The Russian Progress cargo spacecraft docked to the International Space Station (ISS) fired its thrusters for 7min on 30 May to raise the station's orbit by 1.8km (1.1 mile) to avoid a collision with the Italian MegSat mini-satellite, which would have passed through the ISS's collision avoidance zone. It was the sixth time the orbit of the ISS has been raised for such a reason.
Source: Flight International
Orbital launch pioneer SpaceX is being contracted by the American space agency NASA to develop a so-called “US Deorbit Vehicle” that can safely return the International Space Station to Earth via controlled re-entry.
BAE Systems has completed its acquisition of Ball Aerospace, with the move further strengthening its US business presence.
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory has retired its Mars helicopter Ingenuity after the craft suffered damage upon landing.
