Copernical Team
Juice's lunar-Earth flyby: All you need to know
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ESA's Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) will return to Earth on 19–20 August, with flight controllers guiding the spacecraft first past the moon and then past Earth itself. This "braking" maneuver will take Juice on a shortcut to Jupiter via Venus.
What is happening?
It's a double world first. The first-ever lunar-Earth flyby, and the first-ever double gravity assist maneuver. It will change Juice's speed and direction to alter its course through space, but it's a daring feat; the slightest mistake could take Juice off course and spell the end of the mission.
Following Juice's launch in April 2023, this lunar-Earth flyby is the first step in the spacecraft's waltz through the solar system on its journey to Jupiter.
During the flyby, Earth will bend Juice's trajectory through space, "braking" it and redirecting it on course for a flyby of Venus in August 2025.
Weather satellite passes bake and shake tests with flying colors
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As climate change drives more frequent and severe weather events, the need for accurate and timely forecasting has never been more critical. And now, the next Meteosat Third Generation weather satellite has passed its environmental test campaign with flying colors, taking it a significant step closer to launch.
This new generation of satellites is set to transform weather forecasting, particularly in Europe.
Following the spectacular launch of the first MTG-Imager satellite in 2022, which marked the debut of this advanced family of six satellites, all eyes are now on the first MTG-Sounder (MTG-S1) satellite.
A hopping robot could explore Europa using locally harvested water
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Various forms of hopping robots have crept into development for use in different space exploration missions. We've reported on their use on asteroids and even our own moon. But a study funded by NASA's Institute for Advanced Concepts (NIAC) in 2018 planned a mission to a type of world where hopping may not be as noticeable an advantage—Europa.
The mission, developed by engineers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Purdue University, and Honeybee Robotics, is known as the Steam Propelled Autonomous Retrieval Robot for Ocean Worlds, or SPARROW. It's about the size and shape of a soccer ball, with the logic, power, and control systems inside a spherical outer hollow shell.
SPARROW wouldn't be able to operate on its own, however. It would require a lander to deposit it onto the surface and serve as a refueling and sample collection storage base.
The CubeCat-4, a new nanosatellite, is already orbiting the Earth
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The CubeCat-4 nanosatellite, developed by the UPC's NanoSat Lab, is one of seven payloads that have traveled on the Ariane 6 maiden flight, which took off on the night of 9 to 10 July from French Guiana.
CubeCat-4 is the only Catalan instrument and one of two from Spain on board this ESA mission. Developed by students, the nanosatellite focuses on observing the Earth, studying weather and climatic phenomena from space, and locating and tracking vessels to prevent accidents. Some students were present at the launch site.
CubeCat-4 is the fifth nanosatellite created by the NanoSat Lab of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya—BarcelonaTech (UPC). This laboratory is linked to the Barcelona School of Telecommunications Engineering (ETSETB), where an Advanced Engineering Project course is taught.
CubeCat-4 is a one-unit CubeSat-type nanosatellite and It was selected to be launched aboard the rocket along with a satellite from Galicia and other payloads from Germany, Slovakia, France and Portugal.
Existence of lunar lava tube cave demonstrated
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The presence of conduits below the lunar surface has been theorized and extensively debated for at least 50 years. Now, an analysis of NASA Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter radar data reveals what lies below the Mare Tranquillitatis.
For the first time, scientists have demonstrated the existence of a tunnel in the lunar subsurface. It seems to be an empty lava tube. The study, published in Nature Astronomy, is the result of an international collaboration.
"These caves have been theorized for over 50 years, but it is the first time ever that we have demonstrated their existence," explains Lorenzo Bruzzone, professor at the University of Trento.
Bruzzone explains, "In 2010, as part of the ongoing LRO NASA mission, the Miniature Radio-Frequency (Mini-RF) instrument acquired data that included a pit in Mare Tranquilitatis.
"Years later, we have reanalyzed these data with complex signal processing techniques we have recently developed, and have discovered radar reflections from the area of the pit that are best explained by an underground cave conduit. This discovery provides the first direct evidence of an accessible lava tube under the surface of the moon.
Could resources on Mars support human explorers?
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In the coming decades, multiple space agencies and private companies plan to establish outposts on the moon and Mars. These outposts will allow for long-duration stays, astrobiological research, and facilitate future solar system exploration. However, having crews operating far from Earth for extended periods will also present some serious logistical challenges.
Given the distances and costs involved, sending resupply missions will be both impractical and expensive. For this reason, relying on local resources to meet mission needs—aka. In-situ resource utilization (ISRU)—is the name of the game.
The need for ISRU is especially important on Mars as resupply missions could take six to nine months to get there. Luckily, Mars has abundant resources that can be harvested and used to provide everything from oxygen, propellant, water, soil for growing food, and building materials.
ESA astronaut class of 2022: Astro Chat with Alexander Gerst
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Video:
00:38:42
ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst, an experienced spaceflyer, spacewalker, and former ISS commander, shares insights into his role as head of astronaut operations at ESA’s European Astronaut Centre. Tune in as he talks with us about guiding the next generation of astronauts through training and preparing them for their future in space exploration.
This is Episode 8 of our ESA Explores podcast series, delving into everything you want to know about the ESA astronaut class of 2022. Recorded in April 2024.
Find out more about Alexander.
Space Team Europe for Ariane 6: We did it!
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Video:
00:02:44
After many long hours, working through the night, plenty of sacrifices, tense moments during countdown and hot-fire tests – as well as months spent in masks and keeping a safe distance during the COVID-19 pandemic – Space Team Europe has done it. Ariane 6 took flight on 9 July 2014 and restored Europe’s autonomous access to space.
Thousands of people from different backgrounds, with different nationalities and speaking different languages all united around a shared vision: taking Europe to space.
Thank you Space Team Europe for your commitment, incredible team spirit and expertise. Go Ariane 6!
Ariane 6 launched on
Juice’s lunar-Earth flyby: all you need to know
Write a comment
ESA’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) will return to Earth on 19–20 August, with flight controllers guiding the spacecraft first past the Moon and then past Earth itself. This ‘braking’ manoeuvre will take Juice on a shortcut to Jupiter via Venus.
Weather satellite passes bake and shake tests with flying colours
Write a comment
As climate change drives more frequent and severe weather events, the need for accurate and timely forecasting has never been more critical. And now, the next Meteosat Third Generation weather satellite has passed its environmental test campaign with flying colours, taking it a significant step closer to launch.