Artificial satellites as a research area encompasses the scientific and engineering study of human-made objects intentionally placed into Earth or other celestial orbits for observation, communication, navigation, and experimentation. Research focuses on orbital dynamics and mission design, attitude determination and control, space environment interactions (radiation, plasma, micrometeoroids), and advanced materials and power systems for long-duration operation. It also includes development of miniaturized platforms (e.g., CubeSats), payload instrumentation for remote sensing and scientific measurements, formation flying and constellations, on-orbit servicing, autonomy and fault management, and the impacts of satellite proliferation on space traffic management and orbital debris mitigation.
We've sent some pretty interesting payloads to space since the first satellite (Sputnik 1) launched on October 4, 1957. As access to space has increased, thanks largely to the commercial space industry, so too have the types ...
Space Exploration
Jul 1, 2025
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The Meteosat Third Generation Sounder (MTG-S1) satellite, which is hosting the instrument for the Copernicus Sentinel-4 mission, has been placed inside the nose cone of the Falcon 9 launch rocket and is ready for the scheduled ...
Planetary Sciences
Jul 1, 2025
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Have you ever found something unexpected in the background of a photo? Scientists looking at images of Earth taken by weather satellites found that Venus shows up in the background of some of the images. By collecting and ...
Planetary Sciences
Jun 30, 2025
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If a huge asteroid smashes into the moon in 2032, the gigantic explosion would send debris streaming toward Earth that would threaten satellites and create a spectacular meteor shower, according to researchers.
Astronomy
Jun 23, 2025
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More and more satellites are being added to low Earth orbit (LEO) every month. As that number continues to increase, so do the risks of that critical area surrounding Earth becoming impassable, trapping us on the planet for ...
Space Exploration
Jun 19, 2025
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32
Shortly after astronomers detected asteroid 2024 YR4 on December 27, 2024, they realized it posed no threat to Earth. But it could still impact the moon in 2032. The impact debris could threaten satellites and trigger an ...
Astronomy
Jun 17, 2025
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A pair of European satellites have created the first artificial solar eclipses by flying in precise and fancy formation, providing hours of on-demand totality for scientists.
Planetary Sciences
Jun 16, 2025
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Satellite data used by archaeologists to find traces of ancient ruins hidden under dense forest canopies can also be used to improve the speed and accuracy to measure how much carbon is retained and released in forests.
Ecology
Jun 14, 2025
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41
From an orbit 36,000 km from Earth, the Meteosat Third Generation Sounder satellite (MTG-S) is set to revolutionize the way we forecast severe weather. Unlike the imaging satellites, which complete the constellation of the ...
Planetary Sciences
Jun 5, 2025
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For years, the commercial space sector has been abuzz about the prospect of satellite "super constellations" in Earth orbit. These satellites would provide everything from communications and navigation to broadband internet ...
Astronomy
May 30, 2025
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