China declares Chang'e-4 mission complete success
Wednesday, 14 July 2021 05:23
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China announced Friday that the Chang'e-4 mission, which realized the first-ever soft-landing on the far side of the moon, was a complete success.
With the assistance of the relay satellite Queqiao (Magpie Bridge), the rover Yutu-2 (Jade Rabbit-2) and the lander of the Chang'e-4 probe took photos of each other.
The scientific instruments aboard the probe worked well, and the images t China kicks off lunar sample study programs
Wednesday, 14 July 2021 05:23 Write a comment
China on Monday delivered about 17 grams of lunar samples brought back by the Chang'e-5 probe to 13 institutions, which had applied for research programs to the Lunar Exploration and Space Program Center of the China National Space Administration.
Speaking at a ceremony to mark the delivery, Liu Jizhong, director of the center, said that this is the first batch of lunar samples delivered t TESS discovers stellar siblings host 'teenage' exoplanets
Wednesday, 14 July 2021 05:23 Write a comment
Thanks to data from NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), an international collaboration of astronomers has identified four exoplanets, worlds beyond our solar system, orbiting a pair of related young stars called TOI 2076 and TOI 1807.
These worlds may provide scientists with a glimpse of a little-understood stage of planetary evolution.
"The planets in both systems a Haziness of exoplanet atmospheres depends on properties of aerosol particles
Wednesday, 14 July 2021 05:23 Write a comment
Many exoplanets have opaque atmospheres, obscured by clouds or hazes that make it hard for astronomers to characterize their chemical compositions. A new study shows that haze particles produced under different conditions have a wide range of properties that can determine how clear or hazy a planet's atmosphere is likely to be.
Photochemical reactions in the atmospheres of temperate exopla NASA Space Lasers Map Meltwater Lakes in Antarctica With Striking Precision
Wednesday, 14 July 2021 05:23 Write a comment
From above, the Antarctic Ice Sheet might look like a calm, perpetual ice blanket that has covered Antarctica for millions of years. But the ice sheet can be thousands of meters deep at its thickest, and it hides hundreds of meltwater lakes where its base meets the continent's bedrock. Deep below the surface, some of these lakes fill and drain continuously through a system of waterways that even LEOcloud establishes partnerships for satellite-based cloud computing
Wednesday, 14 July 2021 04:00 Write a comment
SAN FRANCISCO – Satellite communications startup LEOcloud announced a partnership July 13 with supercomputer firm Ramon.Space to develop satellite-based cloud computing.
LEOcloud and Ramon.Space share a vision for edge computing in low Earth orbit, Dennis Gatens, Leocloud CEO and president, said in a statement.
Stable Road and Momentus reach SEC settlement over false claims
Tuesday, 13 July 2021 23:35 Write a comment
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has reached a settlement with in-space transportation company Momentus and the special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) it is planning to merge with regarding false claims the companies made, while continuing to pursue legal action against the Russian founder of Momentus.
NASA issues contracts for nuclear thermal propulsion studies
Tuesday, 13 July 2021 19:25 Write a comment
WASHINGTON — NASA has selected three teams of companies to perform concept studies of nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) reactors while making plans to fund similar studies for nuclear surface power systems.
Jim Reuter, NASA associate administrator for space technology, announced the awards in a presentation at the American Astronautical Society’s Glenn Memorial Symposium July 13.
Bezos' Blue Origin gets OK to send him, 3 others to space
Tuesday, 13 July 2021 16:20 Write a comment
Jeff Bezos' rocket company has gotten government approval to launch people into space, himself included.
The Amazon founder will climb atop his New Shepard rocket next Tuesday in West Texas, joined by his brother, an 82-year-old female aviation pioneer and a $28 million auction winner.
ESA and NASA join forces to understand climate change
Tuesday, 13 July 2021 16:00 Write a comment
Climate change is, arguably, the biggest environmental challenge the global population faces today. To address this major issue, decision-makers not only need accurate information on how our world is changing now, but also predictions on what may happen in the future. A sound knowledge of how Earth behaves as one system is the foundation to all of this – and the pieces of this complex puzzle come largely from satellites orbiting our planet. To ensure that data from Earth-observing satellites are used to their best advantage, further science and, ultimately, bring the most benefit to humankind, ESA and NASA have formed
Media briefing: Eutelsat Quantum to be launched
Tuesday, 13 July 2021 14:00 Write a comment
Video:
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The reconfigurable satellite will launch this summer from the European Space Port in French Guiana. Eutelsat Quantum will be capable of being reprogrammed after launch. It will provide data, communications and entertainment exactly where and when it is wanted. Watch the replay of this Q&A with the media to learn more and hear from the key players behind its development.
Ariane 6 targets new missions with Astris kick stage
Tuesday, 13 July 2021 13:05 Write a comment
ESA will enhance the versatility of Europe’s Ariane 6 rocket with a kick stage called Astris in a €90 m development contract with prime contractor, ArianeGroup. This is part of ESA’s strategy to extend Ariane 6’s capabilities to serve a wider range of space transportation requirements.
Antarctic noon
Tuesday, 13 July 2021 13:03 Write a comment
Image:
A fortnight after the 21 June winter solstice in Antarctica, the crew at Concordia Research Station are slowly welcoming the return of sunlight. This photo was taken by ESA-sponsored medical doctor Nick Smith on 1 July at noon.
The 12-member crew at Concordia, located at the mountain plateau called Dome C, have spent the last few months in complete darkness: the sun disappeared in May and will not be fully visible again until mid-August. This image of high noon signals the beginning of the end of winter on the remote continent.
Confined in extreme conditions, the crew at Concordia – one
Astris kick stage for Ariane 6
Tuesday, 13 July 2021 13:00 Write a comment
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00:04:33
Ariane 6 will use an optional add-on Astris kick stage developed by ArianeGroup to target new missions How to see tonight's conjunction of Venus and Mars in the evening sky
Tuesday, 13 July 2021 12:55 Write a comment
Venus has returned to our evening skies and is looking lovely in the north-west after sunset. Tonight, July 13, it will pair up with the red planet Mars and just above the two planets will be the waxing crescent Moon.
Wherever you are in Australia, find a location that has a good view of the north-west horizon to see the conjunction. Venus will be visible during dusk, but you need to wait until the sky darkens to have a chance to see faint Mars.
Mars will appear just above and to the left of Venus. The best viewing opportunity will be from about 6:30pm , with the planets setting an hour later.
Venus is dazzling, so it is easy to see why it's known as the "evening star." Just look towards the north-west horizon after sunset and you can't miss it.
Mars, on the other hand, is looking fairly faint. The red planet has been in the north-west sky for the past few months and while it was bright and red earlier in the year, it has been fading quite considerably as its orbit takes it away from Earth.