Video: 00:02:42

After a remarkable life in orbit, Aeolus is out of fuel and out of time – it’s returning to Earth this week. Planned and built before any regulations were put in place on ‘end-of-life’ disposal, the Earth Explorer was designed to naturally return through our atmosphere.

After months of detailed planning and analysis, ESA together with industrial partners has designed a complex and never-before-performed set of manoeuvres to control, as much as possible, Aeolus’ fall. 

The assisted reentry attempt is built on four main phases, now begun at ESA’s mission control: 

• Phase I: once Aeolus has fallen

Image: Webb snaps detailed infrared image of actively forming stars

On 10 July 2023, a volcano some 30 km from Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik, erupted following heightened seismic activity in the area. Satellites orbiting above us have captured the molten lava and smoke plume puffing from the Litli-Hrútur volcano.

Sydney, Australia (SPX) Jul 26, 2023
In an important breakthrough for nuclear astrophysics, an international team led by HOU Suqing from the Institute of Modern Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has successfully derived a new reaction rate for a crucial component of the rapid proton capture process (rp-process). Their findings were recently published in The Astrophysical Journal. Type I X-ray bursts, the most common

Sydney, Australia (SPX) Jul 26, 2023
China's pursuit of carbon neutrality has made a substantial advancement following a successful collaboration among leading research and meteorological organizations. The Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Atmospheric Physics (IAP/CAS), the Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), and the National Satellite Meteorological Center (MSMC) of the China Meteorological Administration have collectiv

Sydney, Australia (SPX) Jul 26, 2023
In a significant development for global space research, China has announced the commencement of its application system, which is open to scientists and engineers who wish to undertake space science projects at its space station. This news comes directly from the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), adding a new dimension to international space exploration efforts. The initiative represents an

Sydney, Australia (SPX) Jul 26, 2023
China's ambitious lunar exploration program has leaped forward following the announcement of its moon landing mission by the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). The lunar venture aims to land astronauts on the moon by 2030, reflecting China's dedication to space exploration and its resolve to make significant headway in lunar exploration. China's moon landing plan, as outlined by CMSA,

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jul 26, 2023
Optimum Technologies, LLC, a vanguard in offering advanced space solutions, has unveiled its cutting-edge spacecraft integration facility in Northern Virginia. A substantial augmentation in the company's infrastructure, the newly minted facility is positioned to boost Optimum's growing influence in the space sector, bolstering their ability to serve up groundbreaking solutions for their clientel

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jul 26, 2023
Iridium Communications Inc., an international force in global satellite communications, has unveiled its new aviation-specific commercial service, Iridium Certus. With this launch, Iridium Connected aviation solutions achieve certification and availability for a broad spectrum of aircraft, including commercial transport, business aviation, helicopters, private planes, and Uncrewed Aircraft Syste

Berlin, Germany (SPX) Jul 25, 2023
In a groundbreaking move towards industrial worker safety, the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) has launched the StreamEXO exoskeleton, a wearable device designed to protect railway maintenance workers from physical overload. Following a successful 6-month test campaign involving 15 individuals in Italy, the prototype's results were impressive, showing a 50% decrease in ergonomic risk and a