Pose Bowl: Spacecraft Detection and Pose Estimation Challenge

https://www.drivendata.org/competitions/group/competition-nasa-spacecraft/

NASA is inviting developers to create algorithms that conduct low-cost in-space inspections of other spacecraft. Prizes awarded for object detection and identifying changes in position and orientation (pose) of the chaser spacecraft camera. Ends May 14, 2024.

The solar system's biggest space jobs site | Space Crew

https://spacecrew.com/

Accelerate your space career with email alerts for key space industry insights and over 4000 space company jobs.

Jobs in the Space Field & Tech Industry | Space Talent

https://www.spacetalent.org/

Space Talent is a resource for careers at the intersection of space and tech. They match employers with top talent while providing insights and resources to grow your career.

ACSP Space Regulatory Bootcamp

https://acsp.space/abq24bootcamp/

Network and learn at this Association of Commercial Space Professionals comprehensive industry deep dive featuring instructors like Air and Space Law Professor Michelle Hanlon and strategic trade control policy expert Don Pearce. $50-1099. In person in Albuquerque NM and online. March 4-6, 2024. 

Space-Comm Expo 2024

https://space-comm.co.uk/

Space-Comm Expo brings together world-class speakers to discuss the theme, “Accelerating the commercial future of space” as multiple space-related industries network and learn about space technology and commercial developments. Farnborough, UK. March 6-7, 2024. 

45th IEEE Aerospace Conference 2024

https://www.aeroconf.org/

The IEEE Aerospace Conference invites leaders in aerospace, academia, and the military for plenary sessions on cutting edge aerospace system technologies and applications. $130-1770. Big Sky, MT. March 6-9, 2024. 

SATELLITE 2024

https://www.satshow.com/

Conference and exhibition to include manufacturers, service providers, and integrators serving all technology end-user markets. Speakers include Office of Space Commerce Deputy Director Janice Starzyk and SpaceX VP of Commercial Sales Stephanie Bednarek. Washington, DC. March 18-21, 2024.

61st AAS Goddard Space Science Symposium

https://astronautical.org/events/goddard/

The Goddard Space Science Symposium brings the space community together to discuss topics including cislunar infrastructure, space weather and interplanetary missions under the theme “Space 2040: Pathways to the Future”. $0-925. College Park, MD. March 20-22, 2024.

SPACEtalks 4.0

https://www.spacetalks.biz/

Enjoy two days of compelling presentations and engage in high-impact sessions and discussions on space technology and the future of the industry. £200-250. Oxfordshire, England. March 26-27, 2024.

MIT 6th Annual Space Week 2024

https://spaceweek.mit.edu/

MIT Space Week 2024 will include the MIT AeroAstro SpaceTech conference, with a theme of AI, Machine Learning, and Autonomy in Space, the 8th Annual Beyond the Cradle event, and the 9th Annual MIT Sloan New Space Age Conference featuring a keynote by Jim Bridenstine, 13th Administrator of NASA. Free to $225. Cambridge, MA. April 3-5, 2024.

NASA map of the contiguous U.S. showing path of April 8's total solar eclipse, stretching in a narrow band from Texas to Maine. Credit: NASA/Scientific Visualization Studio/Michala Garrison; eclipse calculations by Ernie Wright, NASA GO

April 8, 2024 Solar Eclipse | NASA

https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/

Passing from Mexico to Canada, it will be the last total solar eclipse visible from the contiguous US until 2044. April 8, 2024. 

Space Symposium 2024

https://www.spacesymposium.org/

Space Symposium gathers all sectors of the space community for networking and opportunities to examine multiple perspectives on critical space issues and plan for future achievements in space. $425-3560. Colorado Springs, CO. April 8-11, 2024. 

Business of Space

https://www.uah.edu/opce/program-topics/business-of-space

This conference brings together leading academics, business leaders, innovators, and policy influencers working on the new space economy for curated sessions under the theme “Economics, Commerce, and Sustainability of New Space”. $150-$525. Huntsville, AL. April 21-23, 2024

CubeSat Developers Workshop 2024

https://www.cubesatdw.org/

Join over 600 attendees from 50 countries for this global small-satellite conference hosted by CubeSat. $175-$700. Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, CA. April 23–25, 2024. 

12th Inter-Planetary Small Satellite Conference

http://www.intersmallsatconference.com/

Conference organized by staff and students from Caltech, MIT, Cornell and other institutions to explore mission concepts, discuss emerging technologies, and foster “outside the box” thinking on interplanetary small satellite missions. Tucson, AZ. April 30-May 2, 2024. 

47th Aerospace Mechanisms Symposium

https://aeromechanisms.com/

The Aerospace Mechanisms Symposium provides a social and technical forum for mechanisms technology personnel and information for enthusiasts around hardware developments, design, fabrication, test, and operational use. Free-$775. Virginia Beach, VA. May 15-17, 2024.

Small Satellites Systems and Services Symposium

http://www.4s-symposium.com/

Join presentations around “Space Transformation” toward a circular economy, clean space, and how new technology impacts satellite design and data use. The program will also cover sessions including mission and system analysis, Earth observation, and small satellites access. €500-1100. Palma de Mallorca, Spain. May 27-31, 2024. 

36th Small Satellite Conference

https://smallsat.org/

This year’s Small Satellite Conference explores the theme, Automation: Enabling New Capabilities. Keynotes from Aerospace Corporation CEO Steve Isakowitz and National Reconnaissance Office Director Christopher Scolese. $350-1000. Logan, UT. August 3-8, 2024.

2024 ASCEND

https://www.ascend.events/

2024 ASCEND will include technical exchanges, debates, and collaboration with the aim of building a sustainable off-world future. Connect with civil, commercial, and national security professionals to discuss opportunities and challenges of increased activity in space. Las Vegas, NV. July 30-August 1, 2024.

75th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) 2024 | International Astronautical Federation

https://www.iafastro.org/events/iac/international-astronautical-congress-2024/

IAC 2024 will highlight efforts to keep the space environment secure and open to exploration through international cooperation. Over 8,000 are expected to attend the event, which will feature the theme “Responsible Space for Sustainability.” Milan, Italy. October 14-18, 2024.

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Unseenlabs plans to offer near-real time maritime surveillance services by the end of 2025. Credit: Unseenlabs

Investors inject $92 million into French maritime surveillance constellation

https://spacenews.com/investors-inject-92-million-into-french-maritime-surveillance-constellation/

France-based Unseenlabs raised $92 million to expand a fleet of 11 LEO maritime surveillance nanosatellites to 25, for tracking vessels in near real-time. French investors Supernova Invest and ISALT led the Series C round.

Chinese launch startup Orienspace secures $83.5 million

https://spacenews.com/chinese-launch-startup-orienspace-secures-83-5-million/

Chinese launch firm Orienspace raised $83.5 million in a series B funding round to support R&D for Gravity-2, its first liquid propellant rocket with a planned reusable first stage. Investors include Liangxi Science and Technology Innovation Industry Fund of Funds, Hongtai Fund, and others.

K2 Space, a startup with SpaceX veterans building monster satellites, raises $50 million

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/13/startup-k2-space-raises-50-million.html

Los Angeles-based startup K2 Space raised $50 million led by Altimeter Capital with participation from Alpine Space Ventures. K2 Space is working to build large satellites to match the massive rockets coming to market and expects to launch their first satellite on a demonstration mission later this year.

How satellite connectivity startup Skylo hooked backers such as Intel, BMW and Samsung to raise $37 million

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/13/startup-skylo-raises-37-million-from-intel-bmw-samsung.html

Silicon Valley D2D (Direct-to-device) satellite communications startup Skylo Technologies raised $37 million to provide a network to connect new devices and provide ubiquitous connectivity. The equity round was led by Intel Capital and Innovation Endeavors and joined by BMW i Ventures, Next47, Samsung Catalyst Fund and Seraphim Space.

Gilmour Space, founded in 2012, is developing a three-stage small satellite launch vehicle called Eris. Credit: Gilmour Space

Launch vehicle startup Gilmour Space raises $36 million

https://spacenews.com/launch-vehicle-startup-gilmour-space-raises-36-million/

Australian small launch vehicle startup Gilmour Space Technologies raised $36 million in a Series D round to develop three-stage rocket Eris, part of its campaign to manufacture and launch rockets and satellites from North Queensland.

Disney star turned space CEO: Bridgit Mendler launches satellite data startup backed by major VCs

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/19/disney-star-bridgit-mendler-launches-satellite-startup-northwood-space.html

El Segundo startup Northwood Space is on a mission to mass produce teleports, ground stations that will make sending data to and from space easier. Northwood raised about $6 million in initial funding from investors including Founders Fund, Andreessen Horowitz and Also Capital.

Portuguese startup gets funds to develop hosted payload connectivity network

https://spacenews.com/portuguese-startup-gets-funds-to-develop-hosted-payload-connectivity-network/

Portuguese startup Connected raised around $2 million to fly a 30-watt max 2U payload on a commercial small satellite. Just a year-old, Connected plans to demonstrate how they can leverage empty space on these satellites to provide narrowband connectivity for off-the-grid monitoring and tracking devices.

US moon lander Odysseus goes dormant a week after lopsided landing

https://www.reuters.com/technology/space/us-moon-lander-odysseus-nears-shutdown-week-after-sideways-landing-2024-02-29/

Despite being tipped over, Intuitive Machines says their Odysseus Nova-C lander continued to communicate with flight controllers until it went offline on February 29th. Intuitive programed Odysseus to "phone home" if the spacecraft survives lunar night and receives sufficient solar power to reawaken in three weeks.

SpaceX discloses cause of Starship anomalies as it clears an FAA hurdle

https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/02/faa-closes-starship-inquiry-and-spacex-details-causes-of-november-accidents/

The FAA closed its investigation on the most recent Starship launch, stating that SpaceX must implement 17 corrective actions and receive a license modification. The FAA said early to mid-March is a reasonable timeline for the regulatory process to conclude. A launch attempt could occur soon after.

Blue Origin has emerged as the likely buyer for United Launch Alliance

https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/02/blue-origin-has-emerged-as-the-likely-buyer-for-united-launch-alliance/

Although no confirmation yet from United Launch Alliance co-owners Lockheed Martin and Boeing, Blue Origin is likely the sole finalist to acquire ULA. The sale is speculated at $2-3 billion.  Ars notes a few senior officials at ULA are seeking new jobs, and Jeff Bezos recently sold $2.4 billion in Amazon stock and could sell an additional $8-9 billion over the next 12 months.

Varda’s drug-cooking Winnebago will be remembered as a space pioneer

https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/02/vardas-drug-cooking-winnebago-will-be-remembered-as-a-space-pioneer/

In-space manufacturing company Varda Space Industries celebrated the return of its capsule that was stranded in low-Earth orbit for nearly eight months awaiting an FAA reentry license. Only Lockheed Martin and SpaceX had previously received commercial reentry licenses. Winnebago grew crystals of ritonavir, a drug used to treat HIV.

Water molecules detected on the surface of an asteroid in space for the first time

https://www.popsci.com/science/water-asteroid-space/

While water molecules have been detected in asteroid samples returned to Earth, this marks the first time water have been discovered on the surface of an asteroid in space. The data came from the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA).

Astronomers Discover the Brightest Known Object in the Universe, Shining 500 Trillion Times as Bright as the Sun

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/astronomers-discover-the-brightest-known-object-in-the-universe-shining-500-trillion-times-as-bright-as-the-sun-180983815/

Astronomers found a quasar 12 billion light-years away with the fastest growing black hole ever observed. The quasar stretches about seven light-years across and weighs about the same as 17 billion suns.