Articles tagged with Rockets
MIT scientists have developed a new rocket called the Mini-Helicon Plasma Thruster, which runs on inexpensive gases and could slash fuel consumption by 10 times that of conventional systems. The propulsion system uses electrical energy to accelerate propellant, providing thrust for spacecraft maneuvers.
Four NASA rockets launched from Alaska's Poker Flat Research Range, releasing glowing vapor trails to study turbulence above 50-80 miles high. The experiment, called Turbopause, aims to measure the region where winds reach their largest values.
Scientists are launching five NASA sounding rockets to study turbulence in the upper atmosphere. The rockets will release a glowing vapor trail nearly 87 miles up into the sky, allowing scientists to track its movement and analyze upper-atmospheric winds.
A team from the University of Iowa launched two NASA rockets that flew through an auroral curtain, collecting data on the structural subtleties of the aurora. The ACES mission will provide insight into current models of aurora structure and help refine them.
A team of engineers and food scientists is working on a five-year project to create gelled rocket fuels that can improve the safety, performance, and range of rockets. The gels are designed to have a consistency similar to orange marmalade and can be throttled up and down for more precise control.
In 2009, the Poker Flat Research Range will host eight National Aeronautics and Space Administration sounding rockets. Two separate missions, ISIS and ACES, will be launched during two launch windows, with the first window opening on January 10.
The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has successfully completed thermal vacuum testing at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, simulating extreme hot and cold conditions of space. The orbiter will carry seven instruments to provide detailed maps of the lunar surface and increase understanding of its topography and natural resources.
Researcher Mark Gordon is exploring ionic liquids as a potential rocket fuel due to their non-toxic and high-energy properties. He aims to develop an ionic liquid that can ignite by chemical reaction, making rocket engines easier to control.
The NOAA-N Prime satellite, built by Lockheed Martin, will provide a polar-orbiting platform for environmental monitoring instruments. The satellite will assist in measuring Earth's atmosphere, surface, and cloud cover, as well as supporting the Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking system.
Two University of Leicester scientists, Dr Duncan Law-Green and Mr David Boyce, are designing microgravity experiments to study regolith on the Moon. The experiments could provide valuable information for future human missions to the Moon in 2020.
A recent study by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and Georgia State University found that adolescents in Sderot, Israel, who experienced high levels of social support were better protected against depression caused by ongoing terror attacks. The research highlights the potential importance of community mental health efforts as prote...
NASA's GLAST mission was launched successfully aboard a Delta II rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The observatory is now on-orbit, with all systems operating as planned.
NASA has scheduled the launch of its GLAST spacecraft for June 5, with a launch window from 11:45 a.m. to 1:40 p.m. EDT. The mission is set to take place on the Eastern Range and will be accompanied by a pre-launch news conference and live commentary on NASA Television.
The spacecraft is equipped with sun shades to block stray light from the Sun, Earth, and Moon, allowing GLAST to accurately track its orientation. Thermal blankets protect GLAST from harsh space environment conditions.
The Delta II rocket carrying NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Telescope (GLAST) is being assembled at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The rocket, fueled by nine solid rocket motors, will search for signs of new laws of physics and explore the universe's most extreme environments.
The Gamma-ray Large Area Telescope (GLAST) satellite is nearing its May 16th launch date as it prepares to provide electrical power with its newly attached solar panels. GLAST's twin solar panels will ensure continuous operation and enable the telescope to explore extreme environments in the universe.
Purdue researchers use a new hydrogen facility to study fundamental processes in hydrogen-oxygen engines, improving cooling efficiency and reducing costly overhauls. Accurate heat flux measurements enable more precise computational models, leading to better design performance and cost savings.
The GLAST spacecraft is preparing for its launch on May 16 at the Kennedy Space Center. It will explore extreme environments in the universe, studying supermassive black hole systems, pulsars, and cosmic rays. The mission aims to answer questions about gamma-ray bursts and other cosmic phenomena.
Researchers predict space tourism will become a significant development in the tourism industry, with suborbital flights expected to be available by 2010-2015. Lunar hotels are also planned, with companies such as Galactic Suites promising luxurious stays in space for high prices.
The GLAST observatory will explore extreme environments and search for new laws of physics, with a scheduled May 16 launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The rocket's first stage has arrived at the space station, joining the second stage and solid rocket motors.
A team of engineers from Purdue University and Lockheed Martin Corp. developed a new technique to extend the service life of two communications satellites, saving $60 million for broadcasters. The technique equalizes propellant levels in all four fuel tanks, preventing premature shutdown and waste.
Researchers warn of vulnerability to satellite attacks due to low technical barriers, threatening global positioning systems, weather satellites, and more. With a college-level team and intermediate-range missiles, amateurish yet effective attacks can be launched.
Phoenix will use a robotic digging arm to determine if the Martian soil environment was favorable for microbial life. The lander is equipped with instruments that suggest frozen water exists within arm's reach of the surface.
A new class of aluminum-hydrogen compounds has been synthesized with potential applications in solid rocket fuel and the hydrogen economy. The compounds' relative stability may enable more efficient propulsion systems and cleaner energy production.
Purdue engineers are developing advanced rocket technology that uses kerosene, eliminating the need for foam insulation. The research focuses on understanding combustion instability to create better computational models for designing rocket engines. This will enable more efficient and safer testing, reducing the risk of accidents and h...
The University of Alaska Fairbanks' Geophysical Institute has acquired an Insitu A-20 unmanned aircraft system, which will facilitate various research projects across Alaska. The aircraft's capabilities include wildfire mapping, pipeline security, and large mammal tracking, offering unique opportunities for students and faculty.
The first satellite built in Montana, MEROPE, was destroyed when a Soviet-era intercontinental ballistic missile it was riding on crashed in Kazakhstan. The launch failure occurred just 13 minutes after liftoff and resulted in the loss of nearly 100 MSU students' hard work.
The MIT SPHERES project aims to develop autonomous space vehicles that can maintain their positions via radio links, interacting almost constantly. The first critical test of the SPHERE is set for May 18 inside the space station, with two additional satellites scheduled to reach the station later this year.
Researchers at Florida Tech are developing a method to produce oxygen on the moon using the FFC Cambridge process, which could significantly reduce costs and masses of rocket fuel. Locally produced oxygen would be crucial for achieving affordable human robotic programs to explore the solar system.
A new study published by the American Physical Society finds that boosting-phase defense systems have significant limitations, making them impractical against many potential threats. The report highlights issues with timing and range, limiting the effectiveness of boost-phase defenses.
Researchers from the University of Houston are working on a plasma propulsion system called VASIMR, which aims to improve electric propulsion systems for deep space missions. The team has been studying the physics and engineering behind VASIMR since 1980 and recently received an award for their technical and scientific excellence.
The launch of NASA's Aura satellite has been delayed due to an outstanding issue with a solid-state recorder. The new launch date is set for July 14, and media personnel are advised to meet at the main gate of Vandenberg Air Force Base on that day.
University of Cincinnati aerospace engineering students, with help from NASA and industry sponsors, have designed, manufactured and launched a rocket they built from scratch. The Pathfinder rocket will reach an altitude of 50,000 feet to test its retrieval system and send back real-time footage.
Researcher Charles Sanchez finds perchlorate in lettuce foliage, mainly in discarded frame and wrapper leaves. The study aims to assess the extent of perchlorate accumulation in soils and groundwater sources.
The evolution of fireworks is attributed to advancements in metal fuels, which produce hotter flames and more photons, resulting in brighter colors. Fine-tuning of ingredient percentages has also contributed to the improved display.
A new approach to designing smart structures has been developed, using embedded systems with microprocessors and sensors. The system allows for scalability without increasing weight, power consumption, or cost, making it a promising solution for industries such as aerospace and automotive.
Virginia Tech researchers have developed ultra-thin heat protective coatings for rockets and microelectronics by studying hybrid organic/inorganic molecules. The coatings, which are less than two nanometers thick, offer improved fuel efficiency and weight reduction in space applications.
The University of Iowa's contribution to the Cluster 2 space mission will analyze plasma waves in Earth's magnetosphere, predicting space weather events. The US experiment will also enable a unique telescope-like system for studying low-frequency radio emissions.
The NASA Marshall Open House offers a daylong space adventure with interactive exhibits, including a Space Shuttle Pavilion, magnetic levitation track and International Space Station mockup. Meet astronauts, robots and celebrities, and participate in activities like the Astronaut Moon Bounce.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have discovered that fluorine can significantly enhance boron combustion in energetic propellants. The addition of fluorine reduces ignition delay time and total combustion time, leading to improved rocket performance and increased payload capacity.
The second NASA X-34 rocket research plane has reached a major assembly milestone with the attachment of its composite wing to its fuselage. The vehicle, designated A-2, will undergo powered flights next year at Dryden Flight Research Center.
NASA will unveil its future space transportation goals and programs at Space Transportation Day '99, aiming to lower launch costs and make interplanetary exploration feasible. The conference will cover various projects, including X-33 and X-34 rocket planes, as well as technologies for safer and more reliable operations.
The Marshall Space Flight Center is developing innovative solutions to reduce costs and increase reliability in space transportation. The team aims to make space accessible to the general public, enabling adventure travel, business ventures, and scientific research.
The Rotary Rocket Company is set to conduct atmospheric tests for its revolutionary heli-rocket Roton. The craft will use four 7-meter-long helicopter blades to slow its descent and potentially slash the cost of getting satellites into space. If successful, the first Roton could blast into orbit as early as next year.
Researchers at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center aim to demonstrate a propellant-free propulsion system using a tether system similar to those used on earlier SEDS missions. The ProSEDS flight could enable shorter tethers for propulsion or electrical power generation, and even de-orbit satellites with minimal cost and weight.
Penn State researchers investigate the ionosphere and atmospheric sodium using a six-minute rocket flight. They aim to determine if sodium can be used as a tracer of atmospheric motion and understand its relationship with sodium ions.
The University of Illinois will participate in a $250 million, 10-year program to develop advanced computational systems for simulating solid-propellant rockets. The center will focus on detailed whole-system simulations, benefiting both basic scientific research and aerospace applications.
Two sounding rocket experiments conducted by US and Russian scientists characterized dense plasma regions in the near-Earth environment, known as the ionosphere. The data will be analyzed by both American and Russian scientists as part of a data exchange agreement.