Uncontrolled rocket reentries are a bigger problem than you think
Tuesday, 18 October 2022 15:47
More than 60% of the launches in 2020 resulted in one or more rocket parts making an uncontrolled reentry into the atmosphere. While thankfully no one was hurt by that debris, with the expected rise in rocket launches over the coming decade the chances of a casualty are increasing. A new study paints the picture of how current methods of assessing risk are inadequate and new steps need to be taken.
Rocketry is a complex business. A typical lunch will usually require multiple stages to get the payload into orbit. Most of the time everything goes well, with the individual stages designed to either burn up in the atmosphere or end up on an escape trajectory away from the Earth. But in 2020 alone, 60% of the launches to low Earth orbit ended up with at least one significantly sized rocket part simply abandoned in an uncontrolled orbit.
New research facility houses largest plasma wind tunnel in the US
Tuesday, 18 October 2022 15:11
In hypersonic flight, an aircraft or spacecraft moves at least five times faster than the speed of sound—producing extreme heat that can push the craft beyond its physical limits. The difficulty and importance of protecting vehicles against those conditions were tragically illustrated in 2003 when slight damage to heat-shielding tiles caused the Space Shuttle Columbia to disintegrate while re-entering Earth's atmosphere.
A unique experimental facility at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will help ensure that such a tragedy is never repeated—and enable unprecedented new adventures in space exploration.
The Plasmatron X is the largest inductively coupled plasma wind tunnel in the United States.
Panasonic Avionics to bring OneWeb LEO broadband to planes
Tuesday, 18 October 2022 13:40
Panasonic Avionics, one of the largest providers of satellite-enabled broadband to aircraft, said Oct. 18 it has reached a deal to sell low Earth orbit (LEO) connectivity services from OneWeb in the second half of 2023.
Partnerships seen as key for LEO operators to enter Asia
Tuesday, 18 October 2022 13:34
While Starlink is ramping up efforts to expand its foothold in Asia, satellite operators there remain undeterred as they expect the U.S. broadband service would end up seeking their help for business.
The post Partnerships seen as key for LEO operators to enter Asia appeared first on SpaceNews.
Samantha Cristoforetti’s first news conference after returning to Earth
Tuesday, 18 October 2022 10:30
Watch the replay of Samantha’s first news conference in Europe after almost six months of living and working on board the International Space Station. Samantha talks from ESA’s European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany. Her Minerva mission came to an end last week and she and her colleagues from Crew-4 splashed down off the coast of Florida on 14 October at 22:55 CEST.
Phase Four unveils game changing engine for LEO constellations
Tuesday, 18 October 2022 09:52
DLR's new optical ground station inaugurated
Tuesday, 18 October 2022 09:52
Eutelsat strategy update on the proposed combination with OneWeb
Tuesday, 18 October 2022 09:52
NASA awards contracts to assess near-space communications capabilities
Tuesday, 18 October 2022 09:52
New Iridium Certus Service Providers to Support U.S. Government Customers
Tuesday, 18 October 2022 09:52
Orbex secures 40M pounds in Series C Funding round
Tuesday, 18 October 2022 09:52
Webb reveals new surprises on galaxy organic molecules near black holes
Tuesday, 18 October 2022 09:52
Revealing the mysteries of the universe under the skin of an atomic nucleus
Tuesday, 18 October 2022 09:52
Astronomers are captivated by brightest flash ever seen
Tuesday, 18 October 2022 09:52
How scientist summarized the development of space robotic technologies for on-orbit assembly?
Tuesday, 18 October 2022 09:52