Latest news with #LunarGateway
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Science
- Time of India
NASA issues alarming warning: 'City killer' asteroid could strike Moon in 2032, threatening Earth's satellites
A potentially catastrophic asteroid , dubbed a 'city killer', is on a collision course with the Moon, and scientists warn the impact could have dangerous ripple effects for Earth . The asteroid, named 2024 YR4, no longer poses a direct threat to our planet, but NASA has identified a 4.3% chance of it striking the lunar surface on December 22, 2032. If it hits, the resulting explosion could eject around 10,000 tonnes of debris from the Moon into space, with Earth's gravity potentially pulling a significant portion of it into orbit, putting vital satellites and infrastructure at serious risk. NASA simulations reveal asteroid may trigger historic lunar impact According to simulations by Dr. Paul Wiegert of the University of Western Ontario, the asteroid, measuring 60 metres in diameter, could crash into the Moon at speeds exceeding 29,000 mph. The impact would likely create a crater 0.6 miles wide, making it the largest lunar collision in over 5,000 years. Though the Moon would absorb the direct hit, the concern lies in the debris that would be hurled into space from the blast. Earth may be in the line of fire by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Hausbesitzer jubeln! Wer Heute noch ohne Solar lebt sollte nun die Lauscher aufsperren. Solar Nachrichten Aktuell Mehr erfahren Undo Dr. Wiegert's team estimates that between 10% and 30% of the ejected lunar material, ranging from 0.1 to 10 millimetres in size, could be funneled toward Earth by its gravitational pull. While seemingly small, these high-speed fragments could cause major disruption by damaging or disabling satellites. 'We were a little bit surprised at the possibility of there being a substantial amount of material at the Earth,' Dr. Wiegert told New Scientist. A decade's worth of satellite damage in days The simulations show that this space shrapnel could increase particle impact rates by 10 to 1,000 times above normal levels, potentially causing satellite failures across multiple orbits. Dr. Wiegert warns that systems like SpaceX's Starlink and other satellite constellations could suffer 'hundreds to thousands' of micro-impacts. This could result in widespread communication blackouts and GPS malfunctions. Risks to lunar missions and astronaut safety The threat isn't limited to Earth. NASA's upcoming Lunar Gateway space station and Artemis lunar missions could also be in harm's way. Rovers, landers, and even astronauts on or near the Moon could be exposed to debris travelling at lethal speeds. A 1mm particle could damage solar cells or pierce space suits, while larger fragments up to 10mm could breach spacecraft interiors. A coordinated space response needed Professor Mark Burchell of the University of Kent emphasised the severity of multiple satellite failures occurring at once. 'A lot of satellites failing at once is worse than occasional failures spread over a decade,' he said, noting that simultaneous outages would stretch resources and emergency response systems. Preventive strategies and shielding technologies may become urgent priorities in the coming years. Although the risk of impact is currently calculated at 4.3%, NASA and other international agencies are continuing to monitor asteroid 2024 YR4 closely. Emergency observations by the James Webb Space Telescope initially helped rule out an Earth-bound strike, but as new data comes in, the trajectory toward the Moon will be reassessed. Scientists agree that while the event is far from certain, preparing for its potential consequences is critical.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Uncertainty at NASA; Nomination pulled, steep cuts proposed
Over the past several days, NASA's ambitious space exploration plans have experienced major setbacks. First, on Friday, newly released budget documents revealed the extent of the significant budget and personnel cuts proposed by the Trump administration. Then, just a day later, President Donald Trump withdrew the nomination of Jared Isaacman to be NASA administrator just days before an expected confirmation vote. From my perspective as a space policy expert, these events signal problems ahead for a space agency that now faces stiff competition in space exploration from the commercial sector. Without a leader and facing a fight over its budget, NASA faces an uncertain future, both in the months ahead and longer term. Budget problems When the Trump administration released a preview of its budget proposal in early May, it was clear that NASA was facing significant cuts. After the agency received $24.9 billion for 2025, the president's proposal would allot NASA $18.8 billion in 2026. After accounting for inflation, this amount would represent NASA's smallest budget since 1961. Space science programs are one of the largest targets of the proposed budget cuts, seeing an almost 50% reduction, to just $3.9 billion. Specific programs targeted for elimination include the Mars Sample Return mission, the currently operating Mars Odyssey and MAVEN missions around Mars, and several missions to Venus. Several ongoing and proposed astrophysics programs, including the Chandra X-Ray Observatory, would also end if the proposed budget passes. NASA's human spaceflight programs also face potential cuts. The budget proposes canceling the Space Launch System, the Orion crew vehicle and the Lunar Gateway after the Artemis III mission. Artemis III, planned for 2027, would be the first crewed flight back to the lunar surface since 1972. The mission would use the Space Launch System rocket and Orion crew vehicle to get there. The proposed Lunar Gateway, a mini-space station in lunar orbit, would be abandoned. Instead, the budget proposes to establish a Commercial Moon to Mars program. Under this initiative, NASA would utilize commercial systems such as Blue Origin's New Glenn and SpaceX's Starship to put Americans on the moon and Mars. A smaller budget also means a smaller NASA workforce. The budget proposal suggests that the number of NASA employees would be reduced by one-third, from more than 17,000 to 11,853. Advocates for space science and exploration have criticized the cuts. The Planetary Society has stated that these cuts to space science represent an "extinction level event" that would all but end NASA's ability to perform meaningful science. Democrats in Congress were also quick to push back on the proposed cuts, arguing that they would hamper the United States' ability to carry out its missions. The budget documents released so far are just proposals. Congress must make the final decisions on how much money NASA gets and which programs are funded. While this might be good news for NASA funding, my research has shown that Congress rarely appropriates more money for NASA than the president requests. Leadership challenges The release of the president's proposed budget was followed with the news that the president would withdraw his nomination of Jared Isaacman to be NASA's administrator. In a Truth Social post, Trump wrote, "After a thorough review of prior associations, I am hereby withdrawing the nomination of Jared Isaacman to head NASA. I will soon announce a new Nominee who will be Mission aligned, and put America First in Space." Like the budget proposal, news of Isaacman's withdrawal has also hit the space community hard. Following his nomination, Isaacman won the support of many in the space industry and in government. His confirmation hearing in April was largely uncontentious, with support from both Republicans and Democrats. NASA will now need to wait for the president to make a new choice for NASA administrator. That person will then need to go through the same process as Isaacman, with a hearing in the Senate and several votes. Given the amount of time it takes for nominations to make their way through the Senate, NASA is likely to face several more months without a confirmed administrator. This absence will come while many of its programs will be fighting for money and their existence. The months ahead Like many federal agencies right now, NASA faces a tumultuous future. Budgetary and leadership challenges might be the immediate problem, but NASA's long-term future is potentially rocky as well. Since its founding, NASA's mission has been largely centered on sending humans to space. If that role shifts to commercial companies, NASA will need to grapple with what its identity and mission is going forward. History provides some insight. One of NASA's forerunners, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, or NACA, largely focused on advanced research and development of aeronautical technologies. For instance, NACA researched things such as proper engine placement on airliners, as well as advances that helped air flow more efficiently over those engines. A new NASA that's more similar to NACA might continue research into nuclear engines or other advanced space technology that may contribute to the work commercial space companies are already doing. Choices made by the Trump administration and Congress in the coming months will likely shape what NASA will look like in the years to come. Until then, NASA, like many government organizations, faces a period of uncertainty about its future. Wendy Whitman Cobb is a professor of strategy and security studies at Air University. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.
UPI
03-06-2025
- Business
- UPI
Uncertainty at NASA; Nomination pulled, steep cuts proposed
Jared Isaacman gives a thumbs-up after Inspiration4, the world's first all-civilian mission to space, safely returned to Earth in September 2021 following a groundbreaking three-day mission. President Donald Trump has withdrawn Isaacman's nomination to become NASA administrator. File Photo by SpaceX/UPI | License Photo Over the past several days, NASA's ambitious space exploration plans have experienced major setbacks. First, on Friday, newly released budget documents revealed the extent of the significant budget and personnel cuts proposed by the Trump administration. Then, just a day later, President Donald Trump withdrew the nomination of Jared Isaacman to be NASA administrator just days before an expected confirmation vote. From my perspective as a space policy expert, these events signal problems ahead for a space agency that now faces stiff competition in space exploration from the commercial sector. Without a leader and facing a fight over its budget, NASA faces an uncertain future, both in the months ahead and longer term. Budget problems When the Trump administration released a preview of its budget proposal in early May, it was clear that NASA was facing significant cuts. After the agency received $24.9 billion for 2025, the president's proposal would allot NASA $18.8 billion in 2026. After accounting for inflation, this amount would represent NASA's smallest budget since 1961. Space science programs are one of the largest targets of the proposed budget cuts, seeing an almost 50% reduction, to just $3.9 billion. Specific programs targeted for elimination include the Mars Sample Return mission, the currently operating Mars Odyssey and MAVEN missions around Mars, and several missions to Venus. Several ongoing and proposed astrophysics programs, including the Chandra X-Ray Observatory, would also end if the proposed budget passes. NASA's human spaceflight programs also face potential cuts. The budget proposes canceling the Space Launch System, the Orion crew vehicle and the Lunar Gateway after the Artemis III mission. Artemis III, planned for 2027, would be the first crewed flight back to the lunar surface since 1972. The mission would use the Space Launch System rocket and Orion crew vehicle to get there. The proposed Lunar Gateway, a mini-space station in lunar orbit, would be abandoned. Instead, the budget proposes to establish a Commercial Moon to Mars program. Under this initiative, NASA would utilize commercial systems such as Blue Origin's New Glenn and SpaceX's Starship to put Americans on the moon and Mars. A smaller budget also means a smaller NASA workforce. The budget proposal suggests that the number of NASA employees would be reduced by one-third, from more than 17,000 to 11,853. Advocates for space science and exploration have criticized the cuts. The Planetary Society has stated that these cuts to space science represent an "extinction level event" that would all but end NASA's ability to perform meaningful science. Democrats in Congress were also quick to push back on the proposed cuts, arguing that they would hamper the United States' ability to carry out its missions. The budget documents released so far are just proposals. Congress must make the final decisions on how much money NASA gets and which programs are funded. While this might be good news for NASA funding, my research has shown that Congress rarely appropriates more money for NASA than the president requests. Leadership challenges The release of the president's proposed budget was followed with the news that the president would withdraw his nomination of Jared Isaacman to be NASA's administrator. In a Truth Social post, Trump wrote, "After a thorough review of prior associations, I am hereby withdrawing the nomination of Jared Isaacman to head NASA. I will soon announce a new Nominee who will be Mission aligned, and put America First in Space." Like the budget proposal, news of Isaacman's withdrawal has also hit the space community hard. Following his nomination, Isaacman won the support of many in the space industry and in government. His confirmation hearing in April was largely uncontentious, with support from both Republicans and Democrats. NASA will now need to wait for the president to make a new choice for NASA administrator. That person will then need to go through the same process as Isaacman, with a hearing in the Senate and several votes. Given the amount of time it takes for nominations to make their way through the Senate, NASA is likely to face several more months without a confirmed administrator. This absence will come while many of its programs will be fighting for money and their existence. The months ahead Like many federal agencies right now, NASA faces a tumultuous future. Budgetary and leadership challenges might be the immediate problem, but NASA's long-term future is potentially rocky as well. Since its founding, NASA's mission has been largely centered on sending humans to space. If that role shifts to commercial companies, NASA will need to grapple with what its identity and mission is going forward. History provides some insight. One of NASA's forerunners, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, or NACA, largely focused on advanced research and development of aeronautical technologies. For instance, NACA researched things such as proper engine placement on airliners, as well as advances that helped air flow more efficiently over those engines. A new NASA that's more similar to NACA might continue research into nuclear engines or other advanced space technology that may contribute to the work commercial space companies are already doing. Choices made by the Trump administration and Congress in the coming months will likely shape what NASA will look like in the years to come. Until then, NASA, like many government organizations, faces a period of uncertainty about its future. Wendy Whitman Cobb is a professor of strategy and security studies at Air University. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Uncertainty at NASA − Trump withdraws his nominee for administrator while the agency faces a steep proposed budget cut
Over the past several days, NASA's ambitious space exploration plans have experienced major setbacks. First, on May 30, 2025, newly released budget documents revealed the extent of the significant budget and personnel cuts proposed by the Trump administration. Then, just a day later, President Donald Trump withdrew the nomination of Jared Isaacman to be NASA administrator just days before an expected confirmation vote. From my perspective as a space policy expert, these events signal problems ahead for a space agency that now faces stiff competition in space exploration from the commercial sector. Without a leader and facing a fight over its budget, NASA faces an uncertain future, both in the months ahead and longer term. When the Trump administration released a preview of its budget proposal in early May, it was clear that NASA was facing significant cuts. After receiving US$24.9 billion for 2025, the president's proposal would allot NASA $18.8 billion in 2026. After accounting for inflation, this amount would represent NASA's smallest budget since 1961. Space science programs are one of the largest targets of the proposed budget cuts, seeing an almost 50% reduction, to just $3.9 billion. Specific programs targeted for elimination include the Mars Sample Return mission, the currently operating Mars Odyssey and MAVEN missions around Mars, and several missions to Venus. Several ongoing and proposed astrophysics programs, including the Chandra X-Ray Observatory, would also end if the proposed budget passes. NASA's human spaceflight programs also face potential cuts. The budget proposes canceling the Space Launch System, the Orion crew vehicle and the Lunar Gateway following the Artemis III mission. Artemis III, planned for 2027, would be the first crewed flight back to the lunar surface since 1972. The mission would use the Space Launch System rocket and Orion crew vehicle to get there. The proposed Lunar Gateway, a mini-space station in lunar orbit, would be abandoned entirely. Instead, the budget proposes to establish a Commercial Moon to Mars program. Under this initiative, NASA would utilize commercial systems such as Blue Origin's New Glenn and SpaceX's Starship to put Americans on the Moon and Mars. A smaller budget also means a smaller NASA workforce. The budget proposal suggests that the number of NASA employees would be reduced by one-third, from more than 17,000 to 11,853. Advocates for space science and exploration have criticized the cuts. The Planetary Society has stated that these cuts to space science represent an 'extinction level event' that would all but end NASA's ability to perform meaningful science. Democrats in Congress were also quick to push back on the proposed cuts, arguing that they would hamper the U.S.'s ability to carry out its missions. The budget documents released so far are just proposals. Congress must make the final decisions on how much money NASA gets and which programs are funded. While this might be good news for NASA funding, my research has shown that Congress rarely appropriates more money for NASA than the president requests. The release of the president's proposed budget was followed with the news that the president would withdraw his nomination of Jared Isaacman to be NASA's administrator. In a Truth Social post, Trump wrote, 'After a thorough review of prior associations, I am hereby withdrawing the nomination of Jared Isaacman to head NASA. I will soon announce a new Nominee who will be Mission aligned, and put America First in Space.' Like the budget proposal, news of Isaacman's withdrawal has also hit the space community hard. Following his nomination, Isaacman won the support of many in the space industry and in government. His confirmation hearing in April was largely uncontentious, with support from both Republicans and Democrats. NASA will now need to wait for the president to make a new choice for NASA administrator. That person will then need to go through the same process as Isaacman, with a hearing in the Senate and several votes. Given the amount of time it takes for nominations to make their way through the Senate, NASA is likely to face several more months without a confirmed administrator. This absence will come while many of its programs will be fighting for money and their existence. Like many federal agencies right now, NASA faces a tumultuous future. Budgetary and leadership challenges might be the immediate problem, but NASA's long-term future is potentially rocky as well. Since its founding, NASA's mission has been largely centered on sending humans to space. If that role shifts to commercial companies, NASA will need to grapple with what its identity and mission is going forward. History provides some insight. One of NASA's forerunners, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, or NACA, largely focused on advanced research and development of aeronautical technologies. For instance, NACA researched things such as proper engine placement on airliners as well as advances that helped air flow more efficiently over those engines. A new NASA that's more similar to NACA might continue research into nuclear engines or other advanced space technology that may contribute to the work commercial space companies are already doing. Choices made by the Trump administration and Congress in the coming months will likely shape what NASA will look like in the years to come. Until then, NASA, like many government organizations, faces a period of uncertainty about its future. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Wendy Whitman Cobb, Air University Read more: What does the NASA administrator do? The agency's leader reaches for the stars while navigating budgets and politics back on Earth Trump's nomination for NASA leader boasts business and commercial spaceflight experience during a period of uncertainty for the agency Most Americans support NASA – but don't think it should prioritize sending people to space Wendy N. Whitman Cobb is affiliated with the US School of Advanced Air and Space Studies. Her views are her own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Defense or any of its components.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Danish Aerospace Company to build prototype of exercise equipment for the Moon and eventually Mars
COMPANY ANNOUNCEMENT Odense, May 28, 2025 Company Announcement no. 61 – 28.05.2025 Danish Aerospace Company to build prototype of exercise equipment for the Moon and eventually MarsDanish Aerospace Company A/SCVR no.: 12424248 Danish Aerospace Company A/S (DAC), Odense, has today signed a contract with the European Space Agency ESA to develop and build a prototype of a new exercise device that can be used on the Lunar Gateway space station orbiting the Moon and eventually for human missions to Mars. The six-month contract entails the development of a prototype of exercise technology to meet the standards of Lunar Gateway. The new prototype will also include a new form of exercise - jumping - to help strengthen the astronauts' bones, muscles, and cardiovascular system while they are in space. The Gateway Exercise Equipment study contract runs for approximately 6 months and has a total value for DAC of approximately EUR 580,000. (DKK 4.3 million). The contract does not change the company's previously announced expectations for 2025. The Lunar Gateway is a new space station that NASA, ESA, Japan and Canada have agreed to develop. NASA's current plans envision launch and beginning initial operations of the Lunar Gateway in about 2028. The Gateway will orbit the Moon, where it will be visited by astronauts for 30 to 90 days at a time. This represents a big step forward for DAC, and the first time the company is seriously looking at moving further into space with its exercise equipment, after having supplied ESA and NASA with exercise- and medical monitoring equipment for more than three decades for the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station (ISS) programs. Amentum Clean Energy from England will participate in the project as a subcontractor. Over the next six months, DAC's sophisticated exercise technology will be refined further so the new exercise device can meet the unique requirements of the Lunar Gateway. The new prototype will also include a new form of exercise - jumping - to help strengthen the astronauts' bones, muscles, and cardiovascular system while they are in space. Amentum Clean Energy's contribution to the prototype study involves development of a vibration damping system that ensures vibrations from the astronauts' exercise do not propagate to the Lunar Gateway space station and disrupt systems and other research on board. "We are extremely proud that ESA has chosen Danish Aerospace Company to develop a prototype of the exercise equipment for the Lunar Gateway. This shows our extensive experience in this area, but it also offers a lot of exciting new challenges. The exercise equipment must be even more reliable than before, because it is much further away from home. For example, the electronics in the equipment must be able to withstand the much higher background radiation so far from Earth and still function, and the HALO module, where the astronauts will exercise, is much smaller than the modules on the ISS; so the exercise device we develop must be optimized even more. We are very much looking forward to contributing to this fascinating new area", says Thomas A. E. Andersen, CEO, DAC. The Gateway Exercise Equipment study contract runs for approximately 6 months and has a total value for DAC of approximately EUR 580,000. (DKK 4.3 million). For further information, please contact: Danish Aerospace Company A/S:CEO Thomas A.E. AndersenCell: +45 40 29 41 62 Certified Adviser:Baker Tilly Corporate Finance P/S Poul Bundgaards Vej 1, Valby Tel.: +45 33 45 10 00 About Danish Aerospace Company A/S: Danish Aerospace Company (DAC) is a high-tech company operating in the area of advanced medical instrumentation and other engineering fields primarily within space applications. Our products are based on many years of specialized research and development. These consist of developing, integrating, and applying new as well as established medical technologies to the challenges of functioning and remaining reliable in space. These products and services bring the potential of space research and experience from space operations down to Earth for the benefit of all mankind. Danish Aerospace Company employs engineers and technicians who deliver full engineering, production and technical services for our customers. We specialize in customer specific design, development, manufacturing, certification, maintenance, testing, and operations. The company has developed five generations of respiratory equipment for spaceflight, ergometers for astronauts, countermeasures, adapted several commercial medical equipment for spaceflight and has participated in the development of the minus eighty-degree Celsius freezers. The Company's quality system is certified in obligation to BS EN ISO 9001:2015, BS EN 9100:2018 technical equivalent to AS9100D that is the acknowledged standard in the area. Note: This is a translation of the corresponding Company Announcement in Danish. In case of discrepancies between the Danish wording and the English translation, the Danish wording prevails. in to access your portfolio
