New spheres of knowledge on the origin of life
Wednesday, 19 January 2022 05:49
The shape of a cell affects its physical and chemical properties. Different cell types have developed different shapes to enable effective functioning. But what shape were the very first cells, as life began to evolve?
Primitive cells are thought to have been spherical, but experimental evidence supporting this belief remains elusive. Now, however, researchers from the University of Tsukub Carnegie Mellon-led team to develop robotics to service satellites and build structures
Wednesday, 19 January 2022 05:49
There are 6,500 satellites in orbit, but only about half of them are functional. Once a satellite breaks down or runs out of fuel, it is essentially useless. Repairs, maintenance and upgrades are nearly impossible in orbit.
It's launch once, use once. But as satellites have become more robust, their operators often find that fleets outlast their projected lifespans and need new technology, NASA satellite servicing technologies licensed by Northrop Grumman
Wednesday, 19 January 2022 05:49
Northrop Grumman recently signed agreements to license three technologies from NASA related to satellite servicing.
Two of the technologies were developed by NASA for the On-orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing 1 (OSAM-1) mission. OSAM-1 is a first-of-its-kind mission that will grapple a US government-owned satellite, Landsat 7, to refuel it and to demonstrate the capability to pot New AI navigation prevents crashes
Wednesday, 19 January 2022 05:49
What do you call a broken satellite? Today, it's a multimillion-dollar piece of dangerous space junk. But a new collision-avoidance system developed by students at the University of Cincinnati is getting engineers closer to developing robots that can fix broken satellites or spacecraft in orbit.
UC College of Engineering and Applied Science doctoral students Daegyun Choi and Anirudh Chhabr Access to the 'SpaceDataHighway'
Wednesday, 19 January 2022 05:49
The 'Columbus Ka-Band Terminal' (ColKa) has commenced service. "The volume of scientific data generated by the experiments on the International Space Station (ISS) is continuously increasing. ColKa gives the Columbus laboratory on the ISS its own direct access to the SpaceDataHighway. The high-speed satellite link will significantly accelerate 'data traffic' to Europe.
Many scientists will SpaceX passes 2,000 Starlink satellites launched
Wednesday, 19 January 2022 02:49
SpaceX passed the threshold of more than 2,000 Starlink satellites launched after a Falcon 9 placed another set of broadband internet spacecraft into orbit Jan. 18.
Space Force taps Air Force Research Lab leader for key acquisition post
Tuesday, 18 January 2022 23:05
Col. Eric Felt, director of the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Space Vehicles Directorate, will be moving to a new post this summer as deputy executive director of the Space Force’s architecture, science and technology directorate at the Pentagon.
ESA considering moving up radar satellite launch after Sentinel-1B malfunction
Tuesday, 18 January 2022 23:04
The European Space Agency is considering accelerating the launch of a new Earth science satellite after an existing one malfunctioned last month and remains out of service.
Federal budget stalemate having ‘ripple effects’ on national security space missions
Tuesday, 18 January 2022 22:40
If a CR continues, two national security space missions funded in 2022 would have to be pushed into 2023 or beyond.
SES absorbs SES Networks in streamlining effort
Tuesday, 18 January 2022 22:04
Satellite operator SES is absorbing its SES Networks business unit ahead of deploying its next-generation O3b mPOWER broadband constellation this year.
EarthDaily taps Loft Orbital to build and operate $150 million constellation
Tuesday, 18 January 2022 21:49
EarthDaily Analytics (EDA) said Jan. 18 it has selected condosat operator Loft Orbital to build, launch and operate a fleet of 10 Earth-observation satellites on its behalf.
Raymond: Space Force in 2022 to focus on the design of a resilient architecture
Tuesday, 18 January 2022 21:43
The U.S. Space Force will turn more attention in the coming year to the design of the military’s future space architecture, chief of space operations Gen. John “Jay” Raymond said Jan.
Israel to sign Artemis Accords: foreign minister
Tuesday, 18 January 2022 16:01
Israel will sign the U.S.-led Artemis Accords outlining best practices for space exploration, according to Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid.
Steady driving toward ExoMars launch
Tuesday, 18 January 2022 15:10
The first simulation of the ExoMars rover driving off its landing platform closed out an incredible year of preparations as the mission now marches with confidence towards a September launch.
ESA's Rosalind Franklin rover starts the year with months of successful maintenance and functional tests behind it. All its instruments are go for flight, with some minor tuning left to complete this month.
Europe narrows hunt for next astronauts, eyes crewed flights
Tuesday, 18 January 2022 15:03
The European Space Agency has narrowed down the candidate list for its next generation of astronauts, including dozens who have a physical disability.
The agency announced last year that it had received a record number of 22,589 applicants from people hoping to become the continent's next generation of space travelers.
ESA said Tuesday it has reduced these to fewer than 1,400—including 29 of whom have a physical disability—and hoped to cut the shortlist down to several tens of candidates by the end of the year for the four to six positions on its astronaut training program.
The agency's director-general, Josef Aschbacher, said the selection process would be accompanied by a feasibility study to determine the implications of choosing candidates with disabilities "but, yes, we are committed at ESA to open space to everyone."
ESA has for decades relied on its Russian and American counterparts to launch astronauts into space. Currently the agency has several places booked on American commercial launches.
But Aschbacher said Europe may finally get its own crewed spacecraft if ESA member states approve the idea at a meeting later this year.