Space

Gravitational wave detectors are limited by fundamental quantum noise – an incessant “hum” that they cannot ever remove. But now physicists have recently improved a technique, called “squeezing”, that can allow the next generation of detectors to double their sensitivity.

ViaSat’s seven-year contract is for the development of “prototype space systems.”

Another Starship has flown high — and come down hard.

China’s first Mars exploration mission, Tianwen-1, will arrive in orbit at the Red Planet on Feb. 10, 2021. 

SpaceX’s latest Starship prototype launched on Tuesday, soaring miles above its South Texas facilities in a successful flight demonstration before exploding during the landing attempt. It’s the second failed landing in a row, after a previous prototype, SN8, launched and failed to stick the landing in December.

Another day, another round of testing (and yes, another explosion). Today, on Tuesday, Feb. 2nd, 2021, flight teams at SpaceX’s launch facility near Boca Chica, Texas, conducted a high-altitude test flight with a Starship prototype. Similar to the previous test in December, the SN9 was powered by three Raptor engines, […]

As deputy secretary, Kathleen Hicks would have major responsibilities for budget and financial management.

Astra plans to become the first small rocket maker to go public, the company announced Tuesday, after reaching space for the first time in December. It’ll become the second publicly traded space venture after Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic.

The company operates in the United States from Los Angeles but wants “to be closer to U.S. government organizations driving the adoption of laser communications.”

SpaceX’s Starship SN9 vehicle may attempt its first launch today (Feb. 2). You can see views of SN9 and it successor SN10 here, courtesy of Spadre.com. If SpaceX does attempt a launch this week, the company will likely announce a webcast of its own and that will be available here […]