China denies making space junk set to crash into Moon
Monday, 21 February 2022 13:09
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Astronomers initially thought the wayward object was a chunk of a SpaceX rocket that blasted off seven years ago and was abandoned in space after completing its mission.
But it is now believed to be the booster for the Chang'e 5-T1, launched in 2014 as part of the Chinese space agency's lunar exploration programme.
The rocket is expected to crash into the far side of the moon on March 4.
But China's foreign ministry rejected the claim Monday, saying the booster in question had "safely entered the Earth's atmosphere and was completely incinerated".
Beijing "conscientiously upholds the long-term sustainability of activities in outer space", spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a regular press briefing.
China has set its sights on becoming a space superpower and took a landmark step last year with the launch of the longest crewed mission to its new space station.
The world's second-largest economy has ploughed billions into its military-run space programme and hopes to eventually send humans to the Moon.
Image: Getting I-HAB ready for lunar orbit
Monday, 21 February 2022 12:41 Write a comment
ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst visited Thales Alenia Space in Turin recently to test out and provide feedback on accommodations for the next human outpost in space, the lunar Gateway.
As the name implies, the Gateway will be located within the moon's orbit and is being built by Thales Alenia Space on behalf of ESA. Among its components is the International Habitation Module or I-Hab.
As crew quarters are designed with humans in mind, Alex both toured the mock-up and stepped into the crew quarter simulator to provide some experienced feedback. After two missions to the International Space Station—Blue Dot (2014) and Horizons (2018)—totalling 362 days in space, Alex is no stranger to living in special conditions.
Using virtual gear, Alex experienced an immersive environment representing the interior of I-Hab, as if he were present on the lunar Gateway in orbit around the moon. What did he think?
Overall, the feedback was positive. Alex provided some recommendations that will help Thales Alenia Space's design team improve the next iterations.
Alex and fellow ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano similarly assisted this process in 2021, but due to COVID-19 restrictions were only able to do so remotely.
China claims rocket stage destined for lunar impact is not from its 2014 moon mission
Monday, 21 February 2022 12:02 Write a comment
Rocket debris set to impact the moon in March does not originate from the 2014 Chang’e-5 T1 mission, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs claims.
The post China claims rocket stage destined for lunar impact is not from its 2014 moon mission appeared first on SpaceNews.
A game-changing satellite communication technology from Aston and Pulse Power
Monday, 21 February 2022 09:49 Write a comment
Aston University has been working with Pulse Power and Measurement Ltd (PPM) through a knowledge transfer partnership (KTP) to develop a game-changing approach to technology used in the radio-over-fibre communications industry.
The project will look to transform the connection between low earth orbit (LEO) satellite antenna dishes and modems through optics rather than electronics, deliveri AFRL holds collaborative space domain awareness event
Monday, 21 February 2022 09:49 Write a comment
The Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles and Directed Energy Directorates hosted the 9th Annual Space Domain Awareness Leadership Workshop at Kirtland AFB, January 25 - 27. More than 100 senior leaders from across the Department of Defense and government laboratories participated in the combined in person and virtual event.
Those organizations participating included the Space Syste AFRL holds directed energy and kinetic energy wargaming experiment
Monday, 21 February 2022 09:49 Write a comment
The Air Force Research Laboratory's Directed Energy Directorate hosted a collaborative wargame with its sister AFRL unit, the Munitions Directorate, at Kirtland AFB, Jan. 24-28, 2022. The Directed Energy and Kinetic Energy Directed Energy Utility Concept Experiment, or DEKE DEUCE, explored synergies between directed energy and kinetic concepts in the future battlespace.
"DEKE DEUCE require "Impossible" breakthrough brings fusion energy device closer to realization
Monday, 21 February 2022 09:49 Write a comment
Scientists have achieved a remarkable breakthrough in the conceptual design of twisty stellarators, experimental magnetic facilities that could reproduce on Earth the fusion energy that powers the sun and stars. The breakthrough shows how to more precisely shape the enclosing magnetic fields in stellarators to create an unprecedented ability to hold the fusion fuel together.
"The key thing PathFinder Digital delivers new range of "BAT" Satellite Terminals
Monday, 21 February 2022 09:49 Write a comment
PathFinder Digital is now delivering the next generation of its "BAT" line of ground mobile satellite communication terminals designed and built for military applications. For over ten years, PathFinder has been providing the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marines and U.S. Navy ruggedized vehicle mounted and case based VSATs known as the "BAT" family of terminals. PathFinder's BAT-850 VSAT is t UNSW Sydney buys nanosatellite bus from NanoAvionics
Monday, 21 February 2022 09:49 Write a comment
The University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney, Australia, has contracted mission integrator NanoAvionics to build a nanosatellite bus for UNSW's satellite innovation laboratory. As part of the collaboration, NanoAvionics will deliver a 6U nanosatellite bus fully assembled and tested on a functional level, ready for its research and educational purposes. Payload integration for laboratory te New Space Station experiments study flames in space
Monday, 21 February 2022 09:49 Write a comment
Americans can feel safer in their homes now than decades ago thanks to studies and standards that have removed highly flammable materials in clothing, beds, and furniture. NASA relies on similar studies and standards to protect astronauts when selecting materials for spacesuits and spacecraft.
But fire behaves differently in space. Changes in gravity and air flow can alter the way it sprea Small companies partake in ESA’s European Service Module
Monday, 21 February 2022 08:35 Write a comment
ESA has involved ten European countries in the development of the European Service Module which is part of NASA’s Orion spacecraft soon to launch to the Moon from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Four European small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) took part.
Columbus, Kibo and a Dragon | Cosmic Kiss 360°
Monday, 21 February 2022 08:00 Write a comment
Video:
00:06:06
Join ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer on a 360° fly-through of Europe’s Columbus laboratory, Japan’s Kibo Module and the Crew Dragon capsule on the International Space Station.
Matthias has been living and working on the International Space Station for around 100 days, following the launch of Crew-3 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on 11 November 2021. He will spend approximately six months in orbit for his Cosmic Kiss mission. Much of this time is being spent inside the Columbus lab supporting European and international science.
Columbus is ESA’s single largest contribution to the International Space Station and was
European Union lays out plan to bolster space traffic management capabilities
Sunday, 20 February 2022 23:55 Write a comment
The European Union is rolling out a new space traffic management initiative to build up its abilities in the field while working with both the United States and the United Nations.
The post European Union lays out plan to bolster space traffic management capabilities appeared first on SpaceNews.
State Fight: Michigan economic plan emphasizes satellite communications
Sunday, 20 February 2022 17:01 Write a comment
The Michigan Aerospace Manufacturers Association is working to build Michigan’s space sector through projects like Space Enabled Connectivity for Advanced Mobility or SECAM.
The post State Fight: Michigan economic plan emphasizes satellite communications appeared first on SpaceNews.
State Fight: Shoring up Florida’s Space Coast
Sunday, 20 February 2022 17:00 Write a comment
The Sunshine State’s efforts to lure commercial space ventures began well before the sun set on the Space Shuttle era.
The post State Fight: Shoring up Florida’s Space Coast appeared first on SpaceNews.