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- The Space Race - Weekly Roundup June 25th
The Space Race - Weekly Roundup June 25th
Juan Fernández
June 25, 2024
Hi, space fans!
Welcome to this week’s edition of The Space Race Weekly Roundup, your go-to newsletter for all things space and astronomy.
Second Starbase Tower Rises as SpaceX Prepares for Flight Five
Following the successes of Flight Four in early June, SpaceX is preparing Ship 30 and Booster 12 for Flight Five ahead of a launch later this summer. Alongside this, significant infrastructure development is underway at Starbase, including a second launch tower.
Chang’e-6 Returns to Earth with First-Ever Lunar Far Side Samples
China’s Chang’e-6 spacecraft has successfully returned to Earth with samples collected from the far side of the moon. The reentry capsule, which landed today June 25, delivered unique samples that could provide insights into the composition and evolution of the lunar far side and the history of the early solar system
NASA Indefinitely Delays Return of Starliner
NASA has announced an indefinite delay in the return of Boeing's Starliner spacecraft to Earth due to concerns over propulsion data. Originally scheduled for June 26, the return has been pushed to July, with NASA taking additional time to review data and ensure the spacecraft's readiness.
Rocket Lab Signs Deal for 10 Electron Launches with Synspective
Rocket Lab USA has secured its largest Electron launch agreement to date, partnering with Japanese Earth observation company Synspective. This new agreement will see Rocket Lab launching ten more dedicated missions from 2025 to 2027, reinforcing its role in deploying Synspective’s synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites.
Webb Identifies Surprising Carbon-Rich Ingredients Around Young Star
Using the James Webb Space Telescope, scientists have studied a protoplanetary disk around the young star ISO-Chal 147, uncovering the richest hydrocarbon chemistry ever observed within such a disk. This discovery offers new insights into the early stages of planetary formation and the chemical environment of young stars.
China Chases Reusability
Chinese commercial companies are making strides in developing reusable rockets. The Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST) recently conducted China’s highest altitude launch and landing test. On June 23, a 3.8-meter-diameter test article powered by three methane-liquid oxygen engines lifted off from the Gobi Desert, reaching an altitude of 12 kilometers before successfully landing. This milestone is part of China’s push towards reusability, with an orbital flight planned for 2025.
Higher altitude tests for Landspace’s Zhuque-3 and Deep Blue Aerospace’s Nebula-1 are also upcoming, highlighting China’s commitment to cost-effective and sustainable space missions.
Webb Snaps First Image of Aligned Jets from Newborn Stars
The James Webb Space Telescope has captured the first image of aligned jets from newborn stars in the Serpens Nebula. These jets, formed by the outflow of gas from young stars, provide valuable information about the process of star formation and the rotation dynamics of protostellar disks.
China Launches Sino-French Astrophysics Satellite
China launched the joint Sino-French SVOM mission to study gamma-ray bursts, but the event also saw rocket debris fall over a populated area. This mission aims to explore high-energy electromagnetic radiation from gamma-ray bursts to answer key astrophysical questions.
📹 Our latest videos
In case you missed them, here are the latest videos we've published on our YouTube channel:
🚀 Upcoming Rocket Launches
Mark your calendars! Here are the upcoming rocket launches scheduled between next Tuesday and the following one:
June 25, 2024: Falcon Heavy (SpaceX, USA) - GOES-U mission
June 26, 2024: Ceres-1S (Galactic Energy, Sea Launch) - Unknown Payload
June 27, 2024: Firefly Alpha (Firefly Aerospace, USA) - FLTA005 (Noise of Summer)
June 27, 2024: Falcon 9 Block 5 (SpaceX, USA) - Starlink Group 10-3 mission
If you enjoyed this roundup, feel free to share it and follow us for more cosmic adventures.
Juan, from the Space Race team