Space is changing, and the number of actors operating in orbit is increasing. Meanwhile, the amount of data collected by satellites is increasing as well. This data-treasure is priceless, supporting human and robotic exploration of space, helping us to take care of our planet as well as to unveil the most distant secrets of the Universe. However, one of the main challenges of nowadays space activities is downloading data from space to Earth. IBM and KP Labs together with ESA is forecasting the future of technology by imagining space-based data centres.

Washington DC (UPI) Aug 4, 2024
SpaceX successfully launched a resupply mission for the International Space Station on Sunday after it was postponed Saturday because of unfavorable weather. The space exploration company used a Falcon 9 rocket to launch the Cygnus spacecraft made by Northrop Grumman - best known as a defense contractor. Northrop Grumman changed its launch vehicle for Cygnus missions from its ow

Atmospheric nitrogen dioxide is a harmful pollutant with significant impacts on air quality, climate and the biosphere. Although satellites have mapped nitrogen dioxide concentrations since the 1990s, their resolution was generally too coarse to pinpoint individual sources like power plants.

In a recent study, researchers used imagery from Copernicus Sentinel-2 to observe nitrogen dioxide plumes from power plants for the first time – marking a significant advancement in air pollution monitoring.

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Aug 05, 2024
NASA is dedicated to exploring the potential for life beyond Earth, although no credible evidence of extraterrestrial life has been found yet. This exploration addresses fundamental questions, including whether humanity is alone in the universe. Researchers investigating the possibility of extraterrestrial life consider various forms of life, from microbial to complex civilizations. Detect

Tokyo, Japan (SPX) Aug 05, 2024
Auroras are natural luminous phenomena caused by the interaction of electrons falling from the sky and the upper atmosphere. Most of the observed light consists of emission lines of neutral or ionized nitrogen and oxygen atoms and molecular emission bands, and the color is determined by the transition energy levels, molecular vibrations and rotations. There is a variety of characteristic colors

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Aug 05, 2024
As part of NASA's SpaceX Crew-10 mission, four crew members are set to embark on a long-duration mission to the International Space Station (ISS) no earlier than February 2025. The crew includes NASA astronauts Commander Anne McClain and Pilot Nichole Ayers, JAXA astronaut Mission Specialist Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Mission Specialist Kirill Peskov. Their mission represents t

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Aug 05, 2024
This weekend, a variety of novel biomedical investigations, technology demonstrations, and physical science projects are set to launch to the International Space Station (ISS). Northrop Grumman's 21st Commercial Resupply Services (NG-21) mission, contracted by NASA, will deliver over 900 pounds of essential research and supplies, including more than 20 payloads sponsored by the ISS National Labo