TOKYO (Space BD PR) — The leading Japanese space  startup Space BD announced the start of the Space  Delivery Project to launch and expose to outer space  various items such as research materials, photographs, and illustrations collected from 10 research institutes, educational institutions, and private companies in Japan and overseas.

The primary purpose of this project is research by academic institutions. In addition, mementos produced by private companies and educational institutions will also be exposed to outer space and returned to Earth. The items will be carried to the International Space Station (ISS) via the ISS resupply vehicle by the end of fiscal year 2021.

Nanoracks ventures into the Space AgTech sector

ABU DHABI, UAE-(Nanoracks PR) – Nanoracks, the world’s leading provider of commercial access to space, is pleased to announce the launch of a new Space AgTech company, StarLab Oasis.  This expansion highlights Nanoracks commitment to address the growing problems of desertification, climate change, water scarcity and food security. The research on the impact of harsh space environments and arid Earth conditions on agriculture, led us to the deserts of Abu Dhabi.

Nanoracks partnered with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) in an effort to accelerate the growth of Abu Dhabi’s AgTech ecosystem that will impact not only this region but the world.  ADIO is committing to a multi-year economic development effort to allow a world-class, historic commercial space and farming research center in Abu Dhabi.

ALAMEDA, Calif. (Astra Space PR) — Astra Space, Inc. (“Astra”) (Nasdaq: ASTR) conducted a test launch of its launch vehicle, LV0006. The launch vehicle lifted off at 3:35P M PT on Saturday, August 28, 2021. One of the five main engines shut down less than one second after liftoff, causing the vehicle to slowly lift off the pad before resuming its trajectory. After approximately two minutes and thirty seconds of […]

MAHENDRAGIRI, India (ISRO PR) — On August 28, 2021, ISRO successfully conducted the first hot test of the System Demonstration Model (SDM) of the Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System for a duration of 450 seconds at the test facility of ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC), Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu. The system performance met the test objectives and there was a close match with the pre-test predictions. Further, a series of hot tests […]

DNIPRO, Ukraine (State Space Agency of Ukraine PR) — The State Enterprise Production Association Southern Machine-Building Plant OHM Makarov (Pivdenmash, formerly PA Yuzhmash) sent a dimensional docking model of the first stage of the Beta medium-range launch vehicle to the customer, Firefly Aerospace. The model was made at PIVDENMASH under a contract with Firefly Aerospace and in accordance with its design documentation. The product will simulate the docking of two to […]

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. (NASA PR) — The latest SpaceX Dragon resupply spacecraft is bound for the International Space Station after launching at 3:14 a.m. EDT Sunday on a Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, carrying more than 4,800 pounds of science experiments, crew supplies, and spacecraft hardware.

Gov. Polis, Lt. Governor Primavera welcome Colorado’s newest member of the aerospace industry, State out competes Texas and Florida 

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (OEDIT PR) – Governor Jared Polis, Lt. Governor Primavera and the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced today that Orbit Fab, a multi-orbit refueling servicing company (The Gas Station in Space™) has chosen to relocate its headquarters and engineering team from San Francisco to Colorado. 

“More and more companies are moving to Colorado because of quality of life and our state is the best place to live, work and build a business.  We’re thrilled that so many innovative businesses are recognizing this, investing in Colorado and creating jobs,” said Governor Jared Polis. “We’re pleased to welcome Orbit Fab to our state and look forward to watching their growth.”

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla., August 27, 2021 (CASIS PR) – The International Space Station (ISS) is an incredible research platform that has hosted more than 3,000 experiments—but not all that research takes place inside the orbiting laboratory. On the outside of the ISS, the extreme space conditions provide an unparalleled environment to test new materials and advance technologies in ways not possible on Earth.

SILVER SPRING, Md. (NOAA PR) — Greenhouse gases and global sea levels both reached record highs in 2020—as the planet sweltered in a near-record warm year—according to the 31st annual State of the Climate report.

This international annual review of the world’s climate, led by scientists from NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information and published by the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, is based on contributions from more than 530 scientists in over 60 countries. It provides the most comprehensive update on 2020’s global climate indicators, notable weather events and other data collected by environmental monitoring stations and instruments located on land, water, ice and in space.

by Douglas Messier
Managing Editor

Astra Space’s Rocket 3.3 failed to reach orbit again on Saturday after liftoff from an Alaskan launch site, marking the third straight failure for the now public company.

The booster had a rough take-off, moving laterally in an unusual manner before recovering to fly toward space. Astra Space later revealed that one of the rocket’s five first stage Delphin engines shut down one second after launch. It is not known why the engine failed.

Astra Space will attempt to launch its Rocket 3.3 booster today, Saturday, after a last-second abort on Friday due to a guidance issue. The window for the launch from Pacific Spaceport Complex — Alaska opens at 2 p.m. PDT (2100 UTC). It will be the third attempt by the California-based company to launch its Rocket 3 booster into orbit. The vehicle is carrying a military payload. Live streaming will start […]