As we prepare to go deeper into space, the demand for autonomous systems capable of operating independently from ground control and crew interactions is increasing. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is shaping up to be an essential tool for reaching this goal. With support from ESA's Discovery programme, a team of researchers from Airbus explored how AI can collect and analyse data onboard the Columbus module of the International Space Station (ISS) in order to improve its prognosis and fault detection capabilities.

The European Space Agency (ESA) has signed a contract with Thales Alenia Space in Italy to lead European aerospace companies in building the Argonaut Lunar Descent Element, ESA’s first lunar lander.

The second day of the European Space Conference saw European Space Agency astronaut Luca Parmitano join ESA Directors and the Director General on a range of panels and interactions with media.  

Berlin, Germany (SPX) Jan 29, 2025
Three decades after the first exoplanet was discovered, astronomers have identified over 7,000 exoplanets in our galaxy. Yet, countless more await discovery. Researchers are now delving into the characteristics of these planets to uncover the possibility of extraterrestrial life. This pursuit has led to the discovery of super-Earth HD 20794 d, thanks to a collaboration involving the University o

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jan 29, 2025
EdgeCortix Inc., a prominent fabless semiconductor company specializing in energy-efficient artificial intelligence (AI) processing at the edge, has announced that its SAKURA-I AI Accelerator has been proven suitable for space missions, including Earth orbit and lunar operations, due to its strong radiation resilience. The AI accelerator underwent rigorous testing by NASA's Electronic Part

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jan 29, 2025
The arid and cold landscape of modern Mars contrasts sharply with its past, when flowing rivers and lakes carved its surface billions of years ago. Researchers from Harvard have now proposed a compelling explanation for this ancient warmth and moisture, offering new insights into the planet's climate history. Scientists at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Scien

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jan 29, 2025
During NASA's Artemis II mission, the first crewed flight under the Artemis campaign, astronauts will manually operate the Orion spacecraft as part of their journey around the Moon and back. This mission is a critical test to validate the spacecraft's performance with a human crew onboard before future lunar landing missions. The first major test of manual control, called the proximity ope

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jan 29, 2025
The moon's surface has long been a subject of study, offering clues about its geological and evolutionary history. Dark, flat regions known as lunar maria, which are filled with solidified lava, were thought to have formed through significant compression billions of years ago. Many researchers concluded that these regions have remained dormant ever since. However, a new study indicates that the

Paris, France (SPX) Jan 29, 2025
Helioseismology, the study of the Sun's acoustic oscillations, provides a powerful tool for probing the internal properties of our star with remarkable precision. By analyzing these sound waves, scientists can reconstruct critical parameters such as the Sun's density, temperature, and chemical composition. This transformative method enables researchers to explore the Sun's inner workings as an a

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jan 29, 2025
Safran Defense and Space, Inc. (DSI) has announced the successful production of its first U.S.-manufactured VISION 5.5-meter full-motion satellite tracking antenna. The advanced unit, designed for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) operations, was built at the company's Norcross, Georgia, facility, marking a significant step in U.S.-based manufacturing capabilities. Four additional units are slated for produ