Articles tagged with Spacecraft
A researcher at University of Akron is helping NASA develop smart satellites that can recognize environmental threats and complete tasks automatically. The goal is to reduce the need for real-time predictions and enable more efficient space exploration.
CU Boulder scientists, led by Professor Larry Esposito, will continue to study Saturn's rings, moons and atmosphere using the Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph (UVIS) instrument on the Cassini-Huygens mission. The team has made numerous discoveries, including the detection of oxygen atoms in Saturn's system and water plumes from Enceladus.
Research at USC Viterbi School of Engineering has provided evidence for the occurrence of ground ice on protoplanet Vesta, a NASA-sponsored study that utilized bistatic radar techniques. The findings suggest large, smooth areas on Vesta correlated with higher hydrogen concentrations, supporting the presence of ground ice.
Scientists have tracked a solar storm using data from 10 NASA and ESA spacecraft, shedding light on how coronal mass ejections (CMEs) move through space. The study provides key information for understanding space weather effects on the solar system.
Researchers are developing VR applications to enhance spacecraft design, analysis, and mission planning. These projects utilize augmented reality to integrate camera views and telemetry data in one location, allowing technicians to operate robotic arms more efficiently.
The telescope is cooled to minus 387 Fahrenheit as scientists and engineers monitor its performance with temperature sensors and cameras. Once complete, the telescope will be integrated with the spacecraft and sunshield at Northrop Grumman, California, before undergoing final tests called 'observatory-level testing,'
Children worldwide can connect with astronauts aboard the space station via ARISS, inspiring youth to pursue STEM interests. The program has sparked powerful memories and lifelong passions among participants.
NASA's Satellite Servicing Projects Division tested three rendezvous and proximity operations sensors in a simulated environment. The testing confirmed improved performance for light intensity and range measurements, and will help build flight cameras and Lidar systems for satellite servicing.
The James Webb Space Telescope has successfully completed its Ground Segment Test Number 1, confirming end-to-end communication between the telescope and its mission operations center. The test, which took place on June 20, tested all communications systems required for launch, commissioning, and normal operations.
A new computational model of an electrospray thruster using ionic liquid ferrofluid simulates the dynamics of the fluid, revealing key insights into its behavior. The technology has potential applications in spacecraft propulsion, spectrometry, pharmaceutical production, and nanofabrication.
Soft robots can adapt to unstructured space environments, satisfy different tasks demands, and improve safety and reliability. Novel actuation methods and control schemes are proposed to address the challenges of soft robot configuration and manipulation.
The LRO camera captured a wild and jittery image due to a sudden cross-track oscillation, indicating a brief violent movement of the left Narrow Angle Camera.
University of Leicester astronomers' predictions of Jupiter's planetary phenomena have been confirmed by the Juno mission. The spacecraft has revealed an even more extreme environment than predicted, with intense radiation belts and powerful aurorae.
The Juno spacecraft has revealed stunning discoveries about Jupiter's core, composition, and magnetosphere, including a dynamo region in the planet's outer core. Scientists are surprised by similarities to Earth's auroras but also find significant differences, including the existence of heavy elements in the interior.
Researchers have successfully removed the neutralizer in plasma propulsion systems, enabling charge-neutral beams to be generated. This breakthrough is a significant improvement over traditional electric propulsion concepts.
Scientists have identified the source of unexpected flashes of light reflecting off Earth's surface captured by NASA's EPIC camera. High-altitude ice crystals are the cause of these glints, which were previously thought to be limited to water on land or oceans.
University of Arizona College of Engineering senior Christina Morrison develops antimicrobial socks using silver and hydrogen peroxide, achieving a nearly 5-log reduction in bacteria on treated material. The innovative design aims to reduce the need for water-based laundry in space, saving mass and allowing longer missions.
Researchers used simulations to show that plasma from hypervelocity impacts creates damaging electromagnetic radiation by separating ions and electrons at different speeds. The study aims to verify the theory of senior author Sigrid Close, who previously suggested that hypervelocity impact plasmas are responsible for satellite failures.
Cassini-Huygens mission has fostered dazzling discoveries, including in-depth studies of Saturn's rings, methane lakes on Titan, and hot water plumes from Enceladus. The spacecraft will enter Saturn's atmosphere and vaporize after final ring-dive on September 15.
A team of NASA scientists is using LISA Pathfinder's advanced technology to map the distribution of tiny dust particles in space. By analyzing the spacecraft's response to microscopic dust impacts, they aim to refine models used in various studies, including planet formation and impact risks for spacecraft.
NASA's MMS mission provides direct observation of kinetic Alfvén waves, revealing unexpected small-scale complexities and a higher rate of particle trapping than expected. The findings have implications for nuclear fusion technology and our understanding of the sun's solar wind.
The Van Allen Probes detected an increase in oxygen particles speeding around Earth's dayside after a geomagnetic storm, shedding light on particle origins. The unique double observations help untangle the complex workings of Earth's magnetic environment.
The OSIRIS-REx mission successfully tested its asteroid search instruments, detecting multiple Main Belt asteroids two magnitudes fainter than expected. The spacecraft's MapCam imager performed flawlessly, demonstrating improved imaging capabilities that will aid in avoiding natural satellites around target asteroid Bennu.
NASA's Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) aims to establish a high-speed internet in space, enabling faster data rates and smaller communication systems. The technology has the potential to revolutionize space communications for missions to the moon, Mars, and beyond.
Changes on Comet 67P's surface were likely driven by seasonal events, according to a new study. The comet's surface has been shaped over time through cometary-specific weathering, erosion, and transient events.
Raven's autonomous rendezvous capability relies on a hybrid computing system developed by NASA, which combines visible, infrared, and lidar sensors with machine-vision algorithms. The system uses SpaceCube processors to analyze data and make real-time decisions.
New observations from NASA's Van Allen Probes mission show that relativistic electrons, the fastest and most energetic particles in the inner radiation belt, are not present as much of the time as previously assumed. This discovery has significant implications for spacecraft design and opens up new avenues for scientific study.
NASA's Modular Unified Space Technology Avionics for Next Generation missions (MUSTANG) is a smaller, more capable 'brain' for smaller spacecraft. The system controls various functions, including command and data handling, attitude control, power, and propulsion.
Scientists conclude that the organics are most likely native to Ceres, originating from its interior. The discovery has broad implications for astrobiology and suggests that Ceres contains key ingredients for life.
The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft captured a unique image of Jupiter and its three largest moons, Callisto, Io, and Ganymede. The image showcases the planet's distinct bands and was taken at 76 million miles from Earth.
Raven will test foundational technologies for autonomous rendezvous, enabling spacecraft to find and secure targets without human involvement. The system aims to mature for future NASA missions, including the Restore-L servicing mission and potential use on Journey to Mars.
The MMS spacecraft flies in a highly elliptical orbit around Earth, mapped in three dimensions using a tetrahedral formation. The mission uses GPS signals to calculate location and design maneuvers for precise control.
A NASA team has created a smart radiator that folds and unfolds like origami, allowing it to change its shape to shed or conserve heat. The radiator uses temperature-sensitive materials and a vanadium-oxide-based coating to achieve this effect.
A team of astronomers successfully observed the entire hydrogen coma of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko using the LAICA telescope onboard the PROCYON spacecraft. The observations provide a unique opportunity to test coma models and estimate the total amount of water released by the comet per second.
Astronomers use Hubble observations to characterize the interstellar medium along Voyager 1 and 2's trajectories. The study reveals a rich, complex ecology with multiple clouds of hydrogen and other elements.
The Lucy spacecraft will launch in 2021 and fly by six Trojan asteroids between 2025 and 2033, studying their geology, surface composition, and bulk properties. The mission aims to decipher the history of the solar system and provide critical knowledge about planetary origins.
The Space Network will transmit double the data in a single second than it ever has before, supporting new instruments with greater data flow requirements. The upgrade enables an increase in scientific output from the International Space Station, allowing for more sophisticated experiments to be conducted.
Two studies based on GRAIL data provide clearer pictures of the Orientale impact basin, one of the largest and youngest craters on the Moon. The studies reveal that the transient crater has a smaller diameter than previously thought and estimate a minimum amount of material redistributed from the lunar crust during the impact.
The Evolutionary Mission Trajectory Generator (EMTG) has been upgraded to simulate the full problem of designing a spacecraft, considering multiple performance criteria. This enables mission planners to optimize both trajectory and spacecraft design, especially for electrically propelled low-thrust missions.
Scientists at EPFL have developed a method to position hundreds of thousands of nanoparticles with precision, orienting them within one degree and one nanometer apart. This technique sets the stage for the development of nanometric devices such as optical detection equipment and biological sensors.
A powerful materials discovery platform developed at Harvard University has been licensed to Kyulux, a developer of OLED display technologies. The platform enables the rapid identification of promising molecules for use in next-generation electronic displays.
Researchers at NPL and University of Leicester publish paper showing a new method to calculate spacecraft position using pulsars, increasing space mission capabilities and autonomy. The technique can achieve accuracy of 2km in one direction and 30km in 3D with minimal Earth contact.
The NASA Solar Probe Plus mission is progressing toward its anticipated summer 2018 launch after passing a critical design review. The spacecraft will collect data on the mechanisms that heat the corona and accelerate the solar wind, crucial for understanding our space weather and its impact on satellites.
The Dawn spacecraft's findings suggest that Ceres' large impact basins were erased due to its peculiar composition and internal evolution. The team proposes that a significant population of large craters was obliterated beyond recognition, likely resulting from the planet's icy crust and geological activity.
A new UK-RAS Network white paper led by Professor Yang Gao showcases the future of space robotics, predicting autonomous robots will replicate insects, birds, animals, and even humans on future missions. The report highlights technological advancements with applications in sectors like healthcare, mining, agriculture, and more.
Dr. John Spencer has received the AGU's Whipple Award for his outstanding contributions to planetary science, including deciphering Enceladus' internal ocean and discovering oxygen on Jupiter's moons.
The tiny radiation-resistant chips play a crucial role in the Jupiter Energetic Particle Detector Instrument (JEDI), measuring particle speed, energy, and position with time accuracy down to a fraction of a billionth of a second. Without these microchips, satellite electronics would be much heavier and require more shielding and power.
The OSIRIS-REx mission will generate detailed maps of asteroid Bennu using data from its five instruments, enabling the selection of a suitable sampling site. The team will also develop a new 3D shape model capturing the asteroid's irregular shape and create routine operation maps for navigation and sampling.
The LISA Pathfinder mission has passed a series of tests with flying colors, coming closer to experiencing true free fall than any other human-made object. The experiment successfully tested systems that will be incorporated in the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) gravitational wave observatory scheduled for launch in 2034.
The LISA Pathfinder mission has achieved remarkable results in testing a crucial technology for detecting gravitational waves from space. By flying around identical test masses and isolating them from external forces, scientists have successfully demonstrated advanced technologies needed for a full-scale observatory.
Kamesh Subbarao, a UTA aerospace engineer, has received a $201,000 grant from the Air Force Research Laboratory to develop an algorithm for cooperative control of multiple spacecraft. The algorithm aims to address uncertainties and time delays in data transmission, enabling better analysis of collected data.
The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft will study asteroid Bennu in detail, collecting a sample to be analyzed on Earth. Four top-level maps will guide the sample collection process, assessing safety, navigation, surface material, and scientific value.
The US spacecraft OSIRIS-REx has arrived at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where it is undergoing final testing and fueling before its September launch. The mission aims to retrieve at least 60 grams of pristine asteroid surface material for study on Earth.
Researchers analyze MMS data to understand magnetic reconnection, a process that produces powerful phenomena including solar flares and large releases of plasma from the sun's corona. The mission provides high-resolution measurements of particles and electric and magnetic fields at the electron scale.
The MMS mission has detected the source of magnetic reconnection, a process converting stored magnetic energy into kinetic energy and heat. The spacecraft measured plasmas and observed evidence of reconnection, including accelerated electrons and a strong electrical current.
Scientists capture direct measurements of electron movement in magnetic reconnection, shedding light on geomagnetic storms and auroras. The MMS Mission provides unprecedented insights into the explosive phenomenon, which plays a key role in disrupting communications systems and satellites.
NASA's Magnetospheric Multiscale mission has observed the first direct measurements of magnetic reconnection, a key driver of space radiation. The research reveals that electrons dominate this process, shedding light on its mysteries.
High-resolution measurements from NASA's Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission have provided new insights into the reconnection process of Earth's magnetic field lines. The results suggest that this process is driven by electron-scale dynamics, shedding light on the complex interactions within magnetized plasmas.
The TeSeR project aims to develop a cost-efficient and reliable removal module for satellites, reducing the risk of collision with space debris. Strathclyde is playing a significant role in this research, leveraging its expertise in satellite applications.
LAGEOS, launched in 1976, revolutionized the study of Earth's tectonic plates, rotation, and gravitational field. The satellite achieved accuracies of less than half an inch, enabling precise measurements of plate movement and subtle changes in Earth's center of mass.