Copernical Team
SpaceX equals 2021′s launch total with current Starlink
SpaceX managed a record 31 launches in 2021, but its more-than-weekly pace in 2022 including a launch Sunday morning let it match that record less than seven months into the year.
A Falcon 9 rocket carrying 53 more of its Starlink internet satellites to orbit lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's Space Launch Complex 40 at 10:20 a.m. Eastern Time.
This is the third time SpaceX used a first-stage booster for a record 13th time, with this booster having previously flown on Crew Dragon's first demonstration mission, the RADARSAT Constellation Mission, SXM-7 and nine Starlink missions. It's notably also been used at all three of SpaceX's launch facilities, having also taken off from Kennedy Space Center and Vandenberg Space Force Base on missions responsible for bringing nearly 600 payloads to space.
The majority of this year's launches have been in support of the growing Starlink internet constellation, which is now active in around 40 markets around the world. This marks the 17th Starlink launch of the year and 52nd Starlink launch since the first operational deployment in 2019, with more than 2,800 satellites sent to orbit.
The 570-pound satellites orbit at around 341 miles altitude.
How reduced gravity affects astronauts' muscles and nerve responses
Among the many functions performed by skeletal muscles, an important one is maintaining our posture. If it weren't for these muscles, Earth's gravitational pull may make it difficult for us to stand and walk around. The group of muscles—mostly present in our limbs, back, and neck—which are responsible for maintaining our posture and allowing us to move against the force of gravity are rightly called "anti-gravity" muscles.
But what happens to these muscles when there is no gravity (or an "unloading" of gravitational force) for them to work against? The question might sound ridiculous to some, but not to an astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS). In outer space, where gravity is minimal, our muscles (especially the anti-gravitational ones) are not used as much, which might result in their atrophy and changes to their structure and properties. In fact, human calf muscles are known to reduce in volume during a flight in space.
To get artificial gravity on the moon, you'd need a giant rotating lunar base
Living and working in space for extended periods of time presents a number of challenges. These include radiation, as locations beyond Earth's protective magnetosphere are exposed to greater levels of solar and cosmic rays. There's also the need for self-sufficiency since lunar or Martian bases are too far to rely on regular resupply missions like the International Space Station (ISS). Last, there's the issue of low gravity, which is especially pressing for long-term missions and habitats beyond Earth. If humanity's future truly lies in space, we must devise solutions to this issue in advance.
A popular idea is to create rotating habitats in space that simulate artificial gravity, like the Pinwheel Station or the O'Neill Cylinder. Another proposal by a team of Japanese researchers calls for something bolder: a rotating habitat on the moon. On July 5, representatives from Kyoto University and the Kajima Corporation (one of the oldest and largest construction companies in Japan) announced that they would be partnering to conduct a study on this concept and how it could make humanity's plans for living on the moon and Mars a reality.
The secrets of Jupiter
Discover the top five mysteries that ESA’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) mission will solve.
Jupiter, its magnetic environment, and its moons form one of the most intriguing systems in the Solar System. Juice, planned for launch in 2023 and arrival at Jupiter in 2031, will reveal more about this fascinating planet and its natural satellites.
Third Tianlian II-series satellite launched
China launched a Tianlian II-series satellite early on Wednesday morning to form a global network of the country's second-generation relay satellites. A Long March 3B carrier rocket blasted off at 12:29 am from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwestern China's Sichuan province and then placed the Tianlian II-03 satellite into a geostationary orbit, according to China Aerospace Sc
Rocket Lab launches first of 2 Responsive Space Missions for NRO
Rocket Lab USA, Inc (Nasdaq: RKLB) has launched the first of two responsive space missions for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). Following lift-off of NROL-162 ("Wise One Looks Ahead") from Pad A at Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 at 06:30 UTC, July 13, 2022, Electron successfully delivered the NRO's national security payload to space. In partnership with the Australian Department of D
Rocket Lab supports significant milestone for DARPA and SDA for Mandrake-2 Mission
Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) has supported a significant milestone for Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the Space Development Agency's (SDA) Mandrake-2 mission. In June, the two Mandrake-2 spacecraft, Able and Baker, successfully demonstrated closing and maintaining an optical communications link for the full test duration of 40 minutes at a range of 114 km. In
SKYNET 6A satellite passes Critical Design Review
Airbus has achieved a key milestone with the successful completion of the Critical Design Review (CDR) of the UK Ministry of Defence's (MOD) next secure military communications satellite, SKYNET 6A. Richard Franklin, Managing Director of Airbus Defence and Space UK said: "Achieving this crucial milestone is tangible proof that in partnership with Defence Digital in the Ministry of Defence
Space Systems Command awards GPS support contract to Lockheed Martin
Space Systems Command awarded Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company the contract to deliver operations and sustainment support services for the Global Positioning System IIR/IIR-M/III/IIIF. The support contract provides specialized sustainment services to maintain the GPS IIR/IIR-M/III/IIIF space vehicles and signal in space, and meet evolving requirements for a resilient system for the joint wa
MDA awarded contract by York Space Systems
has been awarded a contract from York Space Systems. The contract will see MDA design and build Ka-Band steerable antennas for satellites to be produced by York Space Systems. "We're excited to establish this new relationship for satellite systems with York Space Systems to support important space security and communications constellations," said Mike Greenley, CEO of MDA. "This contract r