Copernical Team
Widespread Water and Hydroxyl Found Across the Moon
A recent analysis of lunar maps has revealed multiple sources of water and hydroxyl in the sunlit regions of the Moon's surface, including water-rich rocks uncovered by meteor impacts across various latitudes. "Future astronauts may be able to find water even near the equator by exploiting these water-rich areas. Previously, it was thought that only the polar region, particularly the deepl
Satellite launches set to average seven tons daily through 2033
The latest edition of the "Satellites to be Built and Launched" report forecasts a dramatic increase in satellite demand through 2033, with an average of over 3,700 satellites to be launched annually. This projection equals about 10 satellites per day, with a total mass of seven tons. The surge highlights the expansion of satellite-powered connectivity and data services, underscoring long-term g
Orion spacecraft radiation protection tested
Space radiation presents major health risks to astronauts, potentially causing cancer and other degenerative diseases. As space missions extend in duration and distance, it becomes critical to develop effective protective measures for crews operating beyond Earth's magnetic shield. Detailed data on radiation exposure during deep space missions is essential for designing these protections.
Cinetcomm expands connectivity with Eutelsat OneWeb LEO integration
Cinetcomm, a supplier of global satellite communication services, has entered a distribution agreement with Eutelsat OneWeb to incorporate OneWeb's Low Earth Orbit (LEO) connectivity solutions into its broad network. This collaboration highlights Cinetcomm's ongoing commitment to enhancing connectivity for its varied clientele in critical infrastructure sectors. For years, Cinetcomm has ad
Advanced instrument offers new insights into Van Allen Radiation Belts
A cutting-edge instrument is using innovative detection techniques and a specially designed orbit to expand our knowledge of the Van Allen belts - regions around Earth filled with energetic particles that can threaten space missions. Recently, the instrument delivered unique observations of the region's changes following a major magnetic storm in May 2024. The Van Allen radiation belts wer
UTA physicists publish study on habitability of F-Type Star Systems
Physicists at The University of Texas at Arlington have published a study of F-type star systems, in which they explored systems where the planets spend at least part of their orbits in the stellar habitable zones. The paper, titled "Statistics and Habitability of F-type Star-Planet Systems", is published in the September 12 edition of The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series. Shaan Pat
Gargantuan black hole jets are biggest seen yet
Astronomers have spotted the biggest pair of black hole jets ever seen, spanning 23 million light-years in total length. That's equivalent to lining up 140 Milky Way galaxies back to back. "This pair is not just the size of a solar system, or a Milky Way; we are talking about 140 Milky Way diameters in total," says Martijn Oei, a Caltech postdoctoral scholar and lead author of a new Nature
Study reveals surprising behavior of Mars' induced magnetosphere
Researchers at the Swedish Institute of Space Physics (IRF) in Kiruna have discovered that the induced magnetosphere of Mars can break down under certain conditions. These findings were recently published in 'Nature', a prominent scientific journal. Mars, lacking a natural internal magnetic field, forms an induced magnetosphere as its atmosphere interacts directly with the solar wind. This
Lunar X-ray images and farside soil analysis enhance understanding of Moon
The Einstein Probe X-ray astronomical satellite recently captured and transmitted detailed X-ray images of the moon back to Earth on Tuesday, coinciding with the Mid-Autumn Festival. This achievement marks the first instance in which Chinese scientists have successfully produced a comprehensive X-ray image of the moon using a domestically developed space telescope. Chen Yong, a resea
Space Perspective completes major uncrewed test flight of Neptune
Space Perspective, known for offering carbon-neutral spaceflight experiences, has successfully conducted a full flight profile of its uncrewed Spaceship Neptune-Excelsior, marking another milestone toward crewed missions. The flight took off from Marine Spaceport (MS) Voyager near St. Petersburg, Florida, on September 15, 2024. This demonstration showcased the capabilities of the vehicle that wi