Copernical Team
A Rinse and Repeat Kind of Plan: Sols 4035-4036
Earth planning date: Monday, December 11, 2023: Today's 2-sol plan was a "Touch and Go" plan, where we do some short science activities (ChemCam and/or MAHLI and APXS) in our workspace early in the morning and then drive to a new workspace. Unfortunately, due to a minor issue with the arm, the weekend plan only partially executed. As Susane reported on Friday, we had planned to DRT the dark tone France 2030 boosts HyPrSpace and Partners with 35M Euro for Micro-Launcher Development
HyPrSpace, in collaboration with Telespazio France and CT Ingenierie, has recently secured a significant funding boost of euro 35 million for the Agile Space Access Development Project #1 (PADA1). This project, part of the France 2030 initiative, focuses on the development of innovative space access solutions, marking a significant step in the nation's space industry.
The PADA1 consortium, NASA's Commercial Partners Continue Progress on New Space Stations
Three NASA-funded commercial space station partners are on track for the design and development of their orbital destinations and the transition of agency's low Earth orbit needs from the International Space Station.
"We are ending the year on a high note with multiple important milestones being completed by our partners," said Angela Hart, manager of the Commercial Low Earth Orbit Develop Engineers Working to Resolve Issue With Voyager 1 Computer
Engineers are working to resolve an issue with one of Voyager 1's three onboard computers, called the flight data system (FDS). The spacecraft is receiving and executing commands sent from Earth; however, the FDS is not communicating properly with one of the probe's subsystems, called the telecommunications unit (TMU). As a result, no science or engineering data is being sent back to Earth. ESA Highlights: the best of ESA in 2023
ESA Highlights: the best of ESA in 2023
ESA Highlights is a visual showcase of some of ESA’s key achievements over a 12-month period.
How and when to see the Geminid meteor shower in the UK
Stargazers will have a chance to enjoy one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year later this week, as the Geminids reach their peak.
Under perfect conditions, up to 150 meteors an hour could light up the night sky from Thursday into Friday (December 14–15), although the majority of observers can expect to see closer to 40 or 50 an hour as long as skies are clear.
Most meteor showers are caused by comets but the Geminids are unusual because they originate from the debris of an asteroid known as 3200 Phaethon.
They also have a greenish hue when they burn up in the Earth's atmosphere, rather than being colorless or white like other meteors. This is because of their chemical composition—oxygen, magnesium and nickel usually produce a green color.
The good news for skywatchers is that the arrival of a new moon that is just 1% illuminated should make for ideal viewing conditions, because there will less light pollution to weaken what should be a dazzling show.
Blue Origin announces space launch next week, first since 2022 crash
Blue Origin said on Tuesday it was aiming to launch its New Shepard suborbital rocket next week, the first mission since an uncrewed crash in September 2022 set back Jeff Bezos' space company.
"We're targeting a launch window that opens on Dec. 18 for our next New Shepard payload mission," the company tweeted on X, adding the flight would contain 33 science and research payloads, as well as 33,000 postcards.
The Federal Aviation Administration in September announced it had closed its probe into last year's crash, ordering the company to carry out 21 corrective actions before it could resume launches.
Images: Moon, asteroids and new rockets topped the world's space news in 2023
French 'Baguette One' rocket project gets funding
A French-led consortium said Tuesday it has received funding for its project to develop an innovative low-cost small rocket called "Baguette One" and launch it into space.
HyPrSpace along with a joint venture of Italian defence firm Leonardo and French IT firm Thales, and CT Engineering are pursuing the 35-million-euro ($38-million) project that aims to demonstrate a new type of rocket engin Permafrost thaw: a silent menace
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Ice is without doubt one of the first casualties of climate change, but the effects of our warming world are not only limited to ice melting on Earth’s surface. Ground that has been frozen for thousands of years, called permafrost, is thawing – adding to the climate crisis and causing serious issues for local communities.
Scientists estimate that the world’s permafrost holds almost double the amount of carbon that is currently in the atmosphere. When permafrost warms and thaws, it releases methane and carbon dioxide, adding these greenhouse gases to the atmosphere and making global warming even worse.