Copernical Team
New Proposal Redefines Planetary Criteria Beyond Our Solar System
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Planetary scientists are suggesting an updated definition of a planet to replace the current, sun-centric one deemed outdated by many researchers. Established in 2006 by the International Astronomical Union (IAU), the existing definition states that a celestial body must orbit the sun within our solar system to be classified as a planet.
However, scientists recognize the prevalence of cele Building a Digital Preview of the Universe
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Imagine gazing into the night sky and observing millions of galaxies spanning a vast expanse of space. Consider the thrill of searching for exoplanets or witnessing the explosive deaths of stars.
In the upcoming years, two U.S.-funded telescopes will make these observations possible. Ahead of their operational debut, a Duke researcher is spearheading an initiative under the OpenUniverse pr NASA Evaluates Electrical Components for Europa Clipper Mission
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Launch preparations for NASA's Europa Clipper mission are moving forward. The spacecraft, which arrived at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida in May, recently had its high-gain antenna installed.
"Engineers with NASA's Europa Clipper mission continue to conduct extensive testing of transistors that help control the flow of electricity on the spacecraft." This follows concerns that thes China's Tianwen 2 Mission Targets Asteroid and Comet Exploration
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China's Tianwen 2 probe is set to launch aboard a Long March 3B rocket in May 2025. This mission aims to collect samples from a near-Earth asteroid and deliver them to Earth, followed by a journey to study a comet in deep space.
The probe's first target is the near-Earth asteroid 469219, known as Kamo'oalewa in Hawaiian. After reaching the asteroid, Tianwen 2 will perform remote sensing
Hera's Propulsion System Passes Critical Leak Test
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ESA's Hera asteroid mission, designed for planetary defense, has successfully undergone a crucial phase in its test campaign by being placed back in its transport container.
The spacecraft will remain at the ESTEC Test Centre in Noordwijk, the Netherlands, until the end of August. During this period, Hera's container was used for a global leak test to confirm the integrity of its propulsio i-Space Rocket Test Faces Setback with SQX-1 Y8 Launch
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The recent test flight of the SQX-1 Y8, a commercial carrier rocket developed by the Chinese private aerospace firm i-Space, ended in failure on Thursday.
The rocket launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 7:40 am Beijing Time. Shortly after liftoff, the SQX-1 Y8 exhibited abnormal performance, leading to an unsuccessful mission.
The SQX-1, also known Leidos secures $476M NASA contract for ISS and Artemis Cargo Support
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Leidos (NYSE: LDOS) has been awarded a significant contract to continue providing cargo mission engineering and integration services for NASA's International Space Station (ISS) Program and Artemis campaign. The contract, which holds a total potential value of $476 million, includes a base performance period of two years. The primary work will be conducted at Leidos' facilities in Webster, Texas Virgin Galactic Unveils New Spaceship Manufacturing Facility in Arizona
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Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SPCE) has announced the completion of a new manufacturing facility in Phoenix, Arizona. This facility will handle the final assembly of the Company's next-generation Delta spaceships, with production slated to start in Q1 2025.
The initial team, comprising Virgin Galactic's technical operations and manufacturing personnel, is currently preparing the fa Real-life 'stillsuit': Dune-inspired upgrade for spacesuits allow astronauts to recycle urine into water
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Astronauts on spacewalks famously have to relieve themselves inside their spacesuits. Not only is this uncomfortable for the wearer and unhygienic, it is also wasteful, as—unlike wastewater on board the International Space Station (ISS)—the water in urine from spacewalks is not recycled.
A solution for these challenges would be full-body 'stillsuits' like those in the blockbuster Dune franchise, which absorbed and purified water lost through sweating and urination, and recycled it into drinkable water. Now, this sci-fi is about to become reality, with a prototype novel urine collection and filtration system for spacesuits.
The design, by researchers from Cornell University, is published in Frontiers in Space Technology.
"The design includes a vacuum-based external catheter leading to a combined forward-reverse osmosis unit, providing a continuous supply of potable water with multiple safety mechanisms to ensure astronaut well-being," said Sofia Etlin, a research staff member at Weill Cornell Medicine and Cornell University, and the study's first author.
Ariane 6 defies gravity in breathtaking first flight
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Ariane 6 defies gravity in breathtaking first flight