Copernical Team
Researchers develop a test bed for separating valuable material on the moon
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It's often better to flesh out technologies fully on Earth's surface before they're used in space. That is doubly true if that technology is part of the critical infrastructure keeping astronauts alive on the moon.
Since that infrastructure will undoubtedly use in-situ resources—known as in-situ resource utilization (ISRU)—developing test beds here on Earth for those ISRU processes is critical to derisking the technologies before they're used on a mission.
That's the plan for a test bed designed by researchers at the German Aerospace Center in Bremen—they designed it to improve how well we gather water and oxygen from lunar regolith. Unfortunately, as their work described in a recent paper published in Frontiers in Space Technologies demonstrates, it will be a challenge to do so.
Water and oxygen are two critical components of any long-term lunar exploration plan.
August's supermoon kicks off four months of lunar spectacles. Here's how to watch
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The first of four supermoons this year rises next week, providing tantalizing views of Earth's constant companion.
Stargazers can catch the first act Monday as the full moon inches a little closer than usual, making it appear slightly bigger and brighter in the night sky.
"I like to think of the supermoon as a good excuse to start looking at the moon more regularly," said Noah Petro, project scientist for NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.
August's supermoon kicks off a string of lunar spectacles. September's supermoon will coincide with a partial lunar eclipse.
International astronomy group joins calls for a lunar clock to keep time on the moon
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Time moves a tad faster on the moon. Now an international group of astronomers has joined calls to give the moon its own clock so that future space missions can keep track of minutes on the celestial body.
The International Astronomical Union voted Thursday encouraging space organizations across the globe to collaborate on a timekeeping standard for the moon, where one day lasts 29.5 Earth days.
"That's the crux of our resolution: to work together to establish this standard time," U.S. Naval Observatory's Susan Stewart said this week at the group's conference in Cape Town, South Africa.
Satellites are making the night sky brighter—as a launch site, NZ has a duty to combat light pollution
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New Zealand's space sector has been developing rapidly since the first rocket lifted off in 2017. It now contributes about NZ$1.7 billion in revenue, with plans to grow to $10 billion by 2030.
Last year, New Zealand hosted seven rocket launches, all by the US-listed but local company Rocket Lab. It was in response to Rocket Lab's initial proposal for a launch site that New Zealand developed a regulatory system from scratch in less than two years to meet obligations under international law.
All launch nations have to register every object they send into space, and continue to supervise those objects to ensure no damage or loss occurs to another country's objects or activities. They also have a responsibility to compensate for any harm.
As well, countries must prevent contamination of outer space and Earth's environment, and ensure space activity does not interfere with other countries' rights to free access and participation.
Innovative Sound-Based System Enhances Wind Measurement on Mars
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Mars presents a challenging environment for measuring wind speeds due to its extreme temperatures, thin atmosphere, and dusty terrain. Traditional methods, such as gauging the cooling rate of heated materials or using cameras to observe "tell-tales" swayed by the wind, have provided valuable data on Martian weather. However, as plans to send astronauts to the red planet progress, there is a grow Evidence of Hydration Found on Asteroid Psyche by SwRI-Led Team
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A team led by the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has identified hydroxyl molecules on the surface of the metallic asteroid Psyche using data from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope. The discovery of these hydrated minerals suggests that Psyche has a more complex history than previously understood, providing key insights as NASA's Psyche spacecraft makes its way to the asteroid, currently orb NASA Opens Submissions for 2025 Human Lander Challenge Targeting Cryogenic Solutions
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NASA's Human Lander Challenge (HuLC) is now accepting submissions for its second year. As part of NASA's Artemis campaign, which aims to return astronauts to the Moon and prepare for future Mars missions, the agency is seeking innovative ideas from college and university students. This year, the focus is on developing cryogenic propellant technologies for human landing systems.
For the 202 Maritime Launch Services Partners with Global Launch Vehicle Developer for Orbital Launches at Spaceport Nova Scotia
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Maritime Launch Services Inc. (Cboe CA: MAXQ, OTCQB: MAXQF) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a leading international launch vehicle operator to initiate the deployment of a small-class orbital vehicle from Spaceport Nova Scotia.
This MOU is a pivotal development for Canada's growing role in global space activities, enhancing Spaceport Nova Scotia's position as a premier New Interactive TEMPO Data Story Offers Public Access to Air Quality Information
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NASA and the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard and Smithsonian have announced the public availability of "high-quality, near real-time air quality data" from NASA's TEMPO (Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring of Pollution) mission. Launched on May 30, 2024, this data release is part of an ongoing effort to enhance public understanding of air quality. The NASA Science Activation program's Cosmic Da Viasat Enhances L-TAC Satellite Service with On-Demand Features
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Viasat, Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global leader in satellite communications, has introduced the next phase of its L-band tactical satellite service, L-TAC, offering new capabilities that allow users to access the service on-demand when and where needed. The L-TAC service, facilitated through Viasat's extensive L-band network, connects radio users and command centers across the globe by utilizing ta 
