China Prepares Queqiao-2 Launch As Interlune Raises $15M For Moon Mining

China is preparing to launch its Queqiao-2 communications relay satellite on March 19 to support upcoming moon missions, including Chang'e-6, Chang'e-7, and Chang'e-8. The satellite will be launched by a Long March 8 rocket from the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center and will maintain communication between Earth and the lunar far side.

Seattle-based startup Interlune has raised $15 million in funding to pursue its goal of harvesting and selling natural resources from the Moon, particularly helium-3. The company, founded by Rob Meyerson, Gary Lai, and former Apollo 17 astronaut Harrison Schmitt, aims to design its first robotic lander mission to verify helium-3 levels at their chosen site. While the Space Resource Exploration and Utilization Act of 2015 allows for the extraction of space resources, there are concerns about the lack of regulations and the potential alteration of celestial objects.

The aerospace industry back on Earth isn't faring as well. A United Airlines Boeing 737-800 plane landed safely at Rogue Valley International Airport in Medford, Oregon, despite missing a fuselage panel. The incident, which occurred on a flight from San Francisco, is under investigation by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). In a separate event, an American Airlines Boeing 777 experienced a potential tire blowout during take-off from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport but continued its journey to Los Angeles without further issues.

These incidents add to the growing list of concerns surrounding Boeing-made planes, which has led some passengers to avoid flights operated by these aircraft. John Barnett, a 62-year-old man set to testify against Boeing, was found dead in South Carolina with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. However, his family and lawyers have raised suspicions about the circumstances surrounding his death.

Unfortunately, airborne weapons seem to be progressing without hiccup. North Korea fired ballistic missiles into the sea on Monday, marking their first launch in two months. The launch occurred as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Seoul for a conference hosted by President Yoon Suk Yeol. The incident has been condemned by Japan and South Korea, with both nations emphasizing the threat to regional peace and security.