Copernical Team
Researchers ready for a new space mission to shed light on Brazil's vexing GPS problem
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In certain regions of Brazil, don't be surprised if your GPS device behaves erratically. For years, researchers have been scratching their heads, looking for a solution to the unreliable GPS signals in regions near the Amazon. The cause? Plasma bubbles in space.
Next week, NASA will launch a joint U.S.-Brazil satellite that will be deployed from the International Space Station, with scientific instruments developed by Utah State University (USU) and collaborators. The goal of the mission is to investigate plasma bubbles that form high in the ionosphere over the equator.
Charles Swenson, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at USU, has worked with Brazil's Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica for years, developing the satellite and researching answers to why this area of the globe is so highly affected by the space weather phenomenon.
How NASA's Deep Space Network supports the agency's missions
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Over 50 years ago, NASA captured the world's imagination and inspired generations with the Apollo 11 moon landing. NASA's then-young Deep Space Network (DSN) was crucial to tracking and communicating with that mission, as it will also be essential to NASA's next push to the moon: Artemis.
Martian dust storms churn up Earth-like clouds
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ESA’s Mars Express has revealed that Mars churns up surprisingly Earth-like cloud patterns that are reminiscent of those in our planet’s tropical regions.
To orbit and back with Space Rider
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Europe’s bid to deliver a return-to-Earth service for in-orbit transportation and research projects is rapidly taking shape, with teams working on the Space Rider spacecraft gearing up for a series of drop tests in 2023. Drop tests with small-scale models will be followed by a full-scale test in anticipation of inaugural flight towards the end of 2024.
GO for Artemis I
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‘Twas the day before launch and all across the globe, people await liftoff for Artemis I with hope.
NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion spacecraft with its European Service Module, is seen here on Launch Pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA, on 12 November.
After much anticipation, NASA launch authorities have given the GO for the first opportunity for launch: tomorrow, 16 November with a two-hour launch window starting at 07:04 CET (06:04 GMT, 1:04 local time).
Artemis I is the first mission in a large programme to send astronauts around and on the Moon
ESA Technology Strategy for Europe’s future in space
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ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher’s Agenda 2025 has set the future course of Europe in space, building on the Agency’s Technology Strategy which details how our continent is developing the essential technology to get it where it is going. Reflecting four years of progress since it was first unveiled and the new guidance from Agenda 2025, ESA has now updated the Technology Strategy accordingly. It has been released in time for the Agency’s Council at Ministerial Level in Paris on 22 – 23 November, demonstrating the fundamental role of technology across all ESA missions and programmes.
NASA's moon rocket on track for Wednesday launch attempt
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NASA started the countdown Monday for this week's planned liftoff of its new moon rocket, although hurricane damage could cause yet another delay for the test flight.
Hurricane Nicole's high winds caused a 10-foot (3-meter) section of caulking to peel away near the crew capsule at the top of the rocket last Thursday. Mission managers want to make sure the narrow strip won't damage the rocket if it breaks off during liftoff.
SFL contracted for 15 additional HawkEye 360 RF geolocation microsatellites
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Space Flight Laboratory (SFL) has been contracted to support development of Clusters 7 through 11 in the HawkEye 360 radio frequency (RF) geolocation microsatellite constellation. Under the Flex Production program, SFL is designing, assembling, and integrating Cluster 9 at its Toronto headquarters and is providing technical support for the integration of Clusters 7, 8, 10 and 11 at HawkEye 360's The road to the Moon
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The birth of a spacecraft takes many years from design through to assembly, testing and launch. Here we speak to Airbus engineer Paolo Artusio about how the ESM-1, the European Service Module which will propel the Orion spacecraft to the Moon, took shape.
For Artusio, the moment a programme transitions to its assembly, integration and test (AIT) phase is: "When engineers' dreams leave thei Why go back to the Moon
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On September 12, 1962, then US president John F. Kennedy informed the public of his plan to put a man on the Moon by the end of the decade.
It was the height of the Cold War and America needed a big victory to demonstrate its space superiority after the Soviet Union had launched the first satellite and put the first man in orbit.
"We choose to go to the Moon," Kennedy told 40,000 people