AFRL, ABL Space Systems demonstrate rapid operation of launch systems
Sunday, 01 May 2022 10:51
Edwards AFB CA (SPX) Apr 22, 2022
The Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, and ABL Space Systems are collaborating to demonstrate how launch systems can be operated rapidly by small teams from nontraditional sites. Leveraging ABL's deployable ground system, GS0, and small launch vehicle, RS1, a series of ground demonstrations is underway at multiple U.S. military installations aimed at quick

Earth's atmosphere may be source of some lunar water
Sunday, 01 May 2022 10:51
Fairbanks AK (SPX) Apr 29, 2022
Hydrogen and oxygen ions escaping from Earth's upper atmosphere and combining on the moon could be one of the sources of the known lunar water and ice, according to new research by University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute scientists.
The work led by UAF Geophysical Institute associate research professor Gunther Kletetschka adds to a growing body of research about water at the m

NASA scientist discovers new means to measure snow depth from space
Sunday, 01 May 2022 10:51
Hampton VA (SPX) Apr 29, 2022
A NASA scientist is adding a new dimension to the climate-observing powers of a satellite instrument whose main mission is to measure the height of Earth's ice sheets and sea ice. And the inspiration for this new method comes from how ants walk around their colonies.
Using a concept adapted from the mathematics and biology communities, Yongxiang Hu of NASA's Langley Research Center in Hamp

In Einstein's footsteps and beyond
Sunday, 01 May 2022 10:51
Boston MA (SPX) Apr 28, 2022
In physics, as in life, it's always good to look at things from different perspectives.
Since the beginning of quantum physics, how light moves and interacts with matter around it has mostly been described and understood mathematically through the lens of its energy. In 1900, Max Planck used energy to explain how light is emitted by heated objects, a seminal study in the foundation of quan

Purdue and Duke Energy to explore potential for clean, nuclear power source for campus
Sunday, 01 May 2022 10:51
West Lafayette IN (SPX) Apr 29, 2022
Purdue University and Duke Energy announced today (April 27) that they plan to jointly explore the feasibility of using advanced nuclear energy to meet the campus community's long-term energy needs.
With interest rising worldwide in new technologies that are reliable and carbon-free, Purdue and Duke Energy intend to study power produced through Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), a move that ma

Rocket Lab pushes back attempt of mid-air booster catch to Sunday
Sunday, 01 May 2022 01:53
Orlando FL (UPI) May 01, 2022
Citing weather concerns, Rocket Lab pushed back its 26th launch Friday with plans to attempt to recover a first-stage booster with a helicopter on Sunday.
"The weather has improved through the week, but the forecast is showing the best wind and cloud cover conditions a few days from now, so we're targeting no earlier than 1 May ... for launch," the California-based aerospace company said.

China launches multiple satellites
Sunday, 01 May 2022 01:53
Jiuquan, China (XNA) Apr 29, 2022
China successfully sent two satellites into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest China on Friday.
The satellites, Siwei 01 and 02, were launched by a Long March 2C carrier rocket at 12:11 pm (Beijing Time) and have entered the planned orbit.
They will provide commercial remote sensing data services for industries including surveying and mapping, environmental p

SpaceX launches more Starlink satellites from Florida
Sunday, 01 May 2022 01:53
Orlando FL (UPI) Apr 29, 2022
Space X launched another batch of Starlink satellites into orbit late Friday afternoon. A Falcon 9 rocket carried 53 satellites into space from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's Launch Complex 40.
The launch took place as scheduled at 5:27 p.m., with the reusable first-stage rocket landing on the Just Read the Instructions drone ship at 5:36 p.m. It was the booster's second flight in 21

FAA delays SpaceX Starship environmental review for 4th time
Sunday, 01 May 2022 01:53
Washington DC (UPI) Apr 29, 2021
The Federal Aviation Administration announced Friday that it has delayed its environmental review of SpaceX's Starship launch site in Texas for a fourth time.
The review was initially supposed to be completed Dec. 31, 2021. It was pushed back to Feb. 28, then March 28, then April 29, before the latest date - May 31.
"The FAA is working toward issuing the final Programmatic Envir

NASA chooses small businesses to continue exploration tech development
Sunday, 01 May 2022 01:53
Washington DC (SPX) May 01, 2022
NASA's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program has chosen 110 U.S. small businesses for continued technology development. The range of projects support space exploration and improvements to life on Earth - from foldable solar array technology that could help power astronauts' work on the Moon to antenna technology that could improve satellite internet service.
NASA's SBIR program

Booming fireball spotted in the skies above 3 states this week, NASA says
Sunday, 01 May 2022 01:53
Washington DC (UPI) Apr 29, 2021
A loud boom and a fireball streaking across the sky. That's the sight that dozens of people across three states saw this week, scientists said.
The startling fireball was spotted on Wednesday morning by people in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. NASA says the streaking object was a "boldie" - or a bright meteorite.
The meteor was seen by more than 30 people, some of whom als

Juno captures moon shadow on Jupiter
Sunday, 01 May 2022 01:53
San Antonio TX (SPX) May 01, 2022
NASA's Juno spacecraft captured this view of Jupiter during the mission's 40th close pass by the giant planet on Feb. 25, 2022. The large, dark shadow on the left side of the image was cast by Jupiter's moon Ganymede.
Citizen scientist Thomas Thomopoulos created this enhanced-color image using raw data from the JunoCam instrument (Figure A). At the time the raw image was taken, the Juno sp

First solar eclipse of 2022 seen across South America, Antarctica
Sunday, 01 May 2022 01:53
Washington DC (UPI) Apr 30, 2021
The first solar eclipse of the year took place Saturday and was viewable from parts of South America and Antarctica.
A live stream of the partial solar eclipse began at 3:30 p.m. EDT and ended when the sun sunk below the horizon.
"If skies are clear, this eclipse is visible from South America, parts of Antarctica, and over the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans," according to TimeandDat

Revealing the secret language of dark matter
Sunday, 01 May 2022 01:53
Trieste, Italy (SPX) May 01, 2022
In the Universe, dark matter and standard matter "talk" to each other using a secret language. This "discussion" happens thanks to gravity, scientists say, but not in a way they can fully comprehend. A new SISSA study published in "The Astrophysical Journal" sheds light on this long-standing issue.
The authors of the research, Ph.D Student Giovanni Gandolfi and supervisors Andrea Lapi and

Spinning stars shed new light on strange galactic signal
Sunday, 01 May 2022 01:53
Canberra, Australia (SPX) May 01, 2022
Researchers from The Australian National University (ANU) have found an alternative explanation for a mysterious gamma-ray signal coming from the centre of the galaxy, which was long claimed as a signature of dark matter.
Gamma-rays are the form of electromagnetic radiation with the shortest wavelength and highest energy.
Co-author of the study Associate Professor Roland Crocker said
