster, shining at a remarkable magnitude of +5.8 and spanning an impressive 26 arcminutes across the sky. This makes it one of the largest globular clusters visible in the Messier catalogue. Despite its grand appearance, Messier 4 is relatively close, situated at a distance of approximately 7,200 […]

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Probe reveals frequent meteorite strikes on Mars

Probe reveals frequent meteorite strikes on Mars

NASA’s InSight probe has provided groundbreaking insights into the frequency of meteorite impacts on Mars. By analyzing seismic data recorded by the spacecraft’s seismometer, researchers have discovered that the Red Planet is bombarded with basketball-sized meteorites on an almost daily basis. Before this study, estimates of meteorite strikes on Mars were based on visual observations […]

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Unexpected Phosphate Found in Bennu Sample

Unexpected Phosphate Found in Bennu Sample

The long-awaited analysis of the Bennu asteroid sample has unveiled fascinating insights into its composition. Predominantly composed of clay minerals, especially serpentine, the sample bears striking resemblance to rock types found at mid-ocean ridges on Earth, where mantle material encounters water. This interaction not only forms clay but also produces minerals like carbonates, iron oxides, […]

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Ariane 6 Prepped for Liftoff

Ariane 6 Prepped for Liftoff

The countdown to liftoff began with rolling back the 90-meter tall Ariane 6 mobile gantry building, standing 120 meters away from the launch pad. This momentous occasion marked the first time the complete rocket stood freely, a sight that sent waves of excitement through the air. The journey leading up to this pivotal moment was […]

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ESA Impact Q2 2024

ESA Impact Q2 2024

The European Space Agency’s ambitious space transportation initiatives are making steady progress. The Ariane 6 program, Europe’s next-generation heavy-lift launch vehicle, has successfully completed its qualification tests and is on track for its maiden flight in late 2024. Designed to be more reasonable investment and flexible, Ariane 6 will secure Europe’s independent access to space […]

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