/sci/ - Science & Math

SDA to test satellite laser links in degraded conditions, ESA Calls for Small Moon Mission Ideas, Article about Dream Chasers Space Shuttle inspired TPS
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https://spacenews.com/space-development-agency-funds-demonstration-of-satellite-laser-links-in-degraded-environments/
> Space Development Agency funds demonstration of satellite laser links in ‘degraded’ environments
> The agency awarded General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems a $14 million contract to produce two small satellites equipped with optical terminals
> The contract, announced Sept. 27, is for a demonstration of satellite-to-satellite laser communications under adverse conditions that can degrade the communication link.
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https://europeanspaceflight.com/esa-calls-for-small-moon-mission-ideas/
> ESA Calls for Small Moon Mission Ideas
> A call for proposals from the European Space Agency is asking European industry to submit ideas for “small lunar missions.”
> The call was published as a component of the agency’s Terrae Novae exploration programme, which seeks to establish a sustained European presence in low Earth orbit, send the first European astronaut to the Moon by 2030, and participate in the first human mission to Mars. These small exploration missions are a new component of the Terrae Novae strategy.
> Each mission will not be able to exceed a total budget of €50 million, and development from kickoff to launch should take less than four and half years. The agency explained that it would prefer companies or consortia that bid to be able to see the proposed mission through from inception to the implementation phase.
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https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2023/09/dream-chaser-tps/
>How Sierra Space Protects America’s Next Space Plane, Dream Chaser
> Dream Chaser, the so-called “mini shuttle”, is set to bring back the capability of returning experiments and equipment from the International Space Station (ISS) through Earth’s atmosphere for an eventual runway landing.