A long day for microbes, and the rise of oxygen on Earth
Thursday, 05 August 2021 07:34
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Virtually all oxygen on Earth was and is produced by photosynthesis, which was invented by tiny organisms, the cyanobacteria, when our planet was still a rather uninhabitable place. Cyanobacteria evolved more than 2.4 billion years ago, but Earth only slowly transformed to the oxygen-rich planet we know today.
"We do not fully understand why it took so long and what factors controlled Eart Bird brains left other dinosaurs behind
Thursday, 05 August 2021 07:34 Write a comment
Today, being "birdbrained" means forgetting where you left your keys or wallet. But 66 million years ago, it may have meant the difference between life and death - and may help explain why birds are the only dinosaurs left on Earth.
Research on a newly discovered bird fossil led by The University of Texas at Austin found that a unique brain shape may be why the ancestors of living birds su The chips are down: why there's a semiconductor shortage
Thursday, 05 August 2021 07:34 Write a comment
A shortage of semiconductors has sent shockwaves through the global economy, squeezing supplies of everything from cars to headphones.
The dearth of chips has exposed the modern world's reliance on these miniscule components, the basic building blocks of computers which allow electronic devices to process data. Why is the shortage happening, and what can be done about it?
- How is the NASA's Oceans Melting Greenland Mission Leaves for Its Last Field Trip
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This week, NASA's airborne Oceans Melting Greenland (OMG) mission begins its final survey of glaciers that flow from Greenland into the ocean. OMG is completing a six-year mission that is helping to answer how fast sea level is going to rise in the next five, 10, or 50 years.
Greenland's melting glaciers currently contribute more fresh water to sea level rise than any other source does. Th Earth's Magnetosphere: Protecting Our Planet from Harmful Space Energy
Thursday, 05 August 2021 07:34 Write a comment
Among the four rocky planets in our solar system, you could say that Earth's "magnetic" personality is the envy of her interplanetary neighbors.
Unlike Mercury, Venus, and Mars, Earth is surrounded by an immense magnetic field called the magnetosphere. Generated by powerful, dynamic forces at the center of our world, our magnetosphere shields us from erosion of our atmosphere by the solar Momentus looks ahead under new chief executive
Wednesday, 04 August 2021 22:49 Write a comment
The new CEO of Momentus hopes to turn the page on the company’s past regulatory problems and focus on development of its in-space propulsion technology it plans to demonstrate next year.
COVID disruptions add $13.5 million to the cost of GPS ground control system
Wednesday, 04 August 2021 21:22 Write a comment
Raytheon’s contract for the Global Positioning System Next Generation Operational Control System, known as OCX, is increasing by $13.5 million due to pandemic-related costs.
National Reconnaissance Office exercises contract option for Maxar satellite imagery
Wednesday, 04 August 2021 20:24 Write a comment
The National Reconnaissance Office has exercised a contract option to continue to procure satellite imagery from Maxar Technologies through August 2022.
New details of Russian “movie in space” emerge as producers seek funding
Wednesday, 04 August 2021 20:18 Write a comment
New information has emerged about the Russian movie “The Challenge” planned to be filmed partly on the International Space Station in October.
SES and Eutelsat point to improving broadcast trends
Wednesday, 04 August 2021 17:48 Write a comment
European satellite giants SES and Eutelsat see improving trajectories in their broadcast businesses, although the wider picture remains mixed as the pandemic hangs over financials.
French court denies European Aviation Network challenge
Wednesday, 04 August 2021 17:12 Write a comment
France’s highest court has rejected a legal challenge from Eutelsat against Inmarsat’s hybrid satellite and cellular European Aviation Network.
Startups map out strategies to augment or backup GPS
Wednesday, 04 August 2021 15:41 Write a comment
Companies investing billions of dollars in autonomous cars, delivery drones and urban air taxis are counting on precise and reliable location data being available when they need it.
Impact of space station spin requires study, official says
Wednesday, 04 August 2021 12:56 Write a comment
Boeing Starliner launch delayed indefinitely
Wednesday, 04 August 2021 12:53 Write a comment
Boeing's Starliner won't launch Wednesday as had been planned following problems with its propulsion system that prevented a key uncrewed test flight to the international space station a day earlier—and it's not clear when the troubled spaceship will fly next.
The aerospace giant said in a statement that valves in Starliner's engine were in "unexpected" positions, forcing the mission team to halt the countdown.
NASA added that engineering teams have ruled out several potential causes, including a software glitch, but need more time to understand the issue.
"We're going to let the data lead our work," said John Vollmer, vice president and program manager of Boeing's Commercial Crew Program.
NASA identifies likely locations of the early molten moon's deep secrets
Wednesday, 04 August 2021 12:36 Write a comment
