Tag

Low Earth Orbit

All articles tagged with #low earth orbit

science3 days ago•40 min saved

China’s Shenlong space plane kicks off its fourth orbital mission in secrecy

China’s Shenlong reusable space plane has kicked off its fourth orbital mission from Jiuquan, but the mission’s specifics remain secret; observers note Shenlong has previously conducted rendezvous and proximity operations with satellites and may deploy small payloads. Experts say these activities raise space-security questions, but the craft’s limited payload and power make it unlikely to be an immediate weapon, and they call for greater transparency from authorities.

via Yahoo|

#china #low-earth-orbit #rendezvous

space1 month ago•2 min saved

Solar Storms Could Trigger a Rapid Kessler-Style Debris Cascade in Low Earth Orbit

Scientists warn that a powerful solar storm could abruptly trigger a Kessler syndrome–style cascade in Earth's low orbit, turning orbital debris into a self-perpetuating cloud that endangers satellites and could shower debris back to Earth. Researchers introduced the CRASH clock, suggesting a catastrophic collision could unfold in roughly 5.5 days if navigation is disrupted, a sobering risk given the growing megaconstellations from SpaceX, Amazon, and others and the current high rate of in-orbit maneuvers.

via Futurism|

#crash-clock #kessler-syndrome #low-earth-orbit

space1 month ago•4 min saved

LEO Faces Rapid Instability as Cascading Debris Threatens Satellites

A new arXiv study warns that Low Earth Orbit could shift from stable to chaotic within days due to high satellite and debris densities, triggering a cascade of collisions that would disrupt communications, navigation, weather monitoring, and other services, while exposing gaps in mitigation and governance that require rapid detection and coordinated action.

via The Daily Galaxy|

#arxiv-study #low-earth-orbit #orbital-instability

space1 month ago•73 min saved

US Space Force taps Starfish Otter for first-ever satellite disposal contract

The U.S. Space Force awarded Starfish Space a $52.5 million contract to deorbit satellites using the Otter servicing spacecraft—the first end-of-life disposal deal for a large low-Earth orbit constellation. Starfish aims to launch Otter by 2027 to retrieve and dispose of at least one (potentially more) satellites within the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture network, signaling a shift toward affordable, repeatable satellite servicing in orbit.

via Space|

#deorbit #low-earth-orbit #otter

defense1 month ago•7 min saved

AST SpaceMobile lands prime role in U.S. defense program, signaling dual-use space tech growth

AST SpaceMobile was awarded a prime IDIQ contract under the Missile Defense Agency’s SHIELD program, enabling the company to pursue future task orders and position its on-orbit, dual-use space-based communications tech for defense and national security applications.

via Business Wire|

#ast-spacemobile #defense #dual-use-technology

science-and-technology2 months ago•2 min saved

Starlink Satellite Explodes and Spirals Toward Earth After Anomaly

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.

via TechSpot|

#low-earth-orbit #satellite-explosion #science-and-technology

science2 months ago•2 min saved

Rocket Lab launches experimental DiskSat satellites for U.S. Space Force and NASA

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.

via NASA (.gov)|

#disksat #low-earth-orbit #nasa

science-and-technology2 months ago•4 min saved

Countdown to Crisis: The Urgent Need to Address Low Earth Orbit Congestion

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.

via Universe Today|

#kessler-syndrome #low-earth-orbit #satellite-debris

science2 months ago•2 min saved

Satellite Growth Threatens Space Telescope Observations

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.

via theregister.com|

#hubble #low-earth-orbit #satellite-interference

science-and-technology4 months ago•4 min saved

HEO Robotics Advances On-Demand Solar System Imaging

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.

via Space|

#geostationary-orbit #heo-robotics #low-earth-orbit

science4 months ago•2 min saved

Space Debris Woes: Mysterious Wreckage and Junk Found in Australian Outback

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.

via Yahoo|

#earth-impact #low-earth-orbit #science

science-and-technology4 months ago•5 min saved

Concerns Rise Over Crowded Low Earth Orbit

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.

via Space|

#collision-avoidance #low-earth-orbit #satellite-congestion

space4 months ago•4 min saved

NASA to Depart ISS in 2030, Shift to Commercial Space Stations

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.

via Space|

#commercial-space-stations #deorbit #international-space-station

science5 months ago•4 min saved

NASA to Depart ISS by 2030, Paving the Way for Commercial Space Stations

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.

via The Conversation|

#international-space-station #low-earth-orbit #nasa

science5 months ago•4 min saved

Innovative Technologies and Challenges in Space Junk Removal

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.

via Space|

#ion-engine #low-earth-orbit #plasma-thruster