NASA's Cassini Saturn orbiter flew to within 1,200km (745 miles) of the moon Titan on 26 October, almost grazing the atmosphere at a speed of 6km/s, returning the closest-ever images and providing data for the European Space Agency, which will attempt to land its Huygens craft on the largest moon in the solar system in January. Titan is believed to have oceans of liquid methane and ethane and a nitrogen-rich atmosphere.
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.
