Articles tagged with Spacecraft
Dr. James Walker has received the Distinguished Scientist Award for his significant contributions to hypervelocity impact science and penetration modeling. His research applications include body armor, ground vehicle armor, and shielding against orbital debris.
A team of MIT engineers developed an algorithm to identify causal links in complex systems, taking data from various sources and analyzing interactions between variables. The method generates a causality map linking variables with likely cause-and-effect relationships, including synergistic and redundant links.
A study found that galactic cosmic radiation can cause long-lasting learning deficits in female rodents, but an antioxidant compound reduced this impact. The findings contribute to a broader understanding of radiation's long-term impact on cognitive health.
The ESA Hera mission is set to launch in just under a month, with representatives discussing the mission's expectations and current status. The BepiColombo Mission to Mercury is also being updated following its successful flyby, with insights into previous flybys and plans for the remainder of the mission.
A new study uses observations from NASA's New Horizons spacecraft to measure the cosmic optical background, a phenomenon known as the universe's glow. The results suggest that the glow is roughly 100 billion times fainter than sunlight and provides valuable insights into the history of the universe since the Big Bang.
Scientists have discovered how the Sun's supersonic solar wind receives energy, thanks to a lucky alignment of NASA and ESA spacecraft. The fastest solar winds are powered by magnetic switchbacks, which deposit enough energy to account for heating and acceleration in the solar wind.
The University of Leicester is developing a method to shrink artificial intelligence algorithms for smarter spacecraft. The REALM project aims to demonstrate streamlined machine learning algorithms suitable for limited spacecraft power and computing performance.
Researchers develop adaptive Kalman filter to enhance GNSS performance for autonomous navigation in Earth-Moon space. Simulation results show significant improvements in navigation precision, with position accuracies less than 50 meters near the Moon.
Researchers at Delft University of Technology use drone racing to test neural-network-based AI control systems planned for next-generation space missions. The goal is to achieve optimal onboard operations by continuously replanning trajectories, reducing resource consumption and boosting mission autonomy.
Astrophysicists record radio emissions from Earth and view it as an exoplanet to understand potential signals from intelligent life. The mission marks a major achievement for NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services program.
A new heat-switch device developed by Nagoya University's team enhances lunar-roving vehicles' operational lifespan under harsh Moon conditions. The innovative technology reduces power consumption while maintaining efficient daytime cooling performance and nighttime insulation, making it a critical component for future lunar missions.
The review highlights critical advancements in thermal management technologies to address unique challenges in the spacecraft environment. These technologies improve efficiency, lifespan, and cost-effectiveness of spacecraft electronics.
During its flyby, the Lucy spacecraft discovered a trough and ridge structure on Dinkinesh, revealing a complex history of sudden breakups and transformation. The asteroid's internal strength and dynamic evolution were also revealed, suggesting that it has significant cohesion, unlike some other asteroids.
Scientists have identified the mysterious origins of the 'slow' solar wind using data from Solar Orbiter's first close journey to the Sun. The slow wind is thought to originate from areas where open and closed magnetic field lines meet, allowing it to escape into space through a process of breaking and reconnection.
A UCF researcher is developing algorithms to track space objects and predict their orbits, which will also aid in maritime domain awareness. The computational framework will enable spacecraft to operate autonomously without intervention from Earth.
Scientists at the University of Surrey are developing a new type of spacecraft that harnesses thin air for propulsion, enabling higher-resolution Earth observation and faster telecommunications. This innovation has the potential to extend mission lifetimes by removing the need for stored propellant.
Researchers analyzed asteroid Ryugu samples to study magnetic and physical bombardment environment in interplanetary space. The investigation revealed changes likely caused by micrometeoroid bombardment, providing insights into the solar system's early stages.
Scientists developed a new technique using knot theory to find all possible routes from one orbit to another without guesswork or excessive computer power. This makes planning missions simpler and more efficient, like navigating a tube map.
Florida Atlantic University's College of Engineering and Computer Science has been selected to work with NASA on the University Nanosatellite Program. The program provides systems engineering training for students and aims to prepare them to work in the space industry.
Researchers use carbon nanotubes to prevent cracking in multilayered composites, improving resistance by up to 60%. This innovation could lead to safer and more durable aircraft with advanced composite materials.
Researchers have discovered a star orbiting a massive black hole 33 times heavier than the sun's mass, located 1500 light-years away from Earth. The binary system Gaia BH3 contains an ordinary star that seems to have formed over ten billion years ago.
A recent study published in Nature Astronomy revealed that positively charged carbon ions are being accelerated to escape speeds in a previously unexplored region of Venus's magnetosphere. This discovery sheds new light on the planet's atmospheric evolution and the loss of its historical water content.
Researchers at the University of Arizona used computer simulations and spacecraft data to study the moon's geology, finding that a dense layer of titanium-rich material sank into the interior and rose on the near side. The findings suggest that the moon 'turned itself inside out' during its formation.
Researchers at Staffordshire University and the University of Hull studied bloodstain patterns in microgravity, revealing unique challenges for forensic investigators. The study found that amplified surface tension and cohesion cause blood droplets to stick to surfaces, leading to slower spread rates and altered shapes.
Researchers develop AI-based system to track small metallic objects in Low Earth Orbit, outperforming classical detection methods. The system's high detection rate and low false alarm rates make it suitable for proactive decision-making and intervention strategies.
The proposed algorithm uses rapid estimation of non-cooperative target parameter estimation to track the target's position and velocity in real-time. It achieves effective tracking of continuous maneuvering trajectories based on measurement data, outperforming the interactive multimodel method in terms of trajectory tracking accuracy.
The Juno spacecraft has directly measured charged oxygen and hydrogen molecules from Europa's atmosphere, providing key constraints on the potential oxygenation of its subsurface ocean. The findings suggest that oxygen is continuously produced in the surface ice shell, with an estimated 12 kg per second, which could support habitability.
Researching astronauts' microbiomes is vital for long-term space missions, as the space environment can disrupt balance and have adverse consequences. Studying microorganisms in space can also aid in developing technologies like space agriculture and antimicrobial agents.
A global ocean of liquid water has been found beneath Mimas' icy shell, with an estimated age of 5-15 million years, suggesting recent ocean formation and potential for life to emerge. This discovery adds Mimas to the list of moons with internal oceans, including Enceladus and Europa.
Researchers have observed the atmospheres of seven hot Jupiters using NASA's CUTE spacecraft, revealing that some planets lose significant gas while others remain unchanged. The findings suggest a combination of planetary size and stellar activity plays a role in atmospheric escape. CUTE's precise measurements provide valuable insights...
Human activities have significantly impacted the moon's environment since Luna 2 landed in 1959. The Lunar Anthropocene concept aims to raise awareness about humanity's influence on the lunar surface and its preservation.
A Lancaster University PhD student used a new method to calculate the optical depth of Saturn's rings, revealing their transparency. By analyzing changes in Cassini's Langmuir Probe data during solar eclipses, the researcher determined how much sunlight passed through each ring.
A six-year study of a satellite found that low-cost solar panels can withstand harsh space conditions and generate power, opening the door to large-scale solar farms in orbit. The technology has been developed by researchers at the Universities of Surrey and Swansea.
Researchers at Purdue University detect unprecedented levels of alloy aerosols in the atmosphere, likely from spacecraft and satellites. The team found that nearly 10% of large sulfuric acid particles contained aluminum and other spacecraft metals.
A coordinated network of space lasers could prevent collisions with manned and unmanned space assets by nudging debris off potential collision courses. The artificial intelligence-powered lasers can maneuver and work together to respond rapidly to debris of any size.
A new SwRI study posits that the large mounds on Kuiper Belt object Arrokoth are similar in size and shape, suggesting a common origin. This finding supports the streaming instability model of planetesimal formation, where gentle collision speeds allowed objects to accumulate and form Arrokoth.
A team of space physicists used NASA's Parker Solar Probe to analyze whistler waves, finding they originated from disturbances in Venus' weak magnetic fields. The results support a previous study that failed to detect radio waves generated by lightning strikes on the planet.
Researchers propose a reinforcement learning-based approach to optimize multi-impulse linear rendezvous trajectories, achieving faster computation times and improved fuel efficiency compared to traditional numerical optimization methods. The algorithm uses an actor-critic architecture and advantage-weighted learning to accelerate train...
Concentrations of potentially harmful chemical compounds in ISS dust exceed median values in US and Western European home floor dust. The study guides design and construction of future spacecraft by highlighting the importance of material choices.
A team led by SwRI and UTSA discovered Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities in Jupiter's magnetosphere, enabling the transfer of energy and mass from the solar wind. This process is crucial for understanding the interaction between the solar wind and planetary magnetic fields.
An international group of experts has developed a planetary protection policy to safeguard Earth from potential threats and avoid compromising the search for lifeforms on other celestial bodies. The policy aims to prevent biological and organic contamination of space missions, ensuring the safety of our planet.
The 2023 International Venus Observation Campaign aims to characterize the planet's atmosphere near the cloud-top level from three locations in the solar system. Key findings include the discovery of unknown UV absorbers in the upper clouds, which will be studied using data from JAXA's Akatsuki orbiter and ground-based telescopes.
AnalySwift will develop DATC, a design tool for engineers to analyze lightweight structures made from advanced tailorable composites. The tool aims to improve NASA's capabilities in designing and analyzing aerospace structures, reducing the need for costly physical experiments.
The Mori3 robot is a polygon shape-shifting robot designed for space travel, capable of morphing into any 3D object and adapting to various environments. Its versatility makes it an ideal candidate for communication and external repairs in spacecraft.
The study improves the assessment of catastrophic failures in sealed cabins for ultra large manned spacecraft in M/OD environments. The authors develop a failure assessment module and establish perforation and crack equations for stuffed Whipple shields, providing a reference for designing and assessing long-term on-orbit missions.
Astronomers at MIT and University of Wisconsin have discovered two validated planets, K2-416 b and K2-417 b, in Kepler's last week of high-quality data. The third planet candidate, EPIC 246251988 b, orbits its star every 10 days and is slightly farther away from Earth than the other two.
NASA solar observatories have discovered that asteroid Phaethon's comet-like tail is not composed of dust, but rather sodium gas. The findings contradict previous theories and suggest a new explanation for Phaethon's behavior, which is the source of the annual Geminid meteor shower.
The Tianzhou cargo spacecraft is a Chinese automated cargo spacecraft designed to support space station operation by transporting supplies. Its main tasks include transporting and storing supplies, controlling the orbit and attitude of the combined body, and supporting the development of space applications.
Researchers will use seismoacoustic instruments to study the OSIRIS-REx capsule's re-entry, gathering data on shockwaves, infrasound, and atmospheric dynamics. This campaign aims to improve models of meteoroid flight and refine relationships between size, velocity, and infrasound signatures.
A new method using a back propagation neural network improves the accuracy of orbit prediction and position error covariance prediction for space targets. The method reduces prediction errors by up to 170m compared to existing models.
Researchers at West Virginia University are exploring iodine-based thrusters as an alternative to traditional fuel sources, aiming to reduce dependence on rare noble gases. They plan to develop diagnostic technology to measure the performance of these thrusters, paving the way for widespread use in space exploration.
Scientists have detected uracil and nicotinic acid in asteroid Ryugu samples collected by the Hayabusa2 spacecraft. The discovery suggests that important building blocks for life were created in space and delivered to Earth via meteorites, supporting current theories on the source of nucleobases.
The ESO VLT observed the aftermath of the DART impact, showing that the ejected cloud was bluer than the asteroid itself, indicating fine particles. The team found no signs of ice or DART spacecraft propellant, but detected changes in light polarization suggesting altered surface composition.
The DART mission successfully demonstrates the feasibility of redirecting near-Earth objects like asteroids to prevent large-scale destruction. The spacecraft's impact on Dimorphos, a small asteroid moon, resulted in an orbital change that confirms the viability of asteroid deflection as a planetary defense strategy.
The DART mission successfully deflected the orbit of asteroid Dimorphos by 33 minutes. The team's calculations showed that the momentum transferred to Dimorphos was significantly enhanced by the recoil created from streams of particles produced by the impact, exceeding initial expectations.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories and Purdue University have developed a technique called moving target defense to protect against hackers taking control of military jets. This approach involves shuffling network addresses to make it difficult for attackers to access critical systems.
A new algorithm was proposed to predict a satellite's attitude without sensor data, crucial for debris tracking and damage reduction. The method uses quaternions and an extended Kalman filter to estimate the satellite's state, followed by a neural network to extract unmodeled environmental torque.
The BepiColombo and Solar Orbiter missions provided a unique insight into Venus' atmosphere retention through their gravity-assist flyby. The study revealed that the induced magnetosphere protects the atmosphere from solar wind erosion, extending to an unexpected distance of 1,900 km above the planet's surface.
Researchers developed a 'space skin' that can reduce operating temperatures of space-qualified structures from 120°C to 60°C. The nano-coating, called MFNS, also enables the harvest of energy for later use.
Researchers investigated the impact of two diets on astronaut health during a simulated spaceflight environment. The study found that an enhanced diet high in fruits, vegetables, and fish improved cholesterol levels, cognitive function, and microbiome stability compared to a standard diet.