jonathanmcdowell
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China Tests Parachute System to Control Falling Rocket Boosters
In an effort to prevent falling rockets from landing on populated areas, China tested a parachute system designed to control where its rocket boosters land back on Earth.
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Defunct NASA Satellite Disintegrates Over Northern Africa
RHESSI’s time in orbit officially came to an end on Wednesday as NASA’s defunct Sun-observing satellite plunged through Earth’s atmosphere, likely burning up in a fiery flame.
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SpaceX’s Next-Gen Starlink Satellites Have Started Falling From Space
It’s been a little over a month since SpaceX launched 21 mini versions of its next-generation Starlink satellites, but it appears that one of those little guys just couldn’t cling to orbit any longer.
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UAE Rover Likely Won’t Join Chinese Moon Mission Due to Decades-Old U.S. Trade Law
China’s plan to reach the widely coveted lunar south pole — where NASA hopes to touch down in 2025 with Artemis 3 — has been disrupted by a decades-old U.S. trade law. The International Traffic in Arms Regulations, or ITAR, has seemingly prevented the 2026 Chang’e 7 mission from including UAE’s Rashid 2 rover.