Israel Successfully Launches New Spy Satellite 'Ofek 16'
The Space Administration in the Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D), of the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMoD), and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), have successfully launched a new spy satellite 'Ofek 16' into orbit by using a locally-developed Shavit rocket from a launchpad at Palmachim airbase in central Israel.
'Oflek 16' It is an electro-optical reconnaissance satellite with advanced capabilities including breakthrough 'blue and white' technology and its payload was developed by defense firm Elbit Systems.
This is the first launch of an Israeli spy satellite into space since the 'Ofek-11' which entered orbit in September 2016.
Jul 06, 2020
Reliance Takes on Zoom, Launches App
After raising billions of dollars from the likes of Facebook and Intel for its digital business, billionaire Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries has launched JioMeet video-conferencing app with unlimited free calling that is being seen as rate war on rival Zoom.
The app is available on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS and web. According to the company website, JioMeet supports HD audio and video call quality with up to 100 participants and offers features like screen sharing, meeting schedule feature and more.
But unlike Zoom, it does not impose a 40-minute time limit. Calls can go on as long as 24 hours.
Jul 05, 2020
Latest Mission from New Zealand Lost in Flight
The American launch company that flies its rockets out of New Zealand has lost its latest mission.
Rocket Lab said that its Electron vehicle failed late in its ascent from Mahia Peninsula on North Island.
All satellite payloads are assumed to have been destroyed.
These included imaging spacecraft from Canon Electronics of Japan and Planet Labs Inc of California, as well as a technology demonstration platform from a UK start-up called In-Space Missions.
Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck apologised to his customers.
Rocket Lab has made everyone in the space sector sit up since it debuted its Electron vehicle in 2017. It's at the head of a wave of new outfits that want to operate compact rockets to service the emerging market for small satellites.
This lift-off from New Zealand was the Electron's 13th outing to date. All prior launches had been a complete success, bar the very first which failed to reach its intended orbit.
Jul 04, 2020
ISRO's MOM Captures Image of the Mars' Biggest Moon
The Mars Colour Camera (MCC) onboard ISRO's Mars Orbiter Mission captured the image of Phobos, the closest and biggest moon of Mars.
The image was taken when MOM was about 7,200 km from Mars and 4,200 km from Phobos.
Phobos is largely believed to be made up of carbonaceous chondrites.
The Rs. 450-crore MOM mission aims at studying the Martian surface and mineral composition as well as scan its atmosphere for methane (an indicator of life on Mars).
Jul 03, 2020
Swedish Institute of Space Physics to Return to Venus on Indian Space Mission Shukrayaan-1
The Indian Venus Mission Shukrayaan-1, the Swedish Institute of Space Physics will explore Venus for the second time. The Shukrayaan-1 is scheduled for launch at the end of 2023 from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
Venusian Neutrals Analyzer (VNA), the satellite instrument of IRF will study the interaction between the charged particles of the sun and the atmosphere and exosphere of the planet.
It takes six months for the spacecraft to fly to Venus and it will spend a year in orbit around Venus to explore the planet.
ASPERA-4 (Analyzes of Space Plasma and Energetic Atoms),IRF's instrument studied Venus on European spacecraft Venus Express between 2006-2014.
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