Copernical Team
Exploring quantum gravity-for whom the pendulum swings
When it comes to a marriage with quantum theory, gravity is the lone holdout among the four fundamental forces in nature. The three others-the electromagnetic force, the weak force, which is responsible for radioactive decay, and the strong force, which binds neutrons and protons together within the atomic nucleus-have all merged with quantum theory to successfully describe the universe on the t
Dashcam detective work leads to recovery of space rocks from fireball over Slovenia
On 28 February 2020, at 10:30 CET, hundreds of people across Slovenia, Croatia, Italy, Austria and Hungary observed a bright ball of light hurtling across the morning sky. This delivery of rocks from a distant asteroid to the fields and villages of southern Slovenia was captured by cars' dashcams, security cameras, and even a cyclist's helmet. It is one of only around 40 fallen space rocks
US Space Force Commander claims Russia has armed satellite in orbit
Russia already has deployed in low-earth orbit a "nesting doll" satellite armed with a weapon that can destroy US satellites vital for communications, command and control and precision targeting, Space Force Commander General John Raymond said on Tuesday. "Russia has a nesting doll satellite [in orbit] to destroy US satellites, armed with a weapon to destroy US satellites," Raymond told th
CSO unveils Guardian Ideal, Space Force values at AFA
Chief of Space Operations Gen. John W. "Jay" Raymond unveiled the Guardian Ideal and Space Force values during his speech Sept. 20, 2021, at the Air Force Association Air, Space, and Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Maryland. The Guardian Ideal is the Space Force's foundational document outlining the service's boundary-pushing, innovative approach to talent management, from accession t
Glasgow Prestwick Spaceport announces Launch Partner
Prestwick Spaceport has secured a launch partner for its spaceport development in a landmark deal that will boost Scotland's space industry ambitions and create an important strategic asset for the UK. The spaceport, represented by Glasgow Prestwick Airport and South Ayrs0hire Council, yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Astraius, the leading UK based, commercially op
US Space Force to take over SATCOM operations from Army, Navy
The U.S. Space Force will take over satellite communications billets, funding and mission responsibility from the U.S. Army and Navy, the Department of Defense announced Wednesday. The transfer, which includes a total of 15 global units with 319 military and 259 civilian billets, is scheduled to be effective Oct. 1, if the Defense Department budget is passed and signed. "We're on
Delta-X helps with disaster response in wake of Hurricane Ida
Charged with studying the Mississippi River Delta, NASA's Delta-X project was gearing up to collect data on Louisiana's coastal wetlands when Hurricane Ida barreled ashore in late August. The storm - a high-end Category 4 when it made landfall near Port Fourchon, Louisiana, on Aug. 29 - damaged buildings and infrastructure alike, resulting in power outages, flooding, and oil slicks in the Gulf o
Raymond describes Space Force achievements, plans, challenges ahead
Chief of Space Operations, Gen. John W. "Jay" Raymond used a list of "firsts" and achievements across the Space Force's brief history Sept. 21 to illustrate how the nation's newest military service is "purpose built" for success at a time when the nation "can no longer take space for granted." "Space is clearly a warfighting domain and we're convinced that if deterrence were to fail, we're
Xplore receives $2M contract from NSIC to accelerate Xcraft Platform Development
Xplore Inc., a commercial space company providing Space as a Service, has announced it has received a $2M contract from National Security Innovation Capital (NSIC) within the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) of the Department of Defense (DoD). This funding will accelerate the development of the Xcraft spacecraft platform, culminating with launch in 2023. Lisa Rich, Founder and COO of Xplore s
All-female crew in water-tank spaceflight study
This week 20 women are tucking themselves in a waterbed for five days as part of a dry immersion study to recreate some of the effects of spaceflight on the body. The campaign kicked off yesterday with the first two subjects at the Medes space clinic in Toulouse, France.