Astrodynamics
Articles tagged with Astrodynamics
Flower-like satellite constellations to guide future missions around titan
Researchers propose a new 2D Necklace Flower Constellation methodology to monitor Titan's methane lakes, dunes, and potential signs of life from orbit. The study reveals that carefully designed satellite constellations can transform how we explore distant moons like Titan.
SwRI, UTSA selected by NASA to test electrolyzer technology aboard parabolic flight
The project aims to improve propellant and life-support compound production in lunar and Martian environments. The researchers will evaluate the performance of a patent-pending electrolyzer developed with NASA support, testing its ability to produce fuel and oxygen.
New study eases concerns over possible “doomsday” asteroid swarm
Astronomers have reduced concerns about a potentially hazardous asteroid swarm near Earth after discovering fewer large space rocks than previously thought. The study found only a handful of asteroids, likely less than 14, that fit the large size class, suggesting a smaller parent object and reducing the risk of extinction-level events.
Space oddity: Most distant rotating disc galaxy found
Astronomers have detected the most distant Milky-Way-like galaxy, REBELS-25, with a rotation and structure similar to our own galaxy. The galaxy is estimated to be 700 million years old, challenging current understanding of galaxy formation.
Scientists discover planet orbiting closest single star to our Sun
Astronomers have discovered an exoplanet orbiting Barnard's star, located six light-years away, which has at least half the mass of Venus and orbits its star in just over three Earth days. The discovery was made using ESO's VLT and confirms the existence of a new exoplanet candidate, while also hinting at the presence of three more.
NASA’s DART impact permanently changed the shape and orbit of asteroid moon
A new study by the University of Maryland reveals that NASA's DART spacecraft collision with asteroid moon Dimorphos created a large crater and reshaped it, causing the moon to derail from its original evolutionary progression. The impact also changed Dimorphos' orbit around its parent asteroid Didymos.
Tracking down the asteroid that sealed the fate of the dinosaurs
A team of geoscientists has identified the origin of the massive asteroid that wiped out 70% of Earth's species 66 million years ago. The study found the asteroid was a carbonaceous-type asteroid that formed outside Jupiter's orbit.
Sun-like stars found orbiting hidden companions
Astronomers have uncovered 21 neutron stars in wide orbits around stars like our Sun, revealing the first dark neutron star population. The discovery was made possible by the European Space Agency's Gaia mission, which scanned the sky and measured wobbles of over a billion stars.
Astronomers find the nearest massive black hole, a missing link in massive black hole formation
Researchers have found the nearest massive black hole to Earth, located at the center of Omega Centauri, a galaxy that was swallowed by the Milky Way. The discovery provides insight into the formation history of galaxies and confirms long-held suspicions about the existence of intermediate-mass black holes.
Moon orbiting ‘dinky’ asteroid is actually two tiny moons stuck together
Researchers found that the dual moons, named Selam, are a contact binary, with one quarter of the asteroid breaking off to form a trough. The team theorized that Dinky's fast spinning motion caused it to shed debris into orbit, which aggregated to form Selam.
International planet hunters unveil massive catalog of strange worlds
The NASA TESS-Keck Survey catalog features 126 exotic planets with detailed measurements allowing for comparisons with our solar system. Several planets stand out as touchstones for deepening astronomers' understanding of planetary formation and evolution.
UCF researcher is developing algorithms to further space, sea exploration
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.
Exploring the asteroid apophis with small satellites
Asteroid Apophis is expected to come extremely close to Earth on April 13, 2029, offering a rare opportunity for research. The NEAlight project aims to investigate three concepts for German small satellite missions to study the asteroid's trajectory and structure.
New air-breathing spacecraft to provide better Earth observation and quicker communications
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.
NYUAD researchers harness the power of the Webb telescope to discover thick, dusty clouds on “nightside” of giant exoplanet
Researchers at NYU Abu Dhabi have discovered thick clouds and a surprising lack of methane on the planet's nightside, while ubiquitous water presence was found throughout its atmosphere. The discovery reveals the first observation of clouds on the nightside of WASP-43b, a giant gas-filled exoplanet.
Citizen scientists help discover record-breaking exoplanet in binary star system
A team of astronomers and citizen scientists has discovered a planet in the habitable zone of an unusual star system, including two stars and potentially another exoplanet. The newly discovered planet, TOI 4633 c, boasts the second-longest orbit of any planet discovered with TESS data.
Hubble goes hunting for small main belt asteroids
The study used a trove of archived Hubble images to identify the asteroids, working with citizen scientists and machine learning algorithms. The discovery provides insights into the formation and evolution of the asteroid belt, suggesting that smaller fragments may be remnants of larger asteroids that have collided.
‘Tube map’ around planets and moons made possible by knot theory
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.
Stellar collisions produce strange, zombie-like survivors
Astrophysicists simulated 1,000 stars orbiting the galaxy's central supermassive black hole and found that collision survivors can lose mass to become stripped down low-mass stars or merge with other stars. The likelihood of collision increases for stars closer to the supermassive black hole.
Persistent hiccups in a far-off galaxy draw astronomers to new black hole behavior
Astronomers have discovered a new black hole behavior where a smaller black hole repeatedly punches through the disk of a larger black hole, releasing plumes of gas. The findings challenge conventional views on black hole accretion disks and suggest they may be more varied in their contents.
‘Cosmic Cannibals’ expel jets into space at 40% speed of light
For the first time, astronomers have measured the speed of fast-moving jets in space, crucial to star formation and the distribution of elements needed for life. The jets of matter, expelled by stars deemed 'cosmic cannibals', were found to travel at over one-third of the speed of light.
Mimas' surprise: Tiny moon holds young ocean beneath icy shell
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.
Astronomers make rare exoplanet discovery – and a giant leap in detecting Earth-like bodies
Astronomers have discovered a small, cold exoplanet with an orbital period of 146 days, providing insight into planetary formation and evolution. The planet, HD88986b, is about twice the size of Earth and orbits a star similar to the Sun.
A Jupiter-sized planet has been hiding a big secret: A 350,000-mile-long tail
Researchers have discovered a Jupiter-sized planet, WASP-69b, with a comet-like tail that trails the planet for at least 350,000 miles. The tail is shaped and pushed in the direction of Earth by radiation and an outflow of gas from its host star, providing a rare opportunity to study planetary mass-loss in real time.
Scientists discover rare 6-planet system that moves in strange synchrony
Astronomers have discovered a rare six-planet system, HD110067, that exhibits an orbital resonance pattern, repeating every three and four orbits. This unique configuration provides valuable information on how sub-Neptunes form, evolve, and potentially support liquid water on their surfaces.
‘Bouncing’ comets could deliver building blocks for life to exoplanets
Researchers from the University of Cambridge found that comets can deliver intact prebiotic molecules to planets in 'peas in a pod' systems, which are promising places to search for life outside our Solar System.
Researchers discover emission from secondary black hole in binary system of Blazar OJ 287
A team of scientists has detected signals directly from the smaller (secondary) black hole in the binary system of Blazar OJ 287. The discovery provides evidence for two separate signals contributing to the total light signal, confirming OJ 287 as an ultramassive binary black hole system.
Exploring the origin of nucleosynthetic isotope variations in Ryugu samples
The study found that Ryugu and CIs share a common genetic heritage, but the asteroid's Cr isotopes exhibit anomalies that could be caused by water-driven processes. These anomalies are thought to have arisen from the physicochemical fractionation of presolar nanoparticles and secondary minerals.
Texas A&M joins multimillion-dollar moon orbit tracking project
Texas A&M University is collaborating on a research project to track objects in high Earth orbits, expanding space domain awareness capabilities. The Space University Research Initiative aims to develop new technology and systems to monitor objects influenced by the moon's gravity.
Leading scientists, philosophers identify nature’s missing evolutionary law
A team of scientists and philosophers identifies a new law of nature that governs the evolution of complex systems, including plants, animals, stars, and minerals. The law states that complex systems evolve to states of greater patterning, diversity, and complexity, regardless of whether they are living or nonliving.
Finding explanation for Milky Way’s warp
Astronomers at Harvard University have discovered a tilted dark matter halo, explaining the Milky Way's warp and flare. The team used models to calculate star orbits within a warped, oblong dark matter halo, matching existing observations of a distorted galaxy.
WVU engineer developing laser system to defend space assets from debris in Earth’s orbit
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.
Scientists reviewed the trajectory design and optimization for Jovian system exploration
Researchers reviewed techniques for Jupiter capture trajectories, including satellite-aided captures and multiple-satellite-aided captures. They also examined tour trajectories of Galilean moons using patched-conics models and three-body trajectory designs.
New algorithm ensnares its first ‘potentially hazardous’ asteroid
A team of researchers has successfully tested a new asteroid detection algorithm, HelioLinc3D, which identified its first 'potentially hazardous' asteroid, 2022 SF289. The discovery confirms the algorithm's effectiveness in finding near-Earth asteroids with fewer and more dispersed observations than traditional methods.
FAST finds missing link in evolution of spider pulsar system
Researchers have discovered a binary pulsar with a 53-minute orbital period, filling the gap in the evolution of spider pulsar systems. The finding confirms the existence of an intermediate state between redback and black widow spiders, a long-held theory.
NIRISS instrument on Webb maps an ultra-hot Jupiter’s atmosphere
Researchers used the NIRISS instrument on the James Webb Space Telescope to create a temperature map of the exoplanet WASP-18 b, revealing a huge temperature change from day to night sides. Water vapor was also detected in the atmosphere at various elevations.
Hubble follows shadow play around planet-forming disk
The Hubble Space Telescope has captured a second shadow sweeping across the face of TW Hydrae's vast pancake-shaped gas-and-dust disk, suggesting the presence of two planets in slightly different orbital planes. The disks are likely proxies for these planets, which could be lapping each other as they whirl around the star.
UTSA astrophysicist leads international team in discovery of new exoplanet outside Earth’s solar system
A UTSA-led research team has discovered a new exoplanet using indirect methods. The exoplanet, HIP 99770 b, is about 14 to 16 times the mass of Jupiter and orbits a nearly twice-as-massive star. This breakthrough opens a new avenue for scientists to discover and characterize exoplanets.
Overview of orbital mechanics for space-based gravitational wave observatories
Space-based gravitational wave observatories offer longer arm lengths, enabling detection of low-frequency GWs. Configuration design and stability control are key factors for success, with geocentric configurations showing promise due to their simplicity and ease of deployment.
Scientist proposed a practical method to improve the accuracy of orbit prediction and position error covariance prediction
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.
Fueled by $748K from NASA, WVU researchers explore alternative sources to help power space
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.
Hunting Venus 2.0: Scientists sharpen their sights
The study identifies five exoplanets that resemble Venus in terms of radii, masses, and atmospheric conditions. By observing these 'exo-Venus' planets using the James Webb Space Telescope, scientists hope to uncover valuable insights into Earth's future and the possibility of a runaway greenhouse climate.
New NASA DART data prove viability of asteroid deflection as planetary defense strategy
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.
Scientist proposed an intelligent feedback estimation method to achieve the satellite attitude identification and prediction
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.
UCLA-led study explains how one of Saturn’s moons ejects particles from oceans beneath its surface
A new UCLA-led study explains that tidal heating in Enceladus' rocky core creates currents that transport silica particles to the surface. The research suggests that these flows can pick up materials from the seafloor and bring them to the ice shell, providing evidence for hydrothermal activity at the ocean floor.
Four classes of planetary systems
The study reveals that 'similar' planetary systems are the most common type, followed by 'ordered' and then 'anti-ordered' systems. The researchers found that factors such as gas and dust disk mass and star abundance play a crucial role in determining system architecture.
Space dust as Earth’s sun shield
A University of Utah-led study explores using space dust as a shield to reduce solar radiation and slow global warming. Launching lunar dust from the moon instead of Earth's way station at L1 could be an effective and cheap solution.
Tumultuous migration on the edge of the Hot Neptune Desert
A team from UNIGE has observed a sample of planets at the edge of the Hot Neptune Desert to understand its creation. They found that most of these planets have an orbit misaligned with the stellar equator, indicating disruptive migration processes.
New lidar technique could help robotic vehicles land safely on Mars
Researchers developed a new lidar technique using 3D flash lidar combined with super-resolution algorithm for hazard avoidance during landing. The technique improved the precision and safety of robotic vehicles on Mars, enabling them to navigate through challenging environments.
Deep-space optical communication demonstration project forges ahead
The NASA Deep Space Optical Communications project has successfully demonstrated a new type of laser system that can transmit large amounts of data, including high-definition images and video, through space. The system uses a combination of flight and ground-based lasers to establish an optical link between spacecraft and Earth.
How the ‘hell planet’ got so hot
Researchers discovered that 55 Cnc e orbits its star along the equator, unlike other planets in the system. This unique orbit likely formed when the planet fell toward its star over time, resulting in a scorching surface and interior with possible diamond formation.
SwRI experiment helps predict effects of DART impact
The SwRI experiment helped predict the effects of NASA's DART impact on asteroid Dimorphos. The study assessed ejecta momentum enhancement created by the space probe's collision, measuring a 3.4-fold increase in momentum transfer.
Largest potentially hazardous asteroid detected in eight years
An international team has discovered three near-Earth asteroids, including one that is 1.5 kilometers wide and may someday threaten Earth's path. The observations were made possible by the unique capabilities of the Dark Energy Camera mounted on the Víctor M. Blanco 4-meter Telescope at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory.
Meteorite impacts on the surface of Mars provide new details of the planet’s crust
Researchers analyzed data from two meteorite impacts recorded by NASA's InSight spacecraft, revealing a very uniform structure and high density of the Martian crust. The findings provide new insights into the planet's core, mantle, and crust, shedding light on the formation and evolution of Mars.
Discovery could dramatically narrow search for space creatures
Astronomers found that a planet like GJ 1252b, orbiting an M dwarf star, would likely lose its atmosphere due to intense heat and radiation. The discovery narrows the search for habitable planets around these stars, but leaves room for possibilities further away from the star.
Method for decoding asteroid interiors could help aim asteroid-deflecting missions
Researchers have developed a method to map an asteroid's interior structure based on its spin changes during close encounters with Earth. This technique, called AIME, could help scientists plan more effective defense strategies for asteroids like Apophis, which poses a significant hazard if it were to make impact.
How scientist monitored and early warned potential hazardous near-earth asteroids?
A new surveillance constellation concept aims to detect and track near-Earth asteroids, providing early warning and tracking capabilities. The system consists of six space-based surveyors and a mothership, which work together to monitor the orbits of potentially hazardous asteroids.
Saturn’s rings and tilt could be the product of an ancient, missing moon
A new study suggests that Saturn's tilted axis is due to the loss of an ancient moon, Chrysalis, which collided with the planet around 160 million years ago. The collision caused the satellite to break apart, releasing fragments that formed the planet's rings and leaving Saturn out of Neptune's gravitational resonance.
How scientist facilitated the development of LEO mega constellations
The development of LEO mega constellations has significantly impacted human scientific progress in communication, navigation, and remote sensing. However, unrestrained deployment poses a threat to spacecraft safety and space environment stability, requiring rational surveillance and governance mechanisms.