Space

Commerce launches initial phase of its space traffic coordination system

The new system will provide conjunction data messages “for approximately 1,000 space objects six times a day” during phase 1.0.

What time is it on the moon? NIST proposes an answer

The establishment of universal moon time would support lunar GPS for future missions.

Space missions rely on private sector engagement, NASA official says

The space agency needs to work more closely with its commercial providers to meet critical flight requirements.

Space Force aims to track enemy aircraft with satellites by 2030s

Research underway to shift tracking of air and ground targets to more survivable orbiting assets.

Space operations boss wants more virtual simulations to boost training

After a recent demo, Lt. Gen. David Miller said Space Operations Command needs realistic simulations to train at the highest levels.

NASA’s astronauts return after a year living on simulated Mars

Everything about the mission was conducted to simulate an actual Martian environment.

DARPA wants to use AI to find new rare minerals

With spectral analysis, it’s possible to “tell the difference [between] cocaine that came from one cartel’s area of Colombia versus another.”

How AI is turning satellite imagery into a window on the future

What can a picture from space tell you? “You're likely to have a drought here that might lead to civil unrest.”

Lockheed Martin tapped to develop NOAA’s new series of weather satellites

Lockheed Martin won a contract to build three satellites for NOAA’s Geostationary Extended Observations program, with the option to develop an additional four spacecraft, under a $2.27 billion award announced on Tuesday.

CACI wins $2B NASA IT centralization job

The space agency is looking to standardize and consolidate how it manages IT systems and applications.

NOAA looks to sharpen solar storm forecasts with new satellite

The agency’s GOES-U satellite, scheduled to launch next month, will include an advanced instrument, called a compact coronagraph, to provide scientists with faster, more reliable data about solar storms.

Space assets are in foreign adversaries' cyber crosshairs, DOD official says

The easiest targets are ground assets like operation centers and launch facilities, said Mieke Eoyang.

NASA doesn't know if its spacecraft have adequate cyber defenses, GAO warns

The agency encourages its spacecraft programs to use an optional best practices guide when it comes to implementing cybersecurity requirements.

NASA’s long-term missions could be hurt by budget caps, lawmakers warn

House Science Chairman Frank Lucas R-Okla., said Congress needs to provide NASA with “sufficient support” to carry out its work.

NASA delivers Voyager software update across 15 billion miles of space

Scientists and engineers with the space agency were able to successfully repair an issue in one of the probe’s onboard computers from over 15 billion miles away.

Pentagon can’t force Starlink to block service to Russians, US official says

US is “taking steps” and “working through” the problem with SpaceX and Ukraine, space-policy leader says.

‘Military force’ could be directed to protect private sector orbital assets, DOD strategy says

The Pentagon’s first-ever commercial space integration strategy said the department would take steps to “mitigate risks to commercial space actors.”