Queen's University Belfast Researchers Investigate Mysterious Brightening of Chiron
Tuesday, 23 July 2024 22:46Planetary astronomers at Queen's University Belfast have delved into one of the Solar System's enduring enigmas: the unusual behavior of Chiron. Discovered in 1977 and initially classified as an asteroid, Chiron was the first recognized member of the Centaurs, a new class of Solar System objects. The Centaurs inhabit short-lived orbits between the asteroid belt and the Kuiper belt, a dista
NASA picks next 4 crew members for simulated Mars mission in Texas
Tuesday, 23 July 2024 22:46The third volunteer research team to participate in NASA's simulated mission to Mars has been picked as the United States aims to better understand how humans will react during a deep-space mission, the space agency said Monday. Erin Anderson, Sergii Iakymov, Brandon Kent and Sarah Elizabeth McCandless are to begin their simulated trek to Mars within NASA's Human Exploration Research An
BAE Systems and Stellar Blu Complete Certification for In-Flight Connectivity Antenna
Tuesday, 23 July 2024 22:46BAE Systems' (LON: BA) partner Stellar Blu Solutions has successfully completed the qualification and received supplemental type certification for the multi-orbit Sidewinder aero terminal. This terminal utilizes BAE Systems' Ku-band electronically scanned antenna (ESA) and is now ready for mass production and installation to enhance in-flight connectivity (IFC) on commercial aircraft, business j
New Age for Earth's Largest Iron Deposits Discovered by Curtin University
Tuesday, 23 July 2024 22:46Research from Curtin University has revealed that the massive iron ore deposits in the Hamersley Province of Western Australia are approximately one billion years younger than previously estimated. This finding could significantly enhance future exploration efforts for this critical resource. Using an advanced geochronology method to accurately determine the age of iron oxide minerals, res
Tiny Robots Navigate Using Ant-Inspired Techniques
Tuesday, 23 July 2024 22:46Have you ever wondered how insects manage to travel far from their homes and still find their way back? This intriguing question not only fascinates biologists but also aids in the development of AI for tiny, autonomous robots. Researchers at TU Delft have drawn inspiration from how ants visually recognize their surroundings and count their steps to create a similar autonomous navigation strateg
oneNav's Advanced L5 Technology Mitigates GPS Jamming in Israel
Tuesday, 23 July 2024 22:46oneNav, a GPS technology developer, has announced successful real-world tests demonstrating the robustness of its unique technology against extensive GPS interference. Conducted in and around Haifa, Israel, these tests evaluated the performance of GPS receivers in leading smartphone and smartwatch brands. This study is notable as it is the first conducted in an active conflict zone.
Shenzhou XVIII Crew Conducts Emergency Drill on Tiangong Space Station
Tuesday, 23 July 2024 22:46Astronauts aboard China's Tiangong space station, part of the Shenzhou XVIII mission, have completed numerous tasks, including an emergency response drill, as reported by China Central Television (CCTV). According to the State broadcaster, following their second spacewalk on July 3, the mission's commander, Senior Colonel Ye Guangfu, along with crew members Lieutenant Colonel Li Guangsu an
Space-Based Production Enhances Monoclonal Antibody Crystallization
Tuesday, 23 July 2024 22:46Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have become a critical component of cancer therapy, thanks to their precision in targeting tumor cells while preserving healthy cells. These biologics are known for their effectiveness and reduced side effects compared to traditional chemotherapy. Traditionally administered intravenously (IV) in clinical settings, mAbs require repeated treatments over time, which can
Planet Secures Major Deal for SkySat Data with Allied Government Agency
Tuesday, 23 July 2024 22:46Planet Labs PBC (NYSE: PL), a prominent provider of Earth observation data, announced a substantial contract extension with a US-allied international government agency to supply high-resolution satellite imagery from its SkySat fleet. "Global customer demand for high resolution satellite data continues to grow, fueled by heightened security needs and increased climate disaster risk," said
Orbital Insight wins NGA contract for maritime surveillance in Indo-Pacific region
Tuesday, 23 July 2024 20:24Raytheon partners with Italy’s Avio to boost solid rocket motor production
Tuesday, 23 July 2024 19:02European Space Agency to expand UK presence
Tuesday, 23 July 2024 18:34NASA's massive moon booster arrives at Kennedy Space Center
Tuesday, 23 July 2024 18:32It's still covered up in what looks like the world's largest PEZ dispenser, but the core stage booster for NASA's Space Launch System rocket for the Artemis II moon mission arrived by barge to Florida on Tuesday.
The 212-foot-long tank still sits hidden within NASA's Pegasus barge with its ridged, football-field-length silver dome protecting the Boeing-built hardware that cost more than $1 billion to manufacture. The barge is docked at KSC's Turn Basin after completing the 900-mile trip from NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. Plans are to haul the stage over to the neighboring Vehicle Assembly Building on Wednesday.
It still has months of checkouts ahead while lying on its side before it will go vertical to be stacked alongside the two solid rocket boosters from Northrop Grumman that remain stored in segments at the nearby Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility. Stacking won't begin until at least September, said Artemis II Mission Manager Matthew Ramsey.
"It takes six to eight weeks to fully stack the booster segments, and the core stage will go after that," he said.
Lunar exploration ground sites will enhance the Near Space Network's communications services
Tuesday, 23 July 2024 16:44NASA's LEGS can do more than help Earthlings move about the planet. Three Lunar Exploration Ground Sites, or LEGS, will enhance the Near Space Network's communications services and support of NASA's Artemis campaign.
NASA's Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) program maintains the agency's two primary communications networks—the Deep Space Network and the Near Space Network, which enable satellites in space to send data back to Earth for investigation and discovery.
Using antennas around the globe, these networks capture signals from satellites, collecting data and enabling navigation engineers to track the mission. For the first Artemis mission, these networks worked in tandem to support the mission as it completed its 25-day journey around the moon.
Opinion: If we want to settle on other planets, we'll have to use genome editing to alter human DNA
Tuesday, 23 July 2024 15:28When considering human settlements on the moon, Mars and further afield, much attention is given to the travel times, food and radiation risk. We'll undoubtedly face a harsh environment in deep space and some thinkers have been pointing to genome editing as a way to ensure that humans can tolerate the severe conditions as they venture further into the solar system.
In January, I was fortunate to attend a much-anticipated debate between astronomer royal Lord Martin Rees and Mars exploration advocate Dr. Robert Zubrin. The event at the British Interplanetary Society took on the topic of whether the exploration of Mars should be human or robotic.
In a recent book called The End of Astronauts, Lord Rees and co-author Donald Goldsmith outline the benefits of exploration of the solar system using robotic spacecraft and vehicles, without the expense and risk of sending humans along for the ride.