Black hole-neutron star collisions may help settle dispute over Universe's expansion
Thursday, 29 April 2021 07:26
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Studying the violent collisions of black holes and neutron stars may soon provide a new measurement of the Universe's expansion rate, helping to resolve a long-standing dispute, suggests a new simulation study led by researchers at UCL (University College London).
Our two current best ways of estimating the Universe's rate of expansion - measuring the brightness and speed of pulsating and New computer model helps brings the sun into the laboratory
Thursday, 29 April 2021 07:26 Write a comment
Every day, the sun ejects large amounts of a hot particle soup known as plasma toward Earth where it can disrupt telecommunications satellites and damage electrical grids. Now, scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) and Princeton University's Department of Astrophysical Sciences have made a discovery that could lead to better predictions of Europe's Vega rocket successfully launches
Thursday, 29 April 2021 07:17 Write a comment
Europe's Vega rocket took off overnight Wednesday from French Guiana with Earth observation satellites on board, six months after losing two satellites.
The rocket left Kourou in French Guiana at around 10:50 pm local time (0150 GMT), with the mission lasting just under two hours.
The launch comes half a year after the operation lost French and Spanish satellites when the rocket fell into the sea on November 17 after a technical malfunction.
The April 28 to 29 launch carried Pleiades Neo 3, the first high resolution satellite of a new Earth observation constellation operated by Airbus.
The rocket is also carrying some lighter payload, including a Norwegian observation microsatellite used to detect radar for maritime navigation.
The Pleiades Neo satellites will offer improved geolocation tools which will help during natural disasters, according to launch provider Arianespace.
The launch is the third this year from the Kourou space centre and the 18th from a Vega.
The Vega rocket is a crucial component of Europe's ambitions to compete in the booming aerospace market, where it faces strong competition from rivals including Elon Musk's SpaceX.
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China launches main part of its 1st permanent space station
Thursday, 29 April 2021 06:59 Write a comment
Vega’s first launch this year
Thursday, 29 April 2021 05:55 Write a comment
Liftoff of Vega from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana came at 02:50 BST on 29 April (03:50 CEST; 22:50 local time on 28 April) to deliver Pléiades Neo-3 and five auxiliary payloads into their respective orbits.
Spacecraft magnetic valve used to fill drinks
Thursday, 29 April 2021 05:22 Write a comment
A precision magnetic valve originally designed to help steer a lander down to a comet has found a surprise terrestrial use through ESA’s Technology Transfer and Patent Office: adding flavours to beverages within a few thousandths of a second per each can or bottle.
China launches Tianhe space station core module into orbit
Thursday, 29 April 2021 03:43 Write a comment
HELSINKI — China successfully launched a 22-metric-ton module late Wednesday, beginning an intense period of missions for constructing the nation’s own space station.
Vega return to flight creates competition for 30-centimeter satellite imagery
Thursday, 29 April 2021 03:05 Write a comment
TAMPA, Fla. — Europe’s small launch vehicle Vega returned to flight April 28, carrying a next-generation imaging satellite for Airbus Defence and Space that has been held back by multiple delays.
Arianespace successfully launched the rocket 9:50 p.m.
Vega liftoff on flight VV18
Thursday, 29 April 2021 01:00 Write a comment
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Vega liftoff on flight VV18 SLS core stage arrives at KSC but faces “challenging” schedule
Wednesday, 28 April 2021 23:13 Write a comment
WASHINGTON — The final major element of the first Space Launch System rocket arrived at the Kennedy Space Center, but NASA’s acting administrator says it will be “challenging” to launch the rocket before the end of this year.
Air Force NTS-3 navigation satellite to launch in 2023
Wednesday, 28 April 2021 21:29 Write a comment
WASHINGTON — The Air Force Research Laboratory is planning a 2023 launch of the NTS-3 experimental satellite the U.S. military will use for positioning, navigation and timing.
AFRL previously announced the launch would be in 2022 but the mission will slip into 2023, AFRL Commander Brig.
Former Air Force procurement chief Will Roper joins board of space startup Ursa Major
Wednesday, 28 April 2021 17:39 Write a comment
WASHINGTON — Space industry startup Ursa Major Technologies has named former Air Force procurement official Will Roper to its the board of directors, the company’s CEO said April 28.
Ursa Major is a venture-funded maker of rocket engines for small and medium launch vehicles.
Astronaut Michael Collins, Apollo 11 pilot, dead of cancer
Wednesday, 28 April 2021 17:27 Write a comment
Space tourism—20 years in the making—is finally ready for launch
Wednesday, 28 April 2021 17:13 Write a comment
For most people, getting to the stars is nothing more than a dream. On April 28, 2001, Dennis Tito achieved that lifelong goal—but he wasn't a typical astronaut. Tito, a wealthy businessman, paid US$20 million for a seat on a Russian Soyuz spacecraft to be the first tourist to visit the International Space Station. Only seven people have followed suit in the 20 years since, but that number is poised to double in the next 12 months alone.
Space and the new ESG business climate
Wednesday, 28 April 2021 16:29 Write a comment
The E in ESG is getting another boost as the United States rejoins the climate change fight, and space promises to play a central role.
A rising number of companies have already added ESG scorecards to their annual reports, detailing the progress they are making toward environmental, social and corporate governance goals.