Copernical Team
NASA Experiment Sheds Light on Highly Charged Moon Dust
Researchers are studying data from a recent suborbital flight test to better understand lunar regolith, or Moon dust, and its potentially damaging effects as NASA prepares to send astronauts back to the lunar surface under the Artemis campaign. The experiment, developed jointly by NASA and the University of Central Florida, sheds light on how these abrasive dust grains interact with astronauts,
LeoLabs names Tony Frazier as CEO to expand its role in global space operations
In a strategic move poised to significantly impact the landscape of space situational awareness and safety, LeoLabs, a front-runner in monitoring space activity, has announced the appointment of Tony Frazier as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). With a storied career at the confluence of commercial space ventures and national security, Frazier's leadership is expected to catalyze LeoLabs' gr
Japan's SLIM moon responds after outlasting 'lunar night'
Japan's Aerospace Exploration Agency said very early Monday they have regained communication with the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon exploration vehicle after nearly a month. The Japanese space agency said on social media minutes after 12 a.m. local time that after sending a command to the machine, known as SLIM, a response had unexpectedly been received back. "Confirming th
NASA's Planetary Radar Images Slowly Spinning Asteroid
On Feb. 2, a large asteroid safely drifted past Earth at a distance of about 1.8 million miles (2.9 million kilometers, or 7 0.5 times the distance between Earth and the Moon). There was no risk of the asteroid - called 2008 OS7 - impacting our planet, but scientists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California used a powerful radio antenna to better determine the size, rotation,
Chang'e 6 and new rockets highlight China's packed 2024 space agenda
China has announced plans to undertake around 100 space launch missions within the year, setting a new precedent for its national space industry's activity levels. This ambitious agenda, disclosed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp (CASC), the leading state-owned space contractor, at a news conference in Beijing, underscores China's accelerating pace in the global space race.
GPS war: Israel's battle to keep drones flying and enemies baffled
Omer Sharar had just received the first delivery of his new GPS anti-jamming technology when Hamas militants attacked Israel on October 7. Since then he and his team at InfiniDome, a start-up based in Caesarea, north of Tel Aviv, have been working around the clock to prevent the Israeli army's mini-drones from being intercepted by cheap and simple jamming in Gaza. Israel - one of the wo
Mining Into Mineral King: Sols 4110-4111
The planning team came in after the weekend to see another beautiful Martian drill hole on the target Mineral King! Mineral King is named after a silver mining district in Sequoia National Park, California. This was a pretty odd-looking rock, with the big overhanging ledges and several different colors, so we were all pretty anxious to see the drilling results. Fortunately, the rock was strong e
Under pressure - space exploration in our time
A new paradigm is taking shape in the space industry as the countries and entities accessing space continue to grow and diversify. This dynamic landscape creates both competition and potential for scientific collaboration, as well as the challenges and opportunities of progress. In the past decade, humanity has seen the birth and expansion of a commercial space sector with new, private pla
Multi-Orbit Strategy Takes Flight as Avanti and Telesat Sign Groundbreaking MOU
In a significant stride toward revolutionizing global broadband connectivity, Avanti Communications has announced a strategic partnership with Telesat (NASDAQ and TSX: TSAT), a leading name in satellite services. This collaboration, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), is set to spearhead the development and testing of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) services, marking a pivotal componen
From City Streets to Remote Peaks: Thuraya's SKYPHONE Promises Global Connectivity
Thuraya Telecommunications Company has introduced at Mobile World Congress 2024 the SKYPHONE by Thuraya. This innovative device is heralded as the world's most powerful consumer smartphone, offering unparalleled satellite connectivity for both consumers and businesses. The launch marks a pivotal moment in mobile telecommunications, blending the everyday functionality of a smartphone with the exp