➀ NASA is working on establishing a coordinated lunar time standard for future human missions to the moon; ➁ The lunar time will be determined by a weighted average of atomic clocks on the moon; ➂ The time difference between Earth and the moon poses challenges for precise navigation and missions.
Recent #Space news in the semiconductor industry
➀ Boeing's Starliner spacecraft successfully returned to Earth over the weekend, but with some additional issues found, including a failed thruster during decent. ➁ The issues with Starliner began before its launch in June, with helium leaks and thruster performance issues identified. ➂ NASA decided to keep astronauts on board the ISS and return Starliner uncrewed, emphasizing safety as the core value. The spacecraft landed successfully, but the thruster failure and temporary blackout of the guidance system were noted.
1. A Kobe University researcher has confirmed that an asteroid that struck Jupiter's moon Ganymede was about 20 times larger than the one that ended the age of the dinosaurs on Earth. 2. The impact caused Ganymede's axis to shift and left clear traces in the solar system. 3. The asteroid is estimated to have had a diameter of around 300 kilometers, creating a transient crater between 1,400 and 1,600 kilometers in diameter.
➀ Andøya Spaceport in Norway has received its Launch Site Operator licence, marking a milestone towards the first satellite launch from Norwegian soil. ➁ The spaceport, located in the Arctic, offers favorable launch conditions for sun synchronous and polar orbits, supporting small satellites up to 1.5 tons. ➂ Isar Aerospace, with a dedicated launch pad at the spaceport, is preparing for the first test flight of its launch vehicle Spectrum.
1. A large meteor was observed over North Carolina, with NASA confirming its speed and origin; 2. The meteor, weighing about 1,000 pounds and 2 feet in diameter, disintegrated, producing energy equivalent to 10 tons of TNT; 3. The public is advised to report any found fragments to scientists for analysis.
➀ AstroForge, an asteroid mining startup, has raised $40 million in Series A funding led by Nova Threshold. ➁ The company aims to establish a new supply chain of raw materials from asteroids for use on Earth. ➂ The funding will support upcoming missions, including the launch of their 200kg production vehicle, Vestri, in 2025.
➀ Starlink plans to integrate Internet and mobile services using advanced eNodeB modems on new satellites, acting as space cellphone towers. ➁ The service will connect with 4G LTE-compatible phones without additional equipment, offering text, voice, and data services. ➂ Initial tests were successful, with plans for text capabilities by the end of the year and voice and data services next year.
➀ Fraunhofer Heinrich-Hertz-Institut (HHI) has developed a new method for producing thermally emissive surface structures using reactive gas-assisted nanosecond laser processing on aluminum alloys for spacecraft electronic boxes. ➁ The NanoBLAST project, funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, aims to scale up and commercialize this technology. ➂ The project focuses on optimizing laser parameters and adapting the laser setup for real components with curvatures and recesses, marking a significant advancement in space-appropriate thermal regulation.
1. A rocket engine from German start-up Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) exploded during a test at a British spaceport in Shetland. 2. The explosion was attributed to an 'anomaly' which caused a fire and structural collapse. 3. Despite the setback, RFA remains committed to future launches and has collected valuable data from the incident.
1. India's Chandrayaan lunar probe supports the Lunar Magma Ocean theory, suggesting the Moon had a global magma ocean 4.5 billion years ago. 2. Chemical analysis from Chandrayaan-3's landing site aligns with Apollo and Luna mission samples, indicating the Moon was molten for millions of years. 3. Evidence of a large meteorite impact 4 billion years ago and detection of magnesium support the theory of a deep lunar excavation.
1. SpaceX is preparing for the Polaris Dawn mission, which will include the company's first spacewalk attempt. 2. The mission aims to reach a higher altitude than any previous Dragon mission and conduct the first commercial extravehicular activity (EVA) with SpaceX-designed EVA spacesuits. 3. Additional objectives include testing Starlink laser-based communications and conducting scientific research to advance human health and spaceflight understanding.
➀ The UK space industry generated £18.9bn in revenue in 2023, with 75% of space-related income coming from 20 organizations. ➁ The largest segment, Space Applications, contributed 72% of total income, dominated by DTH broadcasting. ➂ Direct employment in the industry grew by 5% to 52,028 full-time positions, with a highly skilled workforce showing high labour productivity.
1. NASA's DART mission provided insights into the origin and formation of the binary asteroid system. 2. The mission helped characterize the asteroids' origin and evolution, and constrain their physical characteristics. 3. The findings enhance understanding of near-Earth objects and the history of the Solar System.
1. The James Webb Space Telescope has captured detailed images of deep space, including the Carina Nebula and the Crab Nebula. 2. Webb's infrared capabilities have revealed hidden stellar nurseries and early stages of star formation. 3. The telescope has also provided insights into the Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex, showcasing young stars and their environments.
1. NASA's Webb Space Telescope captured an image of the exoplanet Epsilon Indi Ab, located 12 light years away and orbiting the K-type star Epsilon Indi A. 2. The exoplanet, several times the mass of Jupiter, is one of the coldest exoplanets imaged to date. 3. The observation revealed unexpected details about the planet's size, orbit, and atmosphere, differing from prior model predictions.
1. NASA's Juno spacecraft captured a stunning image of Jupiter's chaotic clouds and cyclonic storms during its 61st flyby. 2. The image, enhanced by citizen scientist Gary Eason, highlights turbulent patterns and quickly evolving cloud structures. 3. Juno continues to provide valuable data about Jupiter and its moons, inviting public participation in its citizen scientist project.
1. The global space economy reached $570 billion in 2023, a 7.4% increase from 2022. 2. Commercial revenues accounted for 78% of the space economy, totaling $445 billion. 3. International government spending on space programs grew 11% to $125 billion, with military spending representing 46% of total government space spending.
1. A new research paper suggests that a May solar super storm caused a significant drop in altitude for LEO satellites, leading to mass thruster firings. 2. The authors highlight the challenges in collision avoidance systems due to rapid satellite path changes and the increasing population of satellites in LEO. 3. The storm also helped accelerate the decay of space debris, contributing to the maintenance of a long-term operable environment in LEO.
1. NASA's Mars Curiosity rover discovered elemental sulfur in a field of rocks at Gediz Vallis, surprising scientists; 2. The rover was exploring the area to find evidence of an ancient river and potential microbial life; 3. This discovery adds to the excitement of planetary exploration as it reveals unexpected findings on Mars.
1. Researchers from Cornell University have developed a Dune-inspired spacesuit design that recycles astronaut urine into drinking water. 2. The system includes a vacuum-based external catheter and an osmosis unit to provide a continuous supply of potable water. 3. The prototype aims to address comfort issues and water scarcity for astronauts during long space missions.