Latest News

Stay updated with the latest events in spaceflight.

Latest News

Webb reveals millions of stars in nearby galaxy
ESA

Webb reveals millions of stars in nearby galaxy

In new images from the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope to celebrate its fourth science anniversary, a familiar galaxy transforms into something far richer, and far more complex, than ever seen before. Webb’s unprecedented sensitivity across near- and mid-infrared wavelengths cuts through the thick lanes of dust that obscure Centaurus A’s centre in visible light, showing a densely packed tapestry of individual stars and an active, everchanging galaxy. These images mark four years of better-than-anticipated performance and successful science operations for the most powerful space telescope in history.

Read More →
NASA adds three European firms to the commercial data program
SpaceNews

NASA adds three European firms to the commercial data program

MILAN — NASA’s Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition program (CSDA) announced June 23 contract awards with eight new commercial satellite data providers, three of which are European: Kuva Space (Finland), OroraTech […] The post NASA adds three European firms to the commercial data program appeared first on SpaceNews.

Read More →
NASA Seeks Industry Input on Second Phase of Commercial Space Stations
NASA

NASA Seeks Industry Input on Second Phase of Commercial Space Stations

On Monday, NASA released a draft Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking feedback from American companies on the next phase of its commercial space stations strategy, aimed at ensuring a seamless transition of activities in low Earth orbit from the International Space Station.  “NASA’s review reflects what we’ve been hearing from industry throughout this process. Industry […]

Read More →
NASA’s CAPSTONE Completes Extended Mission Testing Lunar Technologies
NASA

NASA’s CAPSTONE Completes Extended Mission Testing Lunar Technologies

As NASA prepares for a sustained human presence on the Moon, missions will increasingly require spacecraft that can navigate and communicate without a direct connection to Earth. NASA’s Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment, or CAPSTONE, validated and advanced these capabilities. Designed to test and validate technologies in lunar orbit, CAPSTONE launched […]

Read More →
Italy Brings IRIDE Earth Observation Service Online
European Spaceflight

Italy Brings IRIDE Earth Observation Service Online

Italy’s IRIDE Earth observation service went live on 1 July, opening initial access to imagery and analytics from one of the programme’s planned six satellite constellations for government users. The operational phase officially began at 00:01 CEST on 1 July with the “IRIDE First Operational Tasking”, which included the acquisition of the programme’s first operational […] The post Italy Brings IRIDE Earth Observation Service Online appeared first on European Spaceflight.

Read More →

Upcoming Launches

View All →
Go for Launch

Falcon 9 Block 5 | Transporter 17 (Dedicated SSO Rideshare)

SpaceX
Mission Type Dedicated Rideshare
Orbit Sun-Synchronous Orbit
Pad Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
Go for Launch

Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 10-42

SpaceX
Mission Type Communications
Orbit Low Earth Orbit
Pad Space Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

Upcoming Events

View All →

Active Space Stations

View All →
International Space Station

International Space Station

Status: Active Orbit: Low Earth Orbit

Founded: 1998-11-20

The International Space Station (ISS) is a space station, or a habitable artificial satellite, in low Earth orbit. Its first component was launched into orbit in 1998, with the first long-term residents arriving in November 2000. It has been inhabited continuously since that date. The last pressurised module was fitted in 2011, and an experimental inflatable space habitat was added in 2016. The station is expected to operate until 2030. Development and assembly of the station continues, with several new elements scheduled for launch in 2019. The ISS is the largest human-made body in low Earth orbit and can often be seen with the naked eye from Earth. The ISS consists of pressurised habitation modules, structural trusses, solar arrays, radiators, docking ports, experiment bays and robotic arms. ISS components have been launched by Russian Proton and Soyuz rockets, and American Space Shuttles.

CSAESAJAXANASARFSA
Mir

Mir

Status: De-Orbited Orbit: Low Earth Orbit

Founded: 1986-02-20

Mir was a space station that operated in low Earth orbit from 1986 to 2001, operated by the Soviet Union and later by Russia. Mir was the first modular space station and was assembled in orbit from 1986 to 1996. The station served as a microgravity research laboratory in which crews conducted experiments in biology, human biology, physics, astronomy, meteorology and spacecraft systems with a goal of developing technologies required for permanent occupation of space.

RFSA
Skylab

Skylab

Status: De-Orbited Orbit: Low Earth Orbit

Founded: 1973-05-14

Skylab was a United States space station launched and operated by NASA, and occupied for about 24 weeks between May 1973 and February 1974 – the only space station the U.S. has operated exclusively. In 1979 it fell back to Earth amid huge worldwide media attention. Skylab included a workshop, a solar observatory, and other systems necessary for crew survival and scientific experiments. It was launched unmanned by a modified Saturn V rocket, with a weight of 170,000 pounds (77,000 kg). Lifting Skylab into low earth orbit was the final mission and launch of a Saturn V rocket (famous for carrying the manned Moon landing missions). Three missions delivered three-astronaut crews in the Apollo command and service module (Apollo CSM), launched by the smaller Saturn IB rocket. For the final two manned missions to Skylab, a backup Apollo CSM/Saturn IB was assembled and made ready in case an in-orbit rescue mission was needed, but this backup vehicle was never flown.

NASA