JACKSONVILLE, Fla., January 5, 2021– Redwire, a new leader in mission critical space solutions and high reliability components for the next generation space economy, announced today that Redwire Chief Operating Officer Andrew Rush has been promoted to the position of President and Chief Operating Officer, effective January 1, 2021.

In this expanded role, Mr. Rush will manage the day-to-day operations of Redwire while assisting the CEO and Board of Directors in developing and executing the company’s long-term growth strategy. Additionally, Mr. Rush will oversee the development and implementation of Redwire policies and procedures, integration of new acquisitions, and execution of all technical programs. 

WASHINGTON (NASA PR) — NASA and the U.S. National Science Foundation  (NSF) have signed a  memorandum of understanding affirming the agencies’ intent to continue their longstanding partnership in mutually beneficial research activities advancing space, Earth, biological, and physical sciences to further U.S. national space policy and promote the progress of science.

The agreement addresses a broad range of research and activities in many areas of science, engineering, and education central to the missions of both agencies.

“When you look at the vast array of disciplines that make up NASA’s mission, there isn’t a single one that isn’t somehow informed by our partnership with NSF,” said NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine. “We look forward to continued collaboration on areas of research here on Earth and in space – including aboard the International Space Station – as well as inspiring the next generation of STEM professionals.”

by Douglas Messier
Managing Editor

The presidency of Donald Trump ended on Wednesday.

Not literally. The end will come at noon on Jan. 20 with the swearing in of President-elect Joe Biden. Or earlier, if Congress impeaches and convicts him or the Cabinet removes the man from office by invoking the 25th Amendment.

The violent, deadly attack on the Capitol Building that Trump incited with his fiery speech ended any pretext that he is attempting to actually govern the country. It certainly put to rest the idea that the man has any respect for the U.S. Constitution or the rule of law.

NORTH LOGAN, UTAH, January 6, 2021 (Space Dynamics Laboratory PR) – Utah State University’s Space Dynamics Laboratory announced that it has successfully completed the Key Decision Point (KDP) C for NASA’s Atmospheric Waves Experiment (AWE). KDP-C provides NASA approval for the project to begin final design and fabrication, known as Phase C, and establishes baselines for its official schedule and budget.

Planned to be ready for launch to the International Space Station in 2022, AWE will study atmospheric gravity waves in Earth’s atmosphere to gain deeper knowledge of the connections caused by climate systems through our atmosphere and between the atmosphere and space. The AWE mission is part of NASA’s Explorers Program under the Goddard Space Flight Center Explorers and Heliophysics Projects Division and is led by Principal Investigator Dr. Michael J. Taylor at Utah State University. The Space Dynamics Laboratory will build the AWE instrument and is also providing project management, systems engineering, safety and mission assurance, and mission operations.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (Momentus PR) –Momentus Inc. (“Momentus” or the “Company”), a commercial space company providing in-space infrastructure services announced today that it will be remanifesting its January 2021 mission to a subsequent launch opportunity in 2021. This move will allow for the additional time necessary to secure FAA approval of Momentus’ payloads, including completion of a standard interagency review. Momentus currently holds all other necessary licenses for its Vigoride vehicle.

Dutch consortium secures technology demonstration within the ESA ScyLight programme

DELFT, The Netherlands, 5 January 2021 (Hyperion Technologies PR) — Ultra-high data rates for small satellites, free of licencing fees and year-long application processes – this will soon be reality. Thanks to the award to carry out an ESA ScyLight technology demonstration project supported by the Netherlands Ministry of Defense and Netherlands Space Office (NSO), a Dutch consortium consisting of TNO and Hyperion Technologies will be launching the jointly developed laser satellite terminal into space. Target launch is set for early 2022 on board the NorSat-TD satellite.

PASADENA, Calif. (NASA PR) — NASA’s upcoming space telescope, the Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer, or SPHEREx, is one step closer to launch. The mission has officially entered Phase C, in NASA lingo. That means the agency has approved preliminary design plans for the observatory, and work can begin on creating a final, detailed design, as well as on building the hardware and software.

PARIS (ESA PR) — ESA signed a contract today with Thales Alenia Space to start building the European module for the lunar Gateway that will provide the new human exploration facility with communications and refuelling.

The Gateway is being built by the partners of the International Space Station and will enable sustainable exploration around – and on – the Moon, while allowing for space research and demonstrating the technologies and processes necessary to conduct a future mission to Mars.

CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION, Fla. (SpaceX PR) — SpaceX is targeting Thursday, January 7 for launch of the Turksat 5A mission from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The four-hour launch window opens at 8:28 p.m. EST, or 01:28 UTC on January 8, and a back-up opportunity is available on Friday, January 8, with a four-hour launch window opening at 8:28 p.m. EST, or […]

Rocks on Ryugu, a “rubble pile” near-Earth asteroid recently visited by Japan’s Hayabusa2 spacecraft, appear to have lost much of their water before they came together to form the asteroid, new research suggests.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Brown University PR) — Last month, Japan’s Hayabusa2 mission brought home a cache of rocks collected from a near-Earth asteroid called Ryugu. While analysis of those returned samples is just getting underway, researchers are using data from the spacecraft’s other instruments to reveal new details about the asteroid’s past.

HILO, HI (PISCES PR) — The Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems (PISCES) is launching a new program offering remote or on-site access to a lunar analog environment with a planetary rover. Called Hawaiʻi Analog for Lunar Operations (H4LO), the program includes an ODG Alpha Argo rover with open payload design, allowing interested parties to test various instruments and devices for lunar and Mars exploration. The rover can be […]

• Kleos has appointed experienced industry executive Eric von Eckartsberg as its Chief Revenue Officer to lead global sales
• New sales team appointments include Guillermo Gutierrez as Product Manager and Alex Johnson as Sales Executive
• Follows appointment of Heribert Krämer as COO, and establishment of US Engineering Office in Denver last month

LUXEMBOURG (Kleos Space PR) — Kleos Space S.A. (ASX: KSS, Frankfurt: KS1), a space-powered Radio Frequency Reconnaissance data-as-a-service (DaaS) company, continues to strengthen its global senior leadership team, appointing seasoned industry executive Eric von Eckartsberg as its Chief Revenue Officer.