Vega-C Zefiro40 Test: Independent Enquiry
Wednesday, 04 October 2023 09:46Following the failure of the Vega-C launch (VV22) in December 2022, an Independent Enquiry Commission drew several conclusions and made recommendations to ensure a reliable return to flight and a robust exploitation. One of the recommendations was to implement a (delta-)qualification of the nozzle with a new Carbon-Carbon throat insert material different from that previously used on the Zefiro40
China's next robotic lunar probe open to foreign science payloads
Wednesday, 04 October 2023 09:46The Chang'e 8 robotic probe, the third to be placed on the moon during China's next lunar exploration endeavor, is open to foreign science payloads, according to the China National Space Administration. Wang Qiong, deputy head designer of the Chang'e 8 mission, said on Monday at the ongoing 74th International Astronautical Congress in Baku - capital of Azerbaijan - that there will be 200 k
NASA to begin critical testing of updated engines for future Artemis missions
Wednesday, 04 October 2023 09:46NASA will begin the critical testing of updated engines for its Space Launch System rocket on Thursday, starting with turning power levels up to 111%, as the space agency prepares for future Artemis missions to the Moon. The assessments mark the final round of certification testing ahead of production of the RS-25 engines for the SLS rocket, NASA said in a statement. The engines are exp
NASA selects Commercial Smallsat Data Acquisition contractors
Wednesday, 04 October 2023 09:46NASA has selected seven companies to provide commercial data in support of the agency's Earth science research. The Commercial Smallsat Data Acquisition Program will acquire Earth observation data and related services from commercial sources for NASA. This fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple-award contract will be effective for a period of five years with an opti
Scientists figured out what causes Earth's strongest lightning
Wednesday, 04 October 2023 09:46Superbolts are more likely to strike the closer a storm cloud's electrical charging zone is to the land or ocean's surface, a new study finds. These conditions are responsible for superbolt "hotspots" above some oceans and tall mountains. Superbolts make up less than 1% of total lightning, but when they do strike, they pack a powerful punch. While the average lightning strike contains arou
New qubit circuit enables quantum operations with higher accuracy
Wednesday, 04 October 2023 09:46In the future, quantum computers may be able to solve problems that are far too complex for today's most powerful supercomputers. To realize this promise, quantum versions of error correction codes must be able to account for computational errors faster than they occur. However, today's quantum computers are not yet robust enough to realize such error correction at commercially relevant sc
System combines light and electrons to unlock faster, greener computing
Wednesday, 04 October 2023 09:46Computing is at an inflection point. Moore's Law, which predicts that the number of transistors on an electronic chip will double each year, is slowing down due to the physical limits of fitting more transistors on affordable microchips. These increases in computer power are slowing down as the demand grows for high-performance computers that can support increasingly complex artificial intellige
Comtech wins $48 million U.S. Army contract for satellite modems
Wednesday, 04 October 2023 07:27ESA and Swatch: a stellar partnership
Wednesday, 04 October 2023 06:00A new collaboration between ESA and Swiss watchmaker Swatch allows space fans to design their own space-themed watch using stunning images from space telescopes.
Axiom Space partners with Prada on Artemis spacesuits
Wednesday, 04 October 2023 04:24First Intuitive Machines lunar lander ready for launch
Tuesday, 03 October 2023 23:18Estonia's next satellite, largely built by undergrad students, to fly aboard Vega VV23
Tuesday, 03 October 2023 17:17Estonia's next satellite will fly aboard Europe's Vega VV23 launcher later this week. While largely designed and built by undergraduate students, the shoebox-sized ESTCube-2 has ambitious goals in mind, including surveys of Estonian vegetation and the first successful in-orbit demonstration of "plasma brake" technology.
Japan conducting studies for reusable next-gen rocket
Tuesday, 03 October 2023 15:55Military space groups in New Mexico expand recruitment and STEM
Tuesday, 03 October 2023 15:44UPDATE: First spacewalk for Andreas Mogensen
Tuesday, 03 October 2023 15:40UPDATE: There has been a postponement of the spacewalk from its original date. Once a new date is selected, this article will be updated.
ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen will venture outside the International Space Station to install a new camera and prepare an experiment for a future upgrade on his first spacewalk.