low earth orbit
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NASA's first test of its next-generation heat shield is delayed until at least November 9th
Tomorrow's interplanetary landing craft won't be stuck behind today's ablative tiles. NASA has something better in mind -- something inflatable.
Earth's orbital economy of tomorrow could be worth trillions
At SXSW 2022 last week, a panel of experts on the burgeoning private spaceflight industry discussed the nuts and bolts of NASA’s commercial services program and what business in LEO will likely entail.
NASA backs Blue Origin’s Orbital Reef space station
NASA announced a round of funding to both Blue Origin and Northrop Grumman to design a private enterprise replacement for the ISS.
Amazon plans to launch thousands of internet satellites
Amazon wants to launch thousands of low Earth orbit satellites to offer internet connection across the planet. With Project Kuiper, it aims to deploy 3,236 satellites to cover areas where about 95 percent of the global population live. Details otherwise are scant so far, including the estimated timeline for bringing the network online or how much the project will cost. Amazon confirmed the plans after GeekWire unearthed filings for it.
The robots that will sweep Earth's skies
After six years in space, China's first orbital station, the Tiangong-1 (aka the "Heavenly Palace") has finally outlived its operational limits and begun its descent to Earth. It's expected to re-enter the atmosphere in a few months, whereupon a majority of the 9.3-ton station should burn up before reaching the surface. This is how defunct satellites are supposed to be disposed of. Unfortunately, until very recently, that hasn't often been the case.
