Washington (AFP) April 11, 2024
A lucky Japanese astronaut will become the first non-American to set foot on the Moon during one of NASA's upcoming Artemis missions, US President Joe Biden announced Wednesday. The offer to Japan - an opportunity many nations have long dreamed of - came as part of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's state visit, and as Washington seeks to strengthen ties with its key Asian ally. "Two Japan

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Apr 11, 2024
Defeating dust is a critical concern for astronauts and spacecraft heading to the Moon or Mars, prompting researchers at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida to refine Electrodynamic Dust Shield (EDS) technology. The technology uses transparent electrodes and electric fields to electrically lift and remove dust from crucial surfaces used in space, such as thermal radiators, solar panels,

Paris (AFP) April 10, 2024
Artificial intelligence's move into modern warfare is raising concerns about the risks of escalation and the role of humans in decision making. AI has shown itself to be faster but not necessarily safer or more ethical. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said Friday that he was "profoundly disturbed" by Israeli media reports that Israel has used AI to identify targets in Gaza, causing man

Sydney, Australia (SPX) Apr 11, 2024
The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) has achieved a significant milestone with the successful in-orbit operation of a pioneering 3D-printed storage tank on the Tiandu-2 satellite. This event marks the first time a 3D-printed component of this kind has been used aboard a Chinese satellite, underscoring a major advancement in aerospace technology. The innovative cold

Sydney, Australia (SPX) Apr 11, 2024
The China Manned Space Agency recently showcased new devices aboard the Tiangong Space Station, essential for maintaining the health and safety of taikonauts in zero gravity. These tools have become critical as China aims to extend the duration of manned missions. The agency highlighted the routine of taikonauts engaging in extensive physical training to combat the effects of prolonged mic

Video: 00:02:04

A reaction wheel – one of the heaviest parts of a space mission, its changing rotation used to shift a satellite’s orientation – seen in a plasma wind tunnel belonging to the High Enthalpy Flow Diagnostics Group (HEFDiG) at the University of Stuttgart Institute of Space Systems (IRS). Arc-heated gas in the test chamber reaches speeds of several kilometres per second, reproducing reentry conditions, while the reaction wheel itself is being rotated, reproducing the tumbling that takes place as a satellite plunges through the atmosphere.

The reaction wheel itself comes from Collins Aerospace in Germany, which has supported Design for Demise (D4D) activities

A mock-up of ESA’s habitation module on the upcoming lunar Gateway space station is now ready for testing at Thales Alenia Space in Turin, marking a step forward in bringing humans back to the Moon.