Space

US government releases new UFO files

The United States Department of War has released a second batch of declassified files related to Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena, or UAPs, as part of a new government transparency initiative launched earlier this month.

The files were published through the Presidential Unsealing and Reporting System for UAP Encounters – known as PURSUE – on the government’s dedicated UFO disclosure website, War.gov/UFO.

According to a statement from Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell, the latest release is part of an ongoing effort by the administration of Donald Trump to declassify historical records connected to UFOs, UAPs, and possible extraterrestrial phenomena. [Read more…] about US government releases new UFO files

Astrolight and Aristotle University to boost Europe’s space connectivity with new optical ground station in Greece

Astrolight, a space and defense company developing laser communication solutions across space, ground, and maritime domains, completed the commissioning of the Holomondas Optical Ground Station (OGS) in Greece this March.

The station will support Greek In-Orbit Demonstration and Validation (IOD/IOV) missions, now underway, with high-throughput, secure optical data transmissions from the satellites in orbit to the Holomondas OGS on Earth.

The OGS was developed as part of the PeakSat project, led by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh) and jointly supported by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Greek Ministry of Digital Governance. [Read more…] about Astrolight and Aristotle University to boost Europe’s space connectivity with new optical ground station in Greece

CNES takes stake in Skynopy to accelerate global satellite ground station network and Ka-band deployment

Skynopy, a provider of ground station services and satellite connectivity solutions, and the French Space Agency (CNES), have signed a partnership agreement aimed at optimizing frequency allocation for the ground stations operated by Skynopy in France.

This partnership builds on a trusted relationship established since Skynopy’s inception: from its earliest days, the startup has benefited from CNES support – first as a technical and institutional partner, and later as a shareholder through the SpaceFounders program.

A compelling example of collaboration between a national space agency and a fast-growing “NewSpace” player. [Read more…] about CNES takes stake in Skynopy to accelerate global satellite ground station network and Ka-band deployment

LEGO rocket reaches edge of space in record-breaking stratosphere mission for Project Hail Mary

A LEGO spacecraft has reached the edge of space – and made it back – setting a new world record in the process.

A model based on the film Project Hail Mary was launched nearly 35 kilometers above Earth using a high-altitude balloon, establishing a new Guinness World Records title for the highest altitude launch and retrieval of a LEGO set.

The mission, carried out by UK-based aerospace engineering company Sent Into Space in collaboration with Sony Pictures UK, saw the LEGO model climb to 34,988 meters (114,790 feet) into the stratosphere before safely returning to Earth. [Read more…] about LEGO rocket reaches edge of space in record-breaking stratosphere mission for Project Hail Mary

Astrolight joins Kepler consortium to build ESA’s optical space network terminals

Astrolight contributes laser communication terminal technology to ESA’s HydRON Element 3 mission, led by prime contractor Kepler Communications

Kepler Communications, a Canadian satellite telecommunications provider operating the first commercial optical data relay constellation, is leading a group of industry partners, including Astrolight, a Lithuanian space and defense technology company developing laser communication solutions for space, ground, and maritime applications.

The companies have been awarded a multimillion-euro contract under the European Space Agency’s (ESA) High-throughput Optical Network (HydRON) to develop HydRON’s user-terminal segment, known as Element 3.

HydRON is a project under ESA’s Optical and Quantum Communications – Scylight programme, within the Agency’s Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES). [Read more…] about Astrolight joins Kepler consortium to build ESA’s optical space network terminals

Hubble Network and InPlay partner to bring sub-$1 global tracking without RFID

Hubble Network, the world’s first satellite-powered Bluetooth network, has announced a partnership with InPlay Inc. to deliver continuous, global asset tracking at a cost that rivals passive RFID.

By combining InPlay’s sub-$1 IN100 NanoBeacon chip with Hubble’s 95 million-plus gateways, item-level sensor and location data will become affordable and accessible at a massive scale.

InPlay’s IN100 NanoBeacon is plug-and-play with a uniquely small form factor that can be easily embedded into smart labels, wearables, and small IoT trackers. [Read more…] about Hubble Network and InPlay partner to bring sub-$1 global tracking without RFID