This week, off world: The Sun may superflare every 100 years, China launches its 'laser diamond' test satellites, and loads more...

Decades of conflict have devastated the Central African Republic, with especially harsh effects on children. To help alleviate the suffering if this mostly forgotten conflict, you can donate here...

...and here is (one) place you can donate to help children in Afghanistan, caught under the Taliban.

Thank you!

  Pick o' the podcasts:

223: Preparing for something we haven't seen yet with Dr. Holt — Spacepod

 

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From the video store:

China launches “laser diamond constellation test” satellites - SpaceNews

ESA’s Proba 3 mission to form artificial solar eclipses in space 

Nothing from SpaceX this week... I'm kidding:  Blastoff! SpaceX launches 22 Starlink satellites from California, nails landing 

Reading material:

Virgin Galactic signs agreement to study suborbital spaceflights from Italian spaceport - SpaceNews

Trump’s second term can achieve the bipartisan goal of resilient satellites  - SpaceNews

Firefly Sparkle: 'Christmas' galaxy reveals how Universe formed - BBC News

Flare from supermassive black hole M87 astounds in images | UCLA

Superflares once per Century

This week, off world: Making space a shared frontier, Vega C returns to flight and loads more...

 Here’s where you can donate to help Ukrainian refugees and war victims... 

...and here is (one) place you can donate to help children in Afghanistan, caught under the Taliban.

Thank you!

  Pick o' the podcasts:

224: Aurora borealis with Tina Ibsen — Spacepod

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From the video store:

Vega C successfully returns to flight - SpaceNews

China launches first Long March 12 from new commercial spaceport in boost for country's lunar plans - SpaceNews

SpaceX launches fifth mission for NRO’s proliferated architecture  - SpaceNews

Reading material:

The urgent need for a national GPS jamming detection system - SpaceNews

'Cataclysmic' solar storm hit Earth around 2,687 years ago, ancient tree rings reveal | Space

Globalstar and Parsons unveil satellite service for defense market - SpaceNews

Neuraspace installs second telescope to enhance space traffic monitoring - SpaceNews

It’s time to make space exploration a shared frontier for all - SpaceNews

This week (well the last few weeks, I've been ill), off world: SpaceX SpaceX SpaceX, an interview with Rocket Lab's CEO Peter Beck and loads more...

Here’s where you can donate to help Ukrainian refugees and war victims... 

...and here is (one) place you can donate to help children in Afghanistan, caught under the Taliban.

Thank you!

  Pick o' the podcasts:

The Inquiry - What will happen after the International Space Station? - BBC Sounds 

 

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From the video store:

6th test flight of SpaceX's Starship rocket, as President Elect Trump watches: 

 

   

 

SpaceX launches 24 Starlink satellites from Florida, lands rocket at sea, after weather delay (video) | Space

Rocket Lab launches two Electrons within 24 hours - SpaceNews

 

...their CEO becomes the newest 'Space Billionaire'...

...and is interviewed by CNBC:

Tianzhou-7 undocks from Chinese space station:

Tianzhou 8 launches...

...and docks:

Blue Origin launches ninth crewed New Shepard suborbital mission - SpaceNews 

 

Reading material:

Secret China project revealed by satellite images to be nuclear propulsion system

What a 2nd Trump administration could mean for NASA and space exploration | Space

Pakistan’s toxic smog cover is now visible from space

Space station developers weigh in on NASA’s continuous presence rethink - SpaceNews

ESA and JAXA sign statement on expanding deep space cooperation - SpaceNews

There was Hot Water on Mars 4.45 Billion Years Ago - Universe Today

Earth's Old Trees Keep A Record of Powerful Solar Storms - Universe Today

The First Close-Up Picture of Star Outside the Milky Way - Universe Today

Scotland Cannot Afford To Miss Out On The New Race For Space

This week, off world: Someone has moved a derelict satellite, US Space Force's mysterious spaceplane begins an experimental 'aerobraking' manoeuvre, and loads more...

 Here’s where you can donate to help Ukrainian refugees and war victims... 

...and here is (one) place you can donate to help children in Afghanistan, caught under the Taliban.

Thank you!

  Pick o' the podcasts:

 

 

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From the video store:

Japan launches Kirameki 3 military communications satellite with H3 rocket - SpaceNews

Using microgravity for stem cell research:

Russia sends 53 satellites to orbit on record-breaking launch (video)

Satellites capture havoc caused by Spanish floods 

NOAA satellites watch Hurricane Rafael make landfall in Cuba (video) | Space

SpaceX launches 23 more Starlink satellites from Florida

Satellite survives impact with object in space, takes selfie to prove it

Space Force's mysterious X-37B begins 'aerobraking' to lower orbit. Here's how it works (video)

Reading material:

Skynet-1A: Why did the UK's oldest space satellite end up thousands of miles from where it should have been? - BBC News

SpaceX CRS-31 supports heart health, neurodegeneration, and student science

Space-based solar power: 'We have nothing to lose and everything to gain' – Physics World

Rocket Lab confirms plan to bid for Pentagon launch contracts with new medium rocket - SpaceNews

This week, off world: Is Boeing selling its space business? Plus: Vast releases the design for it's Haven-2 commercial space station and loads more...

 Here’s where you can donate to help Ukrainian refugees and war victims... 

...and here is (one) place you can donate to help children in Afghanistan, caught under the Taliban.

Thank you!

     Pick o' the podcasts:

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From the video store:

Shenzhou 19 crew enters Tiangong space station after docking: 

SpaceX catches giant Starship booster with 'Chopsticks' on historic Flight 5 rocket launch and landing (video) | Space:

SpaceX launches 23 Starlink satellites from Florida (video, photos) | Space :

Liftoff! Vulcan's Second Trip to Orbit: 

SpaceX rocket launches Europe's Hera planetary defense probe to visit asteroid smacked by NASA | Space:

A mission back to the Dimorphos system:

Satellite images capture Hurricane Milton intensifying into Category 5 storm (videos) | Space:

 

A Star Appears to Have Come Closer to Earth Than the Voyager Probes: 

Reading material:

Shijian-19 reusable satellite lands after 2 weeks in space - SpaceNews

Vast releases design of Haven-2 commercial space station - SpaceNews

D-Orbit enters GEO in-orbit servicing market - SpaceNews

Boeing Satellite Exploded Into at Least 500 Pieces of Debris

NASA's solar-sailing spacecraft has a bent boom and is still tumbling in Earth orbit (photo) | Space

SpaceX launches next-gen US spy satellites on 100th Falcon 9 flight of the year | Space

China launches new set of classified Yaogan spy satellites (video) | Space

Scientists found one of the largest carbon-based space molecules ever. Here's why that's a big deal | Space

Could Life at TRAPPIST-1 Survive the Star's Superflares? - Universe Today

What satellite images reveal about strikes on Iran - BBC News

Airbus to cut up to 2,500 jobs amid space segment losses - SpaceNews

Is Boeing considering selling its space business and NASA deals?

Lockheed Martin completes acquisition of smallsat manufacturer Terran Orbital - SpaceNews

NRO shows continued interest in orbital transfer vehicles and spacecraft multimanifesting - SpaceNews

Earth-observation startup emerges from stealth with $12 million - SpaceNews

Astronauts to grow livers in space, where microgravity might help them thrive

Hey all....

 ... this week has been crazier than usual, the weekend also looks busy, so I'm taking a break rather than publish a link-storm of the  4-5 links I'd have time to collect and check (a link shower?). See you all next week,

John Freeman

This week, off world: Satellites track hurricane Helene, bacteria in space adapt to the extreme conditions, and loads more...

Here’s where you can donate to help Ukrainian refugees and war victims... 

...and here is (one) place you can donate to help children in Afghanistan, caught under the Taliban.

Thank you!

     Pick o' the podcasts:

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From the video store:

Blastoff! NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 launches to space station

Blue Origin fires up 2nd stage of huge New Glenn rocket ahead of debut launch (video) | Space

China's Smart Dragon-3 launches 8 satellites from sea platform

Blastoffs! China's Kuaizhou-1A and Long March-2D rockets launch 10 satellites

Nebula-1 VTVL test

Smart Dragon-3 launches eight satellites

NASA's Suni Williams becomes ISS commander for 2nd time in ceremony

Blastoff! SpaceX launches new Starlink batch from California, nails landing

3 Medical Breakthroughs from the International Space Station

H-IIA launches IGS Radar-8

Hurricane Helene

ISS Timelapse - Deep Space from Space (04/06/07/08 Aug 2024)

Reading material:

Bacteria living in space evolve to survive extreme conditions (msn.com)

Weird striped rock 'unlike any seen on Mars' found by Perseverance rover. Here's why NASA's excited | Space

Satellites track 'monster' hurricane Helene 

What satellite data tells us about Lebanon