The first magnetic spectrometer to be sent into space, to capture elusive space particles such as anti-matter and dark matter, will be flown aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery in May 1998. The Chinese/Russian/US spectrometer, based on a rare mineral called neodymium iron boron, may then be installed on the International Space Station.
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.
