Automated Transfer Vehicle

In an effort to secure precious access to low Earth orbit, the European Space Agency (ESA) signed an agreement with Airbus and Voyager Space for the use of their commercial space station which is currently under development as a replacement for the International Space Station (ISS).Taking out the Trash (in Space)The agreement explores how the Starlab space station can be used to provide Europe with access to space for astronaut missions and research activities, as well as commercial business development, according to ESA.…

Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus freighter. Photo: NASANASA is breathing a sigh of relief following a successful demonstration in which a docked Cygnus freighter was temporarily converted into a booster engine for the International Space Station. The favorable test suggests NASA has the means to adjust the space station’s orbit should Russia decide to leave the orbital outpost, as the Kremlin has threatened to do. The limited reboost test happened on Saturday June 25 and it lasted for 5 minutes and 1 second, according to NASA.…