The European Space Agency's Smart 1 spacecraft, heading ultimately for lunar orbit, is now in its 176th ever-increasing orbit and has passed through the Earth's radiation belts. The Smart's ion propulsion system has clocked up 1,500h of burn-time, consuming 24kg (53lb) of xenon.
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.
