On this day in space! July 31, 1971: Apollo 15 astronauts drive on the moon for 1st time

space.com Jul 31, 2026

On this day in space! July 31, 1971: Apollo 15 astronauts drive on the moon for 1st time

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Jul 31, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

On July 31, 1971, Apollo 15 astronauts David Scott and James Irwin became the first humans to drive a vehicle on the Moon, using the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV). The 10‑foot long, 7‑foot wide rover, folded into the lunar module, was deployed after landing. It could reach 8.6 mph, enabling the crew to travel over 17 miles and reach sites like Elbow Crater for sample collection and photography. Apollo 15’s command module pilot, Al Worden, remained in lunar orbit. The mission launched July 26, landed July 30, and returned August 7.

💡 Why It Matters

· The LRV expanded human mobility on the lunar surface, setting a precedent for future exploration and the Artemis program’s plans for permanent lunar bases.

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Satlabs is building relay satellites to shorten the waiting period for Earth…

Satlabs Space Systems, founded in February 2023 by Saisree Eega and Sooraj Gopakumar, is developing a constellation of low‑cost data‑relay satellites to reduce the latency between Earth‑observation imagery capture and delivery. The company’s proof‑of‑concept relay satellite will act as a “floating ground station,” passing data from imaging satellites to users without waiting for a ground‑station pass. Satlabs plans a network of roughly 150 LEO relays that will link to customer satellites via a single API, aiming to cut delay from hours to minutes and enable near real‑time applications in defence, agriculture, disaster response, offshore energy, and industrial IoT.

💡 By eliminating the need for costly, geographically limited ground stations, Satlabs could make rapid‑response satellite data accessible to critical sectors that currently suffer from hours‑long delays.

latestly.com · Jul 31

Business News | 232 Aerospace Engineering Students of Chandigarh University Complete Industry…

Chandigarh University’s Aerospace Engineering program has completed a comprehensive industry training initiative that included internships at ISRO, DRDO, HAL, and other prominent aerospace firms. The program facilitated hands‑on experience for 232 students, with 48 securing employment in the sector over the past three years. The highest salary offered to a graduate was Rs 18 LPA, reflecting strong demand for skilled aerospace talent. The training also attracted 34 national and international recruiters, including Tata Advanced Systems, Pratt & Whitney (India), and Dhruva Space, underscoring the program’s industry relevance.

💡 The partnership demonstrates how targeted university‑industry collaborations can accelerate workforce readiness in high‑tech sectors, directly translating academic learning into competitive job placements.

spacenews.com · Jul 31

NASA still assessing Starliner-1 flight opportunities

NASA and Boeing report “good progress” on the CST‑100 Starliner after propulsion issues halted its 2022 crewed test flight. Deputy manager Bill Spetch said the agencies are working closely to resolve the problems and will launch Starliner‑1, a cargo‑only test, when a slot on the ISS becomes available. Boeing plans the flight no earlier than Q4, though it is not on the current fall‑winter schedule. A successful Starliner‑1 could enable the first long‑duration crew mission in 2027, before the ISS’s 2030 retirement.

💡 The Starliner’s return is pivotal for NASA’s commercial crew strategy, offering a domestic alternative to Russian Soyuz and SpaceX’s Crew Dragon. A timely launch could secure Boeing’s remaining contract missions and keep the ISS’s crew rotation on schedule.

techcrunch.com · Jul 31

SpaceX won’t remove all of xAI’s unpermitted turbines for another year

SpaceX announced it will not fully remove the unpermitted gas turbines powering its xAI data centers near Memphis until July 2027, as it shifts to a permanent 1.2‑gigawatt natural‑gas plant. The company currently operates 69 turbines that have been running for months, while the new plant will feature 41 turbines ranging from 16.48 to 50 MW. The turbines, located south of Memphis in a highly polluted region, have been sued by the NAACP and Southern Environmental Law Center for lacking permits. SpaceX claims the turbines are exempt because they remain on trailers, but federal rules require permits for their size and use. The new plant is part of a $2.8 billion procurement plan over three years, following SpaceX’s February acquisition of xAI and its recent purchase of APR Energy.

💡 The delay underscores the tension between rapid tech expansion and environmental compliance, revealing how large data‑center operators navigate regulatory gaps. It also signals a broader shift toward more permanent, regulated power infrastructure in the industry.

spacenews.com · Jul 31

Space Force picks 15 companies for $981 million training range contract

The U.S. Space Force announced that 15 companies have been selected to compete for up to $981 million in orders under the NITE‑STAR contract, a six‑year, indefinite‑delivery, indefinite‑quantity vehicle. The award will fund the National Space Test and Training Complex, a network of physical ranges and simulated environments where operators can practice countering threats to U.S. satellites. The contract’s maximum value is spread across task orders through July 2032, with a five‑year base period and one‑year option. Selected vendors include Amentum, BAE Systems, Boeing, CACI, Firefly Aerospace, L3Harris, Lockheed Martin Space, Northrop Grumman, Pacific Crest Alliance, Parsons Government Services, Redwire, Rocket Lab, Sierra Space, Viasat, and York Space Systems.

💡 By creating a realistic, live‑virtual‑constructive training environment, the Space Force aims to prepare operators for high‑speed, high‑distance space conflicts that current classroom‑based training cannot simulate. This initiative addresses a critical capability gap, enabling safer, more effective rehearsal of tactics against sophisticated adversary threats.

spacenews.com · Jul 31

Inside the effort to show Congress what war in space looks like

The Space Force Association unveiled the National Spacepower Center, an unclassified digital simulation hub designed to illustrate space warfare to Congress and the public. The prototype, demonstrated on July 21 in Arlington, Virginia, used Sedaro’s software to model a “space dogfight” where an adversary satellite jammed a U.S. missile‑tracking satellite, then a friendly craft intercepted the threat. The display compresses orbital maneuvers—engine burns and timing—into an immersive visual narrative, showing how space actions can disrupt ground, sea, and air operations.

💡 By translating complex orbital dynamics into a clear, interactive format, the center equips lawmakers with a tangible understanding of space threats, enabling informed oversight and resource allocation for national security.