Mid-latitude glaciers on Mars could supply water to human explorers
Monday, 03 May 2021 12:10
Write a comment
By Earth standards, the surface of Mars is the picture of desolation. It's not only irradiated and cold enough to make Antarctica look balmy, but it's also one-thousands times drier than the driest places on Earth. However, beneath the super-arid surface of the Red Planet, there are abundant supplies of water ice that could someday be accessible to human explorers (and even settlers).
This is especially the case in the mid-latitude region known as Arcadia Planitia, a smooth plain located in Martian northern lowlands. According to new research conducted with support from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), the region shows signs of glaciers and glacier activity. These findings could prove very useful for the future human landings and exploration of Mars, not to mention potential settlement.
The study, which recently appeared in the scientific journal Icarus, was led by Shannon Hibbard—a Ph.D. candidate in geology and planetary science at the University of Western Ontario (UWO). She was joined by Dr. Gordon R. Osinski of UWO's Institute for Earth and Space Exploration (IESE), and Etienne Godin, a data scientist at the Center for Northern Studies at Laval University; and Nathan Williams and Matthew Golombek of NASA JPL.
Chinese company claims to be working on a Starship-like rocket
Monday, 03 May 2021 12:04 Write a comment
Last weekend, China celebrated its sixth "National Space Day" in Nanjing, an event that highlights advances China has made in space. Similar to Space Day that is held each year on the first Thursday in May (this year, it will be held on May 7th), the goal is to foster interest in space exploration and the STEMS so as to inspire the next generation of astronauts and aerospace engineers.
This year, the festivities focused on the Chang'e-5 mission (which showcased some of the lunar samples it brought back), and the name of China's first Mars rover (Zhurong) – which will be landing on the Red Planet later this month. But another interesting snippet was a video presented by one of China's main rocket manufacturers that showed demonstrated that they are working on a rocket similar to the Starship.
The video, titled "One Hour Global Arrival in the Space Transportation System," was presented by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT) – one of the country's main state-owned rocket manufacturers.
Space law and the fight against space debris
Monday, 03 May 2021 10:42 Write a comment
Space is getting crowded. More than 100 million tiny pieces of debris are spinning in Earth orbit, along with tens of thousands of bigger chunks and around 3,300 functioning satellites.
Large satellite constellations such as Starlink are becoming more common, infuriating astronomers and baffling casual skywatchers. In the coming decade, we may see many more satellites launched than in all Stratolaunch set for second hypersonic vehicle test
Monday, 03 May 2021 10:42 Write a comment
Aerospace company Stratolaunch's carrier aircraft, which is designed to launch hypersonic and space vehicles, is performing its second test flight in California's Mojave Desert, the company said on Thursday.
"We are airborne," the company said in a statement. "Currently performing various flight test maneuvers."
The aircraft will complete its test flight at about 2 p.m. Eastern Time New brain-like computing device mimics associative learning
Monday, 03 May 2021 10:42 Write a comment
Researchers have developed a computing device that is capable of learning by association, essentially merging storage and memory capacity.
Researchers at Northwestern University and the University of Hong Kong used organic electromagnetic chemical "synaptic transistors" to simultaneously store and process information, according to a study published Friday in Nature Communications. China's Fengyun weather data freely available for EO applications
Monday, 03 May 2021 10:42 Write a comment
Many meteorological satellite networks are constantly scanning Earth, providing vital research data and real-time life-saving weather information. Since China began its initial development in 1970, the Fengyun (FY) series of meteorological satellites have advanced considerably throughout more than 50 years.
While FY satellites primarily focus on the atmosphere, they are capable of observin Starry night at the Ariane 6 launch base
Monday, 03 May 2021 08:15 Write a comment
Video:
00:02:38
A timelapse under the stars on the Ariane 6 launch base at Europe’s Spaceport Vega-C: power and versatility
Monday, 03 May 2021 08:05 Write a comment
Video:
00:05:04
Europe’s new launch vehicle, Vega-C, is near completion. Elements will soon be shipped to Kourou for assembly and preparation for Vega-C’s inaugural flight.
This new launcher improves its Vega predecessor by offering more power and versatility at similar cost. This new design allows Vega-C to transport larger and heavier payloads into space making it a world-class competitor on the global launcher market while ensuring Europe’s independent access to space.
Connecting the Dots | Assessing top-down pollution
Monday, 03 May 2021 06:00 Write a comment
Satellites are leading the charge in the battle against climate change, providing critical insights about Earth that can only be gained from space. But are they also contributing to the problem?
Putting aside environmental impacts of the rockets that launch them to orbit, satellites inject a complex mix of chemicals into the atmosphere when their computers, fuel tanks and other onboard materials vaporize upon reentry.
Latin America looks to space, despite limitations on ground
Monday, 03 May 2021 05:57 Write a comment
Mars missions, astronauts coming and going at the International Space Station, China's increasingly ambitious space program. Space-related news is flowing, and not just from the world's richest, biggest nations. Take Latin America.
On Feb. 17, the congress in Nicaragua, one of the region's poorest, most conflict-prone nations, approved a law creating a space agency. Costa Rica, known for relative growth and stability, did the same on Feb. 18, the day that the NASA rover Perseverance landed on Mars to look for signs of ancient life.
SpaceX returns 4 astronauts to Earth; rare night splashdown
Sunday, 02 May 2021 16:27 Write a comment
SpaceX safely returned four astronauts from the International Space Station on Sunday, making the first U.S.
Sen. Angus King: Cybersecurity a major concern in U.S. nuclear command-and-control system
Sunday, 02 May 2021 09:48 Write a comment
WASHINGTON — The U.S. nuclear command, control and communications system that serves as the link between U.S. nuclear forces and presidential authority could be vulnerable to cyber attacks and needs upgrades, Sen.
ISS astronauts splash down off Florida on SpaceX craft
Sunday, 02 May 2021 08:33 Write a comment
A SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule carrying four astronauts back to Earth splashed down off Panama City early Sunday, a NASA livestream showed.
Boats were retrieving the spacecraft and crew after their six-month mission aboard the International Space Station.
The crew reported they were feeling well, NASA said.
The capsule splashed down at 2:56 am (0656 GMT) in the dark in the Gulf of Mexi Crew Dragon splashes down to end Crew-1 mission
Sunday, 02 May 2021 06:15 Write a comment
WASHINGTON — A SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico May 2, returning four astronauts from a five-and-a-half-month stay on the International Space Station.
The Crew Dragon spacecraft Resilience undocked from the station at 8:35 p.m.
Astronauts leave ISS, begin return journey to Earth on SpaceX craft
Sunday, 02 May 2021 03:49 Write a comment
Four astronauts left the International Space Station on Saturday aboard a SpaceX vessel, after more than 160 days in space which will culminate in a splash landing off the Florida coast.
The Crew Dragon capsule undocked from the ISS as scheduled at 8:35 pm (0035 Sunday GMT). With the flight back to Earth expected to take six-and-a-half hours, the crew was scheduled to splash down in the dark