Weekly Spacecraft Mission News (English, German) – 05.09.2019

Front Page / Titelseite

Headline picture: © NASA/Johns Hopkins APL/Steve Gribben

Eleon Musk first – ESA avoids Satellite crash / ESA muss Eleon Musks Starlink Konstellation ausweichen

Aeolus: Ausweichmanöver im Erdorbit

Der Start der Starlink-Konstellation des US-Unternehmens SpaceX hatte bereits im Frühjahr für Kritik gesorgt, da manche eine Verschmutzung des Himmels mit Satellitenspuren befürchteten. Jetzt musste ein ESA-Forschungssatellit erstmals einem Starlink-Satelliten ausweichen. Starlink hatte auf entsprechende Hinweise nicht reagiert, macht aber nun eine Kommunikationspanne dafür verantwortlich

ESA-Satellit Aeolus weicht großer Konstellation aus

Die ESA hat zum ersten Mal ein “Manöver zur Kollisionsvermeidung” durchgeführt, um einen seiner Satelliten vor einer Kollision mit einer großen Konstellation zu schützen.

European Satellite Dodges Potential Collision with SpaceX Starlink Craft

A European Earth-observation satellite performed an evasive maneuver yesterday (Sept. 2) to make sure it didn’t collide with one of SpaceX’s recently launched Starlink internet craft.

Parker Solar Probe

NASA’s Daring Solar Probe Is Skimming Past the Sun Today!

It’s an extra-sunny Sunday for NASA’s Parker Solar Probe, which is making its third close pass around the sun today (Sept. 1).

NASA’s Record-Breaking Parker Solar Probe Aces 3rd Sun Flyby

The Parker Solar Probe completed its third close solar flyby on Sunday (Sept. 1), coming within 15 million miles (24 million kilometers) of our star.

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Track our spacecraft

For the first time ever, you can follow ESA’s fleet of spacecraft in Earth orbit and traversing deep space, using real-time data from the Agency’s global network of tracking antennas.

Who Investigates a Crime in Space?

Claims of a crime aboard the International Space Station raise the question: Who investigates a space crime?

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope Is Finally 100% Assembled

Engineers have joined both halves of the $9.7 billion James Webb Space Telescope, which is scheduled to launch in March 2021, NASA officials announced today (Aug. 28).

RKK Energija nennt Einzelheiten des Sojus-Nachfolgers Federazija

Der Energija-Konzern hat jetzt wichtige Einzelheiten seines neuen bemannten Raumschiffes Federazija (Föderation) bekanntgegeben, das einmal die Sojus-Kapseln ablösen soll. Danach hat die Mondversion ein Startgewicht von 20 Tonnen und die Version für den erdnahen Raum von 14,4 Tonnen. Die Rückführungskapazität beträgt 100 beziehungsweise 500 Kilogramm.

SpaceX’s Next Starship Prototype Launch Will Be a 12-Mile-High Test Flight, Elon Musk Says

If you thought SpaceX’s Starhopper test flight this week was amazing, just you wait.

No Digging Required: Space Mining on the Moon and Beyond May Be Solar Powered

The best way to extract water from the moon and near-Earth asteroids involves hitting the stuff with sunlight or other forms of radiation, if three NASA-funded projects are any guide.

Space Biology Research as Preps Begin for Japan Cargo Mission

The Expedition 60 crew focused on a variety of biomedical research and life science activities aboard the International Space Station today. The astronauts are still cleaning up after last week’s spacewalk while preparing for an upcoming Japanese cargo mission.

Crew Returns to Science After Coordinating Space Traffic

The Expedition 60 crew is back on track with ongoing space research today after coordinating a flurry of space traffic at the International Space Station. The astronauts are also continuing to clean up after last week’s spacewalk.

Erste Experimente mit dem russischen Roboter in der ISS

Im Poisk-Modul des russischen ISS-Segments haben die Kosmonauten Alexander Skworzow (Foto) und Alexej Owtschinin erste Experimente mit dem Roboter Skybot F-850 alias FEDOR durchgeführt. Dabei ging es zuerst um die Beweglichkeit der Finger und des Daumens der linken Hand, was gut funktioniert habe, so bei der […]

Space Science Ahead of Russian and Japanese Station Missions

Human research kept the Expedition 60 crew busy today helping NASA and its partners understand how to keep astronauts healthy on long-term space missions. More spaceship activity is also coming up in September to ensure a well-stocked and fully staffed International Space Station.

Expedition 60: The Space Station Mission in Photos

See photos from Expedition 60 space mission here, including astronaut photos and views of Earth from space!

As Hurricane Dorian Churns Below, Expedition 60 Continues Investigations, Training Above

After a quiet, off-duty day for the crew of Expedition 60 on Labor Day, operations supporting science for long-duration human space exploration and upcoming spaceship movements ramped up on the International Space Station.

Flurry of Science Investigations Preface Friday’s Soyuz Departure

As cosmonaut Oleg Skripochka, NASA astronaut Jessica Meir and spaceflight participant Hazzaa Ali Almansoori ready for their Sept. 25 launch aboard a Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft, tomorrow they will pause in their mission preparations for the ceremonial laying of the flowers at the Kremlin Wall. On Sept. 10, the same day the H-II Transfer Vehicle-8 (HTV-8) is scheduled to take off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Japan for the International Space Station, the new crew will depart for the Baikonur Cosmodrome in southern Kazakhstan.

NASA Sees Hurricane Dorian from Space Station (Video)

NASA is keeping close watch on Hurricane Dorian as it barrels across the Atlantic Ocean on its way toward Florida. Here’s the view from the International Space Station.

Hurricane Dorian Looks Massive from Space as NASA Prepares for Impacts

Hurricane Dorian’s clouds are staggering, a massive swirl of white surrounding the knotted eyewall at the storm’s heart, in this image taken from space.

Astronaut Zooms In on Hurricane Dorian, Now a Category 4 Storm, in These Space Station Photos

European Space Agency astronaut Luca Parmitano has captured close-up views of Hurricane Dorian from space.

The State of Planetary Defense

Vishnu Reddy delivers a sober but hopeful report on our understanding of near-Earth objects, their dangers, and our readiness.

As Hurricane Dorian Nears Florida, NASA Maps Storm Flooding in Bahamas

Just as satellites have played a crucial role in monitoring and forecasting hazards caused by the massive Hurricane Dorian, so too will they help affected areas rebuild.

India’s Chandrayaan-2 Moon Orbiter Releases Vikram Lunar Lander

The two halves of India’s moon mission have parted ways in preparation for the tensest moment of the entire endeavor.

Mondforschung: Indien greift nach dem Mond

Am 7. September soll Indiens erster Mondlander, Vikram, sanft auf der Oberfläche des Erdtrabanten aufsetzen. Er wird den kleinen Rover Pragyan aussetzen.

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At the Moon, India’s Chandrayaan-2 Spacecraft Poised to Release Lunar Lander

India’s Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft at the moon successfully completed its fifth and final lunar orbit maneuver today (Sept. 1), setting the stage for the release of the country’s first lunar lander.

China’s Lunar Rover Has Found Something Weird on the Far Side of the Moon

China’s Chang’e-4 lunar rover has discovered an unusually colored, ‘gel-like’ substance during its exploration activities on the far side of the moon.

Where We Are

We lost and gained spacecraft at the Moon last quarter. India’s Chandrayaan-2 left Earth orbit for the Moon on 13 August, and its Vikram lander aims at a 7 September touchdown. Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter just celebrated its tenth launch anniversary. China’s smallsat Longjiang-2 crashed on 31 July, ending its successful mission.

A Telescope Orbiting the Moon Could Spy 1 Interstellar Visitor Per Year

A large, moon-orbiting telescope should be able to spot at least one lunar impact per year caused by interstellar meteoroids, a new study suggests.

Venus Has Wild Climate Shifts and the Secret May Be In Its Clouds

Scientists observed large, ultralight reflection variations for the planet Venus, and suspect that the reason might be its thick clouds.

Venus’ Ocean of Air and Clouds

Javier Peralta plumbs the depths of Venus’ atmosphere through the eyes of the Venus Express and Akatsuki orbiters.

Trump Launches US Space Command to Control the ‘Next Warfighting Domain’

The United States Space Command is officially here. And U.S. President Donald Trump says that before long, the U.S. will establish a Space Force for space defense.

Mars 2020 Rover: Marshubschrauber an Rover montiert

In knapp einem Jahr soll die nächste Marsmission der amerikanischen Raumfahrtbehörde NASA starten – der Mars 2020 Rover. Das auf der Technologie des erfolgreichen Rovers Curiosity basierende Gefährt soll auch einen experimentellen Hubschrauber zum Roten Planeten mitnehmen. Dieser wurde nun am Bauch des Rovers montiert.

NASA’s Mars Helicopter Attached to Mars 2020 Rover

The helicopter will be first aircraft to perform flight tests on another planet.

Mars Helicopter Drone Installed on NASA’s Next Red Planet Rover

Engineers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California, attached the tiny Mars Helicopter to the agency’s car-size Mars 2020 rover today (Aug. 28), agency officials announced.

See SpaceX’s Starhopper Touch Down for Final Time (Photo)

A gorgeous photo shows SpaceX’s Starhopper vehicle coming back down to Earth for the final time.

SpaceX Fires Up Rocket in Prep for 1st Astronaut Launch with Crew Dragon (Photo)

SpaceX conducted a static-fire test Thursday (Aug. 29) of the Falcon 9 rocket that will send two NASA astronauts to the International Space Station in the near future.

Watch NASA’s Orion Escape Motor Pass a Critical ‘Trial-By-Fire’ Test (Video)

A part of the Orion spacecraft abort system is one step closer to ready following a 30-second “trial by fire.”

China startet zwei Technologie-Satelliten

China hat am Samstag erfolgreich zwei Satelliten für technologische Experimente gestartet. Die Trägerrakete Kuaizhou-1A (KZ-1A) stieg vom Raumfahrtzentrum Jiuquan im Nordwesten des Landes auf, meldete die Pekinger Nachrichtenagentur Xinhua.

Russland startet Militärsatelliten in Plessezk

Russland hat am Freitag erfolgreich einen neuen Militärsatelliten ins All geschossen. Die Rokot-Trägerrakete hob um 16.00 Uhr deutscher Zeit vom Kosmodrom Plessezk im Landesnorden ab, teilte das Verteidigungsministerium in Moskau unter Berufung auf die Weltraumstreitkräfte mit.

Your Impact: Mission Success!

Your LightSail 2 spacecraft is in space, controlling its orbit solely on the power of sunlight.

These Jumping, Flapping Microrobots Could Swarm On Far-Off Worlds

Newly designed insect-sized robots could be used to explore distant worlds and objects like asteroids and comets.

Astronauts Test Retro Spacesuit Tech for Mock Mars Missions Under the Sea

Astronauts test new tech in NASA’s new NEEMO NXT mission.

German aerospace research at MAKS in Moscow

The German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) has traditionally attended the International Aviation and Space Salon MAKS, Russia’s national aerospace show, which takes place every two years in Zhukovsky, Moscow.

Arecibo Observatory Lands $19 Million NASA Grant to Hunt Dangerous Asteroids

The iconic Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico has received new NASA funding to serve as one of Earth’s asteroid guardians. NASA awarded the University of Central Florida (UCF) — which oversees the Arecibo Observatory — a $19 million grant to observe and characterize near Earth objects that could pose a potential threat to the planet, or may be viable candidates for future space missions.

Iran’s Failed Rocket Launch Spotted from Space (Photo)

An Iranian rocket apparently exploded on the pad today (Aug. 29), marking the third launch failure of 2019 for the nation.

Wirtschaftskanzlei: PTScientists findet Investor

Das Berliner Raumfahrt-Start-up PTScientists ist erfolgreich mit Wirkung zum 1. September 2019 an ein Unternehmen der Luft- und Raumfahrtbranche verkauft worden. Das teilte die Wirtschaftskanzlei GÖRG in Berlin mit. Über den Kaufpreis und den Namen des Käufers sei Stillschweigen vereinbart worden.

Erster Beton für Angara-Startrampe in Wostotschny gegossen

Auf dem neuen russischen Kosmodrom Wostotschny im Amur-Gebiet sind am Montag die ersten 1.500 Tonnen Beton für die Startrampe der neuen schweren Trägerrakete Angara gegossen worden. Wie Moskauer Medien aus diesem Anlass berichten, soll die Rampe 2022 fertig sein, so dass der erste Start von hier […]

Astronauts in Space ‘Feel the Power’ of Hurricane Dorian as NASA’s Florida Spaceport Braces for the Storm

Hurricane Dorian has left astronauts in space in awe of the storm’s sheer power while NASA’s Kennedy Space Center has a skeleton crew guarding the Florida spaceport against damage.

India Has It Right: Nations Either Aim for the Moon or Get Left Behind in the Space Economy

Space is poised to become a much bigger business, and both companies and countries are investing in the technological capability to ensure they reap the earthly rewards.

NASA Picks 2 Missions to Explore the Fundamental Nature of Space

To better understand the fundamental nature of space, NASA selected two proposals for a mission that would tag along with the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe that launches in 2024.

NASA Eyes Missions to Track Space Weather Threats with Small Satellites

NASA is considering two proposals that would study space weather from the sun, which poses a radiation threat to astronauts cruising across the solar system.

Why We Need to Get Back to Venus

Just next door, cosmologically speaking, is a planet almost exactly like Earth.

On Icy Moons, Alien Life May Go with the Flow of Ocean Currents

One of the key determinants of which worlds can host life may lie in the motion of their oceans.

One Number Shows Something Is Fundamentally Wrong with Our Conception of the Universe

Here’s what’s going on with the discrepancies in cosmic expansion measurements.

Where Are NASA’s Extra Saturn V Moon Rockets from the Apollo Era?

Nine Saturn V rockets moved astronauts to the moon between 1969 and 1972, but there were three extras made — and you can still see some of the pieces today, says a retired Boeing engineer.