The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) says it is gearing up to launch more than 40 times in 2020, which would break a national record. The Xinhua news agency reports: The construction of China’s space station, the key space mission in the year, will enter a crucial stage, according to the CASC. The country plans to launch the core module of its manned space station in the first […]

HOUSTON (NASA PR) — The SpaceX Dragon that arrived to the International Space Station on the company’s 21st resupply services mission for NASA is scheduled to depart on Monday, Jan. 11, loaded with 5,200 pounds of scientific experiments and other cargo. NASA Television and the agency’s website will broadcast its departure live beginning at 9 a.m. EST.

The upgraded Dragon spacecraft will execute the first undocking of a U.S. commercial cargo craft from the International Docking Adapter at 9:25 a.m., with NASA astronaut Victor Glover monitoring aboard the station.

WASHINGTON, DC (NASA PR) — University students from across the United States will present their innovative concepts for lunar payloads that could be used to help NASA explore previously uncharted areas on the Moon.

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine will kick off the Breakthrough, Innovative and Game-changing (BIG) Idea Challenge virtual forum Jan. 6 at 10:30 a.m. EST. NASA will announce the team awards Jan. 11.

Presentations by the finalist teams will be livestreamed Jan. 6-7 and available to view after the event.

Varda Space Industries has raised $9 million in a seed round to advance its goal of manufacturing products in space.

Varda said that Founders Fund and Lux Capital were the co-leads on the round. Other participants in the round included Also Capital, Fifty Years, Raymond Tonsing, Justin Mateen, and Naval.

Founders Fund partner Trae Stephens and Lux Capital managing partner Josh Wolfe joined the Varda Space board of directions as part of the raise.

by Douglas Messier
Managing Editor

The U.S. Coast Guard has posted a Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) that says Virgin Orbit is planning to conduct the second flight test of its LauncherOne rocket off the coast of California on Sunday, Jan. 10.

REDMOND, Wash. (Kymeta PR) — Kymeta — the communications company making mobile global — announced today that Hanwha Systems (HSC) , a leading global solutions company that provides differentiated smart technologies in defense electronics and information infrastructure, has signed an agreement to invest $30 million to back the development of Kymeta’s next generation solutions, the Kymeta u8™ and Kymeta Connect™.

The investment will further Kymeta’s global market reach, accelerate production of Kymeta products and solutions, and improve the overall growth trajectory of the company. The funding is anticipated to support increased unit production, an enhanced customer experience, and the ongoing development of Kymeta’s next generation capabilities. HSC aims to support Kymeta’s metamaterial-based antenna technology and gain a foothold in the rapidly growing Low Earth Orbit (LEO) antenna market. With the capital investment and upon regulatory approvals, HSC will also receive a seat on the Kymeta Board of Directors.

by Douglas Messier
Managing Editor

NASA faces “unnecessary risks that may threaten the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information” due to its failure to correct flaws in its Agency Common System (ACS), according to a new report from the agency’s Office of Inspector General (OIG).

“During our review of the ACS system, we found that NASA has not taken corrective action to address a longstanding deficiency regarding controls previously assessed as ineffective. We also found that a software error permitted an unauthorized data change in the Agency’s information security database affecting the accuracy of the assessment status of a control,” the report said.

BENGALURU, India (ISRO PR) — In the future, when we look back upon the year 2020, we will be reminded of the trials and tribulations caused in our official as well as personal lives, owing to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Notwithstanding this situation, huge quantity of work progressed in virtual mode in design and development of systems.

Gaganyaan & Chandrayaan-3 major technical issues were addressed. The concept of virtual LCC and SCC got evolved and implemented. In fact, this mode of work appears to be more efficient and can be the new normal. Even where field work was involved, the activities were completed with minimum travel and social distancing.

And thanks to the dedicated and hardworking personnel, who carried on the torch of progress and made sure that we complete two hugely successful launches by the end of the year. These achievements, even during hard times, in the face of financial & human resource constraints, is truly commendable and speaks volumes about the resourcefulness of team ISRO.

This week on The Space Show with Dr. David Livingston: 1. Monday, Jan. 4, 2021; 7 PM PST (9 PM CST; 10 PM EST) NO PROGRAM TODAY. 2. Tuesday, Jan. 5, 7 PM PST (9 PM CST; 10 PM EST): We welcome back TRENT TRESCH with KAI STAAT to discuss the SAM project. See the blog and upcoming show menu for more details. 3. Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021; Hotel Mars […]

by Douglas Messier
Managing Editor

NASA needs to strengthen its management oversight of the lunar landing program to minimize delays and cost overruns as the space agency moves beyond the Artemis I flight test scheduled for November 2021, according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO).

GAO’s program review also found that schedule for the maiden flight of the Space Launch System and second Orion spacecraft does not account for delays resulting from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

SYDNEY, Australia (UNSW Sydney PR) — UNSW Sydney has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Japanese lunar exploration company ispace, to jointly pursue research and development in space resources and infrastructure.

The MoU will enable UNSW and ispace to work together on areas of common interest, including technology development and space missions. UNSW students and staff could also participate in exchange programs.

UPPSALA, Sweden (GomSpace PR) — GomSpace has signed the second FACSAT-2 contract to support advanced science and technology activities to enhance the satellite capabilities of the Colombian Airforce. The contract and collaboration consist of a three-party agreement between CODALTEC / Colombian Air Force (“FAC”) and GomSpace to continue the FACSAT-2 satellite mission and associated intensive virtual technology transfer program. The contract is worth 3.91 MSEK [US $472,800] and will be delivered during the second half of 2021.

The FACSAT-2 project comprises design, manufacture, test, and operation of an advanced 6U remote sensing spacecraft. The program will build on the successful collaboration established and local capability built during the FACSAT-1 program under which a Colombian 3U satellite was launched in 2018 and is today in continued operation by FAC.