A Chinese space tug just grappled a dead satellite
Wednesday, 02 February 2022 11:30A Chinese satellite pulled a defunct navigation satellite out of the way of other satellites on January 22. The satellite, called SJ-21, appeared to operate as a space tug when it grappled onto the navigation satellite from the Chinese CompassG2 network. The operation details didn't come from Chinese authorities but from a report by ExoAnalytic Solutions, a commercial space monitoring company.
Chinese authorities are tight-lipped about the operation, but what can observations tell us about Chinese capabilities?
Earth's geosynchronous orbit is crowded, so on the face of it, having one less piece of space debris is a good thing for all satellite operators. But people can get suspicious when China does something like this.
GOES-T launch preparations underway
Wednesday, 02 February 2022 11:22Preparations are underway for the launch of the next in a series of geostationary weather satellites that will also mark the end of a decades-long streak for one company.
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Roof of the satnav world
Wednesday, 02 February 2022 07:07Helicopters Flying at Mars May Glow at Dusk
Wednesday, 02 February 2022 04:55The whirling blades on drones flying above Mars may cause tiny electric currents to flow in the Martian atmosphere, according to a NASA study. These currents, if large enough, might cause the air surrounding the craft to glow. This process occurs naturally at much larger scales on Earth as a corona or electrical glow sometimes seen on aircraft and ships in electrical storms known as Saint Elmo's
New Earth Trojan asteroid
Wednesday, 02 February 2022 04:55An International team of astronomers led by researcher Toni Santana-Ros, from the University of Alicante and the Institute of Cosmos Sciences of the University of Barcelona (ICCUB), has confirmed the existence of the second Earth Trojan asteroid known to date, the 2020 XL5, after a decade of search. The results of the study have been published in the journal Nature Communications. All cele
Chinese satellite reportedly grappled and moved spacecraft away from orbit
Wednesday, 02 February 2022 04:55The event was discussed as part of a webinar on managing the risks of satellite close approaches in geostationary orbit, hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies and the Secure World Foundation earlier this week. Last week, China reportedly demonstrated yet another advancement in space-based technology and capabilities as an analytics firm claimed to have seen a satelli
D-Orbit merges with Breeze Holdings Acquisition Corp. to become Publicly Company
Wednesday, 02 February 2022 04:55D-Orbit S.p.A., an Italy-based and market leading space logistics and transportation company, has announced that it will become publicly listed through a business combination with Breeze Holdings Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ: BREZ), a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company. The transaction values the Company at an enterprise value of approximately $1.28 billion post-money. In con
UCF to lead $10m NASA project to develop zero-carbon jet engines
Wednesday, 02 February 2022 04:55The University of Central Florida (UCF) is developing new technology that is expected to make airplane engines emission free, potentially revolutionizing the aviation industry. UCF put together a team of experts and stakeholders to evaluate their innovation, which aims to not only make aviation fuel green, but also create engines and fueling systems that easily integrate into current airpo
Researchers achieve burning plasma regime for first time in lab
Wednesday, 02 February 2022 04:55After decades of fusion research, a burning plasma state was achieved on November 2020 and February 2021 at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's National Ignition Facility (NIF), the world's most energetic laser. Obtaining a burning plasma is a critical step toward self-sustaining fusion energy. A burning plasma is one in which the fusion reactions themselves are the primary source of
China to improve space infrastructure with new satellites, technologies: white paper
Wednesday, 02 February 2022 04:55China will continue to improve its space infrastructure, and integrate remote-sensing, communications, navigation, and positioning satellite technologies in the next five years, according to a white paper released on Friday. The white paper, titled "China's Space Program: A 2021 Perspective", was issued by the State Council Information Office of China. According to the paper, China w
How big does your quantum computer need to be?
Wednesday, 02 February 2022 04:55Quantum computers are expected to be disruptive and potentially impact many industry sectors. So researchers in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands decided to explore two very different quantum problems: breaking the encryption of Bitcoin (a digital currency) and simulating the molecule responsible for biological nitrogen fixation. In AVS Quantum Science, from AIP Publishing, the resear
China launches L-SAR 01A satellite for land observing
Wednesday, 02 February 2022 04:55China launched a Long March-4C rocket to place a new satellite in space Wednesday. The rocket blasted off at 7:44 a.m. (Beijing Time) at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China and soon sent the L-SAR 01A satellite into preset orbit. The satellite, equipped with L-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR), will be used to monitor the geological environment, landslides and ea
Lion will roam above the planet - KP Labs to release their "king of orbit"
Wednesday, 02 February 2022 04:55KP Labs is beginning to work on an expansion of its product portfolio with an on-board computer for small satellites that will streamline and speed up on-orbit data processing, as well as ensure greater hardware reliability in modern satellite missions. This is the third Data Processing Unit (DPU) designed by KP Labs, and the first one suited for use in larger missions. After the introduction of
Astra finalizes plans for first Florida launch
Tuesday, 01 February 2022 19:42Astra Space will launch four NASA-sponsored cubesats on its Rocket 3.3 vehicle as soon as Feb. 5 on a mission that will be the first to use a streamlined set of commercial launch regulations.
U.S. Air Force to fund demonstrations of space internet services that integrate multiple constellations
Tuesday, 01 February 2022 18:47The U.S. Air Force will fund demonstrations of space internet services where military aircraft, ships or ground vehicles can access broadband services from commercial constellations in different orbits.
The post U.S.