London, UK (SPX) Aug 13, 2024
Airbus Defence and Space and Astroscale Limited have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore joint efforts in the realm of in-orbit servicing and space debris removal. This collaboration seeks to combine the expertise of both companies to address the growing challenges of space sustainability and satellite longevity, with a focus on enhancing the UK's role in in-orbit servici

Paris, France (SPX) Aug 13, 2024
The NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope has captured a stunning image of Messier 106 (NGC 4258), a nearby spiral galaxy located approximately 23 million light-years away in the constellation Canes Venatici. Messier 106, one of the closest and brightest spiral galaxies to the Milky Way, is notable for having hosted two supernovae, recorded in 1981 and 2014. At the center of Messier 106

Washington DC (UPI) Aug 13, 2024
For the first time, ultra-cold atoms have been used to detect changes in the surrounding environment in space, taking a step of revolutionizing how quantum science can be used. A new study released Tuesday in the science journal Nature Communications, NASA's Cold Atom Lab on the International Space Station measured subtle vibrations of the orbiting lab. The team using the Cold At

Washington (AFP) Aug 12, 2024
The Earth was hit Monday by an intense solar storm that could bring the northern lights to night skies further south than normal, a US agency announced. Conditions of a level-four geomagnetic storm - on a scale of five - were observed Monday from 1500 GMT, according to a specialized center at the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). These conditions may persist fo

Sydney, Australia (SPX) Aug 12, 2024
Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) successfully completed its 52nd Electron rocket mission, deploying a satellite into low Earth orbit for Capella Space. The mission, titled "A Sky Full of SARs," was named to highlight the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) capabilities of Capella's spacecraft. The launch occurred at 01:18 AM New Zealand Standard Time on August 12th from Launch Complex 1, loc

Lausanne, Switzerland (SPX) Aug 13, 2024
Starting Monday, the Earth will be passing through a meteor shower. But in astronomy, the human eye is very much a limited tool. But increasingly powerful instruments are allowing us to peer ever deeper into the cosmos and ever further back in time, shedding new light on the origins of the universe. Today, scientists are able to observe an exoplanet orbiting its star, an individual galaxy

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Aug 14, 2024
Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have devised a new timekeeping system specifically for the Moon, addressing the challenges posed by its gravitational environment. The proposed lunar time system aims to support accurate navigation and communication for future lunar missions, including NASA's Artemis program. On Earth, GPS relies on precise timekeepin

Paris, France (SPX) Aug 13, 2024
The Dutch Black Hole Consortium has unveiled an 8-language version of the BlackHoleFinder app, enabling global citizens to assist in identifying newly formed black holes. While previously accessible only in Dutch and English, the app now supports Spanish, German, Chinese, Bengali, Polish, and Italian. This expansion, announced at the 32nd IAU General Assembly in Cape Town, South Africa, signific

Berkeley CA (SPX) Aug 13, 2024
Using seismic activity to probe the interior of Mars, geophysicists have found evidence for a large underground reservoir of liquid water - enough to fill oceans on the planet's surface. The data from NASA's Insight lander allowed the scientists to estimate that the amount of groundwater could cover the entire planet to a depth of between 1 and 2 kilometers, or about a mile. While th

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Aug 13, 2024
At the start of the week, astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) delved into a range of space construction methods while awaiting the arrival of a new cargo craft. This craft is expected to deliver essential supplies, including food and fuel, for the upcoming months. NASA and its international collaborators are exploring cost-effective approaches for constructing satellite