Copernical Team
Zoom into the first page of ESA Euclid’s great cosmic atlas
On 15 October 2024, ESA’s Euclid space mission reveals the first piece of its great map of the Universe, showing millions of stars and galaxies.
Navigation tech for the future of mobility
Where would we be without our GNSS-enabled car navigation systems or navigation apps on our smartphone? Space technology, particularly global navigation satellite systems like the European Galileo, is the backbone of today's mobility and transport.
But are current technologies and systems enough to meet the evolving mobility needs of the future? The European Space Agency is closely monitoring emerging technology trends and staying ahead of the curve, designing and developing the future of Galileo and EGNOS, and conceiving new missions and programmes so that European space technology continues to serve the demands of an increasingly interconnected and mobile world.
Lunar Pathfinder for lunar connection
Using roaches to minimise waste in space
Waste management is a critical challenge for spaceflight. But what if the waste produced by astronauts could be sustainably transformed into something valuable in space? A Polish company thought about that and has come up an innovative solution: an insect bioreactor powered by Madagascar cockroaches.
IAC 2024 - Day 2
VISIMO to Test Autonomous AI System for Spacecraft Decision Support
VISIMO, a technology company based in Pittsburgh, PA, will test its autonomous AI system designed for decision support on an upcoming mission conducted by ABOVE Space Development Corporation, a company known for developing adaptable space platforms for commercial and defense sectors. Deep-space missions present significant challenges, requiring spacecraft to handle unforeseen issues and sy
New quantum clock combines multiple atomic timekeepers
Imagine a room filled with grandfather clocks, each ticking at a unique pace. Scientists at the University of Colorado Boulder and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have created an atomic-scale equivalent of that scene. Their work may lead to new types of optical atomic clocks, which track time by measuring the natural oscillations of atoms. The new quantum clock, b
Islands of regularity emerge in the complex three-body problem
When three massive objects encounter one another in space, their gravitational interactions are typically unpredictable and chaotic. However, a new discovery from a University of Copenhagen researcher suggests that these encounters can sometimes follow regular patterns, defying the conventional understanding of chaos. This finding could significantly enhance our knowledge of gravitational waves
Mathematics Behind AI-Powered Space Travel Risk Assessment Models
As space travel evolves from governmental projects to commercial enterprises, the safety of astronauts and spacecraft becomes a top priority. But with increasing complexity comes a pressing need for advanced risk assessment models. Traditional calculations can fall short in predicting space travel risks, as conditions in space are exceptionally unpredictable. Enter Artificial Intelligence (AI),
X-37B Spacecraft Begins Pioneering Aerobraking Maneuver
The United States Space Force's X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV-7) has initiated a novel aerobraking maneuver to adjust its orbit around Earth and safely dispose of service module components, adhering to space debris mitigation guidelines. Since December 28, 2023, the X-37B has been involved in radiation experiments and Space Domain Awareness technology testing, with support from the Air Force R