Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) and Space Communication Ltd. (Spacecom) have announced an agreement to launch Spacecom's AMOS-6 satellite on SpaceX's Falcon 9 launch vehicle. Falcon 9 will insert the communications satellite into a geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO), further enhancing Spacecom's existing satellite fleet.
The European Space Agency (ESA) has awarded Astrium, Europe’s leading space technology company, €108 million ($146 million) worth of prime contractor agreements covering the development of the Ariane 6 and Ariane 5 ME launchers. The contracts follow on from the decisions reached at the ESA Ministerial Council meeting in Naples on 20-21 November 2012.
'Pre-Load' Test Determines Force Needed To Penetrate The Martian Rock
NASA's Mars rover Curiosity has placed its drill onto a series of four locations on a Martian rock and pressed down on it with the rover's arm, in preparation for using the drill in coming days. The rover carried out this "pre-load" testing on Mars Monday (PST). The tests enable engineers to check whether the amount of force applied to the hardware matches predictions for what would result from the commanded motions.
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