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NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day
July 9, 2025
A Beautiful Trifid
The beautiful Trifid Nebula is a cosmic study in contrasts. Also known as M20, it lies about 5,000 light-years away toward the nebula rich constellation Sagittarius. A star forming region in the plane of our galaxy, the Trifid does illustrate three different types of astronomical nebulae; red emission nebulae dominated by light from hydrogen atoms, blue reflection nebulae produced by dust reflecting starlight, and dark nebulae where dense dust clouds appear in silhouette. But, the red emission region roughly separated into three parts by obscuring dust lanes is what lends the Trifid its popular name. Pillars and jets sculpted by newborn stars, above and right of the emission nebula's center, appear in famous Hubble Space Telescope close-up images of the region. The Trifid Nebula is about 40 light-years across. Too faint to be seen by the unaided eye, in this deep telescopic view it almost covers the area of a full moon on planet Earth's sky.
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html
Flooding Along the Uruguay and Ibicuí Rivers
July 9, 2025
On June 18, 2025, torrential rains hit the state of Rio Grande do Sul in southern Brazil. Reports indicate that the abundance of rain—more than 350 millimeters (14 inches) in places—caused flash flooding, landslides, and the evacuation of thousands of people.
Almost a week later, an astronaut aboard the International Space Station photographed the still-swollen Uruguay and Ibicuí rivers.
The image above is a mosaic of several of those photos, acquired on June 24, 2025. (Click on the image to see the full mosaic.)
The image shows flooding along the confluence of the two rivers, located in the western part of the Brazilian state. (Argentina can be seen to the north of the Uruguay River.)
Part of Itaqui, a municipality along the bank of the Uruguay River, lies within the river’s floodplain.
Using data from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission, researchers previously showed that flood-related hazards are greatest along the outskirts of neighborhoods in the northern and western parts of Itaqui’s urban area.
The floods damaged more than 130 municipalities across the state, according to an International Organization for Migration report.
Jaguari, a municipality about 190 kilometers (120 miles) east of Itaqui, was especially hard hit and declared a state of public calamity. More than 20 others issued a state of emergency.
Just over a year had passed since the region experienced another episode of widespread, destructive flooding.
The 2024 floods inundated parts of Porto Alegre, the state’s capital city, and left parts of the state submerged for over a month.
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/154511/flooding-along-the-uruguay-and-ibicui-rivers
Darkness At NASA Is Here – But It Won’t Last Forever
July 8, 2025
Things are starting to look darker at NASA. The Supreme Court just gave the final, ultimate green light to the Administration to gut agencies – NASA – however they wish to do so.
Its time to adapt to this new paradigm. It is gloomy now. But that will eventually pass. NASA’s best days lie ahead. (More below).
According to this CNBC article:
“The Supreme Court on Tuesday said it will allow the Trump administration to proceed with large-scale reductions in staff at many federal government agencies as opponents continue to seek to block those efforts in lower-court proceedings.”
OK, so that really sucks.
There were not many things standing in the way of the Executive Orders and de facto cancellation plan embodied in the FY 2026 President’s Budget Request for NASA.
Add in these new Supreme Court decisions that further limit lower court blocks on Administration actions, and there’s not much left to protect NASA employees from RIFs and layoffs.
And of course contractor employees and external researchers who depend on NASA funds have even less protection. So here we are.
If you do not take a buyout by 25 July you are throwing your dice hoping not to be laid off or reassigned to another part of NASA. And if you survive your teammates will be gone.
Again, contractor personnel and researchers are collateral damage. The Administration’s political management is filling out obedient senior ranks at NASA HQ.
Center Directors, Associate Administrators, and Program Managers will soon make sudden departures as required loyalty to the new way of running a shrinking NASA asserts itself.
Once the dust settles – and the damage to NASA becomes clear – those of you who survived will be called upon to clean up the mess.
I lost a dream job at NASA under similar albeit less brutal chaos – so I totally – viscerally – understand your situation.
All of you are among the most gifted, energetic, imaginative, inspired, dedicated creative, and truly cosmic-minded team ever assembled – anywhere.
Wherever you are now – and wherever you end up – you’ll will quickly learn that ‘you may leave NASA – but NASA never leaves you’.
Someday, after this nightmare passes, you’ll all show those who sought to ruin NASA just what NASA people can really do. There’s a vast universe to explore. NASA people have – and always will – lead the way.
https://nasawatch.com/personnel-news/darkness-at-nasa-is-here-but-it-wont-last-forever/
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/08/trump-supreme-court-government-staff-cuts.html
Continuing the Quest for Clays
Jul 08, 2025
For the past month and a half, Perseverance has been exploring the Krokodillen plateau in search of clay-bearing rocks.
An earlier blog discussed that these rocks could hold clues to Mars’ watery past, and Perseverance has been exploring multiple potential locations to find a suitable target to sample.
When a coring target could not be found at the previous outcrop, the Science Team decided to return to the “Main Topsail” locality.
In a single drive to this area, Perseverance drove 411.7 meters (1,350.7 feet, or just over a quarter mile) — the longest driving distance ever accomplished by a robotic vehicle on another planet. Go, Percy, go!
Back in the region near “Main Topsail” and “Salmon Point,” the team attempted to abrade and sample the clay-bearing rocks at a few different targets.
These rocks, however, are proving very breakable and difficult to sample and abrade. Perseverance has experienced challenging fine-grained rocks before, such as during the fan front campaign inside Jezero crater.
In that scenario and this one, the Science and Engineering teams work together diligently to find the highest priority targets and find rocks that could withstand the abrasion and coring processes.
In this case, the team has decided to return to the site of a previous abrasion, “Strong Island,” to sample the rock we have already abraded and analyzed.
This abrasion showed the strong clay signature the team is looking to sample, and we will make another coring attempt this week.
This past week, the Perseverance team hosted two very special visitors, Madeline and Joshua, and had the unique honor of fulfilling their wishes through the Make-A-Wish foundation.
During their visits to JPL, Madeline and Joshua were named honorary Mars 2020 Operations Team Members.
They visited the test rovers in the JPL Mars Yard, watched data arrive from the rover with the Perseverance operations team, and attended a rover planning meeting, collaborating with the science and engineering team members on campus.
Madeline and Joshua will forever be connected to the Mars 2020 mission, as each selected the name of one of our planning targets. Madeline’s target, “Jigging Cove,” was a target for Mastcam-Z and SuperCam “all techniques” analysis, including LIBS, VISIR, and RMI.
Joshua’s selection, “Gallants,” will be used for the next coring target. Carrying forward the resilience shown by Madeline and Joshua, Perseverance will attempt to sample this clay-rich bedrock before continuing the investigation along the Jezero crater rim.
https://science.nasa.gov/blog/continuing-the-quest-for-clays/
Tuesday’s Station Research Advancing Crew Health as Crew Unpacks Cargo
July 8, 2025
Biomedical research topped the science schedule aboard the International Space Station on Tuesday as the Expedition 73 and Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) crews explored cellular immunity and electrical muscle stimulation.
Cargo transfers and exercise gear maintenance rounded out the day for the orbital residents.
Station Commander Takuya Onishi from JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) began his shift continuing his space biology studies and collecting his blood and saliva samples for processing and stowage.
He spun the specimens in a centrifuge then placed the blood samples in a science freezer. Next, he stowed the saliva samples in the Kubik incubator.
The samples will be analyzed to understand microgravity’s effect on cellular immunity, monitor stress-related immune reactions in space, and learn how to treat space-caused immunity symptoms.
NASA Flight Engineers Jonny Kim, Nichole Ayers, and Anne McClain spent their day on a variety of orbital lab maintenance and crew support activities. Kim focused primarily on orbital plumbing as he drained and replaced tanks in the Tranquility module.
Ayers checked power components and cables inside the Destiny laboratory module then deactivated and stowed a microscope. McClain took a cognition test on a laptop computer and continued supporting the Ax-4 crew during their busy research schedule.
Veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson and her Ax-4 crewmates Shubhanshu Shukla, Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, and Tibor Kapu kept up their numerous space investigations throughout the orbital lab.
The private astronauts in their second full week on the station explored electrical muscle stimulation to enhance space workouts and counter muscle atrophy in microgravity.
Other Ax-4 experiments on Tuesday looked at suit fabrics that promote thermal comfort when exercising in weightlessness, crew behavioral health, and space agriculture.
Roscosmos Flight Engineers Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritskiy spent their Tuesday shift working together in the Zvezda service module repairing and placing components on a treadmill, one of two inside the space station including the COLBERT treadmill located in Tranquility. Flight Engineer Kirill Peskov started his day analyzing biological samples from his cosmonaut crewmates then serviced video recording gear.
He wrapped up his shift transferring water from the newly arrived Progress 92 cargo craft and unloading some of its three tons of crew supplies and hardware.
https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation/2025/07/08/tuesdays-station-research-advancing-crew-health-as-crew-unpacks-cargo/
One year ago, solar storms lit up the night sky. Why?
Jul 08, 2025
The Sun is 93 million miles away from Earth, on average. Even though it's far away, we can still see and feel its effects here.
One of the most beautiful effects are the auroras - colorful lights that dance across the sky near the North and South Poles.
These are also called the Northern and Southern Lights. They happen when tiny particles from the Sun hit gas molecules in our atmosphere and give off energy.
Sometimes the Sun becomes very active and sends out a lot more energy than normal. When this happens, we can see auroras in places much farther from the poles than normal.
In May 2024, around Mother's Day, the Sun sent powerful solar storms in the direction of Earth. These storms were also called the Gannon Storms, named after Jennifer Gannon, a scientist who studied space weather.
The Northern Lights could be seen as far south as Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Mexico, Jamaica, and the Bahamas. The Southern Lights were also visible as far north as South Africa and New Zealand.
Scientists who study the Sun and its effects on our solar system work in a field called heliophysics.
Their studies of the Sun have shown that it goes through cycles of being more active and less active.
Each one of these cycles lasts about 11 years, but can be anywhere from 8 to 14 years long. This is called the Solar Cycle.
The middle of each cycle is called Solar Maximum. During this time, the Sun has more dark spots (called sunspots) and creates more space weather events.
The big storms in May 2024 happened during the Solar Maximum for Solar Cycle 25.
On May 8 and 9, 2024, an active area on the Sun called AR3664 shot out powerful solar flares and several huge bursts of energy called coronal mass ejections (CMEs).
These CMEs headed straight for Earth. The first CME pushed aside the normal solar wind, making a clear path for the others to reach us faster.
When all this energy hit our atmosphere, it created auroras much farther from the poles than usual. It was like the Sun gave the auroras a huge power boost!
Auroras are beautiful to watch, but the space weather that creates them can also cause problems. Space weather can mess up radio signals, power grids, GPS systems, and satellites.
During the May 2024 storms, GPS systems used by farmers were disrupted. Many farmers use GPS to guide their self-driving tractors.
Since this happened during peak planting season, it may have cost billions of dollars in lost profit.
Because space weather can cause so many problems, scientists at NASA and around the world watch the Sun closely to predict when these events will happen.
You can help too! Join local science projects at schools, teach others about the Sun, and help make observations in your area. All of this helps us to learn more about the Sun and how it affects our planet.
https://science.nasa.gov/uncategorized/helio-highlights-may-2025/
Stellar Duo
Jul 08, 2025
NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope captured a bright variable star, V 372 Orionis, and its companion in this festive image in this image released on Jan. 27, 2023.
The pair lie in the Orion Nebula, a colossal region of star formation roughly 1,450 light-years from Earth.
V 372 Orionis is a particular type of variable star known as an Orion Variable.
These young stars experience some tempestuous moods and growing pains, which are visible to astronomers as irregular variations in luminosity.
Orion Variables are often associated with diffuse nebulae, and V 372 Orionis is no exception; the patchy gas and dust of the Orion Nebula pervade this scene.
https://www.nasa.gov/image-article/stellar-duo/
https://www.iflscience.com/something-unknown-is-at-work-here-unexpected-results-from-nasa-mission-to-deflect-asteroid-79925
https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/PSJ/addd1a#psjaddd1as7
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-OvnVdZP_8
"Something Unknown Is At Work Here": Unexpected Results From NASA Mission To Deflect Asteroid
July 9, 2025
In 2022, NASA slammed a spaceship into an asteroid about the size of the Great Pyramid of Giza in an attempt to alter its course.
The mission was a success, and demonstrated that it is possible to redirect objects in space, great news for a planet that isn't a huge fan of being wiped out by asteroids.
As well as successfully redirecting the asteroid Dimorphos, it sent huge boulders flying off from the loosely bound asteroid, ranging in size from 1 to 7 meters (3-23 feet) in diameter.
A new paper tracking boulders resulting from the impact has found that they gave a push in unexpected directions, which could potentially complicate any future asteroid deflection mission.
"There has yet to be a full accounting of the total momentum in all directions, but the ejecta cone spreads out sideways, as well as in the direction of the incoming spacecraft," the team explains in their paper.
"Thus, a significant component of the momentum, possibly several times that contributing to the β factor, was carried out perpendicular to Dimorphos’s velocity vector.
To fully understand the impact’s effect on Dimorphos’s orbit, it is necessary to explore the spatial distribution of the debris field and use it to ascertain the net momentum of all its components."
The team analyzed the distribution of 104 boulders imaged by the Light Italian Cubesat for Imaging of Asteroids (LICIACube), which accompanied the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission.
These boulders, which range in size from 0.2 to 3.6 meters (0.7 to 11.8 feet) in radius, shot away from Dimorphos at speeds up to 52 meters per second (116 miles per hour) after impact.
While redirecting the asteroid was expected – it was the whole point of the mission – the direction these boulders took was less so.
"We saw that the boulders weren't scattered randomly in space," Tony Farnham, lead author of the paper and a research scientist at UMD's Department of Astronomy, said in a statement.
"Instead, they were clustered in two pretty distinct groups, with an absence of material elsewhere, which means that something unknown is at work here."
The largest of the debris clusters contained around 70 percent of the ejected objects, and headed south at high velocities at a shallow angle to the asteroid's surface.
The team believes that these were likely the remains of large boulders that were shattered upon impact with DART's solar panels.
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"DART's solar panels likely hit two big boulders, called Atabaque and Bodhran, on the asteroid," second author Jessica Sunshine, a professor of astronomy and geology at UMD, added.
"Evidence suggests that the southern cluster of ejected material is probably made up of fragments from Atabaque, a 3.3-meter-radius boulder."
According to the team, the boulders unleashed by the impact carried more than three times the momentum of the DART spacecraft impacting it.
What's more, given that the ejected boulders were generally perpendicular to the direction of DART, the mission could have tilted the asteroid's orbital plane by up to one degree, potentially sending it rolling and tumbling into space.
"If an asteroid was tumbling toward us, and we knew we had to move it a specific amount to prevent it from hitting Earth, then all these subtleties become very, very important," Sunshine added.
"You can think of it as a cosmic pool game. We might miss the pocket if we don't consider all the variables."
While not a threat to the Earth, future asteroid deflection missions will have to take into account the complicated dynamics seen here.
"Deep Impact hit a surface that was essentially very small, uniform particles, so its ejecta was relatively smooth and continuous," Sunshine, who was deputy principal investigator on NASA's Deep Impact mission, continued.
"And here, we see that DART hit a surface that was rocky and full of large boulders, resulting in chaotic and filamentary structures in its ejecta patterns."
"Comparing these two missions side-by-side gives us this insight into how different types of celestial bodies respond to impacts, which is crucial to ensuring that a planetary defense mission is successful."
The team suggests that a full description of the momentum of the surface boulders is necessary to work out how future impacts will affect the space object in question.
Fortunately, the European Space Agency's Hera mission will arrive at Dimorphos in 2026, in order to further analyze the impact.
"We succeeded in deflecting an asteroid, moving it from its orbit," Farnham added.
"Our research shows that while the direct impact of the DART spacecraft caused this change, the boulders ejected gave an additional kick that was almost as big.
That additional factor changes the physics we need to consider when planning these types of missions."
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China's Shenzhou-19 astronauts meet press after return from space
22:18, 09-Jul-2025
The three astronauts from China's Shenzhou-19 crewed mission, Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong, and Wang Haoze, made their first public appearance on Wednesday after returning to Earth in April.
Having completed quarantine and rehabilitation following their return and with their medical evaluations confirming they are all in good physical and mental condition, the astronauts are now undergoing an observation period as part of standard post-mission protocols.
Speaking to the press, Commander Cai Xuzhe highlighted the teamwork that defined the mission. "During the flight, our crew united as one with shared beliefs and goals.
This spirit contributed to the continuous advancement of China's manned space program," he said.
Pilot Song Lingdong reflected on the rigorous preparation for extravehicular activities (EVAs). "We conducted meticulous training day after day to ensure mission success.
When I opened the airlock hatch for the spacewalk, it marked the culmination of years of effort. It was truly a moment where my personal dream aligned with national achievements in space exploration."
Mission specialist Wang Haoze shared insights on technological validation. "We tested and verified the space pipeline robot system, which demonstrated great potential for future station maintenance," he said.
"Standing on the shoulders of generations of aerospace pioneers, I'm confident our space science endeavors will yield even greater breakthroughs."
Launched on October 30, 2024, from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, the Shenzhou-19 crew spent 183 days in orbit, setting a new world record for the longest single EVA duration during three spacewalks.
The mission accomplished over 70 space science experiments and technological trials, including validation of robotic maintenance systems critical for future space station operations. The astronauts safely returned to Earth on April 30, 2025.
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-07-09/China-s-Shenzhou-19-astronauts-meet-press-after-return-from-space-1ESdalQeVhe/p.html
Elon Musk's Starlink Gets Green Light From Indian Space Regulator
Jul 09, 2025 19:43 pm IST
New Delhi:
In what could change the future of affordable satellite-based internet service in India, Elon Musk's Starlink on Wednesday received approval from the country's space regulator, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe).
With this, the final regulatory hurdle for the cheaper internet service to start rolling its commercial satellite broadband operations in the country has been cleared, according to the IN-SPACe final authorisation document for Starlink seen by IANS.
Starlink now needs to acquire spectrum from the government and establish ground infrastructure for its services.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is set to grant trial spectrum to the US-based space firm to complete security compliance demonstrations.
Starlink has signed its first commercial agreements with VSAT providers in India. VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) service providers offer satellite-based internet and communication solutions, particularly for locations with limited or no terrestrial connectivity.
The affordable satellite-based internet service Starlink is now set to roll out in the country in a few months. While the groundwork is nearly complete, some technical and procedural steps remain before the service can be launched in a few months.
Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said last week that all due diligence has been completed from their end for the entry of SpaceX's Starlink service in India, and once they receive the necessary regulatory and licensing approvals from the space regulator, they can roll out the service in the country whenever they wish to.
The space regulator had earlier issued a draft letter of intent (LOI) to the company.
Starlink provides internet through a network of satellites orbiting Earth. The company currently operates the world's largest constellation of satellites, with more than 6,750 in orbit.
Starlink services are already available in several countries, including Mongolia, Japan, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Jordan, Yemen, Azerbaijan and Sri Lanka.
Amazon's Project Kuiper, Starlink's rival, is also awaiting regulatory approvals from both the DoT and IN-SPACe. Kuiper is planning a large-scale satcom rollout in India.
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/elon-musks-starlink-gets-green-light-from-indian-space-regulator-8850214
Closing the loop: new Space Rider drop test
09/07/2025
Space Rider is ESA’s reuseable spacecraft in development. It will be about the size of two minivans and will allow for many kinds of missions, ranging from pharmaceutical research to in-orbit manufacturing, visiting orbital platforms and more.
After staying in Earth orbit for up to three months, Space Rider will return through our atmosphere to precision-land on skids after a paraglider descent.
Following a two-month drop-test campaign in 2024, the Space Rider team returned to the Salto di Quirra testing range (Poligono Interforze del Salto di Quirra - PISQ), in Sardinia, Italy, for two weeks of testing.
The drop-test campaign last month included the flight-control algorithm that guides Space Rider on its own to a target landing point.
The drop-test campaign had two objectives: the qualification of the parachutes used to slow the spacecraft during descent, and to test the software that controls the parafoil, guiding the Space Rider’s reentry module to its precise landing site.
Space Rider models were dropped from a CH-47 Chinook Italian Army helicopter from altitudes ranging from 1 to 2.5 km, at the Italian military's training and experimentation area Salto di Quirra.
A chain of parachutes
When Space Rider returns from orbit it will be flying over six times faster than the speed of sound and heat up to intense temperatures over 1600ºC as the spacecraft reentry module starts hitting the molecules in our atmosphere.
To slow down and land securely and safely, Space Rider features a sequence of parachutes that deploy: a circular drogue chute that opens just below the speed of sound for first braking, and a pilot chute that is used to drag out the large parafoil at 5 km altitude that will guide Space Rider to a precision landing.
Three descent-system drop-tests were performed, during which these parachutes were successfully deployed.
The tests proved the parachutes could reduce speed as required and verified the extraction and inflation sequence of the entire parachute chain, from drogue to parafoil.
Closed-loop autonomous landing
Three closed-loop drop tests were successfully performed as well, on another test-model.
The closed-loop drop-test model is a metal pallet equipped with measurement devices, control avionics, two winches to pull the parafoil’s steering lines, a canister to store the packed chutes and a concrete ballast to meet the weight of Space Rider’s reentry module.
Once released from the helicopter, this test model descended autonomously until touchdown, relying solely on its sensors and actuators, without any control from ground.
Although “salto” means “jump” in Italian, the test campaign demonstrated that Space Rider will be able to land gently down to an accuracy of just 150 m:
this ambitious target is a remarkable achievement for Europe and is a world-first for precision landing under parafoil. The model flew for 12 minutes from 2.5 km altitude, with a vertical speed of 4 m/s, landing at 2 m/s, all controlled by the parafoil system.
The tests were made possible through strong collaboration between industry and the Italian defence sector. This drop-test campaign was led by Thales Alenia Space Italia, prime contractor for Space Rider and responsible for the reentry module, with strong support from industrial partners Sener, CIMSA, Teseo and Meteomatics.
The Italian Air Force and Army played a key role, providing essential support for ground logistics and flight operations including access to the Salto di Quirra testing range.
Next: full system
A few more steps remain to complete the test verification of Space Rider's descent and landing phase.
A system drop-test campaign, featuring a full mockup of the reentry module that will have the same weight, aerodynamic shape and landing gears as the real thing will demonstrate the overall landing and touchdown.
A final campaign will test landing stability by exploring worst-case scenarios of a Space Rider touchdown. For this test, another model with a landing gear will be accelerated on a roller-coaster-like rig and dropped onto a landing site.
This campaign will ensure that the landing does not subject precious scientific payloads to excessive shocks – no rough landings allowed.
This final step will also be conducted with the support of the Italian Ministry of Defence, making use of a new landing facility at the Salto di Quirra testing range. The site was set up to accommodate activities such as suborbital reentry module tests and suborbital missions.
Space Rider is designed for a quick turnaround: following each mission, it will undergo six months of maintenance before going back to space again and run more experiments.
https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Space_Transportation/Space_Rider/Closing_the_loop_new_Space_Rider_drop_test
MDA Space achieves industry first in satellite digital beam forming
07/09/2025, 08:25 AM
MONTRÉAL - MDA Space (TSX:MDA), a $3.46 billion market cap space technology company whose stock has surged nearly 200% over the past year, announced Wednesday it has successfully demonstrated digitally formed and steered multiple beams with its Ka-band direct radiating array (DRA) using direct sampling, marking an industry first in satellite communication technology.
According to InvestingPro data, the company maintains a GREAT financial health score, suggesting strong operational fundamentals.
The company’s AURORA Ka-band DRA technology enables multiple simultaneous beams that can be electronically steered, providing enhanced flexibility for satellite communications systems supporting broadband connectivity and 5G networks.
According to the company’s press release, this achievement represents a significant milestone in developing digital payload technology for MDA’s software-defined product line for next-generation satellite constellations.
With revenue growth of approximately 50% in the last twelve months and trading near its 52-week high of $28.16, MDA’s technological innovations appear to be translating into strong financial performance.
For deeper insights into MDA’s growth potential and detailed financial analysis, consider exploring InvestingPro, which offers exclusive ProTips and comprehensive research reports.
Unlike traditional methods that rely on intermediate frequency conversion, MDA’s direct sampling approach aims to deliver greater efficiency, potentially reducing satellite costs, mass, and power consumption.
The AURORA system is designed to be scalable, capable of handling hundreds of array elements and providing multiple high-capacity spot beams.
"With MDA AURORA, we’re providing a highly flexible and adaptable solution that can be tailored to meet each customer’s specific requirements," said Luigi Pozzebon, Vice-President of Satellite Systems at MDA Space, in the statement.
The company has established a demonstration lab at its Montréal manufacturing facility where customers can observe the AURORA technology in operation.
The lab features a DRA prototype that will eventually connect to an onboard processor prototype to demonstrate the complete communication chain between a gateway ground station and a user terminal.
MDA Space, which has over 55 years of experience in the space industry and has contributed to more than 450 missions, employs more than 3,400 space experts across Canada, the US, and the UK.
Based on InvestingPro’s Fair Value analysis, the stock appears to be fairly valued at current levels, with analysts setting price targets ranging from $23.73 to $33.59.
In other recent news, MDA Space Ltd. has announced a contract extension with Fisheries and Oceans Canada to continue providing satellite surveillance data for maritime activities.
This extension includes future use of data from MDA CHORUS, which is expected to be operational by mid-2026.
In a significant development, MDA Space has taken over the operation of the David Florida Laboratory in Ottawa, securing the future of Canada’s sole commercial spacecraft testing facility.
Additionally, the company secured contracts worth $60 million for sensor systems for the Royal Canadian Navy’s River-class Destroyer program, enhancing situational awareness and protection against threats.
MDA Space has also been involved in a merger with SatixFy Communications Ltd., which has been approved by SatixFy shareholders.
This all-cash merger, valued at approximately $280 million, is expected to close in the third quarter of 2025, pending regulatory approvals.
The revised merger terms came after SatixFy received an alternative acquisition offer, which MDA disputed, leading to an increased offer of $3.00 per share.
The merger is seen as a strategic fit as the industry moves towards digital technologies. These developments highlight MDA Space’s ongoing expansion and strategic partnerships within the space and defense sectors.
https://www.investing.com/news/company-news/mda-space-achieves-industry-first-in-satellite-digital-beam-forming-93CH-4128158
https://www.firstpost.com/tech/china-attempts-unique-feat-in-space-its-2-satellites-try-orbital-refuelling-at-over-35000-km-altitude-13904533.html
China attempts unique feat in space, its 2 satellites try orbital refuelling at over 35,000 km altitude
July 9, 2025, 16:11:00 IST
China appears to be on the verge of accomplishing a groundbreaking manoeuvre in space by attempting an orbital refuelling operation at geosynchronous altitude, some 35,786 kilometres above the Earth.
According to reports, satellite movement suggested that the Chinese satellites Shijian-21 (SJ-21) and Shijian-25 (SJ-25) have recently docked in orbit, an event that may mark the first attempt at satellite-to-satellite refuelling at such an altitude.
This development, although not confirmed by official Chinese sources, has sparked considerable interest and concern within the international space and defence communities.
According to open-source satellite trackers and optical imagery shared by firms like s2a systems and COMSPOC, SJ-21 and SJ-25 approached each other multiple times between June 13 and June 30, with the final rendezvous seemingly occurring on July 2.
The two satellites have remained together ever since leading observers to believe that docking, and possibly refuelling, has occurred, Ars Technica reported.
A dual-use technology with strategic implications
Though the Chinese government has offered little recent commentary, earlier disclosures provide some insight.
The Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST), which developed both satellites, stated that SJ-25 was designed for “the verification of satellite fuel replenishment and life extension service technologies”.
Meanwhile, SJ-21, launched in 2021, had previously demonstrated its ability to capture and tow a defunct Beidou navigation satellite to a graveyard orbit, an operation officially described as a space debris mitigation test, Space.com reported.
However, experts believe that there is more at stake than orbital cleanliness. Technologies capable of docking, manoeuvring and potentially refuelling satellites are considered “dual-use,” suitable for both peaceful applications and military strategies.
As former US Space Force Lt Gen John Shaw pointed out, these capabilities could eventually enable one satellite to intercept, inspect or even disable another nation’s satellite without causing destructive debris, an article in Ars Technica said.
Shaw emphasised that dynamic space operations, essentially the ability to move, inspect and refuel satellites, are a growing priority for the US military.
However, he expressed concern that China might be leading the race, especially if the SJ-25 has successfully delivered fuel to the presumably depleted SJ-21.
Importance of geosynchronous orbit
Geosynchronous orbit (GEO) holds particular strategic importance for both military and commercial satellite operations. At this altitude, satellites remain fixed over a single point on Earth, making them ideal for tasks like secure military communications and early missile detection.
Given the sensitivity and value of assets stationed in GEO, any operations involving close approaches or docking manoeuvres naturally attract scrutiny.
Because of this, the United States deployed two of its GSSAP (Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Programme) satellites—USA 270 and USA 271—to observe the Chinese activity.
These satellites are designed to manoeuvre around GEO and inspect objects up close. However, as Shaw noted, their range is limited by fuel constraints, which is precisely why refuelling capabilities in space are being so closely watched, the South China Morning Post reported.
Technical challenges and capabilities
Refuelling in orbit, especially without human involvement, is an extraordinarily complex process. Unlike refuelling operations on space stations like the ISS or China’s Tiangong, which benefit from human oversight, satellite-to-satellite refuelling must be performed autonomously.
According to a 2022 paper in Aerospace Systems, challenges include precise docking, fuel transfer in microgravity and the risk of propellant boil-off.
Once two spacecraft are docked, the servicing satellite, in this case SJ-25, would need to latch onto the target, likely with a robotic arm, remove protective coverings and initiate fluid transfer via pressurised systems.
Propellants such as hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide, commonly used in satellite thrusters, must be handled with extreme care due to their volatile nature. a report in the South China Morning Post said.
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Watching the watchers
While China’s demonstration is notable, it also reveals the escalating game of orbital chess now playing out above Earth. The US Space Force’s inspector satellites were not the only watchers.
China’s own operators have become adept at evading surveillance. Shaw observed that Chinese satellites have been known to manoeuvre away when approached by GSSAP satellites, exploiting their predictable and limited movement patterns.
If China succeeds in enabling its satellites to refuel at will, its capacity for dynamic space operations could outpace the US, diminishing the surveillance effectiveness of American assets like GSSAP.
As Shaw remarked, “the marginal cost of those maneuvers for them becomes even lower, and the challenge for GSSAP becomes even greater,” the Ars Technica said quoting the former military official.
Global precedents and comparisons
While this is potentially a first for high-orbit refuelling, it is not humanity’s first venture into on-orbit servicing. In low Earth orbit, DARPA’s Orbital Express mission in 2007 demonstrated autonomous docking and fuel transfer between two satellites.
In geosynchronous orbit, Northrop Grumman’s Mission Extension Vehicles (MEV-1 and MEV-2) successfully docked with ageing commercial satellites to extend their operational lifetimes, though without actually transferring propellant, Space.com said.
Japan’s Astroscale is also entering the arena, planning to demonstrate fluid-based refuelling in the coming year. Nasa, meanwhile, has been preparing its own high-profile OSAM-1 mission (On-orbit Servicing, Assembly and Manufacturing), previously known as Restore-L, to refuel government satellites in low orbit.
However, none of these missions—past or planned—has matched China’s current feat in terms of orbital altitude, complexity or autonomy.
India’s position in on-orbit servicing
India, while a growing space power with a track record of cost-effective innovation, currently lags behind in the niche domain of on-orbit satellite servicing and refuelling, especially at high altitudes like geosynchronous orbit.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) has yet to announce or demonstrate capabilities akin to China’s Shijian-21 and Shijian-25 missions or the US’s Northrop Grumman’s Mission Extension Vehicles.
Isro has focussed heavily on Earth observation, communication satellites, planetary exploration and lunar missions such as Chandrayaan-3.
India may eventually step into satellite servicing, given the growing importance of space sustainability and the potential for public-private partnerships in the sector.
For now, India is more likely to observe global developments closely and build the requisite infrastructure before attempting such complex, autonomous operations in high Earth orbit.
Unanswered questions and next steps
Despite the numerous data points from commercial trackers like COMSPOC and optical firms such as S2A Systems, significant uncertainty remains.
Joe Callaro, COMSPOC’s operations lead, emphasised the limitations of visual tracking when two satellites become “one pixel” in telescope imagery.
RF and radar data help improve confidence, but they don’t replace direct confirmation, according to Ars Technica.
If confirmed, the success of this high-orbit refuelling test may signal a paradigm shift in how space operations are conducted both commercially and militarily.
The ability to refuel satellites in geosynchronous orbit could dramatically extend their operational lives, reduce costs and enhance responsiveness to emerging threats.
At the same time, it also highlights the need for transparency and dialogue in space affairs. With multiple nations now capable of sophisticated satellite servicing and, potentially, disruption, international norms and safeguards may be more urgent than ever.
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Harvard Scientists Grow Algae in Mars-Like Conditions, Paving Way for Space Habitats
July 8, 2025
If humans are ever to establish permanent settlements beyond Earth, they will need to build habitable structures.
However, transporting large quantities of industrial materials for construction poses major logistical and financial challenges.
Scientists at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) are exploring a biological alternative.
Led by Robin Wordsworth, Gordon McKay Professor of Environmental Science and Engineering and Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences, an international team has successfully grown green algae inside shelters constructed from bioplastics under Mars-like conditions. These experiments represent an initial step toward developing self-sustaining space habitats that do not rely on materials transported from Earth.
“If you have a habitat that is composed of bioplastic, and it grows algae within it, that algae could produce more bioplastic,” explained Wordsworth.
“So you start to have a closed-loop system that can sustain itself and even grow through time.”
Growing algae in Mars-like conditions
In laboratory tests simulating Mars’ low-pressure environment, the research team led by Wordsworth successfully cultivated a common green algae species known as Dunaliella tertiolecta.
The algae grew inside a 3D-printed chamber made from polylactic acid, a type of bioplastic that blocks harmful UV radiation while still allowing enough light through for photosynthesis.
The algae was maintained in conditions with an atmospheric pressure of 600 Pascals—more than 100 times lower than Earth’s—and a carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere, rather than Earth’s nitrogen and oxygen mix.
Although liquid water typically cannot exist at such low pressure, the chamber created a pressure gradient that kept water stable inside. These findings suggest that bioplastics could play a vital role in building life-support systems in uninhabitable environments.
The researchers’ method mimics the natural way organisms grow on Earth, offering an alternative to traditional industrial approaches that rely on expensive and difficult-to-recycle materials.
Humans living in space
Wordsworth’s team previously demonstrated a type of local Martian terraforming using sheets of silica aerogels that mimic the Earth’s greenhouse warming effect to allow for biological growth.
A combination of the algae experiments with the aerogels would solve both temperature and pressure issues for supporting plant and algae growth, Wordsworth said, and could open a clearer path toward extraterrestrial existence.
Next, Wordsworth said the researchers want to demonstrate that their habitats also work in vacuum conditions, which would be relevant for lunar or deep-space applications. His team also has plans to design a working closed-loop system for habitat production.
“The concept of biomaterial habitats is fundamentally interesting and can support humans living in space,” Wordsworth said. “As this type of technology develops, it’s going to have spinoff benefits for sustainability technology here on Earth as well.”
https://scitechdaily.com/harvard-scientists-grow-algae-in-mars-like-conditions-paving-way-for-space-habitats/
https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adp4985