/sci/ - Science & Math

SpaceX wins $70 million Space Force contract for Starshield military satellites, SpaceX fires up Falcon Heavy rocket ahead of Psyche asteroid mission launch, Japan's SLIM 'moon sniper' spacecraft leaves Earth orbit ,
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https://www.space.com/spacex-starshield-space-force-contract
> The one-year contract is worth $70 million and was confirmed by a Space Force spokesperson in a statement given to CNBC. SpaceX has not yet commented on the contract.
> The satellites will be able to communicate with existing Starlink satellites through a laser communications systems already aboard SpaceX's massive broadband constellation, potentially boosting the range and capabilities of Starshield as the company and the Pentagon develop the new military-focused constellation.
> SpaceX has already launched more than 5,000 Starlink satellites to date, according to astronomer Jonathan McDowell, and over 4,000 remain operational. The company has applied to launch nearly 30,000 additional satellites on top of those.
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https://www.space.com/spacex-falcon-heavy-static-fire-psyche-asteroid-mission
> The 'static fire' test occurred on Saturday (Sept. 30).
> The Falcon Heavy has flown seven times to date, most recently in July. Psyche will be the rocket's first NASA mission.
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https://www.space.com/japan-slim-moon-lander-leaves-earth-orbit
> SLIM's touchdown try is still a ways away; Wednesday's "meeting" will be a lunar swing-by, one more step on the probe's long, looping and fuel-efficient journey to the moon. JAXA officials have said that SLIM will likely arrive in lunar orbit three to four months after launch, with the landing attempt coming a month or two after that.
> SLIM's landing will be a milestone in another way as well. The mission aims to touch down within a mere 328 feet (100 meters) of its target point inside Shioli, a small crater on the moon's near side (which explains the probe's "moon sniper" nickname).