Satellites
Simulating a Piece of Space Junk
When a spacecraft dies, it loses the ability to maintain its direction in space. Additionally, as the spacecraft’s orbit begins…
Need to Map an Iceberg in a Hundredth of a Second? Ask a Computer
Satellites really are quite a wonder. They can help forecast the weather, track climate change and help you navigate around…
ESA Plans to Eliminate New Space Debris by 2030
What can we do about space junk? We know how much debris is in orbit, and we know the problem…
A Russian Satellite Has Shifted Within 60 km of Another Spacecraft
When it comes to saber-rattling, few countries employ it as much as Russia does. During their ongoing invasion and occupation…
A Flock of CubeSats Will Use Wings to Maneuver at the Edge of Space
CubeSats are taking on more and more responsibility for remote monitoring of the Earth. As they become more ubiquitous, they…
One of the Brightest Stars in the Sky is Actually a Satellite
Back in the 70s, kids used to look up at the summer sky and try to be the first one…
The Irony. ClearSpace-1 Couldn't Clean up Space Debris Because its Target Already Got hit by Space Debris, Creating Even More Space Debris.
The European Space Agency's ClearSpace-1 satellite was zeroing in on the spent payload adaptor from a 2013 rocket launch. Its…
A Satellite is Now Continuously Watching Lightning Strikes in Europe
Satellites often offer new perspectives when they launch. Sometimes because of the location they are placed in - sometimes because…
If There Were a War in Space, Debris Would Destroy all Remaining Satellites in About 40 Years
On one particular day in 2021, astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the ISS must have felt a pin-prick of fear and…
A New Mission Will Grab Dead Satellites and Push Them Into the Atmosphere to Burn Up
Plenty of news stories have focused on the danger posed by Kessler syndrome. In this condition, space is made inaccessible…