All articles tagged with #sciencetechnology
SpaceX is set to launch its latest Starlink mission from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40 this afternoon, with a launch window opening at 6:56 p.m. EST and closing at 8:22 p.m. This is the first of three planned launches, with the Koreasat 6A satellite scheduled for Monday and another Starlink mission on Tuesday. Today's launch will follow a southeast trajectory as part of the Group Six Starlink satellites.
The largest and most complete stegosaurus fossil ever found, named "Apex," will be auctioned by Sotheby's in New York on July 17, with an estimated value of up to $6 million. Discovered near Colorado's Morrison Formation, the 11-foot-tall, 20-foot-long specimen includes 247 fossil bones and is believed to be between 146 million and 161 million years old. The auction has sparked debate over the sale of fossils to private collectors, potentially limiting scientific study and public access.
SpaceX successfully launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 23 Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral on Friday night, despite earlier delays due to wind conditions. The booster landed on the droneship "A Shortfall of Gravitas." This launch marks the beginning of a potentially busy weekend for SpaceX, with a crewed flight test of Boeing's Starliner scheduled for the following day.
Changes and irregularities in Earth's magnetic field, driven by both solar activity and modeling errors, are complicating polar navigation for satellites, planes, ships, and cars. Research from the University of Michigan highlights significant discrepancies between satellite observations and Earth magnetic field models, particularly in polar regions, due to asymmetries in the magnetic field. This understanding is crucial for improving geomagnetic models and navigation systems.
SpaceX launched 23 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit from Florida, marking its third launch in two days and the 13th flight for the Falcon 9 rocket's first stage. This mission coincides with the fifth anniversary of SpaceX's first Starlink mission, part of Elon Musk's plan to provide global satellite Internet service. SpaceX has conducted 52 missions in 2024, with 36 related to Starlink, and continues to support the ISS and test its Starship for future lunar and Mars missions.
Canned air from duster tubes is found to be supersonic, as evidenced by the presence of shock diamonds in the gas flow, typically seen in afterburning jet turbine or rocket engine exhaust streams. This phenomenon was captured using a Schlieren imaging setup, which visualizes changes in a fluid's refractive index, making imperceptible changes visible. The setup, while requiring care, is not overly complex and can be replicated using accessible materials.
SpaceX nearly achieved its goal of 100 orbital launches in 2023, completing 98 missions, including 91 Falcon 9 and five Falcon Heavy launches, as well as two Super Heavy-Starship test flights. The company surpassed its previous record and outperformed competitors, with Rocket Lab USA and United Launch Alliance far behind in launch numbers. SpaceX is continuing its ambitious schedule with a planned launch on January 2, 2024, which will include the first Starlink satellites with Direct to Call capabilities.
SpaceX is set to launch a Falcon 9 rocket on January 2 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, carrying 21 Starlink satellites, including the first six with Direct to Cell capabilities for global communication services. The launch window opens at 6:13 p.m., with a backup opportunity on January 3. The mission will feature a new first stage booster that will land on the droneship "Of Course I Still Love You" post-separation. A live webcast will be available shortly before the launch.
Mysterious lights streaking across the sky in Northern California were identified as a meteor by the National Weather Service. The meteor was seen by many residents and captured on video, with some describing it as a "fireball" or "shooting star." The phenomenon was likely caused by debris from a comet or asteroid burning up in the Earth's atmosphere.