Copernical Team
Redefining engineering practices across NASA
Since John F. Kennedy's landmark 1961 address advocating for lunar exploration, NASA has continually embraced the challenge of difficult endeavors to stimulate innovation across its varied missions. Kennedy articulated this ethos when he said, "We choose to go to the Moon not because it's easy, but because it's hard; because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies a
PREFIRE mission will analyze polar energy exchanges
NASA, in collaboration with Rocket Lab, has scheduled the first launch for the PREFIRE (Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-InfraRed Experiment) mission on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. The mission aims to enhance our understanding of polar energy dissipation and its implications on global climate dynamics. The launch from Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand, marks the beginning of a series of t
UC Irvine study bolsters dark matter existence theory
Astronomers from the University of California, Irvine have used computer simulations to support the existence of dark matter, a critical component thought necessary to explain various cosmic phenomena. These simulations contribute to the ongoing debate about whether the universe's workings can be solely attributed to observable matter or if invisible elements like dark matter are required.
Decaying orbits of exoplanets linked to stellar magnetic fields
Researchers at Durham University have identified a new mechanism potentially explaining the orbital decay of exoplanets around sun-like stars, a phenomenon observed in systems such as WASP-12b. The study, published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, highlights how stellar magnetic fields may significantly influence the gravitational tides between these stars and their closely orbiting '
NASA Scientists Gear Up for Solar Storms at Mars
The Sun will be at peak activity this year, providing a rare opportunity to study how solar storms and radiation could affect future astronauts on the Red Planet. In the months ahead, two of NASA's Mars spacecraft will have an unprecedented opportunity to study how solar flares - giant explosions on the Sun's surface - could affect robots and future astronauts on the Red Planet. That
China aims to retrieve Martian soil samples by 2030
China is on course to potentially be the first nation to return Martian soil to Earth, in what is considered a significant scientific and engineering feat, according to a prominent space scientist. Wu Weiren, a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and a leading figure at the China National Space Administration, remarked this week in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province, that China
Unveiling the space-weathered features of asteroid Ryugu
New insights into the magnetic and physical environment of interplanetary space have been revealed through the analysis of asteroid Ryugu samples, retrieved by the Hayabusa2 spacecraft of the Japanese Space Agency. The research led by Professor Yuki Kimura of Hokkaido University, along with colleagues from 13 other Japanese institutions, is detailed in the journal Nature Communications. Th
Einstein Probe commences wide-angle X-ray sky surveillance
Revealed at the 7th workshop of the Einstein Probe consortium in Beijing, the first images from the mission showcase the operational readiness of its innovative optics inspired by lobster eyes, designed to observe the X-ray spectrum. These initial captures highlight celestial bodies, indicating the satellite's comprehensive observational capabilities. Launched on January 9, 2024, the Einst
European satellite giant SES to buy US rival Intelsat
European telecommunications satellite operator SES said Tuesday it would acquire US rival Intelsat for $3.1 billion as competition for space-based internet service gathers pace. The merger follows year-long talks for a deal and comes as tech billionaire Elon Musk already has his own constellation of internet satellites and Amazon's Jeff Bezos has launched test satellites. "In a fast-movi
EarthCARE mission card with tagline
EarthCARE: cloud and aerosol mission