Latest news with #lowEarthOrbit
Wall Street Journal
5 days ago
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
Private Space Stations Are Racing to Be the Next ‘It' Destination
They are real-estate projects designed for low-Earth orbit: One day, private space stations could offer some of the best views in the solar system. Spurred by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, several companies aim to build facilities that would replace the International Space Station and attract a new variety of tenants and travelers.
Sustainability Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Sustainability Times
'China Issues Full-Scale Alert': Spinning Cannon From U.S. Startup Fires Pancake Satellites Into Orbit and Ignites Global Space Tensions
IN A NUTSHELL 🚀 SpinLaunch aims to revolutionize satellite deployment with its innovative centrifugal launch system, offering a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative. aims to revolutionize satellite deployment with its innovative centrifugal launch system, offering a more and environmentally friendly alternative. 💡 The company's Meridian Space constellation could set a new record for simultaneous satellite launches, challenging established players like SpaceX. could set a new record for simultaneous satellite launches, challenging established players like SpaceX. 🌍 Supported by nearly $150 million in funding, SpinLaunch plans to launch its first batch of pancake-like microsatellites into low-Earth orbit in 2026. 🔧 By eliminating the need for booster rockets and reducing emissions, SpinLaunch offers a sustainable approach to increasing satellite activity in low-Earth orbit. In a groundbreaking move that could forever change the landscape of space exploration, SpinLaunch, a California-based startup, is set to launch hundreds of flattened 'microsatellites' into low-Earth orbit (LEO). This innovative approach, involving a giant centrifugal cannon, promises not only to revolutionize satellite deployment but also to position SpinLaunch as a formidable competitor to established players like SpaceX. With the potential to set a new record for simultaneous satellite launches, this development is a significant milestone in the quest for more cost-effective and environmentally friendly space missions. A New Era of Satellite Launches SpinLaunch's pioneering technology involves using a giant centrifugal cannon to accelerate spacecraft at incredible speeds. This method is designed to reduce costs and minimize environmental impact, offering a fresh perspective on how satellites can be deployed. The company's Meridian Space constellation is set to be a game-changer, with the first batch of pancake-like satellites ready to be launched as soon as next year. These microsatellites, each 7.5 feet wide and weighing approximately 154 pounds, will be stacked like pancakes in a 'launch bus,' making them significantly lighter than their competitors. This unique design and deployment method could allow SpinLaunch to set a new record for the most spacecraft launched at once, a title currently held by SpaceX. The development of this innovative launch system is supported by substantial funding, with SpinLaunch recently securing an additional $12 million from Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace (KDA). This brings their total funding close to $150 million, underscoring the confidence investors have in their groundbreaking technology. The involvement of KDA's NanoAvionics in building the first batch of 250 satellites further bolsters the project's credibility, setting the stage for a successful launch in 2026. 'I Built a Laser from Hell': YouTuber Unleashes World's Strongest Handheld Beam That Instantly Melts Metal and Ignites Anything The Revolutionary Launch System SpinLaunch's unique approach to satellite deployment involves a novel launch system that uses a vacuum-sealed chamber and spinning arms to accelerate payloads. This Suborbital Accelerator has already proven its mettle, having launched 10 rockets into suborbital flight from New Mexico. The process involves spinning objects to speeds of up to 5,000 mph, subjecting them to forces as high as 10,000 Gs before they are fired into the upper atmosphere. The success of these test launches, including the most recent in September 2022, sets a solid foundation for the upcoming orbital demonstration, where the same machine will be used to propel payloads into LEO. The main advantage of this system is its cost-efficiency. SpinLaunch predicts that future commercial launches could cost between $1,250 and $2,500 per kilogram, less than half the cost of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rockets. Additionally, the absence of greenhouse gas emissions during the launch and the elimination of the need for booster rockets contribute to a more sustainable approach to space travel, reducing both environmental impact and space debris. 'China Leaves West in the Dust': Its Small Nuclear Reactor Leap Puts Beijing Years Ahead in the Future of Clean Energy Implications for the Satellite Industry The implementation of SpinLaunch's technology could have far-reaching implications for the satellite industry. By offering a more affordable and environmentally friendly launch option, SpinLaunch is poised to challenge established players and reshape the competitive landscape. Their Meridian Space constellation aims to provide superfast communications services at a lower price point than its competitors, potentially democratizing access to space-based services. Moreover, the company's plans to expand their capabilities with a larger Orbital Accelerator could see them launching up to five commercial payloads into space daily. This ambitious goal, if achieved, would dramatically increase the frequency and accessibility of satellite launches, opening new opportunities for industries reliant on satellite technology. However, this increased activity in LEO raises concerns about potential issues such as spacecraft collisions, light pollution, and interference with astronomical observations. 'China Builds 40-Story Giants': These Gravity Batteries Could Crush Lithium's Dominance and Trigger a Global Energy Power Shift Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities While SpinLaunch's innovations present exciting opportunities, they also come with challenges that must be addressed. The potential for increased satellite activity in LEO could exacerbate existing problems such as space debris and atmospheric pollution from re-entering spacecraft. As the company moves forward with its ambitious plans, it will be crucial to consider these factors and work towards sustainable solutions that balance growth with responsibility. The success of SpinLaunch's upcoming launches could set a new standard for satellite deployment, offering a glimpse into a future where space is more accessible and sustainable. However, the question remains: how will the industry adapt to these changes and what measures will be taken to mitigate the potential risks associated with increased activity in low-Earth orbit? Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.6/5 (23)
Gizmodo
13-06-2025
- Science
- Gizmodo
NASA Delays Private Mission to ISS as Russian Module Leak Worsens
The Russian space agency first detected the leak in 2019 and has spent years trying to fix it. A concerning development with an air leak on the International Space Station (ISS) has prompted NASA to indefinitely delay the launch of Axiom Mission 4 for ongoing investigations. On Thursday, NASA announced that it was working with Russia's space agency, Roscosmos, to understand a 'new pressure signature' in a segment of the Zvezda service module. As a result, NASA and Axiom Space postponed the launch of the company's fourth private mission to the ISS, which was scheduled for Wednesday, without setting a new date. The Roscosmos space agency first reported the leak in August 2020. It was found in the Russian Zvezda life support module, which Russia launched to low Earth orbit in July 2000. Since then, the rate at which air is leaking from the Zvezda service module has doubled from one pound a day to a little over two pounds a day, according to a report released in 2024. This week, NASA revealed that Russian cosmonauts on board the ISS 'recently performed inspections of the pressurized module's interior surfaces, sealed some additional areas of interest, and measured the current leak rate.' Following the inspections, it was revealed that the 'segment is now holding pressure,' NASA wrote. 'The postponement of Axiom Mission 4 provides additional time for NASA and Roscosmos to evaluate the situation and determine whether any additional troubleshooting is necessary,' NASA said in its statement. 'NASA defers to Roscosmos to answer specific questions about the Zvezda module.' Last year, NASA elevated the leak to the highest level of risk. At the time, it was reported that NASA and Roscosmos could not agree on the root cause of the leak or a way to fix it. That still appears to be the case today. Although NASA has stressed that the leak poses no immediate threat to the astronauts currently on board, the recent postponement of the Ax-4 mission is worrying; the delay is raising questions about the mission and its international crew. Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut who holds the national record for the most cumulative days spent in space, is serving as mission commander, joined by pilot Shubhanshu Shukla of India, mission specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of Poland, and mission specialist Tibor Kapu of Hungary. The three countries are sending astronauts to the ISS for the first time in the station's more than 25-year history—though the timing is less than ideal, with the station grappling with aging hardware.
The Independent
02-06-2025
- Science
- The Independent
The Sun is causing Elon Musk's Starlink satellites to drop from space
Eruptions from the Sun are causing SpaceX 's Starlink satellites to fall to Earth 'faster than expected', according to Nasa scientists. A team from the US space agency's Goddard Space Flight Center made the discovery after investigating the impact of solar activity on the lifespan of satellites in low-Earth orbit. Their findings revealed that Elon Musk 's space internet constellation is particularly prone to the effects of geomagnetic storms, which heat up the planet's atmosphere and increase the drag on satellites. The study coincides with the Sun reaching the peak of its 11-year activity cycle, known as the solar maximum, which has seen large amounts of geomagnetic storms and other extreme space weather. 'Our results indisputably show that satellites reenter faster with higher geomagnetic activity,' the researchers said. 'We clearly show that the intense solar activity of the current solar cycle has already had significant impacts on Starlink reentries.' SpaceX has previously blamed space weather for botched launch attempts of its Starlink satellites. In February 2022, most of the 49 Starlinks launched from a Falcon 9 rocket fell back to Earth over the Caribbean, with the event coinciding with a minor geomagnetic storm. There are currently more than 7,000 Starlink satellites orbiting Earth, with SpaceX planning to increase the constellation's size to up to 30,000 satellites. Each Starlink satellite has a limited lifespan, which is typically less than five years. After this period, the satellites re-enter the atmosphere and burn up before reaching the ground. While some of these satellites use onboard thrusters to deorbit, others fall naturally due to atmospheric drag. The Nasa scientists found that during geomagnetic storms, any satellite orbiting below 300 kilometres burnt up 10 days earlier than expected. These quicker re-entries could increase the chance of satellites not burning up properly in the Earth's atmosphere, the scientists said, and may be responsible for some parts of Starlink satellites reaching the ground. The only known instance of this happening took place in August 2024, when a piece of a Starlink satellite was discovered on a farm in Canada. The research was published in a study, titled 'Tracking reentries of Starlink satellites during the rising phase of Solar Cycle 25'.
Entrepreneur
31-05-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Satellite Mega Constellations Face Challenges from Solar Activity
The number of satellites orbiting Earth has reached unprecedented levels, with SpaceX's Starlink internet service leading the surge in mega constellations. Recent findings suggest that solar activity has a significant... This story originally appeared on Calendar The number of satellites orbiting Earth has reached unprecedented levels, with SpaceX's Starlink internet service leading the surge in mega constellations. Recent findings suggest that solar activity has a significant impact on these satellite networks, presenting new challenges for operators. Earth's orbit has become increasingly crowded as companies deploy large-scale satellite networks to provide global internet coverage and other services. SpaceX has launched thousands of Starlink satellites alone, contributing substantially to the growth of the orbital population. Solar Activity and Satellite Operations New research reveals that the sun's behavior directly affects satellite operations in ways that operators must now address. Solar flares, coronal mass ejections, and other solar phenomena can disrupt satellite electronics, alter orbital paths, and even cause premature reentry into Earth's atmosphere. When the sun enters active phases of its 11-year cycle, it releases more radiation and particles that interact with Earth's upper atmosphere. This interaction heats and expands the atmosphere, creating increased drag on satellites in low Earth orbit, where many of these new mega constellations operate. The effects can be particularly pronounced for smaller satellites that make up mega constellations like Starlink, as they have less mass to resist atmospheric drag and may require more frequent orbital adjustments. Growing Concerns for Satellite Operators As the current solar cycle intensifies toward its predicted maximum, satellite operators face several critical challenges: Increased fuel consumption for orbit maintenance Higher risk of communication disruptions Greater potential for satellite failures More complex collision avoidance maneuvers SpaceX and other operators must now incorporate solar activity forecasts into their operational planning. This includes scheduling launches during periods of lower solar activity and designing satellites with additional shielding against radiation. Industry Response and Adaptation 'The relationship between solar cycles and satellite operations has always been known, but the scale of today's mega constellations makes this a much more significant issue,' explains Dr. Sarah Johnson, an aerospace engineer specializing in orbital dynamics. Satellite companies are responding by enhancing their monitoring systems and developing more sophisticated predictive models. Some are also modifying satellite designs to better withstand the harsh space environment during periods of high solar activity. The U.S. Space Force and NASA have intensified their space weather monitoring efforts to deliver more accurate forecasts to commercial operators. These agencies track solar events that may affect satellites and provide warnings when hazardous conditions are anticipated. International coordination has also improved, with satellite operators sharing data about orbital positions and planned maneuvers to reduce collision risks that might be heightened during solar events. The current situation represents a learning opportunity for the industry as it adapts to operating large satellite networks during varying solar conditions. The lessons learned will likely influence the design and operation of future satellite systems. The post Satellite Mega Constellations Face Challenges from Solar Activity appeared first on Calendar.
