Predicting equatorial plasma bubbles with SWARM
Tuesday, 19 July 2022 09:33
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Changes in atmospheric density after sunset can cause hot pockets of gas called 'plasma bubbles' to form over the Earth's equator, resulting in communication disruptions between satellites and the Earth.
New AI models are now helping scientists to predict plasma bubble events and create a forecast. The work was presented this week at the National Astronomy Meeting (NAM 2022) by Sachin Redd New insights into the Earth's formation
Tuesday, 19 July 2022 09:33 Write a comment
Although the Earth has long been studied in detail, some fundamental questions have still to be answered. One of them concerns the formation of our planet, about whose beginnings researchers are still unclear. An international research team led by ETH Zurich and the National Centre of Competence in Research PlanetS is now proposing a new answer to this question based on laboratory experiments an A helping hand for Mars
Tuesday, 19 July 2022 08:05 Write a comment
The mission to return martian samples back to Earth will see a European 2.5 metre-long robotic arm pick up tubes filled with precious soil from Mars and transfer them to a rocket for an historic interplanetary delivery.
Sharpening satnav for smartphones
Tuesday, 19 July 2022 06:24 Write a comment
Satellite navigation has transformed the way people live and work, but because the majority of us access it via our smartphones, the actual precision of positioning that we end up with has plenty of room for improvement. ESA led a project investigating if an array antenna approach borrowed from satellite design might deliver enhanced positioning for future smartphones, tablets, drones and other mass-market devices.
The Great British Lift-Off
Tuesday, 19 July 2022 05:00 Write a comment
The countdown for the first orbital launch from the United Kingdom is underway. The latest developments.
The post The Great British Lift-Off appeared first on SpaceNews.
DirecTV says 5G plan would degrade satellite TV reception
Monday, 18 July 2022 22:14 Write a comment
DirecTV said July 18 its satellite TV customers face major disruption if broadcast rival Dish Network gets to deploy 5G wireless services in the 12 GHz spectrum band.
The post DirecTV says 5G plan would degrade satellite TV reception appeared first on SpaceNews.
Northrop Grumman taps Solstar for HALO Module Wi-Fi
Monday, 18 July 2022 18:30 Write a comment
Solstar Space will provide Wi-Fi access for crew and devices in NASA’s Habitation and Logistics Outpost module, under a contract the New Mexico in-orbit communications startup signed with Northrop Grumman Corp.
The post Northrop Grumman taps Solstar for HALO Module Wi-Fi appeared first on SpaceNews.
L3Harris, Northrop Grumman to build 28 missile-tracking satellites for U.S. Space Development Agency
Monday, 18 July 2022 17:56 Write a comment
The Space Development Agency awarded contracts to L3Harris Technologies and Northrop Grumman to each build 14 missile-tracking satellites.
The post L3Harris, Northrop Grumman to build 28 missile-tracking satellites for U.S. Space Development Agency appeared first on SpaceNews.
SpaceX equals 2021′s launch total with current Starlink
Monday, 18 July 2022 16:22 Write a comment
SpaceX managed a record 31 launches in 2021, but its more-than-weekly pace in 2022 including a launch Sunday morning let it match that record less than seven months into the year.
A Falcon 9 rocket carrying 53 more of its Starlink internet satellites to orbit lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's Space Launch Complex 40 at 10:20 a.m. Eastern Time.
This is the third time SpaceX used a first-stage booster for a record 13th time, with this booster having previously flown on Crew Dragon's first demonstration mission, the RADARSAT Constellation Mission, SXM-7 and nine Starlink missions. It's notably also been used at all three of SpaceX's launch facilities, having also taken off from Kennedy Space Center and Vandenberg Space Force Base on missions responsible for bringing nearly 600 payloads to space.
The majority of this year's launches have been in support of the growing Starlink internet constellation, which is now active in around 40 markets around the world. This marks the 17th Starlink launch of the year and 52nd Starlink launch since the first operational deployment in 2019, with more than 2,800 satellites sent to orbit.
The 570-pound satellites orbit at around 341 miles altitude.
Foust Forward | For JWST, celebrating the future while remembering the past
Monday, 18 July 2022 14:38 Write a comment
The technical achievements of deploying JWST and the anticipation about its first images have overcome what JWST had been known for: billions of dollars in cost overruns and years of schedule delays.
The post Foust Forward | For JWST, celebrating the future while remembering the past appeared first on SpaceNews.
Raytheon to acquire UK startup Northern Space and Security
Monday, 18 July 2022 14:35 Write a comment
Raytheon announced July 18 it intends to acquire Northern Space and Security, or NORSS, a UK startup that specializes in space domain awareness.
The post Raytheon to acquire UK startup Northern Space and Security appeared first on SpaceNews.
To get artificial gravity on the moon, you'd need a giant rotating lunar base
Monday, 18 July 2022 13:52 Write a comment
Living and working in space for extended periods of time presents a number of challenges. These include radiation, as locations beyond Earth's protective magnetosphere are exposed to greater levels of solar and cosmic rays. There's also the need for self-sufficiency since lunar or Martian bases are too far to rely on regular resupply missions like the International Space Station (ISS). Last, there's the issue of low gravity, which is especially pressing for long-term missions and habitats beyond Earth. If humanity's future truly lies in space, we must devise solutions to this issue in advance.
A popular idea is to create rotating habitats in space that simulate artificial gravity, like the Pinwheel Station or the O'Neill Cylinder. Another proposal by a team of Japanese researchers calls for something bolder: a rotating habitat on the moon. On July 5, representatives from Kyoto University and the Kajima Corporation (one of the oldest and largest construction companies in Japan) announced that they would be partnering to conduct a study on this concept and how it could make humanity's plans for living on the moon and Mars a reality.
How reduced gravity affects astronauts' muscles and nerve responses
Monday, 18 July 2022 13:22 Write a comment
Among the many functions performed by skeletal muscles, an important one is maintaining our posture. If it weren't for these muscles, Earth's gravitational pull may make it difficult for us to stand and walk around. The group of muscles—mostly present in our limbs, back, and neck—which are responsible for maintaining our posture and allowing us to move against the force of gravity are rightly called "anti-gravity" muscles.
But what happens to these muscles when there is no gravity (or an "unloading" of gravitational force) for them to work against? The question might sound ridiculous to some, but not to an astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS). In outer space, where gravity is minimal, our muscles (especially the anti-gravitational ones) are not used as much, which might result in their atrophy and changes to their structure and properties. In fact, human calf muscles are known to reduce in volume during a flight in space.
The secrets of Jupiter
Monday, 18 July 2022 12:40 Write a comment
Video:
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Discover the top five mysteries that ESA’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) mission will solve.
Jupiter, its magnetic environment, and its moons form one of the most intriguing systems in the Solar System. Juice, planned for launch in 2023 and arrival at Jupiter in 2031, will reveal more about this fascinating planet and its natural satellites.
US-UK special relationship deepens in space
Monday, 18 July 2022 12:00 Write a comment
U.S. and U.K. space officials are discussing steps to strengthen their partnership. It's a conversation that has gained momentum in recent month due to concerns that satellites are becoming military targets.
The post US-UK special relationship deepens in space appeared first on SpaceNews.