Sols 3287-3288: Assessing a New Potential Drill Target
Sunday, 07 November 2021 07:21After our short bump on Tuesday, Curiosity has reached a new potential drill location. When we first arrived at the clay-sulfate transition, the science team decided on a strategy to drill every ~25 m in elevation gain. This allows us to systematically document any changes in the composition of the terrain while being reasonable with our limited rover resources. The terrain is beginning t
Harris to announce first National Space Council meeting in nearly a year
Sunday, 07 November 2021 07:21Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled to host the Biden administration's first meeting of the National Space Council on Dec. 1. Her announcement will come Friday during her visit to the Goddard Space Flight Center, which will focus on efforts to use space missions to monitor and address the climate crisis. She will be accompanied by NASA administrator Bill Nelson and officials fr
Shenzhou XIII crew ready for first spacewalk
Sunday, 07 November 2021 07:21The Shenzhou XIII mission crew will soon carry out their first extravehicular activity, or spacewalk, according to the China Manned Space Agency. The agency said in a news release on Friday the three-member crew - Major General Zhai Zhigang, Senior Colonel Wang Yaping and Senior Colonel Ye Guangfu - are in good condition and ready for the operation. The astronauts had been inside the
Intelsat and OneWeb demo global multi-orbit satellite service to Pentagon
Sunday, 07 November 2021 07:21Intelsat, operator of the world's largest integrated satellite and terrestrial network, OneWeb (OWT), a global provider of innovative, secure satellite communications, and Linchpin Solutions, a leader in C5ISR systems and programs, successfully demonstrated a multi-orbit satellite communications solution for representatives of the U.S. Army and Department of Defense (DoD). This is a strate
OneWeb and Leonardo DRS announce partnership to offer low earth orbit services for Pentagon
Sunday, 07 November 2021 07:21OneWeb, the low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications company, and Leonardo DRS, a leading innovator in communications, defense, and security, have announced a new partnership to jointly offer LEO service for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). Supported by a global network of gateways and user terminals, OneWeb's global connectivity platform will provide high-bandwidth and low-late
Georgia State University astronomy researcher wins grant to improve detection, monitoring of satellites
Sunday, 07 November 2021 07:21The U.S. Air Force has awarded Georgia State University astronomy professor Stuart Jefferies a grant of nearly a million dollars to develop a technique to detect and characterize satellites in greater detail than ever before. The new technique could have implications for astronomers trying to spot small, dim objects hidden in the light of companions, and could assist the government in moni
Ultra-precise magnetic field detection using squeezed light
Sunday, 07 November 2021 07:21Precise detection of magnetic fields is important for applications that range from magnetic brain imaging, to detection of sunken ships, to exploration of the solar system. For many of these applications, the most sensitive magnetic-field measuring instruments (magnetometers) are "optically-pumped magnetometers," which use laser light to probe magnetically-sensitive atoms. In many cases, t
Electron family creates previously unknown state of matter
Sunday, 07 November 2021 07:21Dissipationless electric energy transport-also known as superconductivity-is seen as a beacon of hope for the energy industry. Since its discovery more than 100 years ago, scientists around the world have been investigating this well-known quantum phenomenon, which, however, requires the electrons in metals to be cooled to ultra-low temperatures. A team of scientists from the Cluster of Ex
Healable carbon fiber composite offers path to long-lasting, sustainable materials
Sunday, 07 November 2021 07:21Because of their high strength and light weight, carbon-fiber-based composite materials are gradually replacing metals for advancing all kinds of products and applications, from airplanes to wind turbines to golf clubs. But there's a trade-off. Once damaged or compromised, the most commonly-used carbon fiber materials are nearly impossible to repair or recycle. In a paper published Nov. 2
Harris says National Space Council will develop “comprehensive framework” for space priorities
Saturday, 06 November 2021 17:02In her first speech devoted to space since taking office, Vice President Kamala Harris said she will direct the National Space Council to develop a “comprehensive framework” for national space priorities, with an emphasis on climate change.
Satellite operators battle broadcast declines amid looming connectivity growth
Saturday, 06 November 2021 13:51Lower broadcast revenues and the pandemic continue to drag on the financials of major satellite operators as they point to the traction they are gaining in their new connectivity growth engines.
Crew-2 astronauts to return before Crew-3 launch
Saturday, 06 November 2021 13:32The four Crew-2 astronauts currently on the International Space Station will return to Earth ahead of the delayed launch of their replacements, NASA announced late Nov. 5.
Astronauts to return from space station next week: NASA
Saturday, 06 November 2021 05:45Four astronauts are scheduled to return to Earth from the International Space Station early Monday after spending more than six months in space, NASA announced.
The four members of the Crew-2 mission, including a French and a Japanese astronaut, will therefore return to Earth before the arrival of a replacement crew, whose take-off was delayed several times due to unfavorable weather conditions.
NASA said in a statement late Friday that Crew-2 members are due to return to Earth "no earlier than 7:14 am EST (1214 GMT) Monday, Nov. 8, with a splashdown off the coast of Florida."
"As we're preparing to leave, it's kind of a bittersweet feeling, we might never come back to see the ISS, and it's really a magical place," French astronaut Thomas Pesquet said earlier Friday during a press conference from the space station.
No toilet for returning SpaceX crew, stuck using diapers
Saturday, 06 November 2021 05:27The astronauts who will depart the International Space Station on Sunday will be stuck using diapers on the way home because of their capsule's broken toilet.
NASA astronaut Megan McArthur described the situation Friday as "suboptimal" but manageable. She and her three crewmates will spend 20 hours in their SpaceX capsule, from the time the hatches are closed until Monday morning's planned splashdown.
"Spaceflight is full of lots of little challenges," she said during a news conference from orbit.
Op-ed | Security clearance reforms needed to accelerate space innovation
Friday, 05 November 2021 18:00The U.S. government’s restrictive security clearance process is hindering its ability to access cutting-edge space technology and protect sensitive information from foreign espionage.