SEAKR Engineering Demonstrates Optical Communications on DARPA's Mandrake 2 Satellites
SEAKR Engineering, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Raytheon Technologies, announced a successful demonstration of optical inter-satellite links between two Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Mandrake 2 satellites. During the first test, more than 280 gigabits of data were transferred at a range of 114 kilometers during a period of more than 40 minutes.
"This was a demonstration no DARPA's ANSR to Improving Trustworthy AI
Despite recent improvements to machine learning (ML) algorithms and assurance technologies, high levels of autonomy still remain elusive.
The reasons for this are twofold. First, data-driven ML lacks transparency, interpretability, and robustness and has unsustainable computational and data needs. Second, traditional approaches to building intelligent applications and autonomous systems th Uncovering a novel way to bring to Earth the energy that powers the sun and stars
Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) have uncovered critical new details about fusion facilities that use lasers to compress the fuel that produces fusion energy. The new data could help lead to the improved design of future laser facilities that harness the fusion process that drives the sun and stars.
Fusion combines light element New insights into neutron star matter
Throughout the Universe, neutron stars are born in supernova explosions that mark the end of the life of massive stars. Sometimes neutron stars are bound in binary systems and will eventually collide with each other.
These high-energy, astrophysical phenomena feature such extreme conditions that they produce most of the heavy elements, such as silver and gold. Consequently, neutron stars a NASA embraces high-risk, high-reward research with UAP study
NASA will commission a small independent study of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), a move the agency says is part of its desire to support risky research that has the potential for high payoffs.
Week in images: 06-10 June 2022
Week in images: 06-10 June 2022
Discover our week through the lens
Xenesis signs launch pact with Evolution Space
SAN FRANCISCO – Launch startup Evolution Space signed a memorandum of understanding to launch a small satellite constellation for optical communications startup Xenesis. Under the $120 million deal signed in May, Evolution will conduct five suborbital and 25 orbital launches for Xenesis beginning in 2025.
Efforts continue to fully deploy Lucy solar array
Leaders of NASA’s Lucy asteroid mission are increasingly confident that the mission can continue as planned even if ongoing efforts to fully deploy and latch a solar array don’t succeed.
The post Efforts continue to fully deploy Lucy solar array appeared first on SpaceNews.
Women in simulated space missions demonstrate more sustainable leadership
A new study based on Mars Desert Research Station commanders' reports reveals differences in female and male leadership behavior. Although both genders are task-focused, women tend to be more positive. The genders also differ in their approach toward their team—while men focus on accomplishments, women emphasize mutual support. According to the author of the study, Inga Popovaitė, a sociologist at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) in Lithuania, the findings suggest that women may be better suited for long-term space missions.
According to the researcher, as of 2021, only three women have served as commanders in the International Space Station during two decades of its operations. Although the space is becoming more diverse, little is known about gender differences in leadership in isolated, confined, and extreme environments.
"In 10–20 years when the missions to Mars start, it will be mixed-gender groups that will be sent there. Also, a female astronaut is preparing for a flight to the Moon in a few years.
