Technology

NASA’s Space Launch System Green Run leaves open possibility of Artemis 1 launch this year

The core stage for the first flight of NASA’s Space Launch System rocket is seen in the B-2 Test Stand during a hot fire test Jan. 16, 2021, at NASA’s Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.

A week ago today NASA ran the Space Launch System Green Run test meant to be the last test of the four massive Shuttle era RS-25 engines and core stage before being shipped to the Kennedy Space Center in preparation for the planned Artemis 1 launch later this year. The Space Launch System, NASA’s massive deep space rocket is designed to propel astronauts to the …

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Using AI in Earth observation requires rapid work and an ethical approach

artificial intelligence abstract

Speakers at the AIxSPACE online artificial intelligence (AI) conference Tuesday (Jan. 19) pointed to the need to consider rapid access for users, along with ethical discussions, when using AI and machine learning for Earth observation (EO). This page is for subscribers only. Already a subscriber? Log in. Fact-driven space news, columns, business, policy, technology and more. Support independent journalism. SUBSCRIBE TODAY

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The powers and perils of machine learning in space

AIxSpace panel discussions - Artificial Intelligence pushing the boundaries of space exploration

Canadian business and government leaders are calling for more investment in artificial intelligence projects to prepare our country for the next revolution in space exploration. This page is for subscribers only. Already a subscriber? Log in. Fact-driven space news, columns, business, policy, technology and more. Support independent journalism. SUBSCRIBE TODAY

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Space Engine Systems pushing for a single-stage-to-orbit flight test in 2023

Space Engine Systems artist illustration

Despite 2020’s many challenges, Pradeep Dass and his team at Space Engine Systems (SES) have barely slowed down. Dass said in an interview with SpaceQ that 2020 has actually been their busiest year so far and that work on their single-stage-to-orbit horizontal take-off and landing aircraft is making progress.  This page is for subscribers only. Already a subscriber? Log in. Fact-driven space news, columns, business, …

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Recently launched York University spacecraft will test deorbiting technology

York University DESCENT (DEorbiting SpaceCraft using ElectrodyNamic Tethers) mission

Canada's York University recently launched a CubeSat mission that will demonstrate deorbiting technology for space debris. The mission was funded by the Canadian Space Agency Flights and Fieldwork for the Advancement of Science and Technology (FAST) program. This page is for subscribers only. Already a subscriber? Log in. Fact-driven space news, columns, business, policy, technology and more. Support independent journalism. SUBSCRIBE TODAY

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MDA signs contracts with Maxar for on-orbit servicing technologies

Illustration of NASA’s OSAM-1 Low Earth Orbit (LEO) on-orbit satellite servicing mission, which will refuel a government-owned satellite

The promise of on-orbit servicing as business for MDA has been in the works for over a decade. In 2011 MDA signed Intelsat as its anchor customer for its Space Infrastructure Servicing vehicle. That deal fell through. Now, almost 10 years after that deal was signed, MDA is making some progress, as evidenced by its latest contracts. This page is for subscribers only. Already a …

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