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.

Lunar Living

https://www.herox.com/LunarLiving

Help NASA solve the challenges of establishing safe and sustainable lunar living. First Place prize: $5,000. Submit an idea before September 30, 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.

USGIF GEOINT Symposium 2024

https://usgif.org/geoint-symposium/

Join industry experts, government officials, and thought leaders in exploring the role of geospatial intelligence in providing decision advantage under the theme, “Essential in All Dimensions and Domains”. $249-$2,199. Kissimmee, FL. May 5-8, 2024.

COSMIC Convergence 2024

https://cosmicspace.org/convergence2024/

Stakeholders from government, industry, and academia will gather for a collaborative workshop focused on encouraging In-space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM) capabilities. $150 in-person in Logan, UT, or free virtual option. May 15-16, 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.

Navigating the Stars Half-Day Workshop

https://clearedsystems.com/shop/navigating-the-stars-half-day-workshop/

Professionals in the aerospace and defense sectors are invited to “Navigating the Stars: Mastering Space ITAR Compliance,” a workshop on compliance, regulatory requirements, and best practices in International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) as they apply to the space industry. $375. Fairfax, VA. May 24, 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. 

Ignite Space 2024

https://www.ignite-space.co.uk/

Ignite Space conference and exhibition 2024 welcomes businesses with space-applicable technologies to network with UK space industry stakeholders for accelerated growth across the sector. Free. Leeds, England. June 11-12, 2024.

AI4Space 2024

https://aiforspace.github.io/2024/

AI4Space presents its 3rd workshop in conjunction with Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (CVPR) Conference 2024, highlighting space capabilities that draw from computer vision and machine learning research and overcoming unique difficulties presented by space applications. Seattle, WA. June 17, 2024.

6th Summit for Space Sustainability

https://www.swfsummit.org/

Join hundreds of global experts and stakeholders at this year’s policy forum on space sustainability to discuss themes such as active debris removal, space situational awareness, and space sustainability. Tokyo. July 11-12, 2024.

2024 Lunar Development Conference

https://www.moonsociety.org/conferences/lunar-development-conference-2024/

The fifth LDC showcases various research and ideas for the human future on the moon. Free with Moon Society membership ($20-35). Online. July 20-21, 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.

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 International Mars Society Convention

https://www.marssociety.org/news/2024/03/12/save-the-date-2024-international-mars-society-convention/

The Mars Society's 27th convention, themed “The Road to Mars,” will bring together a diverse array of experts to discuss humanity’s journey to Mars in the coming years. Attendees can expect state-of-the-art projects showcasing how humans can live and work on Mars, including a live demonstration of MarsVR. Virtual and in-person in Seattle, WA. August 8-11, 2024.

International Space Elevator Consortium Conference 2024

https://www.isec.org/events/isec2024

The ISEC conference will feature presentations on space elevator topics such as design, dynamics, applications, scientific value, and economic impact. In-person in Chicago, IL. September 7-8, 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.

The Future of PanAmerican Space Exploration

https://www.panamspace.org/

Workshop to encourage global coordination among key space agencies, research institutions, and industry players to explore artificial intelligence and machine learning opportunities for the future of space exploration. $250 (estimated). Mendoza, Argentina. October 28-31, 2024.

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Satellite imaging company Iceye raises $93 million in latest funding round 

https://spacenews.com/satellite-imaging-company-iceye-raises-93-million-in-latest-funding-round/

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite operator Iceye raised $93 million to expand its business and develop new products and services. The round was led by Finnish sovereign wealth fund Solidium Oy, with participation from Move Capital Fund I, Blackwells Capital and existing investors.

PLD Space raises funding to expand facilities for Miura 5 rocket

https://spacenews.com/pld-space-raises-funding-to-expand-facilities-for-miura-5-rocket/

Spanish company PLD Space raised 78 million euros ($83.4 million) from shareholders including aerospace manufacturer Aciturri and Spain’s Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology. Funding will go towards an expansion of production and test facilities for its Miura 5 small launch vehicle.

Satellogic is Relocating to the US, Announces Crypto Investment in 2023 Results

https://www.satellitetoday.com/imagery-and-sensing/2024/04/17/satellogic-is-relocating-to-the-us-announces-crypto-investment-in-2023-results/

Earth Observation data collection company Satellogic secured $30 million from Tether Investments Limited and is redomiciling to Delaware to pursue U.S. governement contract opportunities.

Second stage engineering prototype of the Prime orbital rocket, exhibited at the Orbex headquarters at Forres, Scotland. Image Credit: Orbex

Orbex raises $20.8 million Series C extension

https://spacenews.com/orbex-raises-20-8-million-series-c-extension/

UK-based Orbex raised 16.7 million pounds ($20.8 million) to accelerate development of their small launch vehicle, Prime. 10.5 million pounds came from existing investor Scottish National Investment Bank, with contributions from venture capital firms Octopus Ventures, BGF and Heartcore as well as the Export and Investment Fund of Denmark.

Dark is building a rocket-powered boxing glove to push debris out of orbit

https://techcrunch.com/2024/04/17/dark-space-is-building-a-rocket-powered-boxing-glove-to-push-debris-out-of-orbit/

Paris-based startup Dark is developing Interceptor, an on-call orbital defense spacecraft designed to launch quickly to gently de-orbit uncooperative objects without producing a debris field. The company closed a $6 million extension with participation from Long Journey Ventures, a fund led by Arielle Zuckerberg, the younger sister of Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg.

Smallsat maker Aerospacelab snaps up spacecraft optics specialist

https://spacenews.com/smallsat-maker-aerospacelab-snaps-up-optical-technology-specialist/

European small satellite maker Aerospacelab has bought Belgian optics maker AMOS for an undisclosed amount. The deal doubles Aerospacelab’s workforce and adds critical capabilities across space and ground systems.

Seraphim Space launches second VC fund with 9 investments already under its belt

https://techcrunch.com/2024/04/21/seraphim-space-new-fund/  

UK-based space tech investment group Seraphim Space launched its second VC fund to invest in 30 seed and Series A startups. The SSV II fund is backed by major players from the aerospace sector.

NASA graphic showing Dragonfly mission arriving on Saturn's moon Titan. Image Credit: NASA

NASA’s Dragonfly Rotorcraft Mission to Saturn’s Moon Titan Confirmed

https://science.nasa.gov/missions/dragonfly/nasas-dragonfly-rotorcraft-mission-to-saturns-moon-titan-confirmed/

NASA’s Dragonfly rotorcraft mission to Saturn’s organic-rich moon Titan will progress to completion of final design, then construction and testing. Dragonfly’s total lifecycle cost is $3.35 billion, with a target launch date of July 2028.

Recoding Voyager 1—NASA’s interstellar explorer is finally making sense again

https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/04/recoding-voyager-1-nasas-interstellar-explorer-is-finally-making-sense-again/

NASA engineers are confident that Voyager 1, humanity's first interstellar probe, can eventually resume normal operations after recoding part of its 1970s-era Flight Data Subsystem, which was transmitting unreadable telemetry for weeks.

Layered Outcrop in Gale Crater on Mars. Image Credit: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona/USGS

Why Is Methane Seeping on Mars? NASA Scientists Have New Ideas

https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/why-is-methane-seeping-on-mars-nasa-scientists-have-new-ideas

The portable chemistry lab aboard NASA’s Curiosity Mars Rover discovered methane seeping from the surface of Gale Crater. Scientists were baffled since there are no convincing signs of life on Mars, until a NASA research group posited that methane sealed under solidified salt in Martian regolith was released in warmer temperatures or due to the weight of the rover.

View Nova Explosion, ‘New’ Star in Northern Crown

https://blogs.nasa.gov/Watch_the_Skies/2024/02/27/view-nova-explosion-new-star-in-northern-crown/

Star system T Coronae Borealis (T CrB), a binary system with a white dwarf and red giant, may become visible to the unaided eye. Astronomers believe another nova outburst, which occurs every 80 years or so, will happen between February and September 2024. This recurring nova, located 3,000 light-years away from Earth, is one of only five known in our galaxy.