Copernical Team
Lunar science entering new phase with commercial missions to conduct research
For the first time since 1972, NASA is putting science experiments on the Moon in 2024. And thanks to new technologies and public-private partnerships, these projects will open up new realms of scientific possibility. As parts of several projects launching this year, teams of scientists, including myself, will conduct radio astronomy from the south pole and the far side of the Moon. NASA's
Lake deposits in Idaho give scientists insight into ancient traces of life on Mars
Does life exist elsewhere in the universe? If so, how do scientists search for and identify it? Finding life beyond Earth is extremely difficult, partly because other planets are so far away and partly because we are not sure what to look for. Yet, astrobiologists have learned a lot about how to find life in extraterrestrial environments, mainly by studying how and when the early Earth bec
Xihe Space Telescope Enhances Understanding of Solar Plasma Dynamics
Using spectral imaging data of China's first solar exploration satellite, Xihe, a group of Chinese physicists constructed three-dimensional velocity diagrams of two kinds of plasmas in the sun's atmosphere. In a significant advancement in space weather research, scientists from Nanjing University, utilizing observations from the Xihe space telescope, have made groundbreaking discoveries in the
Septentrio Unveils AntaRx-Si3 with Enhanced RTK Positioning and Multipath Mitigation
Septentrio, a leader in high-precision GNSS technology, recently announced the launch of its latest smart antenna, AntaRx-Si3. This innovative product is designed to deliver high-accuracy positioning with exceptional availability and integrity, catering especially to after-market upgrades with minimal installation effort. Danilo Sabbatini, the Product Manager of GNSS/INS at Septentrio, emphasize
China Mobile takes the lead with first 6G Test Satellite
China Mobile, in a pioneering move that marks a significant milestone in telecommunications technology, has successfully launched the world's first test satellite utilizing 6G design architecture. This launch, conducted on Saturday, positions China Mobile at the forefront of the next generation of wireless technology, further solidifying its status as a global telecom giant. Alongside the 6G sat
Space Force initiates MUOS Service Life Extension with Lockheed Martin design contract
The U.S. Space Force's Space Systems Command has taken a significant step towards enhancing global military communications by contracting Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] for the early design of two additional satellites under the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) Service Life Extension (SLE) program. With a firm-fixed-price agreement valued at $66 million, this initiative focuses on risk reduction
Reflectors in space could make solar farms on Earth work for longer every day
If you happened to be looking at the sky in Europe on a cold night on February 5 1993, there is a chance you could have seen a dim flash of light. That flash came from a Russian space mirror experiment called Znamya-2. Znamya-2 was a 20-metre reflective structure much like aluminium foil (Znamya means "banner" in Russian), unfurled from a spacecraft which had just undocked from the Russian
Korea's satnav system certified by national authorities and enters operational service
The Korea Augmentation Satellite System (KASS), a pivotal development in satellite navigation technology, has officially commenced operations following certification by Korean authorities. This marks a significant achievement in the collaborative effort between Thales Alenia Space, acting as the prime contractor, and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) under the aegis of the Korean Min
NASA is looking for commercial Mars missions. Do people still want to go to Mars?
Mars has been a source of myth, lore and inspiration since antiquity. It is also an interesting place to research - a legitimate candidate for us to find some form of alien life. Since the 1960s, Mars has been a popular destination for space missions. Now, for the first time, NASA has invited the private sector to submit proposals on commercial Mars missions. These missions would ran