Copernical Team
MDA Space awarded extended ISS robotics contract
MDA Space (TSX: MDA) has been granted a $250 million contract extension by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) to continue its support for robotics operations aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The extended contract, effective from 2025 to 2030, assigns new responsibilities to MDA Space, including the role of robotics flight controllers.
"Robotics flight controllers are the pilots i Tracing life's origins: Cambridge team explores early Earth conditions
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a model illustrating how conditions conducive to life may have arisen naturally. Their study focuses on the synthesis of essential life components like proteins, phospholipids, and nucleotides, crucially involving nitrogen-rich molecules such as nitriles and isonitriles.
Past studies have highlighted these molecules' potential in fo Two NASA sounding rockets launch from Alaska during solar flare
Two Black Brant IX sounding rockets launched from Poker Flat Research Range in Fairbanks, Alaska, April 17, 2024, during an M-class solar flare for NASA's sounding rocket solar flare campaign.
The first rocket launched at 2:13 p.m. local Alaska time for the Focusing Optics X-ray Solar Imager (FOXSI) mission that used X-ray vision to observe the sun during the solar flare event by focusing directly on high-energy X-rays.
The second rocket launched at 2:14 p.m. for the High Resolution Coronal Imager, or Hi-C, mission designed to observe a large, active region in the sun's corona. The rockets reached altitudes up to 168 miles (271 km) and were able to successfully observe the solar flare.
Provided by NASA
Destination Earth goes live
Destination Earth goes live
Watch the event broadcast live from Finland on 10 June
ESA and the EU agree to accelerate the use of space
ESA will work closely with the EU to use space to improve life on Earth, following an agreement signed today by ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher (left) and the European Commission’s Director-General for Defence Industry and Space, Timo Pesonen.
Week in images: 15-19 April 2024
Week in images: 15-19 April 2024
Discover our week through the lens
NASA's Near Space Network Bolsters PACE Climate Mission Communications
NASA's Near Space Network has successfully enabled the PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) mission to transmit its inaugural set of operational data to Earth, utilizing innovative data-storing technology and recent enhancements. These upgrades are designed to improve communication for PACE and other forthcoming science missions.
The PACE satellite, which travels approximately Hannover's expertise boosts groundbreaking fusion project
The PriFUSIO project, led by the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology (ILT) and supported by an 18 million euro grant from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, is setting a new course for the development of climate-neutral fusion power plants. The project brings together a diverse consortium including startups, mid-sized enterprises, and large corporations along with specialized Momentus and Ascent Solar Technologies announce new solar array partnership
Momentus and Ascent Solar have unveiled their partnership aimed at jointly marketing innovative solar arrays that integrate Momentus's low-cost Tape Spring Solar Array tech and Ascent's advanced, flexible photovoltaic modules. The surge in satellite production and deployment underscores a critical demand for affordable and efficient solar arrays. Constellation of Starlink satellites grows with latest SpaceX launch from Florida
SpaceX launched a cluster of 23 satellites into low-Earth orbit Thursday, the 334th launch of the company's Starlink Internet satellites and the 268th time a reusable booster rocket has been used.
The launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida occurred at 6:40 p.m. EDT.
The booster used in Thursday's launch settled on the drone A Shortfall of Gravitas in the Atlantic Ocean