Placing cosmological constraints on quantum gravity phenomenology
Tuesday, 16 February 2021 11:58
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A description of gravity compatible with the principles of quantum mechanics has long been a widely pursued goal in physics. Existing theories of this 'quantum gravity' often involve mathematical corrections to Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle (HUP), which quantifies the inherent limits in the accuracy of any quantum measurement.
These corrections arise when gravitational interactions ar Robots sense human touch using camera and shadows
Tuesday, 16 February 2021 11:58 Write a comment
Soft robots may not be in touch with human feelings, but they are getting better at feeling human touch. Cornell University researchers have created a low-cost method for soft, deformable robots to detect a range of physical interactions, from pats to punches to hugs, without relying on touch at all. Instead, a USB camera located inside the robot captures the shadow movements of hand gestures on Collective worm and robot 'blobs' protect individuals, swarm together
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Individually, California blackworms live an unremarkable life eating microorganisms in ponds and serving as tropical fish food for aquarium enthusiasts. But together, tens, hundreds, or thousands of the centimeter-long creatures can collaborate to form a "worm blob," a shape-shifting living liquid that collectively protects its members from drying out and helps them escape threats such as excess 3D model shows off the insides of a giant permafrost crater
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Researchers from the Oil and Gas Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences and their Skoltech colleagues have surveyed the newest known 30-meter deep gas blowout crater on the Yamal Peninsula, which formed in the summer of 2020. The paper was published in the journal Geosciences.
Giant craters in the Russian Arctic, thought to be the remnants of powerful gas blowouts, first att Falling to Earth takes a long time
Tuesday, 16 February 2021 10:00 Write a comment
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Satellites and debris take a long time to return Explore the Jezero neighbourhood
Tuesday, 16 February 2021 08:14 Write a comment
Flyover movies, elevation maps, 3D views and detailed colour scenes: ESA’s Mars Express and ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter missions have provided imagery of Jezero Crater and the surrounding region in support of NASA’s Mars 2020 Perseverance rover landing on 18 February 2021.
Mars 2020 on track for landing
Tuesday, 16 February 2021 01:23 Write a comment
WASHINGTON — NASA’s Mars 2020 spacecraft is operating “perfectly” ahead of its Feb. 18 landing on Mars that will be a key milestone for the agency’s future Mars exploration plans.
The spacecraft is scheduled to land the rover Perseverance on the surface of Jezero Crater on Mars at about 3:55 p.m.
LinQuest wins $200 million support services contract from U.S. Space Command
Monday, 15 February 2021 22:39 Write a comment
WASHINGTON — U.S. Space Command awarded LinQuest Corp. a $200 million contract for advisory and support services, the Defense Department announced Feb. 16.
The contract is for work performed at U.S. Space Command headquarters at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, between now and February 2030.
LinQuest wins $200 million contract for Space Operations Command support services
Monday, 15 February 2021 22:39 Write a comment
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Force awarded LinQuest Corp. a $200 million contract for advisory and support services for one of the service’s field commands, the Defense Department announced Feb. 16.
The contract is for work performed at the Space Operations Command headquarters at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, between now and February 2030.
Sen. Angus King to chair subcommittee that oversees DoD space programs
Monday, 15 February 2021 21:56 Write a comment
WASHINGTON — Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) was named chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee’s subcommittee on strategic forces, SASC Chairman Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and Ranking Member Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.
‘Parastronaut’ sought as ESA recruits its first new astronauts in more than a decade
Monday, 15 February 2021 21:05 Write a comment
JOHANNESBURG — The European Space Agency announced Feb. 16 that its first call for new astronauts in more than a decade will be open to candidates with physical disabilities.
During a briefing with reporters, ESA officials said the agency plans to recruit four to six career astronauts and a pool of approximately 20 reserve astronauts, a first for ESA.
Northrop Grumman clears first design review of next-generation ICBM
Monday, 15 February 2021 17:53 Write a comment
WASHINGTON — Northrop Grumman’s design of a new intercontinental ballistic missile for the U.S. Air Force passed its first review, the company announced Feb. 16.
The review took place in November, two months after the Air Force awarded Northrop Grumman a $13.3 billion contract to develop the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent.
Axiom Space raises $130 million
Monday, 15 February 2021 17:51 Write a comment
WASHINGTON — Axiom Space announced Feb. 16 it has raised $130 million from a group of investors, allowing the company to push ahead with its long-term ambitions of establishing a private space station.
The Series B round was led by C5 Capital, a firm that invests in cybersecurity and “closely aligned” sectors, including space.
ABL Space Systems signs customer for first launch
Monday, 15 February 2021 16:13 Write a comment
WASHINGTON — Small launch vehicle developer ABL Space Systems will launch two satellites for L2 Aerospace on the first flight of its RS1 rocket this spring, the companies announced Feb. 16.
The two satellites developed by L2, a company founded by Lance Lord, a retired Air Force general and former head of Air Force Space Command, will be used to rapidly test new technology and support training activities, according to a statement the companies.
In the Jezero neighbourhood
Monday, 15 February 2021 15:36 Write a comment
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In the Jezero neighbourhood