A single lightning bolt silently crossed three states in 2017. Years later, satellites finally uncovered its record-breaking 515-mile path across the sky.
Category: satellites
Sweeping survey maps hundreds of satellite systems orbiting dwarf galaxies
We usually think of satellites as small objects orbiting planets or stars. But in the broader universe, galaxies themselves can have satellites—smaller galaxies bound by gravity that orbit a larger host, carrying with them stars, gas, dust, and dark matter.
Most of what we know about satellite galaxies comes from studying the Milky Way and other similarly large galaxies. But a new study led by Dartmouth astronomers broadens that understanding by exploring the satellites of dwarf galaxies—systems less than a tenth the size of the Milky Way.
The multi-institutional survey triples the number of dwarf galaxies surveyed for satellites, the researchers report in The Astrophysical Journal. The study identifies 355 candidate satellite galaxies, including 264 that were previously undocumented. The researchers suggest that 134 of these candidates are highly likely to be satellite galaxies.
Additive Manufacturing Enables Advanced Thermal Control Systems for Next-Generation Space Missions
3D Systems is collaborating with researchers from Penn State University and Arizona State University on two projects sponsored by NASA intended to enable groundbreaking alternatives to current thermal management solutions.
Severe temperature fluctuations in space can damage sensitive spacecraft components, resulting in mission failure. By combining deep applications expertise with 3D Systems’ leading additive manufacturing solutions comprising Direct Metal Printing (DMP) technology and tailored materials and Oqton’s 3DXpert® software, the teams are engineering sophisticated thermal management solutions for the demands of next-generation satellites and space exploration.
The project led by researchers with Penn State University, Arizona State University, and the NASA Glenn Research Center in collaboration with 3D Systems’ Application Innovation Group (AIG) has resulted in processes to build embedded high-temperature passive heat pipes in heat rejection radiators that are additively manufactured in titanium. These heat pipe radiators are 50 percent lighter per area with increased operating temperatures compared with current state-of-the-art radiators, allowing them to radiate heat more efficiently for high-power systems.
By combining deep applications expertise with 3D Systems’ leading additive manufacturing solutions, research teams are engineering sophisticated thermal management solutions for the demands of next-generation satellites and space exploration.
Launch pad indicator error causes SpaceX, NASA to scrub planned static fire test of a Falcon 9 rocket ahead of the Crew-11 launch
Amazon is hoping to get a good rhythm going with the launch and deployment of Project Kuiper, its 3,232-satellite internet constellation, which began operational flights in April. The tech giant said on Thursday that its nearly $140 million investment in Florida is a cornerstone to making that happen.
While shown in the background of photos and hinted at in other public relations materials during its first three launch campaigns, Amazon confirmed on July 24 that its payload processing facility (PPF) at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) entered service back in April in time to support its first operational launch on a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas 5 rocket.
“There is no better place than Florida’s Space Coast to fulfill Kuiper’s promise to bring broadband to unserved and underserved across the nation and world,” said Brian Huseman, Amazon’s vice president for public policy and community engagement, in a statement. “We are proud to make investments in Florida that will impact the local community and ultimately our customers. We look forward to our long-term partnership with Space Florida, NASA, Space Force, and state and local officials, as well as our launch providers and community partners.”
NASA Is Watching a Huge Anomaly Growing in Earth’s Magnetic Field
For years, NASA has monitored a strange anomaly in Earth’s magnetic field: a giant region of lower magnetic intensity in the skies above the planet, stretching out between South America and southwest Africa.
This vast, developing phenomenon, called the South Atlantic Anomaly, has intrigued and concerned scientists for years, and perhaps none more so than NASA researchers.
The space agency’s satellites and spacecraft are particularly vulnerable to the weakened magnetic field strength within the anomaly, and the resulting exposure to charged particles from the Sun.
2 new NASA satellites will track space weather to help keep us safe from solar storms
“TRACERS joins the fleet of current heliophysics missions that are actively increasing our understanding of the sun, space weather, and how to mitigate its impacts,” said Westlake.
The $170 million TRACERS is set to launch no earlier than the end of July on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that will be carrying several other small missions into orbit at the same time. The answers that TRACERS could provide about how magnetic reconnection works will allow scientists to better protect critical infrastructure for when solar storms hit.
“It’s going to help us keep our way of life safe here on Earth,” said Westlake.
SpaceX Finally Reveals Starship Flight 10 Launch Window
🚀 Q: When are the next Starship test flights scheduled? A: Flight 10 is targeting August 4th, while Flight 11 is set for September 1st, 2025, marking the final Block 2 Starship tests.
🛰️ Q: What new AI initiative is SpaceX undertaking? A: SpaceX is hiring AI software engineers to integrate artificial intelligence into engineering workflows supporting Falcon, Starship, and satellite operations.
Starlink is preparing a breakthrough: 3rd generation satellites with terabit speed will be launched in 2026
SpaceX continues to actively develop the Starlink satellite internet project. Over the past year, the service has significantly improved speed and stability and expanded to new territories. In the coming years, Starlink will receive more powerful third-generation satellites that will increase the channel’s capacity by an order of magnitude and allow it to serve more people.