Goodbye Ryugu

Having successfully completed its tasks in outer space,

the Japanese space probe Hayabusa2 

is on its way back a little earlier than originally scheduled.

Link to: "Japan's Hayabusa2 leaves asteroid to deliver samples to Earth in 2020"

News from the Luxembourg Space Agency

The tiny landlocked Grand Duchy in the middle of Europe 

keeps on slowly but steadily expanding its space resources initiative.

Link to: "Luxembourg to set up space resources innovation centre"

Link to: "Luxembourg signs two new international partnerships on space"

Link to: "LSA 2019 Space Directory"

NEO Surveillance Mission

NASA's proposed infrared telescope 

Near-Earth Object Surveillance Mission

is primarily geared towards planetary defence

rather than being part of a pure science programme.

Link to: Paul Voosen's related article for sciencemag.org

From Australia up into space

The Australian Government has recently reviewed

its space industry related regulatory framework

so as to make it clearer, more flexible and better suited 

to a more innovative global environment.

Link to: Australian Space Agency news

Focus on Biomining in space

Scientists postulate that specific bacteria could be taken to space

 in order to help mankind mine for metals there.

Link to: SPACE STATION RESEARCH - Harnessing the power of microbes for mining in space

Link to: University of Colorado - CU Boulder explores mining in space with bacteria

Planetary Society all set to go solar sailing

The sail (about the size of a boxing ring) has been successfully deployed;

now let the photons do their part of the job!

Link to: Article by Jason Davis

Chandrayaan-2 on its way to the moon

India's spacecraft Chandrayaan-2,

which will explore areas near the south pole of the moon,

is presently journeying towards its destination.

Link to: Department of Space Indian Space Research Organisation