January 18, 2024 Quick space links
Courtesy of BtB’s stringer Jay. Note: This post is now officially an open thread. I welcome my readers to post any comments or additional links relating to any space issues, not just the links below.
- China’s deputy chief of its manned space program gives an update for 2024
They have 6 major tasks, including 4 launch missions and 2 recovery missions, with the six astronauts for those missions already chosen.
- China’s has reduced launches of its Tianzhou cargo freighter from 2 ships per year to 3 ships every two years
The reduction is because the construction phase of the Tiangong-3 station is now complete, and shifted into its operational phase. At the same time, China notes it can fly the Long March 7 rocket that carries Tianzhou twice within 3 months, if necessary.
- Rocket Lab will once again attempt to recover its Electron 1st stage on its next launch
They have added additional hardware to protect the engines better during return and splashdown.
- House committee backs Artemis despite latest delay
Another boring congressional hearing that will change little.
- Viasat demonstrates technology that the UK can use to replace the EU’s GPS-type system
After Brexit the UK lost access to some EU systems. This Viasat system can replace it.
- Astroscale reveals its proposed in-orbit refueling spacecraft
Essentially it will be fuel truck that will bring fuel from a depot to a satellite.
- Sergey Krikalev appointed “Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation on international cooperation in the field of space”
Krikalev, one of Russia’s most famous astronauts, had been laid off from his job in Roscosmos, apparently due to differences with the agency’s administrator. This appointment appears to be a consolation prize.
- Image from Astrobotic’s Peregrine lunar lander as it reapproaches Earth
Re-entry is expected later today.
Courtesy of BtB’s stringer Jay. Note: This post is now officially an open thread. I welcome my readers to post any comments or additional links relating to any space issues, not just the links below.
- China’s deputy chief of its manned space program gives an update for 2024
They have 6 major tasks, including 4 launch missions and 2 recovery missions, with the six astronauts for those missions already chosen.
- China’s has reduced launches of its Tianzhou cargo freighter from 2 ships per year to 3 ships every two years
The reduction is because the construction phase of the Tiangong-3 station is now complete, and shifted into its operational phase. At the same time, China notes it can fly the Long March 7 rocket that carries Tianzhou twice within 3 months, if necessary.
- Rocket Lab will once again attempt to recover its Electron 1st stage on its next launch
They have added additional hardware to protect the engines better during return and splashdown.
- House committee backs Artemis despite latest delay
Another boring congressional hearing that will change little.
- Viasat demonstrates technology that the UK can use to replace the EU’s GPS-type system
After Brexit the UK lost access to some EU systems. This Viasat system can replace it.
- Astroscale reveals its proposed in-orbit refueling spacecraft
Essentially it will be fuel truck that will bring fuel from a depot to a satellite.
- Sergey Krikalev appointed “Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation on international cooperation in the field of space”
Krikalev, one of Russia’s most famous astronauts, had been laid off from his job in Roscosmos, apparently due to differences with the agency’s administrator. This appointment appears to be a consolation prize.
- Image from Astrobotic’s Peregrine lunar lander as it reapproaches Earth
Re-entry is expected later today.