Copernical Team
Space Force Unveils Vision for 2030 at Inaugural Spacepower Conference
At the inaugural Spacepower Conference held in Orlando, Florida, from December 12-13, U.S. Space Force leaders outlined an ambitious vision for the future of the nation's newest military branch. The event, hosted by the Space Force Association, provided industry professionals and the public with insights into the Space Force's strategic direction and operational developments for the next decade. NASA astronauts test SpaceX's new elevator for upcoming Artemis Lunar landings
NASA astronauts Nicole Mann and Doug "Wheels" Wheelock have recently tested a sub-scale mockup of an innovative elevator system designed for SpaceX's Starship human landing system. This system is earmarked for critical roles in NASA's upcoming Artemis III and IV missions to the Moon. The Starship, a centerpiece in these missions, is tasked with transporting two astronauts from the Orion spacecra MSBAI and Princeton partner in SpaceWERX contract to enhance space flight training
MSBAI in collaboration with Princeton University, has been awarded a significant contract valued at $1.25 million from SpaceWERX. This Phase 2 contract, part of the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) X22.D cycle, aims to revolutionize the process of space flight mission training through the introduction of GURU, a highly autonomous system designed to streamline expert workflows in softwar ESA Partners with GMV for Advanced Greek Space Debris Tracking Radar
The European Space Agency (ESA) has recently taken a significant step in enhancing its space situational awareness capabilities by awarding a contract for the Greek Space Debris Tracking Radar (HSTR). This project, led by a consortium headed by Spanish company TTI Norte and including GMV, is set to play a pivotal role in monitoring the increasingly congested Low Earth Orbit (LEO) region.
H ESA and IENAI Space unveil innovative electrospray propulsion for small satellites
In a significant advancement for small satellite propulsion, the European Space Agency (ESA) and IENAI Space, a Spain-based technology firm, have introduced an innovative electrospray propulsion system known as ATHENA (Adaptable THruster based on Electrospray powered by Nanotechnology). This pioneering technology, designed to enhance the maneuverability and longevity of CubeSats and similar smal Helicity Space plants a seed for fusion propulsion technology - can it work?
Helicity Space, a name that's beginning to resonate in the commercial space industry, recently heralded a significant advance in its quest to redefine space propulsion. The company has successfully secured a $5 million seed funding round, a move that not only underscores the industry's confidence in fusion technology but also marks a pivotal moment in space travel innovation.
This round of Year in images 2023
Year in images 2023
Our year through the lens: a selection of our favourite images for 2023
Gift wrapped for Ariane 6
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Gift wrapped for Ariane 6 NASA astronauts test SpaceX elevator concept for Artemis lunar lander
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.
Cosmic Bling: The Science of Extraterrestrial Diamonds
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. 
