Satellites and light reflections help spot coastal plastic waste
Wednesday, 09 February 2022 09:21Millions of tons of plastic enter the oceans every year. While stopping this flow is crucial, so is tracking down what's already there so we can clean it up. This cutting-edge research harnesses the latest in satellite technology to do just that. The study, now published in Remote Sensing, used the unique infrared signals reflected by plastics to identify even tiny scraps amongst vas
New lightweight material is stronger than steel
Wednesday, 09 February 2022 09:21Using a novel polymerization process, MIT chemical engineers have created a new material that is stronger than steel and as light as plastic, and can be easily manufactured in large quantities. The new material is a two-dimensional polymer that self-assembles into sheets, unlike all other polymers, which form one-dimensional, spaghetti-like chains. Until now, scientists had believed it was
Persistence, encouragement, innovation keeps NASA's DAVINCI on track
Wednesday, 09 February 2022 09:21The concept of a NASA-led Venus deep atmosphere chemistry probe was developed and evolved over more than a decade. Through multiple mission bids starting in 2008, rejections and tailored re-designs, a team of scientists and engineers finally prevailed with the selection of the Deep Atmosphere Venus Investigation of Noble gases, Chemistry, and Imaging, or DAVINCI mission in June 2021. Among
ESA hosts new office to coordinate global climate modelling push
Wednesday, 09 February 2022 07:55Climate models are an important tool for scientists to understand our past climate and provide projections of future change. As such, they are in increasing demand as part of efforts to avert global warming and reduce risks associated with environmental change. To meet this demand, the World Climate Research Programme will open a new international office in the United Kingdom on 1 March 2022 that will coordinate the programme’s Climate Model Intercomparison Project.
Workers clean Apollo 16 spaceship ahead of 50th anniversary
Wednesday, 09 February 2022 07:47Destinus raises $29 million for hypersonic plane
Wednesday, 09 February 2022 07:00Destinus SA, the Swiss startup founded by serial entrepreneur Mikhail Kokorich, has raised 26.8 million Swiss francs ($29 million) for its campaign to offer hydrogen-powered supersonic flight.
The post Destinus raises $29 million for hypersonic plane appeared first on SpaceNews.
Asteroid sharing Earth's orbit discovered - could it help future space missions?
Wednesday, 09 February 2022 05:08Research has shown that the Earth trails an asteroid barely a kilometre across in its orbit about the Sun - only the second such body to have ever been spotted. It goes round the Sun on average two months ahead of the Earth, dancing around in front like an excited herald of our coming. This object, known as 2020 XL5, was first spotted in December 2020 using Pan-STARRS telescopes on the sum
How easy is it to turn water into oxygen on Mars
Wednesday, 09 February 2022 05:08Scientists at The University of Manchester and The University of Glasgow have today provided more insight into the possibility of establishing a pathway to generate oxygen for humans to potentially call the Moon or Mars 'home' for extended periods of time. Creating a reliable source of oxygen could help humanity establish liveable habitats off-Earth in an era where space travel is more ach
Predicting the efficiency of oxygen-evolving electrolysis on the Moon and Mars
Wednesday, 09 February 2022 05:08Scientists at The University of Manchester and The University of Glasgow have provided more insight into the possibility of establishing a pathway to generate oxygen for humans to potentially call the Moon or Mars 'home' for extended periods of time. Creating a reliable source of oxygen could help humanity establish liveable habitats off-Earth in an era where space travel is more achievabl
Gilmour Space, SENER Aeroespacial to develop Autonomous Flight Termination System for Eris rocket
Wednesday, 09 February 2022 05:08SENER Aeroespacial, a company of the SENER engineering and technology group, and Australian launch services company Gilmour Space Technologies, are working together on an Autonomous Flight Termination System (AFTS) for the Eris launch vehicle, which is being developed for the small satellite market. The AFTS is a smart Hardware/Software unit with autonomous decision-making capacity respons
NASA Prepares to Join Two Major Parts for Artemis II Core Stage
Wednesday, 09 February 2022 05:08Technicians are preparing to connect two major parts of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket's Artemis II core stage. On Jan. 30, technicians moved the largest part of the stage, the 130-foot liquid hydrogen tank to the vertical assembly area at NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility. Here, it will be prepared for joining with the 66-foot forward assembly. The forward assembly comprised of the j
How Mars lost its oceans
Wednesday, 09 February 2022 05:08It has long been known that Mars once had oceans due in part to a protective magnetic field similar to Earth's. However, the magnetic field disappeared, and new research may finally be able to explain why. Researchers recreated conditions expected in the core of Mars billions of years ago and found that the behavior of the molten metal thought to be present likely gave rise to a brief magnetic f
NASA awards contract for first rocket to launch from another planet
Wednesday, 09 February 2022 05:08NASA has started the early processes of constructing a $194 million small rocket that will launch from Mars, which will be the first known rocket launch from another planet. The so-called Mars Ascent Vehicle, or MAV, has been designed to fly to Mars, receive Martian rock samples from a rover and blast back into space. It's part of a plan to return the first-ever rocks from the Red Plane
Sols 3381-3382: Whence We Came
Wednesday, 09 February 2022 05:08After our adventures further uphill, Curiosity is backing down hill to get to the start of the path she will take up to the "Greenheugh Pediment." We are still surrounded by amazing stratigraphy and have the benefit of having been through here before. We can fill in missing pieces of terrain, and follow up interesting observations. Mastcam and ChemCam imaging fills both needs today. Mastca
Saturn's High-Altitude Winds Generate Extraordinary Aurorae, Study Finds
Wednesday, 09 February 2022 05:08Space scientists have discovered a never-before-seen mechanism fueling huge planetary aurorae at Saturn. A University of Leicester-led team has found that Saturn is unique among planets observed to date in that some of its aurorae are generated by swirling winds within its own atmosphere, and not just from the planet's surrounding magnetosphere. The study, which is based on observations ma