Latest news with #spacecraft
BBC News
2 hours ago
- Science
- BBC News
UK start-up to launch metal-fuelled thruster into space
A UK-built spacecraft engine that runs on metal is preparing for its first test in space, in a mission that could pave the way for longer-lasting, more flexible plasma thruster, developed by Oxfordshire start-up Magdrive, heats tiny bits of solid metal into a hot gas to produce powerful bursts of thrust. In the future it could allow satellites to recycle parts of themselves, or space junk for fuel, but for now the metal is carried launch, which is due from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, US, at 22:00 BST, is backed by the UK and European space agencies. Mark Stokes, chief executive and co-founder of Magdrive, said the mission showed what British innovation could achieve with the right support. "We've spent four years building something that breaks the mould," he said."This launch isn't just about proving our tech – it's about proving the UK can lead in space." Dr Gianluigi Baldesi, from the European Space Agency, said the quick progress from project start to launch demonstrated the "bold" innovation it aimed to encourage. "In less than a year, we have gone from kick-off to launch," he from the test flight is expected in August and September. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- Science
- South China Morning Post
Mengzhou spacecraft for China's moon-landing mission passes landmark test flight
China has completed the inaugural test flight of its next-generation Mengzhou crewed spacecraft , executing a critical zero-altitude escape trial at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in the Gobi Desert. Advertisement Developed for China's 2030 lunar ambitions , the modular Mengzhou spacecraft features two variants: a near-Earth version supporting space station operations with a seven-astronaut capacity and a deep-space model for lunar missions. Its reusable return capsule and advanced technologies place it among the world's most capable crew vehicles. 01:57 China's Chang'e-6 mission returns to Earth with first samples from moon's far side China's Chang'e-6 mission returns to Earth with first samples from moon's far side At midday on Tuesday, the spacecraft's escape engines ignited while grounded at the launch complex. Within 20 seconds, the return capsule reached its designated altitude and cleanly separated from the escape tower as parachutes deployed. The capsule subsequently touched down within the predetermined landing zone using an airbag cushioning system, marking the test's success. This foundational safety verification – designed to ensure crew survive during rocket failures at lift-off – simulates emergencies in which astronauts must be rapidly extracted from danger zones during a vehicle's most vulnerable launch phase. Advertisement The achievement represents China's first such test since 1998, when a similar trial was conducted for the Shenzhou spacecraft programme.
Geek Wire
3 days ago
- Business
- Geek Wire
Portal Space Systems plans to put spacecraft manufacturing facility near Seattle-area hub
Portal CEO Jeff Thornburg says the company is expanding its footprint in Bothell, Wash. (Portal Space Systems Photo) Portal Space Systems says it's decided to set up its 50,000-square-foot spacecraft manufacturing facility just 3 miles away from its existing design and testing hub in Bothell, Wash. By the end of 2026, the factory should be ready to start producing Portal's Supernova space vehicles, which are being designed to use an innovative solar thermal propulsion system to maneuver payloads between orbital locations. 'With growing demand from both our commercial and defense partners, this new facility marks the next strategic step in Portal's evolution,' Portal CEO Jeff Thornburg said today, in a news release that was issued in conjunction with the Paris Air Show. 'By expanding our footprint in Bothell, we're doubling down on local talent, proximity to core operations, and a growing aerospace ecosystem supported by state leadership.' Today's announcement builds on other recent signs of Portal's progress, including the closing of a $17.5 million seed funding round and the announcement of an on-orbit demonstration mission that's due to ride aboard Momentus' Vigoride 7 orbital service vehicle in 2026. Portal said the newly announced facility will become the principal site for activities including manufacturing, assembly, integration and testing, research and development, and advanced engineering. The facility is expected to add more than 100 new jobs in the region over the next two to three years. By 2027, Portal plans to produce one Supernova per month. Supernova's sun-powered propulsion system is meant to provide the capability for rapid orbital adjustments. That capability is becoming increasingly important for a couple of reasons. One reason has to do with the need for more responsive space traffic management, due to the growing number of commercial satellites in low Earth orbit. The other has to do with the Pentagon's need to respond rapidly to potential space-based threats from rivals such as China and Russia. Last year, Portal won $45 million in financial support for Supernova's development through SpaceWERX's STRATFI program — a public-private initiative aimed at facilitating the delivery of strategic capabilities for the U.S. Space Force.
Sustainability Times
4 days ago
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'Earth's Core Is Acting Up': NASA Links Planet-Wide Disturbance to Mysterious Energy Surge Emerging From Deep Within the Mantle
IN A NUTSHELL 🌍 The South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA) is a region of weakened magnetic field over South America, posing risks to space technology. is a region of weakened magnetic field over South America, posing risks to space technology. 🛰️ Satellites passing through the SAA face exposure to high-energy particles, leading to potential single event upsets and system malfunctions. and system malfunctions. 🔄 The anomaly is dynamically changing , drifting northwest and splitting into two lobes, increasing hazards for spacecraft. , drifting northwest and splitting into two lobes, increasing hazards for spacecraft. 🔬 NASA uses satellite data and core simulations to model the magnetic field's evolution and improve mission planning. The South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA) has become a focal point of scientific intrigue and concern. This vast region of weakened magnetic field over South America and the South Atlantic Ocean presents a unique challenge for NASA and the global scientific community. Originating from complex processes within Earth's core, the SAA is not only a fascinating natural phenomenon but also a critical area of study due to its potential impact on space technologies. As the anomaly evolves, it becomes imperative to understand its mechanisms and anticipate the challenges it presents to our technological infrastructure. Deep Origins and Complex Mechanisms At the heart of NASA's concerns lies the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA), a geomagnetic phenomenon both captivating and concerning. This immense region is characterized by a significant reduction in magnetic intensity compared to its surroundings. Far from being a mere scientific curiosity, this weakness acts as a breach in our natural protective shield, allowing high-energy solar particles to dangerously approach Earth's surface. The origins of the SAA are intricately linked to the geodynamo, a complex process occurring in Earth's outer core. Here, the movement of molten iron and nickel generates the magnetic field that envelops us. However, this generation is not uniform. Two primary factors contribute to the formation of the SAA: the tilt of Earth's magnetic axis relative to its rotational axis and the influence of a massive dense structure known as the African Large Low Shear Velocity Province, located about 1,800 miles beneath the African continent. These factors disrupt the magnetic field generation in this region, leading to a local polarity reversal within Earth's magnetic field, further weakening the dipole field intensity in this specific area. 'Nasa Confirms the Unthinkable': China's Giant Water Diversion Project Will Slow Earth's Rotation and Disrupt Global Timekeeping A Threat to Space Technology This magnetic vulnerability poses significant risks to space technology. Satellites traversing the SAA are exposed to high levels of energetic protons, which can cause single event upsets (SEUs). These incidents can lead to temporary malfunctions, data corruption, or even permanent damage if critical systems are affected. To mitigate these risks, many satellite operators take preventive measures, such as shutting down non-essential systems when passing through the anomaly. Even the International Space Station (ISS) crosses the SAA on each orbit. While its shielding effectively protects astronauts, external instruments remain more vulnerable. Bryan Blair, deputy principal investigator for the GEDI instrument on the ISS, reports occasional 'glitches' and resets, resulting in a few hours of data loss each month. Other missions, like the Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON), also closely monitor the SAA and adjust their operations accordingly. 'NASA Sounds the Alarm': Massive Planetary Anomaly Detected Spreading Worldwide, Traced to Unknown Forces Beneath Earth's Crust Dynamic Evolution and Challenges The South Atlantic Anomaly is far from static. Recent data, particularly from the ESA's Swarm constellation and historical measurements from NASA's SAMPEX mission, confirm several alarming trends. The anomaly is slowly drifting northwest, expanding in surface area, and, as observed since 2020, beginning to split into two distinct lobes, creating two centers of minimum magnetic intensity. This bifurcation increases the number of hazardous zones for spacecraft and complicates the task of scientists developing predictive models of geomagnetic conditions. Understanding the changing morphology of the SAA is crucial for the safety of current and future satellites. As Terry Sabaka of NASA emphasizes, these developments necessitate continuous monitoring and adaptation in satellite operations to mitigate potential disruptions. 'Space Needs Nuclear Now': This New Global Race to Harness Atomic Power Beyond Earth Is Accelerating Faster Than Expected Anticipating the Invisible To refine their understanding and predictions, NASA combines satellite data with simulations of Earth's core dynamics. These inputs feed global models like the International Geomagnetic Reference Field (IGRF), which track the evolution of Earth's magnetic field. These models are essential not only for planning space missions but also for gaining a better grasp of our planet's internal structure. The approach resembles weather forecasting but on much longer timescales, allowing scientists to estimate the secular variation—the slow yet persistent changes in the magnetic field over years and decades. While the current evolution of the SAA is unprecedented in the space era, geological records suggest that such anomalies are not exceptional over long timescales. It is important to note that, according to scientists, the current SAA is not an early indicator of a magnetic pole reversal, a natural but rare phenomenon occurring over hundreds of thousands of years. Thus, studying the SAA remains a vital research area, crucial for protecting our orbiting technologies and deepening our understanding of the profound forces driving our planet. As the South Atlantic Anomaly continues to evolve, the scientific community remains vigilant in its efforts to understand and mitigate its impact. With its potential to disrupt satellite operations and influence our understanding of Earth's magnetic field, the SAA poses intriguing questions about the future of our planet's magnetic dynamics. How will these changes shape our technological and scientific pursuits in the years to come? Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.5/5 (22)
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
NASA Satellite Glimpses Giant Volcano Peeking Above The Clouds of Mars
A spacecraft's-eye view over the landscapes of Mars has just given us a first-of-its-kind glimpse of the giant, ancient edifice known as Arsia Mons. The NASA satellite Odyssey captured the enormous equatorial volcano as its tip peeked above the morning clouds of water ice – a common feature at this time of the Martian year, when the red planet is at its furthest point from the Sun on its slightly elliptical orbit. Arsia Mons belongs to a volcanic complex known as the Tharsis Montes; three shield volcanoes very close together in the Tharsis region of Mars. Arsia Mons is the tallest of the three, standing at a towering height of nearly 20 kilometers (12 miles). That's dramatically higher than any mountain on Earth, where the tallest peak above sea level (Mount Everest) stands 8.85 kilometers high and the tallest mountain, Mauna Kea, rises 9 kilometers above the sea floor. It also has around 30 times more volume than Earth's largest volcano, Mauna Loa – and it's not even the biggest volcano on Mars. Its activity is thought to have lasted billions of years, peaking around 150 million years ago. Odyssey usually has its cameras pointed down toward the surface of Mars. To obtain the new panorama, it had to rotate 90 degrees so that its camera pointed at the horizon. This angle is worth the effort: it allows scientists to make out layers and clouds in the thin Martian sky to better understand its atmospheric dynamics and processes. Clouds form around Arsia Mons when expanding air rises up the slopes of the mountain, rapidly cooling, allowing ice crystals to form. At Mars's current position in its journey around the Sun, a belt of clouds forms around the equator known as the aphelion cloud belt. Curiosity captured this phenomenon from the surface several years ago; the new Odyssey panorama gives us a spectacular view from above. "We picked Arsia Mons hoping we would see the summit poke above the early morning clouds," says aerospace engineer Jonathon Hill of Arizona State University. "And it didn't disappoint." The Universe's Missing Black Holes May Have Been Located Mysteriously Magnetic Moon Rocks Might Have an Explosive Origin Story Fiery Orange Gems From The Moon Reveal Secrets of Its Violent Past
