Image: Tethered satellites for propulsion without fuel
Wednesday, 13 October 2021 11:51
Write a comment
How to propel a spacecraft without propellant? Use electrodynamic tethers. These are long, strong conductors connecting two spacecraft. When direct current is applied to the tether, the tether exerts a force on the spacecraft, causing it to either accelerate or brake.
Such tethers might be used to perform fuel-free orbital maneuvers, or deorbit satellites at the end of their working lifetime to prevent buildup of orbital debris.
Universidad Carlos III de Madrid in Spain has proposed an improved tether design incorporating thin film solar cells to harvest added power for the tether plasma circuit, intended for end-of-life deorbiting.
The idea was proposed through ESA's Open Space Innovation Platform (OSIP) Open Discovery ideas Channel, seeking novel ideas for new space research activities. This innovative concept has been accepted by ESA for implementation, along with numerous others.
Explore further
Ariane 6 mast gains cryogenic arms
Wednesday, 13 October 2021 10:30 Write a comment
Image:
Cryogenic arms on the upper part of the Ariane 6 mast on the launch pad connect to the rocket's upper stage and retract at liftoff Deep Blue Aerospace conducts 100-meter VTVL rocket test
Wednesday, 13 October 2021 10:13 Write a comment
Chinese private launch Deep Blue Aerospace completed a 100-meter level launch and landing test with its Nebula M1 VTVL test stage Wednesday.
Webb arrives in French Guiana for launch on Ariane 5
Wednesday, 13 October 2021 09:48 Write a comment
Video:
00:01:54
The James Webb Space Telescope arrived in French Guiana on 12 October 2021 ahead its launch on Ariane 5 Australia to provide rover for future NASA lunar lander mission
Wednesday, 13 October 2021 08:55 Write a comment
NASA and its Australian counterpart have agreed to cooperate on a future robotic lander mission where Australia will provide a small rover as part of a test of resource utilization technologies.
Europe delivers module for first astronaut mission to the Moon
Wednesday, 13 October 2021 08:22 Write a comment
The second European Service Module for NASA’s Orion spacecraft is on its way to USA. It is the last stopover on Earth before this made-in-Europe powerhouse takes the first astronauts around the Moon on the Artemis II mission.
Cool tech to almost double deep space data
Wednesday, 13 October 2021 07:39 Write a comment
An upgrade to ESA’s three 35-metre deep-space antennas will boost science data return by 40% by cooling the ‘antenna feed’ to just 10 degrees above the lowest temperature possible in the Universe.
Webb brochure, interactive or PDF, available in six languages
Wednesday, 13 October 2021 07:30 Write a comment
Webb brochure
Interactive or PDF, available in six languages
Putting the Earth observation into ‘the market perspective’
Wednesday, 13 October 2021 07:20 Write a comment
With a boom in the global market for Earth observation information and data products, participants at this year’s Φ-week conference have been digging deep into the ‘market perspective’. This important topic includes how to gain a better understanding of what governments, industry, the public and other users of Earth observation products and services need and expect to create value for society and the economy.
Putting Earth observation into ‘the market perspective’
Wednesday, 13 October 2021 07:20 Write a comment
With a boom in the global market for Earth observation information and data products, participants at this year’s Φ-week conference have been digging deep into the ‘market perspective’. This important topic includes how to gain a better understanding of what governments, industry, the public and other users of Earth observation products and services need and expect to create value for society and the economy.
To oldly go: Shatner, 90, inspires with real-life space trip
Wednesday, 13 October 2021 06:53 Write a comment
As William Shatner prepares to be beamed up Wednesday for his first real-life spaceflight, and to become at 90 the oldest person ever to enter the final frontier, he's bringing out the awe in the small handful of people around a rural Texas spaceport.
The future is here: Advanced Manufacturing for space
Wednesday, 13 October 2021 05:30 Write a comment
To go to new places in space, or do new things, usually demands innovative technologies, and often novel materials and manufacturing techniques as well. So ESA and NASA have teamed up to support a major international conference on Advanced Manufacturing – bringing together Industry 4.0 with Space 4.0.
Tethered satellites for propulsion without fuel
Wednesday, 13 October 2021 05:24 Write a comment
Image:
Tethered satellites for propulsion without fuel Maxar files protest over Space Development Agency’s satellite procurement
Tuesday, 12 October 2021 21:47 Write a comment
Maxar Technologies filed a protest with the Government Accountability Office Oct. 8 challenging a Space Development Agency solicitation seeking industry bids for 126 satellites.
Celebrate Virtual International Observe the Moon Night with NASA
Tuesday, 12 October 2021 17:48 Write a comment
The public is invited to participate in several of NASA’s virtual activities in celebration of International Observe the Moon Night on Saturday, Oct. 16.