Kepler
FCC approves SpaceX, Telesat, LeoSat and Kepler internet constellations
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission voted Nov. 15 to approve four proposed satellite constellations, authorizing nearly 8,000 small telecom satellites to serve U.S. entities from low Earth orbit.
Dawn mission to asteroid belt ends
A NASA spacecraft that visited two of the largest objects in the solar system’s main asteroid belt has run out of fuel, ending its mission, NASA announced Nov. 1.
Kepler planet hunter ends operations after exhausting fuel
NASA’s Kepler spacecraft, which helped astronomers discover thousands of exoplanets since its launch nearly a decade ago, has ended operations after running out of fuel, the agency announced Oct. 30.
NASA’s Dawn and Kepler missions near their ends
Two NASA science missions, one studying the largest objects in the asteroid belt and the other searching for planets around other stars, are expected to come to an end in the coming weeks when each exhausts their remaining hydrazine fuel.
Kepler resumes operations despite malfunctioning thruster
NASA’s Kepler spacecraft is back in operation despite a problem with one of its thrusters and low fuel levels that may soon bring the mission to an end.
Kepler spacecraft back in safe mode as fuel runs low
NASA’s Kepler spacecraft, which went into a safe mode in July amid concerns the exoplanet observatory was running out of propellant, has again gone into safe mode as astronomers fear its mission may be nearing an end.
TESS begins science observations
A NASA spacecraft launched in April to search for exoplanets around nearby stars has started science observations, the agency said July 27.
Kepler to co-develop third satellite with UK’s Satellite Applications Catapult
Kepler Communications, a Canadian startup designing a network of 140 telecom cubesats, has teamed up with the Satellite Applications Catapult in the U.K. to build a third and final prototype before pressing on with the full constellation.
Kepler in safe mode amid concerns spacecraft is running out of fuel
NASA’s Kepler spacecraft has paused science observations upon receiving indications that the spacecraft may be finally running out of fuel after more than nine years of operations.
Kepler’s first satellite hitched ride on last week’s Long March 11 launch
Kepler Communications, a Canadian startup designing a low-Earth-orbit constellation for satellite connectivity, says its first satellite is performing as expected following a Jan. 19 launch on China’s Long March 11 rocket.
NASA astronomy missions pass senior review
NASA has accepted the recommendation of a review panel that it continue operations of a half-dozen astrophysics missions, including infrared and x-ray observatories and a retooled extrasolar planet mission.
No long-term effects from Kepler spacecraft anomaly
NASA’s Kepler spacecraft has suffered no long-term effects from an anomaly last month that threatened the mission, and the spacecraft should be able to operate for at least two more years, the mission’s manager said May 10.
Kepler resumes science operations
Two weeks after going into an emergency mode that jeopardized the mission, NASA’s Kepler spacecraft has recovered and resumed normal science operations, the agency announced April 22.
Kepler mission declares spacecraft emergency
Spacecraft controllers are working to restore control of NASA’s Kepler astronomy spacecraft after it entered an “emergency mode,” disrupting science observations, the mission’s manager said April 8.
Kepler’s Shaw Prize Winner Once in NASA’s Dog House
NASA's William Borucki just won the $1 million Shaw Prize in Astronomy for his work discovering extrasolar planets.
Not bad considering that Borucki and his planet-hunting Kepler telescope were in NASA's dog house two years before launch.
