Ariane 6 prepares for inaugural launch from Europe's Spaceport
Saturday, 27 April 2024 19:58On April 24, automated guided vehicles moved the Ariane 6 central core, which includes the main and upper stages, at a speed of 3 km/h from the launcher assembly building to the launch pad 800 meters away. The central core's placement on the launch pad involved coordinated actions using two AGVs and a crane equipped with a lifting beam. This allowed for the upright positioning of the centr
Free-Flying Robots in Space: How Real-Life Droids Test New Tech
Saturday, 27 April 2024 19:58Navigating the great unknown of space requires innovative tools, like the Multi-Resolution Scanner (MRS), a novel 3D mapping technology developed under the auspices of the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory. This technology leverages NASA's robotic Astrobee system to generate high-resolution maps of remote environments, aiding not only space exploration but also terrestrial in
Identification of noise sources during launch using phased array microphone systems
Saturday, 27 April 2024 19:58Every part of a launch vehicle, launch pad, and ground operation equipment is subjected to the high acoustic load generated during lift-off. Therefore, many extreme measures are taken to try to suppress this acoustic environment by damping with a water deluge system and diverting engine plumes away from the vehicle via flame trenches. Even single decibel reductions of the acoustic levels can tra
NASA and Industry Partners Enhance Space Station Missions with Crew and Cargo Deliveries
Saturday, 27 April 2024 19:58NASA collaborates with commercial entities to ensure safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation of cargo and crew to and from the International Space Station. Serving as a hub for extensive microgravity research, the station has been operational for over two decades, facilitating a wide array of technology trials and scientific experiments across various disciplines. b>Human Transp
Refining space mission interoperability: NASA unveils new trajectory sharing strategy
Saturday, 27 April 2024 19:58NASA's Engineering and Safety Center has introduced a new approach, dubbed Trajectory Reverse Engineering (TRE), for transferring spacecraft trajectories between flight mechanics tools. This method is designed to be adaptable, making it suitable for use with any pair of tools despite differences in their dynamical and numerical models. Developed as part of the NESC study titled Flight Mech
China set to retrieve Martian soil samples by 2030
Saturday, 27 April 2024 19:58China is on course to potentially be the first nation to return Martian soil to Earth, in what is considered a significant scientific and engineering feat, according to a prominent space scientist. Wu Weiren, a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and a leading figure at the China National Space Administration, remarked this week in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province, that China
China to launch Chang'e 6 spacecraft for moon mission
Saturday, 27 April 2024 19:58In a significant advancement in lunar exploration, China is preparing to launch the Chang'e 6 mission, aiming to retrieve samples from the uncharted far side of the moon. The mission is set for early May, with the spacecraft and its carrier rocket, the Long March 5, recently positioned at the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan province. This mission follows the success of Chang'e 5, Ch
AST Networks Acquires Reygar to Enhance Maritime IoT Capabilities
Saturday, 27 April 2024 19:58AST Networks has expanded its technology portfolio with the acquisition of Reygar Ltd., integrating advanced performance monitoring systems for both crewed and un-crewed maritime vessels. This move strengthens AST Networks' position in the global maritime communication and connectivity sphere. The acquisition aims to harness Reygar's expert
ESA launches space innovation hub in Austria
Saturday, 27 April 2024 19:58A pioneering space innovation center has opened its doors in Vienna. This center, aimed at revolutionizing the design and manufacture of space hardware, marks the first ESA-supported disruptive innovation center established outside of ESA's facilities. The newly opened center will prioritize the enhancement of space manufacturing capabilities, including the development of new materials, pr
Hughes launches new manufacturing hub and private 5G center in Maryland
Saturday, 27 April 2024 19:58Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), an EchoStar company (Nasdaq: SATS), has opened a new manufacturing facility and private 5G incubation center in Germantown, Maryland, emphasizing the company's commitment to innovation and local development. The facility, named the Hughes Manufacturing Facility (EXM), is responsible for producing U.S.-made hardware essential for various networks, inclu
Enhanced gravitational wave detection accelerates neutron star and black hole research
Saturday, 27 April 2024 19:58A recent collaboration led by the University of Minnesota Twin Cities College of Science and Engineering and an international team has developed new technology to improve gravitational wave detection. This advancement allows for sending alerts to astronomers and astrophysicists within 30 seconds of detection, significantly enhancing the study of neutron stars and black holes. The researche
Advisory committee recommends moving FAA commercial space office out of the agency
Saturday, 27 April 2024 17:04Einstein Probe opens its wide eyes to the X-ray sky
Saturday, 27 April 2024 09:00The first images captured by the innovative mission were presented at the 7th workshop of the Einstein Probe consortium in Beijing. They illustrate the satellite’s full potential and show that its novel optics, which mimic a lobster’s eyes, are ready to monitor the X-ray sky. The space X-ray telescope zoomed in on a few well-known celestial objects to give us a hint of what the mission is capable of.
Astronauts arrive at Kennedy Space Center as first crew for Boeing's Starliner spacecraft
Saturday, 27 April 2024 08:40It's not just another ride for a pair of veteran NASA astronauts who arrived to the Space Coast ahead of their flight onboard Boeing's CST-100 Starliner.
Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita "Suni" Williams, who both joined NASA's astronaut corps more than two decades ago, will be the commander and pilot for the Crew Flight Test mission of the much-delayed spacecraft.
It's set to launch with humans on board for the first time atop an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's Space Launch Complex 41 on May 6 at 10:34 p.m., headed to the International Space Station.
The pair flew into KSC in their T-38 jets, landing at the former space shuttle landing facility Thursday afternoon and speaking with reporters ahead of the vanguard mission.
"This mission going off well? Of course we want it to do that," said Wilmore from the tarmac. "Do we expect it to go perfectly? This is the first human flight of the spacecraft. I'm sure we'll find things out. That's why we do this. This is a test flight.
Lastest satellite advances China's remote-sensing capabilities
Friday, 26 April 2024 17:33China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp (CASIC), a prominent player in the nation's space industry, has announced plans to deploy the initial satellite of an extensive remote-sensing network within the next few months, according to a project manager. Zhang Chuan of CASIC Space Engineering Development, a subsidiary leading the initiative in Beijing, stated that the inaugural satellite of