Via Satellite reports, “U.S. Space Command confirmed that a defunct Russian satellite broke up in Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) on Wednesday, creating more than 100 pieces of debris. Space Command said the breakup took place on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. MT. It was not clear why the satellite broke up, such as if it was the result of an anti-satellite test.”
Full Story (Via Satellite)
Tag: June 2024
Boeing to Start Flight-Testing Multi-Mission Pod on P-8 in July
Defense Daily reports, “Boeing in July will begin flight-testing its internally-developed Multi-Mission Pod on the P-8 Poseidon anti-submarine warfare and maritime patrol aircraft, a new system that will offer customers more sensor options and potential mission…”
Full Story (Defense Daily – Subscription Publication)
NASA to Partner with SpaceX to Deorbit International Space Station
Ars Technica reports, “NASA has awarded an $843 million contract to SpaceX to develop a ‘US Deorbit Vehicle.’ This spacecraft will dock to the International Space Station in 2029 and then ensure the large facility makes a controlled reentry through Earth’s atmosphere before splashing into the ocean in 2030.”
Full Story (Ars Technica)
ULA Planning September Launch of Vulcan to Qualify for Space Force Missions
Breaking Defense reports, “ULA CEO Tory Bruno explained that Air Force space acquisition czar Frank Calvelli asked Lockheed Martin and Boeing to create an independent review team to ‘help’ Vulcan production rates and launch site readiness remain on track.”
Full Story (Breaking Defense)
Boeing Says Added Inspections Are Raising 737 Max Production Quality
The New York Times reports, “Boeing says it has achieved significant quality improvements in the production of the 737 Max since one of the planes lost a panel in a harrowing flight in January.”
Full Story (The New York Times – Subscription Publication)
Wisk Aero Acquires Aerospace Software Company Verocel
Flying Magazine reports that Wisk Aero “on Tuesday announced the acquisition of Verocel, a software verification and validation (V&V) company focused on the certification of aerospace software—with a particular focus on autonomous designs.”
Full Story (Flying Magazine)
Joby May Perform Air Tours and Market Survey Flights before Starting Commercial Operations
Aviation Week Network reports, “Joby Aviation may fly passengers on air tours and market survey flights before starting commercial air taxi operations, the company says. The flights, done under FAA 91 general operations regulations, could be a sort of soft launch for the electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) developer and operator…”
Full Story (Aviation Week)
China Becomes First Country to Retrieve Rocks from Far Side of the Moon
The New York Times reports, “China brought a capsule full of lunar soil from the far side of the moon down to Earth on Tuesday, achieving the latest success in an ambitious schedule to explore the moon and other parts of the solar system. The sample, retrieved by the China National Space Administration’s Chang’e-6 lander after a 53-day mission, highlights China’s growing capabilities in space.”
Full Story (New York Times)
China’s Chang’e-6 Heads Home Carrying First-Ever Lunar Far Side Samples
Space News reports, “China’s Chang’e-6 spacecraft is on its way to Earth to deliver samples collected from the far side of the moon. The Chang’e-6 service module likely fired its engines for a trans-Earth injection around June 21. The spacecraft is now on the final leg of its complex, 53-day voyage involving a lunar landing, sampling, ascent and docking. A reentry capsule containing the unique samples will be released from the service module shortly before arrival at Earth early June 25.”
Full Story (Space News)
Upgraded Bell CH-146C Mk II Griffon Performs First Flight for RCAF
Vertical Magazine reports that the first Royal Canadian Air Force Bell CH-146 Griffon to have completed the CH-146C Mk II upgrade “has performed its maiden flight, the manufacturer has announced. The modification to the RCAF’s CH-146 Griffons — a variant of the Bell 412EP — is being completed under the Griffon Limited Life Extension (GLLE) project, which is designed to extend the fleet’s service life to at least 2031.”
Full Story (Vertical Magazine)