Copernical Team
Space Systems Command assigns 12 missions for Phase 2 FY23 of national security launchs
Space Systems Command (SSC) recently assigned 12 National Security Space Launch (NSSL) service missions under the NSSL Phase 2 Launch Service Procurement contract for Fiscal Year 2023. Six missions were awarded to Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) for the Space Development Agency (SDA) Tranche 1 Tracking Layer (T1TL)-B, SDA T1TL-C, SDA T1TL-D, SDA T1TL-E, SDA T1TR-C, and U.S. Space F Viasat selected by AFRL to deliver space relay communications for multi-orbit mission
Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global communications company, has announced it was selected by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Space Vehicles Directorate (RV) to provide on-orbit space relay connectivity for its ARBALEST program, which aims to support a future space-based demonstration of operational capabilities for the Department of Defense (DoD). The future AFRL mission will illustrat Time To Try a New Route: Sols 3853-3856
This blog covers two planning shifts this week, June 7 and Friday, June 9, 2023, for a total of four sols of activities. Curiosity has been trying to work her way to the top of a canyon towards an interesting cluster of craters. Unfortunately the current terrain is extremely challenging, and the drives have been stopping short of their intended distance.
After multiple attempts to get uphi US-German satellites show California water gains after record winter
Early data shows the greatest net gain of water over the winter in nearly 22 years, but the state's groundwater levels still suffer from the effects of years of drought.
After years of intense drought and diminishing groundwater, California just saw its greatest year-over-year water gains in two decades, according to data from the GRACE-FO (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On China's parachute system makes controllable landing of rocket boosters
During a recent space launch, China tested a parachute system that can help guide fallen rocket boosters into targeted areas, the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology said on Friday.
The system was used on a Long March-3B rocket carrying a BeiDou navigation satellite into orbit on May 17 from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province, according to the academy.
Dev Using photosynthesis for living on Mars while making space travel sustainable
Researchers are working on sustainable technology to harvest solar power in space - which could supplement life support systems on the Moon and Mars.
In a study published in Nature Communications, scientists assess a new technique which could convert renewable, green energy from outside the Earth's atmosphere. They are taking advantage of photosynthesis - the chemical process plants underg Using photosynthesis for Martian occupation—while making space travel more sustainable
Researchers are working on sustainable technology to harvest solar power in space—which could supplement life support systems on the moon and Mars.
In a study published in Nature Communications, scientists assess a new technique which could convert renewable, green energy from outside the Earth's atmosphere. They are taking advantage of photosynthesis—the chemical process plants undergo every day to create energy—to help the space industry become more sustainable.
The research led by the University of Warwick evaluates the use of a special device known as semiconductor to absorb sunlight on moon and Mars. It is hoped that the devices could promote Martian life support systems.
These "artificial photosynthesis devices" undergo the same processes which keeps plants alive on Earth—they convert water into oxygen using only sunlight while recycling carbon dioxide. These integrated systems have the advantage of directly using solar power and could save on weight on long-term space travels in comparison to traditional systems currently in use on the International Space Station—making space travel more efficient.
There is a need for efficient and reliable energy sources in space to enable the exploration of our solar system.
Chief designer details how future China lunar landing works
China is working on a rocket for its moon landing mission, which will send a manned spaceship and a lander to lunar orbit in two separate flights, chief designer of the country's manned space program Zhou Jianping revealed.
The spaceship will send the taikonauts to lunar orbit and dock with the lunar lander. The lander will subsequently carry the taikonauts to the moon's surface. After the BIM Implementation and BIM Apps
Building Information Management (BIM) is a highly collaborative approach to managing construction projects, offering an overwhelming number of benefits to companies that implement it. The main focus of BIM is a collaboration between different departments and project participants, which leads to less miscommunication, fewer reworks, and higher performance across the board.
BIM as a methodo First satnav receiver designed to operate in lunar orbit delivered to satellite maker
The first satnav receiver designed to operate in lunar orbit has been delivered to satellite maker Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd in the UK for integration aboard the Lunar Pathfinder spacecraft.
The complete Navigation payload seen here includes a four helix antenna (left, in the glass box) developed by MDA in Canada, plus the NaviMoon satnav receiver from Swiss company SpacePNT, and the low noise amplifier developed by EECL in the UK, who also undertook the manufacturing and the environmental test campaign for both the satnav receiver and amplifier.
The payload is designed to boost and process faint terrestrial Global Navigation Satellite Signal (GNSS) signals from more than 400 000 km away, harnessing advanced processing and navigation algorithms to fix the spacecraft's position, velocity and timing in lunar orbit in real time.
It is complemented by a lunar Laser Retroreflector Array (LRA) (right), developed by NASA under agreement with ESA, composed of 48 mirrored retro-reflectors that will enable centimeter-scale laser ranging of the spacecraft as it orbits the moon, to authenticate the satnav receiver position fixes during the experiment.
Due to be launched in late 2025, SSTL's Lunar Pathfinder mission will serve as a telecommunications relay satellite for future missions to the moon, to serve assets on both the nearside and farside, orbiting in an 'elliptical lunar frozen orbit' for prolonged coverage over the South Pole—a particular focus for future exploration.