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Space News
Earthsky
1h
41
Image Credit: Earthsky
Latest sunsets follow the summer solstice
- The latest sunsets occur after the summer solstice because the day is more than 24 hours long at this time of the year.
- For the Northern Hemisphere, the latest sunsets and evening twilights are happening around late June and early July, with varying dates depending on the latitude.
- In the Northern Hemisphere, the longest day falls on the June solstice, with the latest sunsets around June 27 at 40 degrees north latitude and later dates farther north or south.
- In the Southern Hemisphere, the latest sunrises of the year occur in late June and early July.
- Clock time and sun time do not always align due to Earth's tilted axis and varying distance from the sun throughout the year.
- There are three types of twilight: civil, nautical, and astronomical, each defined by the sun's position below the horizon.
- North of 50 degrees north latitude, there is no true night in June, leading to phenomena like midnight twilight and the midnight sun.
- The discrepancy between solar time and clock time explains why the latest sunsets do not coincide with the longest day of the year.
- Mid-northern latitudes always experience the latest sunsets in late June due to the Earth's positioning in relation to the sun.
- Enjoy EarthSky's content by signing up for their free daily newsletter.
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Nasa
10h
157
Image Credit: Nasa
Week Starts with Pharma Research, Earth Observations, and Videography
- Pharmaceutical study, Earth observations, and vision checks were part of Monday's research schedule on the International Space Station.
- Astronaut Nichole Ayers conducted a study on protein behavior in a fluid using surface tension, which could benefit pharmaceutical manufacturing and 3D printing on Earth and in space.
- Flight Engineers Jonny Kim and Kirill Peskov underwent vision checks to monitor potential space-caused symptoms.
- Station Commander Takuya Onishi, along with others, filmed training videos for future crews to familiarize them with space station operations.
- NASA Flight Engineer Anne McClain and on-board astronauts reorganized cargo inside the Permanent Multipurpose Module.
- Kirill Peskov conducted video and photography tasks, capturing his crewmates' daily activities and Earth landmarks from space.
- Sergey Ryzhikov managed life support maintenance and inventory documenting inside the Zarya module.
- First-time space-flyer Alexey Zubritskiy assisted with life support maintenance duties in the Zvezda module.
- Activities were documented on the space station blog, @space_station, @ISS_Research, ISS Facebook, and ISS Instagram.
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Arstechnica
15h
73
Image Credit: Arstechnica
Crunch time—we’ll soon find out if Amazon’s launch providers are up to the job
- United Launch Alliance launched 27 broadband Internet satellites for Amazon, marking the second successful launch for Amazon's Project Kuiper, aiming to rival SpaceX's Starlink.
- The Atlas V rocket took off from Cape Canaveral and delivered the satellites into the targeted orbit of around 280 miles above Earth.
- Project Kuiper plans to have 3,232 satellites in low-Earth orbit for global coverage, with Amazon procuring over 80 launches from various providers.
- ULA secured the majority of launch contracts for Kuiper, with plans for Vulcan rockets to deploy 45 Kuiper satellites per flight in the future.
- Amazon also has launch contracts with Europe's Ariane 6 and Blue Origin's New Glenn rockets, although these newer rockets have limited flight history.
- SpaceX's Falcon 9, already operational with Starlink missions, is among Amazon's providers due to its proven cadence of frequent launches.
- ULA aims to increase launch capacity in Cape Canaveral to meet Amazon's demands, supported by Amazon's investment of $2 billion for manufacturing and launch upgrades.
- New infrastructure developments at Cape Canaveral, including additional hangars and launch platforms, are crucial for the success of Kuiper missions.
- Amazon faces a deadline to deploy at least 1,616 satellites by July 2026, with previous delays affecting the timeline, yet FCC extensions are possible.
- The article concludes that despite delays, momentum is key for Kuiper's success, anticipating FCC extensions and execution from Amazon and its launch providers.
- Amazon's satellite deployment plans are dependent on the progress and reliability of its chosen rocket providers to meet FCC requirements.
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Popsci
17h
183
Image Credit: Popsci
Deep space asteroid sample contains unexpected ingredient
- On December 5, 2020, a capsule from Japan’s Hayabusa2 spacecraft landed in the Australian outback with mineral samples from the asteroid Ryugu.
- Researchers found a mineral, djerfisherite, on Ryugu that challenges existing theories on the asteroid's formation.
- Ryugu is believed to have formed from an impact event with another asteroid and shares similarities with CI chondrite meteorites.
- Enstatite chondrites, like Ryugu, are rare and form in high-temperature regions of the solar system, unlike CI chondrites.
- The discovery of djerfisherite in Ryugu's mineral samples is compared to finding a tropical seed in Arctic ice.
- The presence of djerfisherite challenges the idea that Ryugu has a uniform composition.
- The researchers used electron microscopy to observe the djerfisherite, hinting at early solar system mixing or localized heterogeneous conditions on Ryugu.
- Djerfisherite forms at high temperatures, suggesting complex interactions in the early solar system's evolution.
- Further isotopic studies are planned to understand the origins of the minerals on Ryugu.
- Hayabusa2 is set to rendezvous with a new asteroid, 1998 KY, in 2031.
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Hackaday
18h
218
Image Credit: Hackaday
Eulogy for the Satellite Phone
- Satellite phones were essential in areas without cell service or during emergencies when cell towers were down.
- Early satellite phone systems, like Inmarsat's MARISAT, were mainly used for maritime communication in the late 1970s.
- Competing companies like Thuraya, Iridium, and GlobalStar emerged in the late 1990s in the satellite phone market.
- Iridium was known for introducing handheld satellite phones, with the first call made by U.S. Vice President Al Gore in 1998.
- Geosynchronous satellites required specific positioning for coverage while companies like Iridium opted for a constellation of moving satellites.
- Satellite phones faced challenges such as limited coverage in certain regions, indoor signal issues, and high costs.
- Prices for satellite phone services ranged from $7 to $10 per minute initially and later varied based on plans, averaging $50 to $150 per month.
- Satellite phones struggled to gain mass-market popularity due to coverage limitations, high costs, and signal interference.
- As technology advances, traditional satellite phone systems may give way to more accessible options, potentially integrating with regular cell phones.
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Nasa
19h
62
Image Credit: Nasa
NASA Tests New RS-25 Engine
- NASA tested RS-25 engine No. 20001 for almost eight-and-a-half minutes at Stennis Space Center, Mississippi.
- The engine firing duration matches that of RS-25 engines during SLS rocket launches for Artemis missions.
- Artemis aims for lunar exploration, space research, economic benefits, and laying the groundwork for Mars missions.
- Four RS-25 engines from L3Harris Technologies power each SLS launch, generating a total of 2 million pounds of thrust.
- During the test, engine No. 20001 was fired at 111% power, the thrust level required for an SLS launch with the Orion spacecraft.
- The recent test was the first since NASA certified new production RS-25 engines in 2024.
- All RS-25 engines undergo testing at NASA Stennis before flight usage.
- The test involved a collaborative effort by NASA, L3Harris, and Syncom Space Services operators.
- The successful test reinforces readiness for upcoming SLS launches and Artemis missions.
- The test signals progress in NASA's preparations for lunar exploration and future crewed missions to Mars.
- The engine tests at Stennis are integral to ensuring performance and reliability for space missions.
- The RS-25 engines play a crucial role in NASA's Space Launch System and deep space exploration goals.
- The test validated the engine's power and functionality for future missions to the Moon and Mars.
- The recent test highlights the ongoing advancements in NASA's space exploration programs.
- NASA's testing procedures at Stennis Space Center contribute to the agency's mission success and technological advancements.
- The latest RS-25 engine test demonstrates NASA's dedication to advancing space exploration capabilities.
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Knowridge
7h
276
Image Credit: Knowridge
Why rocky planets form early
- When a young star forms, a protoplanetary disk of gas and dust forms around it, providing insights into planet formation.
- ALMA, a powerful radio telescope system, tracks the evolution of protoplanetary disks and gas to dust ratio changes.
- The AGE-PRO program, using ALMA, observed 30 young disks in different evolutionary phases, revealing how gases evolve.
- Gas giants and ice giants need to form relatively quickly, while rocky planets take longer to develop in protoplanetary disks.
- The gas to dust ratio in disks changes over time, with gas mass rapidly decreasing in the first million years.
- ALMA's observations show differences in evolutionary timescales of gas and dust, impacting planet formation.
- Future studies aim to explore a broader range of disk ages and environmental conditions to deepen understanding.
- The JWST complements ALMA by observing warmer disk regions, aiding in studying rocky planet formation.
- The research by the AGE-PRO team sheds light on the complex process of planet formation in protoplanetary disks.
- Understanding the evolution of protoplanetary disks is crucial for unraveling the mysteries of planet formation in young solar systems.
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Knowridge
8h
42
Image Credit: Knowridge
There’s ice on Mars, just under the surface
- Mars, Earth’s neighboring planet, is a major focus for future exploration.
- Recent discovery of water ice just below Mars' surface by researchers led by Erica Luzzi.
- Water ice found less than one meter below the surface in Mars’ Amazonis Planitia region.
- Discovery made using high-resolution satellite images from Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.
- Amazonis Planitia region deemed ideal for future missions due to its sunlight and ice deposits.
- Water on Mars crucial for sustaining human life and providing resources for missions.
- In situ resource utilization of Martian water seen as vital for self-sufficient missions.
- Importance of water for drinking, oxygen production, and rocket fuel highlighted.
- Ice discovery has implications for astrobiology and search for life beyond Earth.
- Physical confirmation of ice deposits and further analysis still required.
- Future radar analysis and drilling missions planned to verify ice presence on Mars.
- Research in Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets provides stepping stone for Mars human exploration.
- Clearer understanding of Mars' ice deposits aids in planning future human missions.
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Nasa
9h
0
Image Credit: Nasa
NASA Shares Axiom Mission 4 Launch Update
- NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX have announced the launch update for the Axiom Mission 4 to the International Space Station.
- The crew for the Axiom Mission 4 includes Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla from India, Commander Peggy Whitson from the U.S., as well as Mission Specialists from Poland and Hungary.
- The launch is scheduled for 2:31 a.m. EDT on June 25 from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
- The crew will travel to the space station on a new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft carried by Falcon 9 rocket, with docking targeted for approximately 7 a.m. on June 26.
- NASA will provide additional information and coverage details.
- To follow station activities, visit the space station blog, @space_station, @ISS_Research on X, ISS Facebook, and ISS Instagram.
- For weekly updates from NASA, subscribe to their newsletter.
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The Robot Report
11h
248
VC reflects on robotics trade show season
- May and June were significant months for robotics in the U.S. with trade shows in Boston, Detroit, Houston, and Atlanta showcasing new technologies.
- Automate, organized by A3, highlighted the positive impact of robots on job creation and productivity.
- Interest in Cambrian Robotics surged with demonstrations of advanced AI-infused technologies at trade shows.
- Startups like Kinisi and Nexus Intelligence showcased innovative AI-driven robotics solutions at Automate.
- Xponential in Houston revealed advancements in defense technology with a focus on autonomous systems and drones.
- The relation between startups and the military has transformed, with significant investment in defense tech companies like Anduril.
- Anduril's success in securing a substantial funding round reflects the potential growth in the defense tech market.
- Palmer Luckey discussed Anduril's development of autonomous fighter jets for the U.S. Air Force.
- The robotics trade show season concluded in Boston with Robotics Tech Week, featuring discussions on industry growth and technological advancements.
- Oliver Mitchell's book launch at MassRobotics signified a reflection on the industry's progress and future prospects.
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Guardian
15h
318
Image Credit: Guardian
Giant asteroid could crash into moon in 2032, firing debris towards Earth
- A giant asteroid, Asteroid 2024 YR4, may collide with the moon in 2032, potentially sending lunar debris towards Earth, creating a vivid meteor shower and posing risks to satellites.
- The asteroid initially had a 3% chance of hitting Earth, triggering a planetary defense response, but later observations lowered the probability to a negligible 0.0017% for Earth while raising it to 4.3% for the moon.
- Researchers simulated the impact, predicting the creation of a 1km crater on the moon and the launch of millions of kilograms of debris toward Earth, arriving days later.
- The resulting meteor shower could be visible and spectacular, with some debris posing a hazard to satellites, spacecraft, and astronauts.
- The impact would release a significant amount of energy comparable to a large nuclear explosion.
- Nasa and other space agencies focus on tracking near-Earth asteroids and comets but consider the moon secondary. A test conducted by Nasa in 2022 successfully diverted an asteroid's orbit.
- Despite concerns of altering the moon's orbit, Nasa ruled out this scenario after reassessing the asteroid's size in April 2022.
- Asteroid 2024 YR4 orbits the sun and will not be observable until 2028 for further assessment.
- Researchers suggest extending planetary defense strategies to cover threats from distant regions in space.
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Nasa
16h
18
Image Credit: Nasa
Clay Minerals From Mars’ Most Ancient Past?
- Recent detections of clay-bearing bedrock on Jezero’s crater rim by the Perseverance Science Team has sparked excitement and a desire to sample.
- Perseverance rover captured an image of the Laknes abrasion on the Krokodillen plateau, showing clay-bearing bedrock on the outer slopes of the Jezero crater rim.
- The SuperCam instrument detected signatures of clay-minerals, known as phyllosilicates, which form through interactions between basaltic rocks and liquid water.
- These phyllosilicates are adept at preserving organic materials by adsorbing or encapsulating them within their mineral structure.
- The clay-bearing rocks in this region around Jezero are believed to date back to Mars’ Noachian period, around 4 billion years ago, suggesting a warmer and wetter past for Mars.
- Perseverance sampled the Strong Island abrasion patch in April and has since been exploring the clay-bearing unit more extensively, creating the Laknes abrasion on Sol 1526.
- Initial data suggests variability in the clay signature across the Krokodillen plateau, prompting further geological context establishment and sampling site selection by the Science Team.
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Nasa
16h
263
Image Credit: Nasa
NASA Intern Took Career from Car Engines to Cockpits
- NASA intern Sara Culbertson transitioned from the auto industry to helping air taxis at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center.
- Culbertson supports NASA's Air Mobility Pathfinders project as a flight operations engineer intern.
- She has a background in mechanical engineering and earned multiple degrees in engineering and fine arts.
- She worked in quality control in the auto industry before joining aeronautics.
- Culbertson emphasizes the importance of GPS and navigation verification in aviation testing.
- She is a musician and has performed in various bands and orchestras.
- Culbertson's NASA Pathways internship led to her acceptance into a Master of Science in Flight Test Engineering program.
- Her advice to newcomers is to listen more than talk and focus on being great at the current job.
- During her internship, Culbertson contributes to NASA's Urban Air Mobility research and electric vertical takeoff landing aircraft evaluation.
- Saré Culbertson's journey showcases that passion and persistence open doors to new opportunities.
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Nasa
18h
73
Image Credit: Nasa
NASA Fosters Innovative, Far-Out Tech for the Future of Aerospace
- NASA's NIAC program nurtures innovative aerospace concepts that could revolutionize the industry and support future missions, including Mars exploration and deep space travel.
- Researchers are exploring systems to separate oxygen and hydrogen gas bubbles in microgravity, detoxify water on Mars, and mitigate deep space radiation exposure using innovative technologies.
- One study focuses on regenerative perchlorate reduction systems to remove toxic chemicals from Martian water, enhancing human survival and facilitating long-term habitation.
- Mitochondria replacement therapy is being investigated to combat radiation damage in space, potentially reducing risks for crewed Mars missions and offering health benefits on Earth.
- Engineers are developing digital thread technology to create custom spacesuits for Mars missions, ensuring crew safety and mobility during exploratory endeavors.
- NIAC concepts not only push boundaries in space exploration, including Mars and beyond, but also hold potential for addressing age-related diseases and enhancing space economy collaborations.
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