The Space Race - Weekly Roundup Feb 4th

Author

Juan Fernández
February 04, 2025

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Hi, space friends! 🚀 

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Now, back to space, we had an exciting week with plenty of action! India launched its first rocket of the year, NASA captured a record-breaking volcanic eruption on Io, and astronauts set new spacewalking records. Axiom’s 4th private mission to the ISS is confirmed, and Europe is set to build its first Moon lander—plus many more exciting stories!

Let’s dive into the details! 😊

🚀 India kicks off 2025 with a successful launch

India just launched its first rocket of the year, sending the nvs-02 satellite into orbit. This is part of the country's own gps-like system, Navic. With 10 more launches planned, including a NASA collaboration, India is setting the stage for a big space year.

🌕 Another Step Toward the Moon

Intuitive Machines just delivered its second lunar lander, Athena, to Cape Canaveral, gearing up for a late February launch with SpaceX. This mission is part of NASA’s effort to explore the Moon and prepare for future crewed landings. Athena will test tech crucial for long-term lunar presence. Crossed fingers! 🤞🏻

🪨 Asteroid Secrets Unlocked

Scientists have studied some of the best-preserved asteroid samples ever, revealing ancient salts and clues about water in space. Bennu's parent body might have had the right conditions to form life's building blocks. Could similar processes happen on other icy worlds? Read more about this discovery 👉🏻 Pristine Asteroid Samples Reveal Secrets of the Ancient Solar System 

🚀 Axiom's Next Crewed Mission Approved!

Axiom Space is sending another private crew to the International Space Station in 2025. This fourth mission will make history with astronauts from Poland, Hungary, and India. Led by veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson, the team will conduct science experiments and push the boundaries of commercial space travel.

📸 NASA's Instruments Tested on Firefly's Mission

NASA’s instruments on Firefly’s Lunar lander just hit a milestone, successfully testing cameras designed to capture the dynamics of a lunar landing. These cameras will help scientists understand how moon dust behaves when rockets touch down — crucial for future missions as lunar landings become more frequent.

🌋 Juno Spots Record-Breaking Volcano on Io

NASA’s Juno mission just captured the most powerful volcanic eruption ever seen on Io, Jupiter’s hellish moon. The massive hot spot is bigger than Lake Superior and blasts out more energy than all of Earth’s power plants combined. Io’s extreme activity keeps rewriting what we know about volcanism on other worlds.

🚀 Spacewalkers Make History Outside the ISS

NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore wrapped up a successful spacewalk, marking Williams’ record-breaking spacewalking time for a female astronaut. They removed old radio hardware and collected surface samples, helping scientists study the space station’s environment. Another milestone for space exploration and human endurance in orbit.

🌕 Europe to build Its First Moon Lander

ESA is stepping up its lunar game with Argonaut, its first-ever Moon lander.

The agency has just signed a contract with Thales Alenia Space in Italy to lead the development of the Argonaut Lunar Descent Element. Set to launch in the 2030s, it will deliver vital supplies, rovers, and science gear. This marks Europe’s biggest step toward deep space autonomy and a sustainable human presence on the Moon.

🛰️ Satellite Servicing Faces a Reality Check

The satellite servicing industry is struggling to prove itself. While companies promise to extend satellite lifespans and clean up space junk, skepticism remains. Governments hesitate to fund, and commercial operators question the costs. Without real commitments, this sector risks getting stuck in endless tech demos rather than actual business.

🔭 Europe Prepares to Launch Planet Hunter

ESA has signed an agreement to launch Plato, its next big exoplanet mission, on Ariane 6. Set for liftoff in 2026, Plato will scan thousands of stars for potentially habitable planets, marking another milestone in Europe’s quest to find Earth-like worlds beyond our solar system.

📹 Our latest videos

In case you missed them, here are the latest videos we've published on our YouTube channel:

Upcoming Rocket Launches

Get ready for an exciting week as rockets take flight around the globe! 🚀

Today, Tuesday, Feb 4th:

  • Falcon 9 Block 5 (SpaceX, USA) – Starlink Group 12-3.Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA.

  • New Shepard (Blue Origin, USA) – NS-29.Corn Ranch, Van Horn, TX, USA.

  • Electron (Rocket Lab, New Zealand) – IoT 4 You and Me (Kinéis 16-20).Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand.

Wednesday, Feb 5th:

  • Falcon 9 Block 5 (SpaceX, USA) – WorldView Legion 5 & 6.Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA.

  • Soyuz 2.1v/Volga (Russian Space Forces, Russia) – Kosmos (Unknown Payload).Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russian Federation.

Friday, Feb 7th: Falcon 9 Block 5 (SpaceX, USA) – Starlink Group 12-9.Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA.

Sunday, Feb 9th: Falcon 9 Block 5 (SpaceX, USA) – Starlink Group 11-10.Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA.

Tuesday, Feb 11th: Long March 8A (CASC, China) – Demo Flight.Wenchang Space Launch Site, China.

And that’s it for this week. Stay curious!

Juan and the team at The Space Race