Tag: Space Policy
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Reflect Orbital’s Night-Sunlight Plan Sparks Astronomers’ Alarm
Overview: A Bold Idea Meets a Storm of Stars and Skepticism A California startup, Reflect Orbital, has proposed a controversial approach to keeping solar farms running after sunset. By deploying mirrors in space to redirect sunlight to Earth on demand, the company aims to extend daytime-level energy production into the night. The concept, if scaled…
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Alcohol, danger, and solidarity: How Mir cosmonauts drank after a near-disaster in space
Introduction: a crisis in orbit On June 25, 1997, the Russian space station Mir faced a life-threatening crisis when an uncrewed Progress M-34 cargo vessel collided with the station during a docking attempt. The impact ruptured the Spektr module’s pressure hull, causing a rapid loss of air and forcing the crew to seal off the…
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Satellite Operators Urge ITU to Improve Space Safety
Global Call for Better Coordination At the International Astronautical Congress in Sydney on Sept. 30, satellite operators pressed the International Telecommunication Union to help keep lines of communication open as close approaches between satellites raise space safety concerns. The core issue is not conflicts with rival constellations, but the lack of routine data sharing among…
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Satellite Operators Call on ITU to Improve Space Safety Coordination
The push for better coordination among space operators In Sydney, leaders from major satellite operators pressed the ITU to step in as a trusted hub that can keep channels open among operators. The central ask is for reliable lines of communication and the routine sharing of crucial data, including orbital ephemerides and maneuver plans, to…
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Why Dead Satellites Are a Growing Space Junk Threat
Why scientists are worried about dead satellites becoming space junk The sighting of an unusual sky event over Calgary has brought public attention to a problem that scientists have been tracking for years: dead satellites and other discarded pieces of hardware piling up in Earth’s orbit. As more launches occur and older equipment remains active…
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Why Scientists Are Worried About Dead Satellites Turning Into Space Junk
Overview: A growing hazard from old satellites An unusual visual spectacle over Calgary recently captured headlines and highlighted a broader concern: dead satellites turning into space junk. The debris problem has moved from a theoretical worry to a practical challenge that could affect communications, weather forecasting, and even human spaceflight. As more objects populate orbit,…
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NASA’s Mars Discoveries and Trump’s Oversight
Nasa’s Groundbreaking Discovery on Mars NASA’s recent announcement by interim leader Sean Duffy concerning the Mars Perseverance rover has sent shockwaves through the scientific community. The rover has reportedly identified “potential biosignatures” on Mars, suggesting that life may have existed on the Red Planet. This discovery could open new avenues for understanding extraterrestrial life and…
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NASA’s Discovery of Potential Life on Mars: A Challenge to Trump’s Policies
NASA’s Groundbreaking Announcement NASA’s interim leader, Sean Duffy, recently made headlines with the announcement that the agency’s Mars Perseverance rover had discovered potential biosignatures on the Red Planet. This revelation marks a significant milestone in our quest for extraterrestrial life, igniting discussions around the implications for space exploration and policy. A Historical Context of Space…
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The Silent Shutdown: A Struggle for Climate Data
In an unexpected turn of events, Donald Trump’s administration has begun implementing plans that could drastically impact our understanding of climate change. Recent reports have revealed that NASA has received secret orders to shut down its climate-satellite programs, including critically important instruments like the Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO). The news broke late last night, igniting…