Gift wrapped for Ariane 6
Friday, 22 December 2023 06:38
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Gift wrapped for Ariane 6 Cosmic Bling: The Science of Extraterrestrial Diamonds
Friday, 22 December 2023 04:33 Write a comment
Diamonds have long captivated humanity with their brilliance and rarity, symbolizing wealth, power, and romance on Earth. However, beyond our planet, in the vast expanse of space, diamonds take on a new role, offering clues to the mysteries of the cosmos. This article delves into the fascinating world of extraterrestrial diamonds, exploring their formation, discovery and the profound implications they hold for our understanding of the universe. NASA astronauts test SpaceX elevator concept for Artemis lunar lander
Thursday, 21 December 2023 21:17 Write a comment
NASA astronauts Nicole Mann and Doug "Wheels" Wheelock participated in a recent test of a sub-scale mockup elevator for SpaceX's Starship human landing system that will be used for NASA's Artemis III and IV missions to the moon. The Starship human landing system will carry two astronauts from the Orion spacecraft in lunar orbit to the surface, serve as a habitat for crew members' approximately one week stay on the moon, and transfer them from the surface back to Orion.
The elevator will transport equipment and crew between Starship's habitable area, located near the top of the lander, and the lunar surface, as they exit for moonwalks. The test allowed the astronauts to interact with a flight-like design of the elevator system, serving as both a functional demonstration of the hardware and providing the chance to receive valuable feedback from a crew perspective.
Built at SpaceX's facility in Hawthorne, California, the elevator mockup has a full-scale basket section with functioning mechanical assemblies and crew interfaces for testing. During the demonstration, NASA astronauts wore spacesuits that simulate the suit size and mobility constraints that crew will face on the moon.
Image: Pinhole propulsion for satellites
Thursday, 21 December 2023 17:31 Write a comment
A palm-sized propulsion option for future space missions: Each one of these seven emitter arrays etched onto this silicon wafer using micro- and nano-technology possesses more than 500 pinhole-sized emitters that spray out ions, accelerated via an electrostatic field to maximize thrust.
Inherently scalable, this "electrospray" technology is being developed as a cost- and mass-effective method of propelling CubeSats and other small satellites. For the first time in Europe, this ionic-liquid based electrospray propulsion system has achieved more than 400 hours of continuous operation.
"Everyone knows that 'space is hard,' but we like to say that 'propulsion is harder,'" comments Daniel Pérez Grande, CEO & Co-founder of IENAI Space in Spain, who is developing the technology for ESA. "Developing a new technology, which we have built from scratch, has been no easy feat, but we are confident that our propulsion products will stand out in the market for their incredible performance and customization capabilities; and in fact we have already been approached by a number of interested parties in the industry."
Known as ATHENA (Adaptable THruster based on Electrospray powered by Nanotechnology), this system is one of three currently being developed by ESA to harness electrospray propulsion for space.
National Space Council meeting emphasizes international cooperation
Thursday, 21 December 2023 12:14
Bayanat and Yahsat to Merge, Forming AI-Driven Space Technology Powerhouse, Space42
Thursday, 21 December 2023 10:37 Write a comment
Abu Dhabi's space technology landscape is set to witness a significant transformation with the proposed merger of Bayanat AI PLC ("Bayanat") and Al Yah Satellite Communications Company P.J.S.C. ("Yahsat"), two ADX-listed entities. Post-merger, the new entity will be known as Space42, marking a strategic move to create a formidable player in the AI-powered space technology sector, not just in the NASA Enhances Aerospace Innovation with New SBIR Ignite Phase I Awards
Thursday, 21 December 2023 10:37 Write a comment
NASA has recently announced the second round of Phase I awards under its Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Ignite program. This initiative reflects NASA's commitment to fostering innovation and supporting American small businesses in advancing aerospace technologies.
A total of ten small businesses have been selected for these awards, each receiving up to $150,000. This funding is NASA and Blue Origin partner to propel space technology in latest suborbital flight
Thursday, 21 December 2023 10:37 Write a comment
In a significant step towards advancing space technology, NASA, in partnership with commercial spaceflight company Blue Origin, successfully conducted a suborbital flight test on December 19, 2023. The mission, part of NASA's Flight Opportunities program, propelled 14 research payloads towards future space missions and commercial applications. This collaboration signifies a concerted effort to t Sidus Space's LizzieSat gears up for launch with successful test
Thursday, 21 December 2023 10:37 Write a comment
Sidus Space, Inc. (NASDAQ: SIDU) has announced the successful completion of a crucial phase in the development of its LizzieSat satellite. This milestone comes as the satellite prepares for its impending launch on SpaceX's renowned Transporter-10 mission.
The recent completion of environmental testing at NTS Orlando marks a significant achievement for Sidus Space. LizzieSat, the centerpiec Shenzhou XVII astronauts set for their first spacewalk
Thursday, 21 December 2023 10:37 Write a comment
The crew of the Shenzhou XVII mission is gearing up for their inaugural spacewalk, a significant step in China's continuing endeavors in space exploration. The China Manned Space Agency, in a recent announcement, confirmed that the trio aboard the mission - Senior Colonel Tang Hongbo, Lieutenant Colonel Tang Shengjie, and Lieutenant Colonel Jiang Xinlin - are in optimal condition and ready for t Urgency of climate intervention highlighted by rising temperatures and reduced air pollution
Thursday, 21 December 2023 10:37 Write a comment
In the ever-evolving discourse on climate change, a significant debate is emerging, one that may soon capture mainstream attention. The crux of this debate is whether direct intervention in Earth's atmosphere is necessary to reduce incoming heat radiation, essentially terraforming our own planet.
The classical stance in the scientific community has been cautious, arguing that intervention Bioprinting in 3D: 2023 Science Wrap
Thursday, 21 December 2023 10:37 Write a comment
Imagine someone needs a heart transplant and scientists take cells from that person to create an entire new heart for them. Research on the International Space Station is helping to bring that dream closer to reality.
The process of 3D printing (also known as additive manufacturing) enables the design and production of one-of-a-kind items made of plastic, metal, and other materials, includ 
Signing ceremony kicks off start of Hyguane green hydrogen project
Thursday, 21 December 2023 09:03 Write a comment
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The start of a more sustainable production facility to create hydrogen fuel for Ariane 6 – Europe’s new heavy-lift rocket – is underway.
Project HYGUANE – a portmanteau of the French words for hydrogen, French Guiana and the local Iguanas – is a €40.5M investment in a solar farm, distribution systems and is being designed to be allowed to easily expand in the future.
After three years of studies, the project started on 21 December 2023 with the signing of the consortium agreement between the parties involved: four companies – Air Liquide, SARA, MT-Aerospace and BEBLUE; three universities – Université de Guyane, Université de Liège, Université Libre
Innovative X-ray lobster-eye mission set to launch
Thursday, 21 December 2023 09:00 Write a comment
The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) spacecraft Einstein Probe is ready to launch in January 2024. Equipped with a new generation of X-ray instruments with high sensitivity and a very wide view, this mission will survey the sky and hunt for powerful blasts of X-ray light coming from mysterious celestial objects such as neutron stars and black holes.
Einstein Probe is a collaboration led by CAS with the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (MPE), Germany.