Orion News

For the first time ever, an orbital rocket is set to launch from European soil... Germany-based Isar Aerospace is targeting March 24 for the maiden voyage of its Spectrum rocket from Norway’s Andøya Space. 🔹 A first for Europe. 🔹 A breakthrough for private spaceflight. 🔹 A new era for continental launch capabilities. At 95 feet tall, Spectrum is built for small to medium payloads, bridging the gap between Rocket Lab’s Electron and SpaceX’s Falcon 9. For its debut, there will be no customer payloads—just raw data collection to push the boundaries of private European spaceflight. And even before its first flight, Spectrum has already secured commercial contracts, including a Norwegian Space Agency mission launching by 2028. 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵: 📅 Today, March 24 ⏰ Launch window: 7:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. EDT (11:30 - 14:30 GMT) A major milestone. A global shift. And we’re just getting started. What’s your take on the future of private space launches in Europe? 🚀🌍 🔗 Full article: https://lnkd.in/dF5nN9gA #SpaceTech #RocketLaunch #Innovation #OrionNews

An inflatable sail to remove satellites? it's happening sooner than you think... A group of European companies has secured government funding to test an inflatable drag sail—a game-changing technology designed to safely and swiftly remove satellites from orbit. Right now, many satellites take years—sometimes decades—to deorbit after their missions end. That’s a huge contributor to the growing space debris problem. Enter 𝗦𝗪𝗜𝗙𝗧 (Spacecraft With Inflatable Termination). A project led by Portuguese startup SPACEO, SWIFT will demonstrate an inflatable 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗴 𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗹 by 2028 that expands 7,500x its initial size to create aerodynamic drag—forcing the satellite to 𝗱𝗲𝗼𝗿𝗯𝗶𝘁 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗼 𝟭𝟬𝘅 𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 than natural decay. ⚙️ 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸? • The drag sail starts at just 20 cm² and inflates to 1.5 m² using a gas generator developed by Solidflow. • The system is fail-safe—it activates even if the satellite is malfunctioning. • A 12U cubesat provided by GomSpace will be the first test subject. • SpaceLocker will manage the integration of the sail onto the satellite. The SWIFT project is just one part of a broader movement toward sustainable space operations. With more satellites launching every year, scalable deorbit solutions are critical to maintaining a safe and clutter-free orbit. This isn’t just a concept—it’s a contract. The European Space Agency has already 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 €𝟯𝗠 into making this happen. 👉 What’s your take on inflatable deorbiting tech? Would you trust it over traditional propulsion-based methods? 🔗 Full Article: https://lnkd.in/dRmZ4tae #SpaceTech #SatelliteDeorbiting #Innovation #NewTechnology #Sustainability #FutureOfSpace #SpaceDebris #CleanOrbit #OrionNews

Orion News has reached +𝟱𝟬𝟬 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝘀! That’s a milestone worth celebrating! We’re hosting a challenge: ➡️ 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 Orion News. ➡️ 𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲 and Submit your most creative space fact in the comments below. 𝗢𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹: Repost this to your network for a shoutout! The best fact fact will receive an official NASA/ESA T-shirt! 📅 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲: Friday, April 4th at 23:59 CET. Our team will pick the best space fact, and will be announced on Saturday, April 5th. Stay tuned! ☄️ #SpaceChallenge #OrionNews

74 payloads. Dozens of companies... SpaceX’s Transporter-13 just delivered a record-breaking mix of satellites into orbit, representing some of the most innovative companies in space tech today. 🌍 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗢𝗯𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 & 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 Albedo Space – Clarity-1 → Ultra-high-resolution imaging (10 cm panchromatic, 2 m thermal) in very low-Earth orbit (VLEO). Satrec Initiative Co., Ltd. – SpaceEye-T → 0.3 m panchromatic imaging optimized for multispectral observation. Muon Space – FireSat0/MuSat-4 → Infrared satellite for wildfire detection + GNSS reflectometry for soil moisture & ocean winds. ICEYE (X-46/-48/-50/-51) → Four new SAR satellites, expanding ICEYE’s all-weather radar imaging network. Tomorrow.io - S5 and S6 → The 7th and 8th of new microwave sounder-equipped satellites for weather prediction and climate modeling. 🛰️ 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗦𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 & 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲 TURION SPACE – DROID.002 → High-speed optical tracking (100 fps) for monitoring objects in orbit. Sidus Space – LizzieSat-3 → Combines AIS tracking, Earth imaging, and deep-space observation. MITRE Corporation – M-SEL/Cortez → An RF communications testbed with Astro Digital’s Corvus Micro bus. AeroCube-18 A & B (Aerospace Corp.) → Hyperspectral imaging + advanced solar cell testing. 📡 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁-𝗚𝗲𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 & 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 Startical – IOD-1 → Testing ADS-B & VHF for future air traffic management networks. Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace – ARVAKER 1 → The first of three satellites for maritime AIS & radar detection. Spire Global – LEMUR 2 (7 satellites) → Two equipped with optical inter-satellite links (OISL) for ultra-fast space communications. 🔬 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 & 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration – EZIE Mission → Three CubeSats studying electrojets in the upper atmosphere. HERMES Pathfinder (European Union) → Six 3U CubeSats to detect gamma-ray bursts. UVSQ Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines → Measuring Earth’s radiation budget and atmospheric gases. 🚀 𝗜𝗻-𝗢𝗿𝗯𝗶𝘁 𝗟𝗼𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 & 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗧𝘂𝗴𝘀 D-Orbit– ION SCV-017 "Marvelous Mathias" → Carrying hosted payloads, including propulsion system demos for Arkadia Space. Astro Digital – Sphinx/Frazier → Featuring the Spinnaker 3 dragsail for rapid deorbiting of large spacecraft. 🌍 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 & 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 Botswana inter’s BOTSAT-1 → The country’s first imaging satellite. Israel’s TEVEL2 → Nine 1U CubeSats focused on radio and radiation. South Korea’s JINJUSat-1B → Imaging satellite built by universities & research labs. 🧪 𝗥𝗲𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘀𝘂𝗹𝗲𝘀 & 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 Varda Space Industries– W-3/Pioneer-03 → Conducting pharmaceutical research and hypersonic reentry testing. The future of space is here, and these companies are leading the way. 🔗Full article: https://lnkd.in/dQk8bC7M

𝗦𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆: 𝗔𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁 or 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸 becoming obsolete... At the SATELLITE Conference & Exhibition 2025 , European satellite manufacturers sent a strong warning—if they don’t collaborate more effectively, they could lose the market to vertically integrated giants like SpaceX. Benoît Deper Deper, CEO of Aerospacelab, put it bluntly: "We have to break some barriers and work more as a team… If we keep this siloed approach, we know where it goes." 🔹 The challenge? SpaceX is setting the standard with its rapid, cost-effective satellite production and launch capabilities. 🔹 The opportunity? Industry players can emulate this efficiency by forming joint ventures, co-engineering solutions, and streamlining supply chains. Thales Alenia Space CEO Herve DERREY echoed the urgency: "The only way to proceed… is to emulate vertically integrated organizations." Manufacturers are already moving in this direction—Airbus, Thales Alenia Space, and Leonardo are in talks to consolidate satellite production. 💡 The takeaway? Competition is evolving. Innovation isn’t just about technology—it’s about business models. Collaboration is no longer optional—it’s 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹. What do you think—will traditional satellite manufacturers successfully adapt, or is SpaceX too far ahead? Let’s discuss in the comments. ⬇️ 🔗 Complete article: https://lnkd.in/dTRwXivy #SatelliteIndustry #SpaceTech #Innovation #Aerospace #Collaboration #FutureOfSpace #SatelliteTechnology #NewSpace #SpaceRace #TechDisruption #BusinessStrategy #Leadership #IndustryTrends #AdaptOrDie #SpaceEconomy #OrionNews

China just opened the doors to one of the most ambitious space missions of the decade: China just made a game-changing announcement for space exploration. The Tianwen-3 Mars Sample Return Mission is not only set to bring back Martian samples for the first time ever, but it’s also open to international collaboration. And here’s the kicker… 🔹 China is inviting international collaboration. 🔹 Up to 15 kg of space available on the Earth Return Orbiter. 🔹 Another 5 kg on the Mars Orbiter. 🔹 Open to scientific payloads, piggyback instruments & innovations that align with the mission’s goals. If your team has a breakthrough technology or a game-changing scientific instrument, this is your chance to be part of history. 📅 Deadline for expressions of interest: June 30, 2025 📅 Final selection: October 2025 📅 Launch: Late 2028 📅 Martian samples back on Earth: 2030-2031 With NASA’s Mars Sample Return facing budget constraints and delays, Tianwen-3 could put China at the forefront of planetary exploration. If successful, this mission could change everything. 🔥 Would you send an instrument to Mars if given the chance? Let’s talk in the comments! 👇 #SpaceExploration #MarsMission #Tianwen3 #ChinaSpace #FutureOfScience #Innovation #NASA #SpaceTech #ScienceInnovation #OrionNews

Blood Moon after 3 years. Get ready:   On the night of March 13-14, depending on your time zone, the Moon will slip into Earth’s shadow, turning a deep red. A total lunar eclipse—also called a Blood Moon—is one of the most stunning celestial events we can witness with the naked eye. No telescopes needed. No special glasses required. Just look up. Here’s what you need to know: 📌 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴? The Sun, Earth, and Moon will align perfectly, casting the Moon into Earth’s shadow. The result? A breathtaking red-orange glow as sunlight filters through our atmosphere—essentially projecting all the world’s sunsets onto the Moon. 📌 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗽𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀: 🔸 The Moon starts to dim. 🔸 A dark “bite” appears on the lunar surface. 🔸 The Moon turns fully red. 🔸 The red glow fades away. 📌 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝗶𝘁? Best visibility? The Western Hemisphere! If you’re in North or South America, you’re in luck. 📌 𝗕𝗼𝗻𝘂𝘀 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀: While watching the eclipse, Jupiter and Mars will be visible in the western sky. The Moon will shift between Leo and Virgo, making constellations easier to spot. No special gear needed—just clear skies and a sense of wonder. 🌌 Will you be watching? 👀 Drop a 🌕 in the comments if you’re excited! #BloodMoon #LunarEclipse #MoonMagic #AstronomyLovers #Skywatching #SpaceEvent #Eclipse2025 #CosmicWonder #Stargazing #LookUp #OrionNews

Something incredible is happening in space this week: On March 13, 2025, European Space Agency - ESA’s Hera mission – Europe’s first planetary defense mission – will swing by Mars for a historic close encounter. It’s not stopping, though. It’s on a mission. 📡 What’s happening? Hera will fly within 5000 km of Mars and just 300 km from Deimos, Mars’s mysterious little moon. While passing by, it will capture high-resolution images and thermal data using: 🔹 Asteroid Framing Camera – Crisp, black-and-white images 🔹 Hyperscout H Imager – Detects mineral compositions invisible to the human eye 🔹 Thermal Infrared Imager – Reveals Deimos’s surface properties 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁? You can watch it all unfold live. 📅 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟭𝟯, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 @ 𝟭𝟭:𝟱𝟬 𝗖𝗘𝗧 🎥 ESA’s webcast will premiere the first-ever scientific observations from Hera beyond the Earth-Moon system. https://lnkd.in/drTGjN-Z Why does this matter? 🚀 Beyond the excitement of exploring Mars, Hera’s observations will help plan JAXA: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission in 2026 – which will land on Phobos and bring a sample back to Earth. Space history is happening. Will you be watching? 🔭 ♻️ Repost to share the excitement! #SpaceExploration #MarsFlyby #HeraMission #OrionNews

Microbes Could Be the Key to Surviving in Space: Astronauts on the ISS live in isolated, highly sanitized environments. But a new study suggests that might not be the best for their immune systems. 🔬 Researchers found that prolonged exposure to diverse microbes from Earth—like those in soil and water—could help astronauts stay healthier in space. Because here's the truth: A sterile environment isn’t necessarily a safe environment. In space, the immune system works overtime. Microgravity, radiation, and stress weaken its response, making astronauts more vulnerable to infections. This could explain why they often experience skin rashes, cold sores, and unusual allergies. So, what’s the solution? → Reintroducing beneficial microbes that have coexisted with humans for millions of years—without compromising hygiene. As we prepare for long-term space travel and even colonization, this research could redefine how we support human life beyond Earth. Would you take Earth’s microbiome with you to Mars? 🌍🔁🚀 Check out the full article: https://lnkd.in/dT7ycSUK #SpaceExploration #Microbiome #HealthInSpace #OrionNews

We're all in that picture ... On March 2, Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost 1 lunar lander successfully touched down in Mare Crisium, marking a historic milestone for commercial lunar exploration. The lander, carrying 10 NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration science payloads, is now set for 14 days of surface operations under NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. Mission Highlights 🔹 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝘂𝗻𝗮𝗿 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴: Achieved within 328 feet (100 meters) of the target zone, avoiding hazardous terrain near Mons Latreille. 🔹 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗣𝗮𝘆𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱𝘀: Instruments will analyze heat flow, lunar regolith interactions, radiation effects, and test an electrodynamic dust shield. 🔹 𝗘𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗽𝘀𝗲 𝗜𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴: On March 14, Blue Ghost will capture high-definition images of a total lunar eclipse as Earth blocks the Sun from the Moon’s perspective. 🔹 𝗟𝘂𝗻𝗮𝗿 𝗗𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆: On March 16, the lander will observe dust levitation at sunset, a phenomenon first noted during Apollo 17. Impact on Lunar Exploration This mission marks the first fully successful commercial Moon landing, proving the viability of private lunar exploration. It also strengthens NASA’s CLPS initiative, which is paving the way for sustained lunar exploration under Artemis. With two more missions in development, Firefly Aerospace is cementing its role in deep-space logistics, targeting future lunar and Mars missions. #FireflyAerospace #BlueGhost #MoonLanding #LunarExploration #NASA #CLPS #SpaceInnovation #Artemis #OrionNews