Articles tagged with Rockets
Researchers analyzed infrasound signals from the Blue Origin explosion to confirm the time and location of the event and estimate its yield. The study demonstrates the potential of infrasound analysis in monitoring launch anomalies and provides valuable information on liquid methane rocket fuel.
Southwest Research Institute's PaSTA technology stabilizes solar arrays for spacecraft docking, while ALTRIOS simulates locomotive energy technologies for efficient rail systems. Both innovations were recognized as two of the most important of 2026.
Researchers at Texas A&M University are designing how humans will build and survive on the moon, focusing on sustainable construction using lunar regolith. The institution's efforts aim to reduce costs associated with shipping materials to the moon, making it possible to produce rocket propellant locally.
A new study finds that satellite launch pollution will account for nearly half of the total climate impact of space sector pollution by the end of the decade. The potent air pollution generated by megaconstellations lingers in the upper atmosphere, decreasing sunlight and having a 500-fold greater impact on the climate.
A study detected a sudden increase in lithium atoms in the lower thermosphere, attributing it to the uncontrolled re-entry of a Falcon 9 rocket stage. The researchers used lidar technology to measure the concentration of lithium atoms and found that natural atmospheric processes were highly unlikely to be the source.
The Universidad Carlos III de Madrid has been awarded two prestigious ERC Consolidator Grants to tackle major challenges in space propulsion and social mobility. The ROCINANTE project will develop more efficient space thrusters, while the EXKIN project will study intergenerational mobility and inequality.
A study by Francisco Polidoro Jr. found that NASA's space shuttle design process used a meandering knowledge-building approach, combining oscillation and accumulation to create breakthroughs. This process can be applied to other fields, such as pharmaceuticals, where temporary setbacks can lead to new discoveries.
The Aerospace Team Graz took first place at the European Rocketry Challenge in Portugal with its ISPIDA hybrid rocket, scoring 938 out of 1000 points. The team's success was attributed to its strong interdisciplinary collaboration and expertise in rocket design and propulsion systems.
CCOR-2 is designed to provide high-fidelity coronal imaging and detect Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) closer to the solar disk. This will enable accurate measurements of coronal density and velocity, ultimately improving space weather forecasting capabilities.
The Solar EruptioN Integral Field Spectrograph (SNIFS) mission will study the energy dynamics of the Sun's chromosphere, a complex region that powers solar flares. By analyzing spectral lines, scientists hope to better understand how energy moves through the chromosphere and improve space weather forecasting.
A team of UVA engineering students is testing a novel, low-cost design for hypersonic research using a miniature spacecraft technology. If successful, the project could save millions of dollars per test flight and pave the way for future academic research in hypersonic flight.
Researchers at POSTECH developed a nickel-based high-entropy alloy that maintains strength and ductility across a wide temperature range from -196°C to 600°C. This stability is attributed to the presence of nanoscale precipitates, which inhibit deformation and accommodate stress through consistent slip behavior.
The ISS National Lab's new podcast, 'Between a Rocket & a Hard Space', offers exclusive insights from scientists, engineers, and visionaries on the future of space research. The first episode explores the groundbreaking science happening on the International Space Station, including its impact on medicine, technology, and industry.
The AWESOME mission seeks to reveal how auroral substorms affect the behavior and composition of Earth's far upper atmosphere, potentially upending a long-held theory about the aurora's interaction with the thermosphere.
The NRL-developed Narrow Field Imager is a compact coronagraph that will image the transition of the Sun's atmosphere to the solar wind, gaining insights into space plasma environments. The PUNCH mission aims to improve prediction and mitigation of space weather events like coronal mass ejections.
The Crew-10 mission will support cutting-edge biomedical investigations and NSF-funded physical science projects through the ISS National Lab. Astronauts will conduct experiments on the International Space Station, with findings benefiting humanity and driving commerce in low Earth orbit.
A recent UBC study found that there's a 26% annual chance of space rocket junk re-entering the atmosphere and passing through a busy flight area, highlighting the potential for uncontrolled debris to disrupt flights. The researchers emphasize the need for policymakers to take action to address this issue.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute is launching three NASA sounding rockets at Poker Flat Research Range to study black, flickering and fast-pulsating aurora types. The missions aim to understand electron distributions and wave-particle interactions in space.
Two NASA rocket missions, GIRAFF and Black and Diffuse Aurora Science Surveyor, will study fast-pulsating and flickering auroras respectively. The missions aim to determine the electron acceleration processes responsible for these phenomena.
Elena Belova, a theoretical physicist, developed complex simulations of plasmas in fusion experiments. Yevgeny Raitses, an experimental researcher, contributed to low-temperature plasma and diagnostics research. Both were honored as Distinguished Research Fellows at PPPL.
A UVA professor has made new discoveries about electron kinetic behavior within plasma beams, potentially revealing the 'shape' of future space technology. The findings could lead to more efficient and reliable electric propulsion systems for long-duration space missions.
Scientists have successfully measured a planet-wide electric field thought to be fundamental to Earth's atmosphere. The ambipolar electric field, driving atmospheric escape and shaping the ionosphere, has been quantified and revealed its role in our planet's evolution.
A European research team conducted experiments in weightlessness to isolate the classic diffusion phenomenon, closing the gap with experimental validation. The study used a sounding rocket to create a state of almost complete weightlessness, allowing researchers to run their experiments automatically.
Researchers propose that parallel electric fields in the upper atmosphere could produce the colorful emissions of Steve and the picket fence. This unusual process has implications for understanding energy flow between Earth's magnetosphere and ionosphere.
A study by University of Malaga researchers estimates over 131M pieces of space waste orbiting the Earth, posing a lethal collision risk. The model determines optimal satellite launch rates to maximize benefits while minimizing space debris, warning of market failure and potential physical problems.
Researchers propose a device design that can take the efficiencies of 2D TMDC devices from 5% to 12%, doubling the weight-saving potential. This breakthrough could address the energy supply challenges in space exploration and settlements, where traditional solar cells are too heavy to be transported by rocket.
Researchers developed a model to describe the interaction between a rocket plume and planetary surfaces, providing insights into erosion and contamination. The simulation estimates plume shape, temperature, and pressure, as well as material eroded or displaced, for safer landing sites and spacecraft design.
Researchers measured noise levels at locations around the launch pad, finding maximum sound levels exceeded predicted values by nearly 20 decibels. The study's findings will help validate and improve existing noise prediction models to protect equipment and surrounding environments.
The University of Canterbury researchers found that rocket launches emit gases and particulates that damage the ozone layer. The study highlights the need for coordinated global action to protect the upper atmosphere environment.
Researchers at Hokkaido University have discovered a new pathway to forming presolar grains, which could help scientists better understand the interstellar environment and develop more efficient nanoparticles. The study suggests that these grains formed through a non-classical nucleation pathway, involving three distinct steps.
Researchers used physics-based models and historical data to debunk internet claims about the Saturn V's acoustic power, finding levels of 203 decibels, comparable to commercial jet engines. The study also predicts sound levels for NASA's SLS Artemis 1 launch and provides educational tools for college-level physics classrooms.
Researchers estimate a 6-10% chance of casualties from uncontrolled re-entry of abandoned rocket stages within the next decade. The study suggests that governments should mandate safe re-entry guidelines to minimize risks and save lives.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have created a new type of fuel that has higher energy density than traditional heavy-duty fuels. The biofuel, called POP-FAMEs, is produced by bacteria fed with plant matter and can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions when burned.
Researchers found rocket exhaust gases can remain high in altitude, producing thermal nitrogen oxides and carbon dioxide that can affect the Earth's climate. The team modeled fluid dynamics of rocket exhaust gases to understand the impact on atmospheric pollution.
Researchers have successfully stored liquid fuels like ethanol in polymeric gels, drastically reducing evaporation rates and flammable gas mixtures. The development of this method aims to create safer work environments in industries that use liquid fuels.
The Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) mission enables new measurements of cosmic X-ray sources, such as pulsars, black holes, and neutron stars. With its state-of-the-art telescopes and detectors, IXPE will provide high-quality polarization data of various sources, including supernova remnants, active galaxies, and blazars.
Researchers have synthesized K2N6, an exotic compound containing nitrogen groups and packing explosive amounts of energy. The new material has a hexagonal structure with intermediate single and double bonds between nitrogen atoms.
The University of Central Florida (UCF) is working with the US Air Force to develop a system that uses commercial rockets to transport cargo quickly and efficiently. The project aims to determine the viability of this method for disaster relief and global shipping, with the goal of delivering 100 tons of goods within one hour. UCF rese...
Three University of Central Florida researchers have been awarded multi-million-dollar projects by the US Department of Defense to advance hypersonic propulsion and improve semiconductor performance. The projects will focus on developing new technologies for ultra-fast intercontinental travel and making space travel more economical.
A chemical used in electric vehicle batteries can also power rockets and satellites, reducing CO2 emissions and requiring less storage. The new fuel, ammonia borane, releases more energy than traditional hydrocarbon fuels and has no environmental impact.
A new $1 million project at UCF aims to understand how raindrops interact with hypersonic shock waves. Researchers will use computer simulations and experiments to predict conditions for safe hypersonic travel. The knowledge gained could prevent damage and improve rocket launch accuracy.
Researchers at PPPL and Princeton University have created a novel, wall-less Hall thruster that increases the lifetime of rockets and produces high power. The device uses segmented electrodes to focus the plasma thrust plume, improving performance and efficiency.
Calculations at TU Wien show that Ramjet propulsion, which involves capturing protons and using them for a nuclear fusion reactor, cannot work as proposed. The analysis revealed huge dimensions required to achieve even minimal thrust, making it impossible for current technology to achieve.
The University of Central Florida has received a $1.5 million U.S. Department of Defense award to develop high-performance fuels for hypersonic propulsion. The project aims to create new solid fuels that can provide wider flammability limits and longer range while constraining volume.
China's space transportation systems have made significant leaps in recent decades, with advancements in launch vehicles, propulsion systems, and artificial intelligence. The country aims to become a powerful space nation by the mid-21st century, with plans for manned missions to the Moon and Mars.
The anammox bacterium uses the nitrite oxidoreductase enzyme (NXR) to convert toxic nitrite into nitrate, a crucial process in nature's nitrogen cycle. Researchers have now mapped the molecular structure of NXR, gaining insight into its complex structure and organization within the cell.
The Cosmic Infrared Background Experiment-2 (CIBER-2) has completed a successful first launch, aiming to better understand extragalactic background light and resolve discrepancies about the number of stars in the universe. The experiment will analyze data collected during four planned launches over several years.
Kelly Patterson, a University of Texas at Arlington doctoral student, has earned a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship for her research on designing and improving critical infrastructure. With the three-year stipend, she will focus on bridge and hazard mitigation research.
Researchers detected acoustic signals from 7 rocket types, including Space Shuttles and Falcon 9s, up to 9,000 km away. They identified different stages of flight for these rockets using infrasound signatures recorded at IMS stations.
Scientists launched a sounding rocket to investigate how the solar wind interacts with Earth's magnetosphere, producing the aurora. The experiment deployed barium thermite canisters that generated plasma clouds, which interacted with ionospheric plasma, creating electromagnetic fields and waves.
The world's largest and most powerful space science telescope, NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, has completed a key milestone with the fully expanded and locked primary mirror.
A team of scientists has demonstrated atom interferometry on a sounding rocket, enabling precise measurements of gravity and potentially detecting gravitational waves. The success of this experiment marks a significant milestone in the field of quantum technologies.
Engineers successfully folded NASA's James Webb Space Telescope sunshield, a five-layer diamond-shaped structure to fit within its launch vehicle. The compact form will remain through launch and the first few days in space to protect optics from heat interference.
A new type of rocket thruster could take humankind to Mars and beyond by exploiting the mechanism behind solar flares. The device accelerates plasma particles using magnetic reconnection, a process found throughout the universe, to generate high velocities.
Sandia's successful full-scale crash test marks a significant achievement for the nuclear deterrence program, delivering results despite COVID-19 challenges. The test involved propelling a semitruck into a prototype transporter, gathering over 400 channels of data to ensure its safety and security.
A University of Illinois student research team successfully designed a hybrid rocket engine that uses paraffin and Nytrox, overcoming previous failures with nitrous oxide. The team's perseverance was aided by collaborations with Purdue University and Zucrow Laboratories.
Two types of solar cells, perovskite and organic, were tested in space as part of the MAPHEUS 8 program, achieving efficiency levels of 25% and generating power under exceptional conditions. The results show promise for future aerospace applications, particularly for missions to the outer solar system.
Researchers sent perovskite and organic solar cells on a rocket into space, withstanding extreme conditions to produce power from direct sunlight and reflective light. The technology offers a promising solution for future space missions, as it is incredibly light and flexible, producing up to 14 milliwatts per square centimeter.
Adranos has obtained significant funding from the US Army to develop and test its ALITEC solid rocket fuel in hypersonic research. The technology is expected to increase firing range for both traditional solid rocket motors and air-breathing systems, maximizing end-to-end system performance.
A new prototype designed by Iván Herrero reduces sound pressure levels by an average of 20 decibels using Helmholtz resonators. The system increases the safety of launching space rockets by mitigating the impact of intense sounds on structures onboard.