AN INSIDER’S LOOK AT ISRAEL’S NEXT SATELLITE: A ‘SMARTPHONE IN SPACE’ - Work is on track to develop and build Israel’s next-generation communications satellite, ensuring that Israel will retain its independence in the critical domain of space-based communications, executives from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), which is building the satellite, told JNS. IAI announced on Jan. 3 that it had signed an agreement with the Israeli government for the development and construction of Israel’s next communications satellite, dubbed Dror 1 (Hebrew for “freedom”).    More
(Source: JNS.org - Nov 27)

ROCKET LAB TO LAUNCH SATELLITE FOR JAPANESE COMPANY SYNSPECTIVE - Satellite launch provider Rocket Lab has announced Japanese earth-imaging company Synspective as the customer for its 17th Electron launch, and its seventh mission of the year. The dedicated mission for Synspective is scheduled for lift-off during a 14-day launch window opening on December 12 and will launch from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 on New Zealand’s Māhia Peninsula to a targetted 500km circular low earth orbit.   More
(Source: SatelliteProME.com - Nov 26)

CHINA TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION OF ITS SPACE STATION NEXT YEAR - China is set to begin construction of its orbital space station next year, deputy head of the Chang Zheng 5 (Long March 5) launch vehicle project of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), Qu Yiguang, told reporters. "Since the appearance of the Chang Zheng 5 launch vehicle, it has been determined that it will carry out the mission of launching China's largest spacecraft," Qu said.   More
(Source: Space Daily - Nov 26)

NASA TV COVERAGE SET FOR NEXT SPACE STATION RESUPPLY MISSION WITH SPACEX - NASA commercial cargo provider SpaceX is targeting 11:39 a.m. EST Saturday, Dec. 5, for the launch of its 21st commercial resupply services (CRS-21) mission to the International Space Station from Launch Complex 39A at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. CRS-21 will deliver science investigations, supplies, and equipment for NASA and is the first mission under the company’s second Commercial Resupply Services contract with NASA. Live coverage will air on NASA Television and the agency’s website, with prelaunch events Friday, Dec. 4, and Saturday, Dec. 5.   More
(Source: NASA - Nov 25)

ARECIBO RADIO TELESCOPE, DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR, SEEN FROM SPACE - Satellites spotted gashes in the damaged Arecibo Observatory, which is set to be decommissioned by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). The 57-year-old radio telescope has sustained two cable failures which has made its massive dish too unstable to safely repair, according to the NSF. The cable failures have also damaged the massive dish, which spans a whopping 1,000 feet (305 meters) across, gouging holes in its delicate metal panels.   More
(Source: Space.com - Nov 25)

SPACEX LAUNCHES 60 MORE STARLINK SATELLITES ON 100TH FALCON 9 FLIGHT - The 100th flight of a Falcon 9 rocket delivered 60 satellites to orbit for SpaceX’s Starlink network Tuesday night, adding another building block to a planned fleet of thousands of solar-powered space-based relay stations to beam broadband connectivity around the world. The successful mission late Tuesday also set a new record for SpaceX’s rocket reuse program — one that could be broken again within months if SpaceX maintains its feverish launch cadence.   More
(Source: SpaceFlight Now - Nov 25)

SPACE STATION 20TH: THANKSGIVING CELEBRATIONS IN SPACE - The Thanksgiving holiday typically brings families and friends together in a celebration of common gratitude for all the good things that have happened during the previous year. People celebrate the holiday in various ways, with parades, football marathons, and attending religious services, but food remains the over-arching theme.   More
(Source: NASA - Nov 24)

SWARM A STEP CLOSER TO IOT SATELLITE NET AFTER NZ LAUNCH - US nano-satellite company Swarm Technologies has launched its latest 24 satellites, using a launchpad on New Zealand’s Māhia peninsula operated by Rocket Lab. Swarm, based in California, now has 36 satellites in orbit, said the company after the launch. Rocket Lab had a number of other customers on its launch, including Valve, a gaming software company, providing another six satellites between them.   More
(Source: Capacity Media - Nov 24)

ONEWEB TO RESUME SATELLITE LAUNCHES AFTER BILLION-POUND TAKEOVER - British-based satellite broadband firm OneWeb says it plans to resume satellite launches after a successful £1 billion takeover by the UK government and Indian telco Bharti Airtel. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has invested £400 million in OneWeb which, despite most of its management and manufacturing being American, is headquartered in London and regulated by Ofcom.   More
(Source: TechRadar - Nov 24)

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