Atomic-6 introduces Space Armor tiles for spacecraft protection

Did you know that rubber gaskets played a crucial role in landing on the moon? 🌕🚀 The Apollo 11 spacecraft relied on precision-engineered seals and gaskets to maintain air pressure and protect astronauts from the vacuum of space. #EngineeringFunFacts #Engineering #GLI

Recent reports that a Chinese capsule may have been damaged by orbital debris—and that their Taikonauts’ return has been delayed—have reignited discussions about cleaning up space. These debates are important, but they risk overshadowing the core issue: the reality that we cannot eliminate all debris in Earth orbit. Every crewed spacecraft and space station faces the risk of collision. Maneuvering around tracked objects is helpful, but countless smaller, unpredictable fragments cannot be avoided. Spaceflight must adopt the same mindset militaries used against roadside IEDs: detection is useful, but survival depends on armor. Future spacecraft and stations need shielding designed to withstand the impacts we cannot prevent. Human spaceflight is entering a period of exponential growth. To ensure crew safety, improved shielding isn’t optional; it is essential. Alongside debris reduction, it is the foundation of safe, sustainable human access to space.

The Globus INK was a Soviet electromechanical spaceflight navigation display developed in the 1960s. It contained a small rotating Earth globe—about five inches in diameter—that showed the spacecraft’s projected position over the planet’s surface. Instead of using digital electronics, the device relied on a remarkably complex arrangement of gears, cams, and mechanical differentials to track orbital parameters and update the globe’s orientation. In essence, it functioned as an analog computer, continuously translating orbital motion into a visual representation that cosmonauts could read at a glance. Despite its mechanical nature, the Globus INK remained in operational use for decades due to its reliability and simplicity.

Impulse Space is preparing to launch its third Mira spacecraft mission, LEO Express 3, aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-15 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. Celebrating the first flight of Mira’s upgraded design, this mission builds on the success of LEO Express 1 and 2, aiming to validate improved systems for upcoming operations, including GEO flights starting in 2026. The mission also develops flight heritage for avionics components intended for Helios missions and meets various customer goals. Read More: https://ow.ly/9q9250Xpclc Impulse Space #spacex #leoexpress3 #launch #spacenews #spacetechnology #space

Dream Chaser has successfully completed a series of critical pre-flight tests at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, marking continued progress toward it's first free-flyer mission.   As part of its rigorous testing campaign, Dream Chaser underwent Electromagnetic Interference and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMI/EMC) testing, as well as tow testing. During tow testing, the spacecraft was pulled at high speeds by a fifth generation Freightliner Cascadia truck. This process simulated key dynamics and validated autonomous navigation parameters essential for runway landing operations. Press Release: https://lnkd.in/eT_7xm8C

Sharing exciting progress from Sierra Space. Dream Chaser has completed major EMI/EMC and high speed tow tests at Kennedy Space Center, validating critical navigation and landing parameters ahead of its first free-flyer mission. A big milestone for commercial spaceflight.

#SpaceMission #CargoSpacecraft #JAXA #ISS A little while ago, the HTV-X1 spacecraft was captured by the International Space Station's Canadarm2 robotic arm, operated by astronaut Kimiya Yui. The Japanese space cargo ship, which blasted off when it was Sunday in Japan, carries a huge amount of supplies and experiments. After its capture, they started the slow moving of the HTV-X1 to its berthing location on the Harmony module, where it will be safely installed. https://lnkd.in/db3K3VvR

Next stop: orbit! 🌎🚀 We are proud to announce that our software-defined power system is flying aboard Portal Space Systems’ mini-Nova payload, launching early 2026 on the Momentus Vigoride vehicle. This mission validates years of work to make spacecraft power flexible, scalable, and reliable. Huge thanks to Jeff Thornburg and the Portal team for being incredible partners as we push spacecraft power into the software-defined era. Read more → https://lnkd.in/gdniZpWC #AmplifiedSpace #PortalSpaceSystems #FlightHeritage #SpaceTechnology #Innovation #SoftwareDefinedPower #NewSpace #SpaceInnovation

China has announced plans to include a Pakistani astronaut in a short-term space mission, marking a major milestone in China-Pakistan space cooperation. According to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), two Pakistani astronauts are currently undergoing selection and training alongside Chinese crews. One will ultimately join a spaceflight mission as a payload specialist, conducting scientific experiments and joint crew duties. The collaboration follows a bilateral space agreement signed in February 2025. CMSA stated the initiative reflects principles of peaceful cooperation, equality, and mutual benefit in advancing space exploration. Disclaimer: Informational post, based on available reports at the time of publication. Image is Ai-generated and is for reference only. #ChinaPakistan #SpaceMission #CMSA #PakistaniAstronaut #SpaceExploration #ScienceAndTechnology #ChinaSpaceProgram #PakistanInSpace

🚀 What comes after the ISS — and who will lead it? David S. Germroth’s new #SpaceWatchGLOpinion reveals how Starlab is positioning Europe at the center of the post-ISS era, blending commercial agility with decades of scientific heritage. With major agencies and industry leaders aligning behind a shared vision, Europe is preparing to anchor the next generation of human spaceflight and microgravity research. 🔗 Read the full feature: https://lnkd.in/dA_UprnD #SpaceWatchFeature #HumanSpaceflight #ISS #SpaceEconomy #StarlabEuropeanUserConference European Space Agency - ESA German Aerospace Center (DLR) JAXA: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency Airbus Voyager Technologies Mitsubishi Corporation Manfred Jaumann Patrick Rapp Tim Kopra International Space Station National Laboratory