How bright is the universe's glow? Study offers best measurement yet
Friday, 06 September 2024 19:10
Boulder CO (SPX) Sep 05, 2024
Scientists have traveled to the edges of the solar system, virtually, at least, to capture the most accurate measurements to date of the faint glow that permeates the universe-a phenomenon known as the cosmic optical background.
The new study, published Aug. 28 in The Astrophysical Journal, draws on observations from NASA's New Horizons spacecraft, which whizzed past Pluto in 2015 and is n
Scientists have traveled to the edges of the solar system, virtually, at least, to capture the most accurate measurements to date of the faint glow that permeates the universe-a phenomenon known as the cosmic optical background.
The new study, published Aug. 28 in The Astrophysical Journal, draws on observations from NASA's New Horizons spacecraft, which whizzed past Pluto in 2015 and is n Iron winds detected on ultra-hot exoplanet WASP-76 b
Friday, 06 September 2024 19:10
Berlin, Germany (SPX) Sep 06, 2024
An international group of astronomers, including researchers from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) and the PlanetS National Centre of Competence in Research, has uncovered the presence of iron winds in the atmosphere of the ultra-hot Jupiter, WASP-76 b. This planet, with temperatures soaring beyond 2000 degrees Celsius, has been a focal point for scientists as they explore the extreme atmospheri
An international group of astronomers, including researchers from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) and the PlanetS National Centre of Competence in Research, has uncovered the presence of iron winds in the atmosphere of the ultra-hot Jupiter, WASP-76 b. This planet, with temperatures soaring beyond 2000 degrees Celsius, has been a focal point for scientists as they explore the extreme atmospheri Researchers unveil unusual orbital behavior in exoplanet TOI-1408c
Friday, 06 September 2024 19:10
Berlin, Germany (SPX) Sep 06, 2024
A research team led by Lund University in Sweden has identified an exoplanet exhibiting peculiar orbital movement, challenging current understandings of planetary system dynamics. This newly discovered planet, TOI-1408c, located 455 light-years away, appears to be involved in complex interactions with its larger neighbor, TOI-1408b, a hot gas giant.
TOI-1408c, with a mass approximately eig
A research team led by Lund University in Sweden has identified an exoplanet exhibiting peculiar orbital movement, challenging current understandings of planetary system dynamics. This newly discovered planet, TOI-1408c, located 455 light-years away, appears to be involved in complex interactions with its larger neighbor, TOI-1408b, a hot gas giant.
TOI-1408c, with a mass approximately eig Video: Mars rover trials
Friday, 06 September 2024 16:39
Rover trials in a quarry in the U.K. showing a four-wheeled rover, known as Codi, using its robotic arm and a powerful computer vision system to pick up sample tubes.
The rover drives to the samples with an accuracy of 10 cm, constantly mapping the terrain. Codi uses its arm and four cameras to locate the sample tube, retrieve it and safely store it on the rover—all of it without human intervention.
At every stop, the rover uses stereo cameras to build up a 180-degree map of the surroundings and plan its next maneuvers. Once parked, the camera on top of the mast detects the tube and estimates its position with respect to the rover. The robotic arm initiates a complex choreography to move closer to the sample, fetch it and store it.
The sample tubes are a replica of the hermetically sealed samples inside which NASA's Perseverance rover is collecting precious Martian soil inside. To most people on Earth, they resemble lightsabers.
Boeing's troubled Starliner spaceship to return to Earth sans crew
Friday, 06 September 2024 15:47
Washington (AFP) Sept 6, 2024
Boeing's problem-plagued Starliner is set to finally depart the International Space Station (ISS) on Friday, returning to Earth without astronauts after NASA deemed the risk too great.
The century-old aerospace giant's reputation has taken a hammering over thruster malfunctions and helium leaks its spaceship encountered on its way up to the orbital outpost in June, and the US space agency's
Boeing's problem-plagued Starliner is set to finally depart the International Space Station (ISS) on Friday, returning to Earth without astronauts after NASA deemed the risk too great.
The century-old aerospace giant's reputation has taken a hammering over thruster malfunctions and helium leaks its spaceship encountered on its way up to the orbital outpost in June, and the US space agency's Rocket Lab confirms launch date for second Kineis IoT constellation mission
Friday, 06 September 2024 15:47
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Sep 05, 2024
Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) has announced the launch window for its 53rd Electron mission. This mission will be the second of five dedicated launches for the French company Kineis. The mission, named 'Kineis Killed the RadIOT Star,' is set to launch from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand, within a 14-day window starting on September 17, 2024, NZST.
Following just th
Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) has announced the launch window for its 53rd Electron mission. This mission will be the second of five dedicated launches for the French company Kineis. The mission, named 'Kineis Killed the RadIOT Star,' is set to launch from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand, within a 14-day window starting on September 17, 2024, NZST.
Following just th MIT team wins grand prize at First Nations launch competition
Friday, 06 September 2024 15:47
Boston MA (SPX) Sep 05, 2024
The members of the MIT First Nations Launch team had never built a drone before when they faced the 2024 NASA First Nations Launch High-Power Rocket Competition. This year's challenge invited teams to design, build, and launch a high-power rocket carrying a scientific payload that deploys mid-air and safely returns to the ground, integrating Indigenous methodologies.
The eight-student team
The members of the MIT First Nations Launch team had never built a drone before when they faced the 2024 NASA First Nations Launch High-Power Rocket Competition. This year's challenge invited teams to design, build, and launch a high-power rocket carrying a scientific payload that deploys mid-air and safely returns to the ground, integrating Indigenous methodologies.
The eight-student team Europe's Vega rocket launches in French Guiana
Friday, 06 September 2024 15:47
Kourou (AFP) Sept 5, 2024
Europe's Vega rocket launched Wednesday from French Guiana, an AFP journalist said, carrying a satellite which will help combat natural disasters.
Delayed by a day due to "electrical issues on the ground links", according to French firm Arianespace, the launch in Kourou finally took place at 10:50 pm (0150 GMT Thursday).
"Successful lift-off for the last Vega mission from Europe's spacep
Europe's Vega rocket launched Wednesday from French Guiana, an AFP journalist said, carrying a satellite which will help combat natural disasters.
Delayed by a day due to "electrical issues on the ground links", according to French firm Arianespace, the launch in Kourou finally took place at 10:50 pm (0150 GMT Thursday).
"Successful lift-off for the last Vega mission from Europe's spacep Spacecraft flies closer to Mercury than planned after thruster glitch
Friday, 06 September 2024 15:47
Paris (AFP) Sept 5, 2024
A spacecraft carrying European and Japanese probes passed closer to Mercury than originally planned overnight after thruster problems delayed the mission to study the little-known, Sun-scorched planet.
The BepiColombo mission launched in 2018 on a winding path that had been intended to enter the orbit of the planet closest to the Sun in December 2025.
But in April, a glitch with the sp
A spacecraft carrying European and Japanese probes passed closer to Mercury than originally planned overnight after thruster problems delayed the mission to study the little-known, Sun-scorched planet.
The BepiColombo mission launched in 2018 on a winding path that had been intended to enter the orbit of the planet closest to the Sun in December 2025.
But in April, a glitch with the sp Sierra Space completes acoustic testing for Shooting Star cargo module at KSC
Friday, 06 September 2024 15:47
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Sep 05, 2024
Sierra Space, a prominent player in the commercial space sector and defense technology, has announced the successful completion of acoustic testing for its Shooting Star cargo module at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. This achievement marks an important milestone as the spacecraft nears launch readiness. The testing, conducted within the Space Systems Processing Facility (SSPF) for the first time,
Sierra Space, a prominent player in the commercial space sector and defense technology, has announced the successful completion of acoustic testing for its Shooting Star cargo module at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. This achievement marks an important milestone as the spacecraft nears launch readiness. The testing, conducted within the Space Systems Processing Facility (SSPF) for the first time, Benchmark awarded Air Force Research Lab contract to scale ascent-fueled thrusters
Friday, 06 September 2024 15:47
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Sep 05, 2024
Benchmark Space Systems, a prominent developer and integrator of in-space mobility solutions, has been awarded a significant two-year, $4.9 million contract by the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL). The contract aims to advance the company's non-catalytic propulsion systems, ranging from 22 Newton to 100 Newton, to support government missions using the high-performance ASCENT monopropellant.
A
Benchmark Space Systems, a prominent developer and integrator of in-space mobility solutions, has been awarded a significant two-year, $4.9 million contract by the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL). The contract aims to advance the company's non-catalytic propulsion systems, ranging from 22 Newton to 100 Newton, to support government missions using the high-performance ASCENT monopropellant.
A NASA reviews progress of ACS3 solar sail system in orbit
Friday, 06 September 2024 15:47
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Sep 06, 2024
Since deploying its sail last week, NASA's Advanced Composite Solar Sail System spacecraft has been transmitting data and images, helping the mission team assess the performance of the boom technology demonstration. The main objective of the mission is to carry out the deployment operation and gather insights that will inform the future use of large-scale solar sails in space exploration. The te
Since deploying its sail last week, NASA's Advanced Composite Solar Sail System spacecraft has been transmitting data and images, helping the mission team assess the performance of the boom technology demonstration. The main objective of the mission is to carry out the deployment operation and gather insights that will inform the future use of large-scale solar sails in space exploration. The te S. Korea space transport ambitions hopes to challenge SpaceX
Friday, 06 September 2024 15:47
Seoul (AFP) Sept 5, 2024
South Korea's new space agency said Thursday it was looking to grow its share of the industry and take on Elon Musk's SpaceX, as it unveiled plans to create a "space passageway".
The Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA) opened in May with the goal of turning the land of K-pop into a new space powerhouse, following the United States, Russia, and China.
Seoul, which is also locked in a sp
South Korea's new space agency said Thursday it was looking to grow its share of the industry and take on Elon Musk's SpaceX, as it unveiled plans to create a "space passageway".
The Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA) opened in May with the goal of turning the land of K-pop into a new space powerhouse, following the United States, Russia, and China.
Seoul, which is also locked in a sp Beyond Gravity: Precise in-orbit positioning of Europe's new environmental satellite
Friday, 06 September 2024 15:47
Berlin, Germany (SPX) Sep 05, 2024
On September 4, the European environmental satellite "Sentinel-2C" is set for launch aboard a European Vega rocket from Kourou. Beyond Gravity has supplied critical components for this mission, including the satellite's onboard computer and navigation receiver.
"The opportunity to contribute essential elements to this environmental mission, which aims to enhance our understanding of climat
On September 4, the European environmental satellite "Sentinel-2C" is set for launch aboard a European Vega rocket from Kourou. Beyond Gravity has supplied critical components for this mission, including the satellite's onboard computer and navigation receiver.
"The opportunity to contribute essential elements to this environmental mission, which aims to enhance our understanding of climat NASA prepares for Boeing Starliner's uncrewed return to Earth
Friday, 06 September 2024 15:47
Washington DC (UPI) Sep 5, 2024
The beleaguered Boeing Starliner spacecraft that took two NASA astronauts to the International Space Station will attempt to make its uncrewed return to Earth on Friday evening, the company has announced.
NASA on Thursday issued a timeline and a set of criteria for the Starliner's departure from the ISS and return to Earth.
The space capsule has faced a host of issues since well
The beleaguered Boeing Starliner spacecraft that took two NASA astronauts to the International Space Station will attempt to make its uncrewed return to Earth on Friday evening, the company has announced.
NASA on Thursday issued a timeline and a set of criteria for the Starliner's departure from the ISS and return to Earth.
The space capsule has faced a host of issues since well