Danish student solves how the Universe is reflected near black holes
Wednesday, 14 July 2021 05:23In the vicinity of black holes, space is so warped that even light rays may curve around them several times. This phenomenon may enable us to see multiple versions of the same thing. While this has been known for decades, only now do we have an exact, mathematical expression, thanks to Albert Sneppen, student at the Niels Bohr Institute. The result, which even is more useful in realistic black h
China declares Chang'e-4 mission complete success
Wednesday, 14 July 2021 05:23China announced Friday that the Chang'e-4 mission, which realized the first-ever soft-landing on the far side of the moon, was a complete success. With the assistance of the relay satellite Queqiao (Magpie Bridge), the rover Yutu-2 (Jade Rabbit-2) and the lander of the Chang'e-4 probe took photos of each other. The scientific instruments aboard the probe worked well, and the images t
China kicks off lunar sample study programs
Wednesday, 14 July 2021 05:23China on Monday delivered about 17 grams of lunar samples brought back by the Chang'e-5 probe to 13 institutions, which had applied for research programs to the Lunar Exploration and Space Program Center of the China National Space Administration. Speaking at a ceremony to mark the delivery, Liu Jizhong, director of the center, said that this is the first batch of lunar samples delivered t
TESS discovers stellar siblings host 'teenage' exoplanets
Wednesday, 14 July 2021 05:23Thanks to data from NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), an international collaboration of astronomers has identified four exoplanets, worlds beyond our solar system, orbiting a pair of related young stars called TOI 2076 and TOI 1807. These worlds may provide scientists with a glimpse of a little-understood stage of planetary evolution. "The planets in both systems a
Haziness of exoplanet atmospheres depends on properties of aerosol particles
Wednesday, 14 July 2021 05:23Many exoplanets have opaque atmospheres, obscured by clouds or hazes that make it hard for astronomers to characterize their chemical compositions. A new study shows that haze particles produced under different conditions have a wide range of properties that can determine how clear or hazy a planet's atmosphere is likely to be. Photochemical reactions in the atmospheres of temperate exopla
NASA Space Lasers Map Meltwater Lakes in Antarctica With Striking Precision
Wednesday, 14 July 2021 05:23From above, the Antarctic Ice Sheet might look like a calm, perpetual ice blanket that has covered Antarctica for millions of years. But the ice sheet can be thousands of meters deep at its thickest, and it hides hundreds of meltwater lakes where its base meets the continent's bedrock. Deep below the surface, some of these lakes fill and drain continuously through a system of waterways that even
LEOcloud establishes partnerships for satellite-based cloud computing
Wednesday, 14 July 2021 04:00SAN FRANCISCO – Satellite communications startup LEOcloud announced a partnership July 13 with supercomputer firm Ramon.Space to develop satellite-based cloud computing.
LEOcloud and Ramon.Space share a vision for edge computing in low Earth orbit, Dennis Gatens, Leocloud CEO and president, said in a statement.
Stable Road and Momentus reach SEC settlement over false claims
Tuesday, 13 July 2021 23:35WASHINGTON — The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has reached a settlement with in-space transportation company Momentus and the special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) it is planning to merge with regarding false claims the companies made, while continuing to pursue legal action against the Russian founder of Momentus.
NASA issues contracts for nuclear thermal propulsion studies
Tuesday, 13 July 2021 19:25WASHINGTON — NASA has selected three teams of companies to perform concept studies of nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) reactors while making plans to fund similar studies for nuclear surface power systems.
Jim Reuter, NASA associate administrator for space technology, announced the awards in a presentation at the American Astronautical Society’s Glenn Memorial Symposium July 13.
Bezos' Blue Origin gets OK to send him, 3 others to space
Tuesday, 13 July 2021 16:20Jeff Bezos' rocket company has gotten government approval to launch people into space, himself included.
The Amazon founder will climb atop his New Shepard rocket next Tuesday in West Texas, joined by his brother, an 82-year-old female aviation pioneer and a $28 million auction winner.
ESA and NASA join forces to understand climate change
Tuesday, 13 July 2021 16:00Climate change is, arguably, the biggest environmental challenge the global population faces today. To address this major issue, decision-makers not only need accurate information on how our world is changing now, but also predictions on what may happen in the future. A sound knowledge of how Earth behaves as one system is the foundation to all of this – and the pieces of this complex puzzle come largely from satellites orbiting our planet. To ensure that data from Earth-observing satellites are used to their best advantage, further science and, ultimately, bring the most benefit to humankind, ESA and NASA have formed
Media briefing: Eutelsat Quantum to be launched
Tuesday, 13 July 2021 14:00The reconfigurable satellite will launch this summer from the European Space Port in French Guiana. Eutelsat Quantum will be capable of being reprogrammed after launch. It will provide data, communications and entertainment exactly where and when it is wanted. Watch the replay of this Q&A with the media to learn more and hear from the key players behind its development.
Ariane 6 targets new missions with Astris kick stage
Tuesday, 13 July 2021 13:05ESA will enhance the versatility of Europe’s Ariane 6 rocket with a kick stage called Astris in a €90 m development contract with prime contractor, ArianeGroup. This is part of ESA’s strategy to extend Ariane 6’s capabilities to serve a wider range of space transportation requirements.
Antarctic noon
Tuesday, 13 July 2021 13:03A fortnight after the 21 June winter solstice in Antarctica, the crew at Concordia Research Station are slowly welcoming the return of sunlight. This photo was taken by ESA-sponsored medical doctor Nick Smith on 1 July at noon.
The 12-member crew at Concordia, located at the mountain plateau called Dome C, have spent the last few months in complete darkness: the sun disappeared in May and will not be fully visible again until mid-August. This image of high noon signals the beginning of the end of winter on the remote continent.
Confined in extreme conditions, the crew at Concordia – one