Copernical Team
Refining space mission interoperability: NASA unveils new trajectory sharing strategy
NASA's Engineering and Safety Center has introduced a new approach, dubbed Trajectory Reverse Engineering (TRE), for transferring spacecraft trajectories between flight mechanics tools. This method is designed to be adaptable, making it suitable for use with any pair of tools despite differences in their dynamical and numerical models. Developed as part of the NESC study titled Flight Mech
NASA and Industry Partners Enhance Space Station Missions with Crew and Cargo Deliveries
NASA collaborates with commercial entities to ensure safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation of cargo and crew to and from the International Space Station. Serving as a hub for extensive microgravity research, the station has been operational for over two decades, facilitating a wide array of technology trials and scientific experiments across various disciplines. b>Human Transp
Identification of noise sources during launch using phased array microphone systems
Every part of a launch vehicle, launch pad, and ground operation equipment is subjected to the high acoustic load generated during lift-off. Therefore, many extreme measures are taken to try to suppress this acoustic environment by damping with a water deluge system and diverting engine plumes away from the vehicle via flame trenches. Even single decibel reductions of the acoustic levels can tra
Free-Flying Robots in Space: How Real-Life Droids Test New Tech
Navigating the great unknown of space requires innovative tools, like the Multi-Resolution Scanner (MRS), a novel 3D mapping technology developed under the auspices of the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory. This technology leverages NASA's robotic Astrobee system to generate high-resolution maps of remote environments, aiding not only space exploration but also terrestrial in
Ariane 6 prepares for inaugural launch from Europe's Spaceport
On April 24, automated guided vehicles moved the Ariane 6 central core, which includes the main and upper stages, at a speed of 3 km/h from the launcher assembly building to the launch pad 800 meters away. The central core's placement on the launch pad involved coordinated actions using two AGVs and a crane equipped with a lifting beam. This allowed for the upright positioning of the centr
Einstein Probe opens its wide eyes to the X-ray sky
The first images captured by the innovative mission were presented at the 7th workshop of the Einstein Probe consortium in Beijing. They illustrate the satellite’s full potential and show that its novel optics, which mimic a lobster’s eyes, are ready to monitor the X-ray sky. The space X-ray telescope zoomed in on a few well-known celestial objects to give us a hint of what the mission is capable of.
China outlines objectives for Shenzhou XVIII space mission
China's Shenzhou-18 mission, set for a six-month duration at the national space station, will include a series of in-orbit scientific tests and applications, alongside multiple spacewalks, as detailed by a senior China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) official during a recent press briefing. The Shenzhou XVIII spacecraft is poised for launch at 8:59 pm Thursday (Beijing Time) from the Jiuquan Sa
Satellogic partners with O.N.E. Amazon to develop the Internet of Forests
Satellogic Inc. (NASDAQ: SATL), known for its high-resolution Earth Observation (EO) capabilities, has announced a partnership with O.N.E. Amazon aimed at environmental and investment sustainability through innovative conservation technologies. The collaboration, revealed on Earth Day, highlights the role of advanced geospatial sciences in environmental health
Mapping plant traits from space: HKU team integrates field and satellite data for ecosystem analysis
A promising development in ecosystem monitoring has been achieved by Professor Jin Wu and his team at the University of Hong Kong's School of Biological Sciences. Their study, detailed in Remote Sensing of Environment, involves using the Sentinel-2 satellite to map plant functional traits through time-series satellite data. This method offers new insights into the functional diversity and health
Lynred secures contract for Sentinel-2 NG mission's advanced infrared detector
Lynred, recognized globally for its high-quality infrared detectors for aerospace, defense, and commercial use, has been selected through an open bidding process to develop a new multispectral infrared detector for the Sentinel-2 Next-Generation (NG) land monitoring satellite mission. This mission is a continuation of the existing Sentinel-2, spearheaded by the European Space Agency (ESA) under