Space Business News
December 23, 2023
ENERGY TECH
Helicity Space plants a seed for fusion propulsion technology - can it work?



Sydney, Australia (SPX) Dec 21, 2023
Helicity Space, a name that's beginning to resonate in the commercial space industry, recently heralded a significant advance in its quest to redefine space propulsion. The company has successfully secured a $5 million seed funding round, a move that not only underscores the industry's confidence in fusion technology but also marks a pivotal moment in space travel innovation. This round of funding was led by a consortium of forward-thinking investors, including Airbus Ventures, TRE Ventures, Voyag ... read more

SPACE TRAVEL
MSBAI and Princeton partner in SpaceWERX contract to enhance space flight training
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Dec 21, 2023
MSBAI in collaboration with Princeton University, has been awarded a significant contract valued at $1.25 million from SpaceWERX. This Phase 2 contract, part of the Small Business Technology Transfe ... more
GPS NEWS
GMV reinforces satellite expertise with new Galileo Operations Center in Madrid
Madrid, Spain (SPX) Dec 21, 2023
In a significant step for Europe's satellite navigation capabilities, GMV, the main contractor for the Galileo program's ground control segment, has recently inaugurated a replica of the Galileo ope ... more
SPACE MEDICINE
SpaceX returns vital life science research to Earth
Washington DC (UPI) Dec 22, 2023
SpaceX returned more than 30 research payloads, many of which were vital life science investigations, from the ISS National Laboratory to Earth Friday. ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
ESA and IENAI Space unveil innovative electrospray propulsion for small satellites
Paris (ESA) Dec 22, 2023
In a significant advancement for small satellite propulsion, the European Space Agency (ESA) and IENAI Space, a Spain-based technology firm, have introduced an innovative electrospray propulsion sys ... more
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ROCKET SCIENCE


KSC looks ahead to a busy year in 2024

ROCKET SCIENCE
Green hydrogen for Ariane 6 and more
Paris (ESA) Dec 22, 2023
Ariane 6 uses liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen as fuel for its main and upper stages. Hydrogen in its gaseous form (H2) is rarely found on Earth, and so is currently produced in French Guiana from ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
NASA's 3D-printed Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine Test a Success
Huntsville AL (SPX) Dec 21, 2023
NASA has achieved a new benchmark in developing an innovative propulsion system called the Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine (RDRE). Engineers at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, A ... more
SPACE TRAVEL
NASA Outlines Future Strategy for Post-ISS Microgravity Research Labs in LEO
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Dec 21, 2023
In a recent development marking a significant shift in space research dynamics, NASA is actively developing a strategy for establishing the next generation of microgravity national labs in a commerc ... more
DRAGON SPACE
Shenzhou XVII astronauts set for their first spacewalk
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Dec 21, 2023
The crew of the Shenzhou XVII mission is gearing up for their inaugural spacewalk, a significant step in China's continuing endeavors in space exploration. The China Manned Space Agency, in a recent ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
Virgin Galactic sets January 2024 for 11th mission
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Dec 21, 2023
Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:SPCE) has officially announced the opening of its 'Galactic 06' flight window on January 26, 2024. This mission will mark the company's 11th spaceflight, followi ... more

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SPACE MEDICINE


Bioprinting in 3D: 2023 Science Wrap

SPACE MEDICINE
Bolivia's hypergravity blood cell test for astronaut health
Paris (ESA) Dec 21, 2023
The latest international group to employ ESA's hypergravity-generating Large Diameter Centrifuge is an all-female team from Bolivia, with access sponsored by the United Nations and ESA. The research ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
Competition: developing Europe's space cargo return service
Paris (ESA) Dec 19, 2023
ESA is launching a competition which initiates a first phase of activities for European companies to eventually demonstrate a complete cargo delivery service to and from space stations in low-Earth ... more
MISSILE DEFENSE
Japan to send Patriot missiles to US as stocks dwindle
Tokyo (AFP) Dec 22, 2023
Japan loosened arms export controls Friday to enable it to sell domestically made Patriot missiles to the United States, which is seeking to stock up after sending the weapon systems to Ukraine. ... more
AEROSPACE
Dutch prepare delivery of F-16 jets to Ukraine
The Hague (AFP) Dec 22, 2023
The Netherlands announced Friday it was preparing delivery of 18 of the American-made F-16 combat jets pledged to Ukraine, at a moment when Kyiv is under pressure on all fronts. ... more
MISSILE NEWS
N. Korea's 'reckless' missile launches need 'robust' global response: G7
Berlin (AFP) Dec 19, 2023
World powers said Tuesday that the international community needed a firm and unified response to North Korea's "reckless" nuclear build-up and missile launches. ... more
ROBO SPACE


OpenAI releases guidelines to gauge 'catastrophic risks' of AI

AEROSPACE
Rep. James Comer asks Pentagon for details on grounded Osprey aircraft
Washington DC (UPI) Dec 21, 2023
Rep. James Comer on Thursday asked the Defense Department to give the House Oversight Committee documents on the Osprey aircraft after a fatal crash late last month. ... more
DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Urgency of climate intervention highlighted by rising temperatures and reduced air pollution
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Dec 20, 2023
In the ever-evolving discourse on climate change, a significant debate is emerging, one that may soon capture mainstream attention. The crux of this debate is whether direct intervention in Earth's ... more
MISSILE DEFENSE
Japan to ease arms export controls allowing PAC3 sale to US: official
Tokyo (AFP) Dec 22, 2023
Japan is set to loosen arms export controls Friday, for the first time in nearly a decade, a move that would enable the US ally to sell domestically made Patriot missile defence systems to Washington, an official said. ... more
UAV NEWS
Canada to buy armed drones for Can$2.5 bln
Ottawa (AFP) Dec 19, 2023
Canada's government said Tuesday it will buy 11 armed drones from US manufacturer General Atomics for foreign military deployments as well as coastal monitoring and disaster relief. ... more
MISSILE DEFENSE
Raytheon's LTAMDS achieves new success in tactical ballistic missile interception test
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Dec 19, 2023
Raytheon Technologies Corporation (NYSE: RTX), a leading defense contractor, has announced another milestone in missile defense technology with the successful live-fire demonstration of its Lower Ti ... more
UAV NEWS
Iranian, Chinese charged by US with exporting drone components to Iran
Washington (AFP) Dec 19, 2023
The United States has charged an Iranian and a Chinese national with allegedly supplying microelectronics to Iran for use in the drone program of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. ... more
UAV NEWS
Egypt air force downs drone off south Sinai
Ismailia, Egypt (AFP) Dec 16, 2023
The Egyptian air force shot down a drone off the Sinai Peninsula on Saturday down the coast from the Israeli border, state-linked media reported. ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
Equatorial Launch Australia Unveils Innovative ASC Advanced Launch Pad Designs
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Dec 19, 2023
Equatorial Launch Australia (ELA) has announced a significant breakthrough in launch pad technology with the completion of its Arnhem Space Centre Advanced Launch Pad (ASCALP) designs. This developm ... more
DISASTER MANAGEMENT
'Find someone to bury the dead': life on the run in Gaza
Washington DC (UPI) Dec 21, 2023
When Ibrahim fled his home in Gaza City after the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out, it was with an extended family of 25 people. But as they headed south alongside hundreds of thousands of refugees, the family split up into smaller groups - not by accident, but on purpose, as part of a grim new reality in the war-torn territory ... more
DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Ottawa offers 3-year visas to those in Gaza with Canadian relatives
Washington DC (UPI) Dec 21, 2021
People in Gaza with Canadian relatives will be able to apply for temporary residency, Ottawa announced Thursday, as the death toll in the Palestinian enclave amid Israel's offensive reaches nearly 20,000 with the vast majority of those who live there having been displaced. ... more
DISASTER MANAGEMENT
China in 'race against time' to house quake victims for winter
Jishishan, China (AFP) Dec 21, 2023
Chinese authorities are facing a "race against time" to ensure victims of the deadliest earthquake in years can be sheltered from freezing winter temperatures, a local official told AFP on Thursday. ... more
FAST TRACK
Mexico's Maya Train underway, despite environmental concerns
Campeche, Mexico (AFP) Dec 15, 2023
Mexico's Maya tourist train glided into action on Friday, promising prosperity for one of the country's poorest regions, but tainted by allegations of environmental devastation. ... more
SPACE TRAVEL
Insect compasses, fire-fighting vines: 2023's nature-inspired tech
Paris (AFP) Dec 23, 2023
Even as human-caused climate change threatens the environment, nature continues to inspire our technological advancement. ... more
TRADE WARS
Biden expands Russia sanctions, including bans on diamonds, seafood
Washington DC (UPI) Dec 22, 2023
President Joe Biden will sign an executive order Friday expanding sanctions against financial facilitators of Russia's war efforts in Ukraine. ... more
AEROSPACE
NASA flies drones autonomously for Air Taxi Research
Hampton VA (SPX) Dec 22, 2023
Researchers at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia recently flew multiple drones beyond visual line of sight with no visual observer. The drones successfully flew around obstacles an ... more
AEROSPACE
Boeing delivers first plane to Chinese airline since 2019
Shanghai (AFP) Dec 22, 2023
The first Boeing plane delivered to a Chinese airline since 2019 landed in Shanghai on Friday, according to tracking site flightradar24. ... more
ENERGY TECH
Tesla launches Shanghai battery plant project
Shanghai (AFP) Dec 22, 2023
Tesla officially launched a massive battery factory project in Shanghai on Friday, the US electric car maker's second plant in the Chinese city, state media reported. ... more
FAST TRACK
French city makes public transport free for residents
Montpellier, France (AFP) Dec 21, 2023
The French city of Montpellier on Thursday became the latest European metropolis to allow all its residents to ride public transport for free. ... more
TRADE WARS
Asian markets mixed as rate hopes offset by China gaming move
Hong Kong (AFP) Dec 22, 2023
Asian markets were mixed Friday as the euphoria over an expected flurry of US interest rate cuts next year was offset by a tech-led plunge in Hong Kong after China unveiled fresh plans to restrict online gaming. ... more
AEROSPACE
China and Nicaragua sign loan for international airport
Managua (AFP) Dec 22, 2023
Nicaragua has signed a US$430 million loan with China for the construction of an international airport and a liquefied gas terminal, officials said. ... more
AEROSPACE
Spain orders 16 Airbus military aircraft
Paris (AFP) Dec 21, 2023
European aerospace giant Airbus on Wednesday said it would build 16 military aircraft in Spain in a deal with the country's defence ministry worth almost 1.7 billion euros (around $1.9 billion). ... more
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