SPACE CALENDAR 2021: EVERY ROCKET LAUNCH, MARS MISSION, METEOR SHOWER AND MORE - The year 2020 AD did not turn out exactly as we would have liked down on Earth. But in space, it did prove to be momentous. SpaceX and NASA delivered astronauts to the International Space Station (twice!) aboard the Crew Dragon capsule, Japan and China brought back extraterrestrial rock to Earth and NASA scooped up some space chunks from asteroid Bennu. Excitement for Mars peaked in July, when three missions departed for the red planet. The Mars-bound spacecraft, from NASA, China and the United Arab Emirates, are en route now. They're set to arrive early in 2021. More (Source: CNET - Jan 6)
CHINA’S CASC TARGETS MORE THAN 40 SPACE LAUNCHES IN 2021 - China’s main space contractor aims to conduct more than 40 orbital launches in 2021, including launching a space station module and human spaceflight missions. The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) announced the target at a meeting Jan. 4, in a work report outlining major tasks for 2021. China launched 39 times last year, continuing the accelerated launch rate of the past few years. More (Source: SpaceNews - Jan 5)
NASA TO AIR DEPARTURE OF UPGRADED SPACEX CARGO DRAGON FROM SPACE STATION - 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. More (Source: NASA - Jan 5)
'WAR IN SPACE' WOULD BE A CATASTROPHE. A RETURN TO RULES-BASED COOPERATION IS THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP SPACE PEACEFUL - In 2019, US President Donald Trump declared “space is the new war-fighting domain”. This followed the creation of the US Space Force and a commitment to “American dominance” in outer space. Other space-faring nations, and those who fear the acceleration of an arms race in space, were greatly concerned. At the latest meeting of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, states noted with alarm that “preventing conflicts in outer space and preserving outer space for peaceful purposes” is more necessary than ever. More (Source: Space.com - Jan 4)
SATELLITE IMAGES CAPTURE MAJOR EVENTS OF 2020 - Year 2020 has largely been defined by one unprecedented pandemic that would go on to shape many things even in years to come. But even otherwise, there were many notable events and happenings that shaped this historic and difficult year. From COVID lockdowns to the melting Arctic and Antarctic reminding us of the fast-changing climate, natural disasters like the unprecedented number of hurricanes and widespread wildfires to manmade ones... More (Source: Geospatial World - Jan 4)
SPACEX RINGS IN THE NEW YEAR WITH A $150 MILLION SATELLITE LAUNCH CONTRACT - SpaceX landed a contract at the end of 2020 for the Space Development Agency. SpaceX estimates the first launches under the contract will happen in late 2022, and they were awarded $150.4 million. Under the contract, as many as 28 satellites will be put into orbit. SpaceX will launch a mix of small and medium spacecraft of different sizes into orbit that the Space Development Agency is purchasing from various vendors. More (Source: SlashGear - Jan 3)
THE INTERNATIONAL STATION IS IN DANGER FROM SPACE DEBRIS - Space debris is an ongoing problem in low Earth Orbit. This year alone the International Space Station had to move three times to avoid potential collisions with the junk that is flying around the planet at speeds of 18,000 mph. It’s a problem large enough that is had NASA Admin Jim Bridenstine tweeting about it back in September, “In the last 2 weeks, there have been 3 high concern potential conjunctions. Debris is getting worse!” More (Source: Forbes - Jan 2)
THE BALL 'DROPS UP' IN NEW YEAR'S VIDEO FROM INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION CREW - Astronauts aboard the International Space Station released a festive New Year's video, complete with a zero-gravity "ball drop." Five of the seven astronauts currently on the station as part of Expedition 64-- Kate Rubins, Shannon Walker, Victor Glover, Soichi Noguchi, and Michael Hopkins-- appeared in the video which was posted on the station's social media pages on Wednesday. More (Source: WATN - Jan 2)
AURORA PROPULSION TECHNOLOGIES TO LAUNCH AURORASAT-1 SATELLITE ON JANUARY 14 - Aurora Propulsion Technologies has announced its first In-Orbit-Demonstration (IOD) launch of the AuroraSat-1 satellite which is scheduled to take place on January 14, 2021. The satellite is scheduled to launch onboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, from Vandenberg AFB in California. After launch, it will be carried to its 550 km high sun-synchronous orbit by Momentus’ Vigoride orbit insertion vehicle. More (Source: SatelliteProME.com - Jan 1)
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