New pics of Phobos from China's Tianwen-1 orbiter
Monday, 22 August 2022 12:45
Two fundamental factors affect all astrophotography—timing and location. If a camera happens to be at the right place at the right time, it can capture images that have never been seen before. And with the proliferation of cameras throughout the solar system, more and more novel photos will be captured at an ever-increasing frequency. China's Tianwen-1 probe added to that novel collection to celebrate its second anniversary by taking a shot of Mars' moon Phobos.
The image itself is stunning, with clear definition of many features of the object, whose length isn't much more than that of Manhattan. Seen in full sunlight, or as we might call it on Earth, as a "full moon," there are some noticeable streaks in the upper left of the photo, which may indicate relatively recent impacts. In addition, a crater named Estonian astronomer Ernst Öpik is visible in the upper right of the image. Other features, named after other astronomers and characters from Gulliver's Travels, aren't as clear on the image, as the space around the Öpik crater is largely featureless.
SpaceLink partners with Parsons for DARPA’s inter-satellite communications project
Monday, 22 August 2022 12:00
SpaceLink will work with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to develop protocols for how commercial communications constellations will connect with defense and military systems.
The post SpaceLink partners with Parsons for DARPA’s inter-satellite communications project appeared first on SpaceNews.
Jupiter showcases aurorae, hazes (NIRCam widefield view)
Monday, 22 August 2022 11:57
China claims progress on rockets for crewed lunar landings and moon base
Monday, 22 August 2022 11:37
China is progressing with the development of two super heavy-lift rockets for crewed missions and infrastructure launches to the moon, according to officials.
The post China claims progress on rockets for crewed lunar landings and moon base appeared first on SpaceNews.
Surprising details leap out in sharp new James Webb Space Telescope images of Jupiter
Monday, 22 August 2022 11:22
New water map of Mars will prove invaluable for future exploration
Monday, 22 August 2022 11:00
A new map of Mars is changing the way we think about the planet’s watery past, and showing where we should land in the future.
On the front lines of space innovation
Monday, 22 August 2022 09:11
45 years after launch, NASA's Voyager probes still blazing trails billions of miles away
Monday, 22 August 2022 09:11
SpaceVPX (VITA 78) and the World of Interconnect
Monday, 22 August 2022 00:00
SpaceVPX is a set of standards for interconnects between space system components with a goal to cost-effectively remove bandwidth as a constraint.
The post SpaceVPX (VITA 78) and the World of Interconnect appeared first on SpaceNews.
NASA cautions planetary science funding falls short of decadal projections
Sunday, 21 August 2022 21:52
As NASA takes the first steps to implement recommendations of the planetary science decadal survey, the agency is warning that projected funding for at least the near term will fall short of that’s report’s projections.
Five companies win $4.8 billion in contracts from the National Air and Space Intelligence Center
Sunday, 21 August 2022 19:46
The U.S. Air Force selected five companies for a $4.8 billion multi-award contract to provide research, development and software services over 10 years for the National Air and Space Intelligence Center.
Space Force wargame challenges satellite operators to think critically
Sunday, 21 August 2022 17:00
At the Space Flag exercise, Space Force guardians conduct simulated operations that mimic a real-world conflict
The post Space Force wargame challenges satellite operators to think critically appeared first on SpaceNews.
Hawaii seeks end to strife over astronomy on sacred mountain
Saturday, 20 August 2022 15:55
NASA asks industry for input on ISS deorbit capabilities
Saturday, 20 August 2022 15:20
NASA is requesting information from industry on its capabilities and interest in developing a spacecraft that would deorbit the International Space Station at the end of its life.
The post NASA asks industry for input on ISS deorbit capabilities appeared first on SpaceNews.
50 years ago, NASA's Copernicus set the bar for space astronomy
Saturday, 20 August 2022 05:23
At 6:28 a.m. EDT on Aug. 21, 1972, NASA's Copernicus satellite, the heaviest and most complex space telescope of its time, lit up the sky as it ascended into orbit from Launch Complex 36B at what is now Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.
Initially known as Orbiting Astronomical Observatory (OAO) C, it became OAO 3 once in orbit in the fashion of the time. But it was also renamed to honor the 500th anniversary of the birth of Nicolaus Copernicus (1473–1543). The Polish astronomer formulated a model of the solar system with the Sun in the central position instead of Earth, breaking with 1,300 years of tradition and triggering a scientific revolution.
Fitted with the largest ultraviolet telescope ever orbited at the time as well as four co-aligned X-ray instruments, Copernicus was arguably NASA's first dedicated multiwavelength astronomy observatory. This makes it a forebear of operating satellites like NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, which watches the sky in visible, ultraviolet, and X-ray light.