Satellite News
Exploration News
China’s new spacecraft returns to Earth
China’s new prototype spacecraft “successfully landed” on Friday, marking an important step in its ambitions to run a permanent space station and send astronauts to the moon.
China’s space test hits snag with capsule ‘anomaly’
A cargo capsule that was part of a key test in China’s space programme experienced an “anomaly” Wednesday during its return trip, the space authority said.The capsule was fitted with an “inflatable” heat shield. This type of structure, also being tested by the American and European space agencies, aims to eventually replace the classic metal heat shields that are heavier and thereby reduces the amount of cargo that can be carried into space.
InSight mole making slow progress into Martian surface
An instrument on NASA’s InSight Mars lander that has struggled for more than a year to make its way into the Martian surface is now making steady, but slow progress with the help of the lander’s robotic arm.
Hayabusa2’s touchdown on Ryugu reveals its surface in stunning detail
High-resolution images and video were taken by the Japanese space agency’s Hayabusa2 spacecraft as it briefly landed to collect samples from Ryugu – a nearby asteroid that orbits mostly between Earth and Mars
Launcher News
China says launch of key new space rocket ‘successful’
China on Tuesday successfully launched a new rocket and prototype spacecraft, state media said, in a major test of the country’s ambitions to operate a permanent space station and send astronauts to the Moon. The Long March 5B rocket took off from the Wenchang launch site in the southern island of Hainan and eight minutes later an unmanned prototype spaceship successfully separated and entered its planned orbit, according to the Xinhua news agency. A test version of a cargo return capsule also s … read more
Technology News
The little tires that could go to Mars
It’s rocky. It’s sandy. It’s flat. It’s cratered. It’s cold. The surface of Mars is a challenging and inhospitable place, especially for roversOne of those technologies is an innovative new tire in development at NASA’s Glenn Research Centerusing innovative shape memoryalloys (SMA).Tires made from these shapeshifting materials offer unmatched durability because they flex withthe terrain unlike current rigidwheels. They can actually envelop rocks without the risk of puncture.
NewSpace News
NASA CubeSat Mission to Gather Vital Space Weather Data
NASA has selected a new pathfinding CubeSat mission to gather data not collected since the agency flew the Dynamics Explorer in the early 1980s. The new mission is called Dione
Space Safety News
The Cost of Space Debris
With hundreds of satellites launched every year, in-space collisions and the creation of fast-moving fragments of space debris – or ‘space junk’ – are becoming increasingly likely, threatening our continued human and technological presence in space. The Organisation for Econonic Co-operation and Development (OECD) recently published its first report on the economic cost of space debris. Using research from numerous sources, including data and analysis from ESA’s Space Debris Office
Russian rocket breaks up in Earth orbit: space agency
Russia’s space agency on Sunday confirmed one of its rockets used in past launches and floating in space has broken down, leaving debris in orbit.
Technology News
The little tires that could go to Mars
It’s rocky. It’s sandy. It’s flat. It’s cratered. It’s cold. The surface of Mars is a challenging and inhospitable place, especially for rovers. Tires made from these shape-shifting materials offer unmatched durability because they flex with the terrain unlike current rigid wheels. Engineers are now refining SMA materials processing, working designs and completing environmental testing on a new Mars tire at Glenn’s Simulated Lunar Operations Lab.
China tests 3D printing in space for first time
A “space 3D printer” developed independently by China and two samples it printed in orbit successfully returned to Earth Friday, according to the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST).
