All articles tagged with #low earth orbit
A SpaceX Starlink satellite malfunctioned and is now spiraling toward Earth, likely due to an internal explosion, raising concerns about space debris and congestion in low Earth orbit, which is becoming increasingly crowded with over 24,000 objects and projected to reach 70,000 satellites by the end of the decade.
NASA launched the DiskSat technology demonstration, a new flat, disk-shaped small spacecraft platform designed to lower costs and expand capabilities for space missions, into low Earth orbit to test its performance and potential applications for scientific and exploration purposes.
A new study warns that the increasing density of satellite mega-constellations in Low Earth Orbit creates a fragile system at risk of catastrophic collision, especially during solar storms, with potential for a rapid cascade of debris and loss of space access within days if control is lost. The paper emphasizes the urgent need for better management and risk assessment to prevent a future space debris catastrophe.
A new NASA-led study warns that the increasing number of communication satellites in low Earth orbit could significantly interfere with space telescopes like Hubble, with nearly 40% of Hubble's images and up to 96% of other telescopes' images potentially affected by satellite light pollution, prompting calls for mitigation strategies.
HEO Robotics, an Australian company, is expanding its spacecraft imaging capabilities from low Earth orbit to higher orbits like geostationary orbit, with long-term plans to enable on-demand imaging of solar system objects such as asteroids, aiming to revolutionize space observation and exploration.
Space debris from rockets and satellites is increasing exponentially, leading to more incidents of space junk falling to Earth and raising collision risks in low Earth orbit, which could have serious consequences for space operations and safety.
A new study warns that low Earth orbit is becoming increasingly crowded, with a significant rise in collision-avoidance maneuvers and space debris, raising concerns about the sustainability and safety of satellite operations, especially as the number of satellites is expected to grow substantially by 2030.
NASA plans to deorbit the International Space Station in 2030 and shift focus to developing commercial space stations in low-Earth orbit, ensuring continued human presence and research opportunities in space beyond the ISS's retirement.
NASA plans to deorbit the International Space Station by 2030, ending a 25-year streak of continuous human presence in low-Earth orbit, and will transition to commercial space stations developed by private companies, while continuing space research and international collaboration.
A new method for removing space debris involves using a bidirectional plasma ejection system from an ion engine to push space junk into Earth's atmosphere for safe burn-up, offering a safer and potentially more effective solution to the growing problem of space debris in low-Earth orbit.
JetBlue will be the first airline to implement Amazon's Project Kuiper satellite network starting in 2027, providing faster, more reliable, and free in-flight Wi-Fi using low Earth orbit satellites that support high-speed streaming and data activities, enhancing the onboard connectivity experience for travelers.
NASA is revising its plans to support the development of commercial space stations, which may lead to the end of its permanent human presence in low Earth orbit, signaling a shift in space policy and commercial collaboration.
NASA-supported commercial space station Starlab has achieved five key development milestones, including design reviews and mockup construction, as it advances toward supporting human life and scientific research in low Earth orbit, with plans for further detailed design and hardware development.
The European Space Agency (ESA) has signed an agreement with Thales Alenia Space and Blue Origin to explore the potential use of Blue Origin's Orbital Reef commercial space station for European payloads, astronauts, and hardware contributions, as part of its strategy to maintain a human presence in low Earth orbit after the International Space Station's retirement.
NASA-supported Vast's Haven-1 commercial space station successfully tested a critical air filtration system at Marshall Space Flight Center, ensuring a safe environment for future astronauts and supporting the development of commercial space stations in low Earth orbit.