Copernical Team
Quectel expands IoT offerings with launch of 5G and GNSS Anhgnnas
Quectel Wireless Solutions, a leader in the IoT industry, has announced the addition of new antennas to its product lineup, aimed at enhancing IoT device connectivity. Among the new releases are the YEMN016AA and YEMN017AA 5G 5-in-1 combination antennas, the YECN001J1A and YECT000WBA external 5G antennas, and the YEGB000Q1A and YEGN000Q1A active GNSS L1 and L5 antennas. Norbert Muhrer, Pre
NASA sets stage for Extended Lunar Exploration with Artemis IV and Gateway Station
In an ambitious expansion of lunar exploration, NASA's Artemis IV mission is working towards establishing the first human outpost in lunar orbit - the Gateway space station. This initiative, part of the broader Artemis campaign aimed at fostering long-term lunar exploration and serving as a springboard for Mars missions, follows the Artemis III mission's historic lunar south pole landing. Artemi
NASA collects 'space debris' that crashed into Florida man's home
NASA said Tuesday it was analyzing an object that crashed from the sky into a Florida man's home - which could well be a piece of debris jettisoned from the International Space Station. Alejandro Otero of Naples, Florida, posted on X that the item "tore through the roof and went (through) 2 floors" of his house, almost striking his son, on the afternoon of March 8. He believes it was a
Webb Telescope unveils first glimpse into planetary formation
In a major stride for astronomy, scientists utilizing the Webb Telescope, equipped with advanced infrared technology partly developed by the University of Arizona, have captured the first direct views of the materials shaping a young planetary system. This research is directly helping our understanding of how planets emerge from the dense interstellar dust and gas. At the UArizona Steward
The Persistent Ices of Kuiper Belt Object 486958 Arrokoth
Scientists at Brown University, in collaboration with the SETI Institute, have unveiled findings from a new study that may rewrite the narrative on the behavior and composition of distant solar system objects, particularly a Kuiper Belt Object known as 486958 Arrokoth, affectionately dubbed the "space snowman." The research highlights Arrokoth's ability to retain ancient ices within its co
An Intriguing Mess: Sols 4141-4143
Earth planning date: Friday, March 29, 2024: Curiosity is approaching an intriguing pile of rocks called "Hinman Col" - a poorly sorted collection of clasts located along the margin of Gediz Vallis ridge. We're hoping to get closer to this deposit over the weekend, to set up for contact science on the different rock types next week. In doing so, we hope to investigate where the different clasts
In first, US directs NASA to create lunar time standard
The White House announced Tuesday it is directing NASA to create a unified time standard for the Moon and other celestial bodies, as governments and private companies increasingly compete in space. With the United States keen to set international norms beyond Earth's orbit, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) instructed the US space agency to formulate a plan by th
Asteroid Bennu's samples available for global scientific scrutiny
In a significant advancement for space research, NASA's OSIRIS-REx team has made the asteroid Bennu samples accessible for global scientific investigation, a mere six months following their Earth arrival. Managed by NASA's Johnson Space Center, the unveiling of the OSIRIS-REx sample catalog marks a key moment, offering researchers worldwide the opportunity to delve into the composition of these
Continuing up the Channel: Sols 4139-4140
Earth planning date: Wednesday, March 27, 2024: As someone who studies planetary atmospheres, the geology of Curiosity's mission often flies straight over my head. I like to think that I've picked up some of the basics just through exposure, but sitting in with the geology team at the start of planning each day can sometimes still leave me feeling like I've forgotten how to swim seconds before b
VIPER rover hoists its Mast ahead of lunar mission
The NASA Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover, better known as VIPER, now boasts enhanced capabilities and a taller stature, courtesy of its newly raised mast. This mast, acting as the rover's "neck" and "head," is equipped with a comprehensive suite of instruments. These tools will aid the rover team, consisting of drivers and scientists operating in real-time, in navigating the luna