The enhanced X-Ray Timing and Polarimetry mission (eXTP) aims for wide international cooperation
07 December 2019
The eXTP is a China-led cutting-edge satellite observatory that aims to explore celestial bodies, such as black holes and neutron stars. The project, to be launched by 2027, has reached out for cooperation with scientists from more than 20 countries, including Italy, Germany, France, and the Czech Republic.
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BRICS makes progress in satellite constellation and with its own satellite
05 December 2019
During the 11th BRICS Summit in Brasilia in November, the leaders of the five BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) countries noted progress towards developing an own remote sensing satellite.
Recently, the Indian Secretary of State responsible for space has indicated that "progress has been made in technical discussions to realise a virtual constellation of remote sensing satellites, as part of the BRICS Programme. Technical aspects with respect to identifying the satellites and the ground stations for the initial virtual constellation were discussed by the Space Agencies.” The group of BRICS nations plans to share crucial data under a “virtual constellation of remote sensing satellites” which is made up of satellites contributed by BRICS space agencies.
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Galactic Energy accomplished third-stage hot fire test
05 December 2019
After successful tests of the first and second stage engines in September and early November, Galactic Energy has successfully finished the third stage hot fire ground test for its Ceres 1 launch vehicle on 03 December. Ceres 1 is one of the two solid-fuel rockets the company is currently developing. Ceres 1 is expected to launch for the first time in March next year, while the second rocket, Pallas 1 is scheduled for December 2022.
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Yutu 2 is making his way - travels over 345 m on Moon's far side
04 December 2019
Yutu 2 has driven 345.059 m on the far side of the Moon to conduct scientific exploration of the uncharted territory. Both the lander and the rover of the Chang'e 4 probe have ended their work for the 12th lunar day, and switched to dormant mode for the lunar night, the Lunar Exploration and Space Programme Center of the China National Space Administration (CNSA) said on 04 December. Due to the complicated geological environment and the rugged and heavily cratered terrain on the far side of the Moon, Chinese space engineers carefully planned the driving routes of the rover to ensure its safety. Driving slowly but steadily, the Yutu 2 is expected to continue traveling on the Moon and make more scientific discoveries.
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