European Spaceflight
• Andrew Parsonson
Thales Alenia Space has shipped structural models for ESA’s ExoMars mission to Cannes, where they will be used for planned vibration and acoustic testing. The move signals continued integration of ground-validation hardware ahead of the mission’s next engineering and qualification milestones.
Space.com
• Josh Dinner
By Space.com: A mockup of Blue Origin's Blue Moon Mark 2 lunar lander has been assembled at the Johnson Space Center, and is ready for Artemis astronauts to come aboard to begin training.
SpaceNews.com
• Sandra Erwin
By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — Navigation is emerging as a growing challenge for spacecraft operating beyond Earth orbit, where GPS coverage weakens. Northrop Grumman is adapting technologies developed for the James Webb Space Telescope into a smaller navigation system aimed at mid-size satellites.
Space.com
• Leonard David
By Space.com: Scientists are using a new technique to study incoming space debris and its effects on Earth's atmosphere.
Payload
• Douglas Gorman
By Payload: CO-based startup LEAP notched a successful first flight of its Bullfrog suborbital launch vehicle over the weekend, opening the door for up to four more flights this year.
Space Intel Report
• Peter B. de Selding
By Space Intel Report: JAKARTA — Satellite fleet operator Eutelsat reported an 11.8% increase in government revenue for the three months ending March 31 as global military demand more than offset the slack in US government business.
SpaceNews.com
• Jeff Foust
By SpaceNews.com: Varda Space Industries has signed its first major agreement with a pharmaceutical company to develop improved drugs in microgravity.
Payload
• Jacqueline Feldscher
By Payload: Exobiosphere has designed an Orbital High-Throughput Screening Device—an automated mini lab that fits into standard mid-deck lockers, aboard crewed or uncrewed space stations.
Via Satellite
• Mark Holmes
SpaceNews.com
• Sandra Erwin
