Copernical Team
Planet Labs signs agreement to support NATO's space surveillance program
Planet Labs PBC (NYSE: PL), a prominent provider of daily Earth data and insights, has secured a contract with the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) to support the Alliance Persistent Surveillance from Space (APSS) program. The agreement will leverage Planet's SkySat high-resolution satellite imagery to aid NATO operations. Planet's tasking capabilities are set to enhance N
Ovzon secures first US defense order for Ovzon 3 satellite services
Ovzon has secured its inaugural order for the Ovzon Pegasus service on the newly launched Ovzon 3 satellite, facilitated through Viasat Government Services. This marks a shift from the existing Ovzon SATCOM-as-a-Service, previously provided to the U.S. Department of Defense (U.S. DOD) via leased satellite capacity, to now leveraging the capabilities of the Ovzon 3 satellite. The contract, effect
Europe delivers for Artemis III
The European Service Module that will power the Orion spacecraft during the Artemis III mission to the Moon is soon on its way to the United States.
Cluster mission set to end with reentry over South Pacific
On 8 September 2024, the first of four satellites that make up ESA’s Cluster mission will reenter Earth’s atmosphere over the South Pacific Ocean Uninhabited Area.
This marks the end of the historic mission, over 24 years after it was sent into space to measure Earth’s magnetic environment. Though the remaining three satellites will also stop making scientific observations, discoveries using existing mission data are expected for years to come.
This ‘targeted reentry’ is the first of its kind. ESA’s efforts to ensure a clean end to the Cluster mission go beyond international standards, making the agency a world-leader in
New antenna design could pave the way for advanced 6G satellite networks
A team of researchers from the Beijing Institute of Technology has introduced an innovative design method for active multi-beam antennas, which could be a key component in future 6G satellite networks. This new approach seeks to address the significant limitations of traditional multi-beam antenna technologies, particularly in meeting the demanding requirements of Very High Throughput Satellite
Astroscale Japan to lead Phase II of JAXA's Space Debris Removal Initiative
Astroscale Japan Inc. ("Astroscale Japan"), a subsidiary of Astroscale Holdings Inc. ("Astroscale"), has been awarded a contract by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to lead Phase II of JAXA's Commercial Removal of Debris Demonstration (CRD2) program. This program is among the first global initiatives aimed at demonstrating the removal of large-scale debris from Earth's orbit. The co
How students learn to fly NASA's IXPE spacecraft
The large wall monitor displaying a countdown shows 17 seconds when Amelia "Mia" De Herrera-Schnering tells her teammates "We have AOS," meaning "acquisition of signal." "Copy that, thank you," Alexander Pichler replies. The two are now in contact with NASA's IXPE (Imaging X-Ray Polarimeter Explorer) spacecraft, transmitting science data from IXPE to a ground station and making sure the do
Milky Way navigation in dung beetles inspires advanced drone and satellite systems
An insect that has been navigating using the Milky Way for 130 million years is now inspiring innovations in drone, robot, and satellite navigation systems. The dung beetle, known for its unique ability to steer using the stars, was identified in 2013 as the first species to utilize the Milky Way for nocturnal navigation. Swedish researchers made this discovery, observing that the beetles
UAE's first SAR satellite launched by Bayanat and Yahsat
Bayanat AI PLC (ADX: BAYANAT), a leader in AI-powered geospatial solutions, and Al Yah Satellite Communications Company PJSC (ADX: Yahsat), the UAE's premier satellite services provider, have successfully launched the nation's first Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite. The launch took place on August 16, 2024, in collaboration with ICEYE, a frontrunner in SAR satellite
Polaris Revealed to Have Spotted Surface in New Detailed Observations
New research conducted with Georgia State University's Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy (CHARA) Array has unveiled intricate details about the North Star, Polaris, including a spotted surface. The findings have been published in *The Astrophysical Journal*. Polaris, the star marking the direction of Earth's North Pole, is renowned not only as a navigation beacon but also as a s