China
China has launched the Shenzhou-8 which will attempt to rendezvous and dock with the Tiangong-1 space station module. This is China's first attempt at a docking and rendezvous between its spacecraft.
International Space Station
An unmanned Progress cargo ship loaded with 2.9 tons of supplies was successfully launched this morning. Bound for the International Space Station, it is the first launch attempt after the failure of a Soyuz rocket with another unmanned Progress last August.
With this successful launch, the way is clear for the launch of the next ISS three man crew November 14.
Canadian Space Agency
The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has awarded six contracts to four organizations to develop concept studies in areas related to future space exploration ventures. The studies are part of the CSA's strategy to invest in emerging ideas that could become Canada's next revolutionary technologies, like a high resolution Canadian-led space telescope; robots to remove space debris and tune-up ailing satellites; an instrument to measure the composition of the atmosphere of planets; and a device that measures radiation exposure more accurately.
NASA
The NASA's National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) Preparatory Project (NPP) satellite was launched into orbit October 28, 2011 on a Delta 2 rocket from California's Vandenberg Air Force Base.
Commercial Space
When the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System Preparatory Project (NPP) is launched Friday, an interferometer built by the ABB company will be onboard. The first of a new generation of US meteorological satellites is to be launched by NASA on October 28, at 5:48:01 a.m. EDT.
International Space Station
The International Space Station video update for October 24, 2011.
NEEMO 15
NASA's NEEMO 15 mission with Canadian astronaut David Saint- Jacques onboard is into mission day 5. Today there will be no EVA's as the crew Crew will do behavioural science projects from inside Aquarius.
This Week at NASA
International Space Station
Mars Curiosity Rover
Solar System
Canadian Space Agency
Canadian Space Agency
Featured Stories
Canadian Space Agency
The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has awarded six contracts to four organizations to develop concept studies in areas related to future space exploration ventures. The studies are part of the CSA's strategy to invest in emerging ideas that could become Canada's next revolutionary technologies, like a high resolution Canadian-led space telescope; robots to remove space debris and tune-up ailing satellites; an instrument to measure the composition of the atmosphere of planets; and a device that measures radiation exposure more accurately.
MDA
MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA) has signed a US$17 million, 12 month contract with the U.S. National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA) to provide apparent changes in land-cover anywhere around the globe.
Lunar Exploration Light Rover
In the last week both Neptec and MDA, two of Canada's leading commercial space companies, have been awarded contracts by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) to build a Lunar Exploration Light Rover (LELR) prototype. The awards come four and half months after the CSA issued a request for proposals whereby up to two contracts would be awarded for $11.5 million each. Each team has until December 30th, 2012 to complete work on their respective prototypes.
Astronomy
Seven Canadian universities have joined a U.S. led consortium to build the 25 meter Cerro Chajnantor Atacama Telescope (CCAT) in northern Chile at the site of the highest permanent ground-based telescopes in the world in the hopes of answering some of the fundamental questions of cosmology.
NASA
The NASA's National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) Preparatory Project (NPP) satellite was launched into orbit October 28, 2011 on a Delta 2 rocket from California's Vandenberg Air Force Base.
This Week in Space for Canada
Space tourist Guy Laliberté publishes his orbital scrapbook, Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronauts step up their efforts to remind us that they "still have a bright future," although maybe not as government astronauts and the new federal minister of industry (who's also responsible for the CSA) has a background in agriculture and natural resources management, which should give him a understanding of the growing space based geomatics industry. All that and more, this week in space for Canada.
Military Space
The last Canadian space policy released by the Department of National Defence (DND) was in 1998 and the DND is set to release an updated though not substantially changed policy early in the new year, this according to Colonel André Dupuis, Director of the DND's Directorate of Space Development known as D Space D.
Commercial Space
COM DEV saw revenues decrease in the first quarter (Q1) of 2011 as compared to Q1 in 2010 from $56.7 million to $48.7 million but saw new orders rise to $59 million as compared to $51 million a year ago. In a move to show support for its stock COM DEV will also repurchase up to 10% of its stock.
Canadian Space Agency Watch
The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) will see it's budget peak this year at an all time high of $424.6 million then drop 34% over the following two years according to estimates released yesterday in their annual Report on Plans and Priorities. At the same the agency has completed an overhaul and restructuring of their Program Activity Architecture which in effect begins the execution of the agency's next Long Term Space Plan.
European Space Agency
The European Space Agency (ESA) is soliciting ideas and interest for their Technology Transfer Programme (TTP). Since 1979 Canada has had a cooperating agreement with ESA meaning Canadians could participate in some ESA programs. The TTP is one such program where Canadians can participate in.