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.
A two-armed space robot blasted off on a private salvage operation Tuesday to slap life-extending jetpacks on old satellites running low on fuel thousands of miles up.
Space Exploration
Jul 22, 2026
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216
AI companies increasingly want to move their operations into space. Elon Musk's SpaceX has applied to launch over a million AI data center satellites and ultimately build them on the moon.
Earth Sciences
Jul 20, 2026
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India's first privately built orbital rocket took its maiden flight Saturday, its company said, marking a significant step for the South Asian giant as it eyes a bigger slice of the global space economy.
Space Exploration
Jul 18, 2026
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20
America's most daring, extraordinary feat—landing astronauts on the moon—remains the pinnacle of achievement by anyone anywhere. Ever.
Space Exploration
Jul 18, 2026
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57
Reflect Orbital moves ahead with the company's first Eärendil launch amid concerns from the astronomical community.
Astronomy
Jul 17, 2026
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68
Private companies are reshaping India's space ambitions, building rockets and satellites as the country pushes to capture a bigger share of the global space economy.
Space Exploration
Jul 17, 2026
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12
SpaceX's mega Starship rocket came within a second or so from blasting off on a test flight Thursday, but some of the engines failed to ignite, triggering a launch abort amid billowing clouds of smoke and vapor.
Space Exploration
Jul 17, 2026
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63
What does it take to catch up with a small, tumbling rock hundreds of thousands of kilometers from Earth? For China's Tianwen-2 mission, the answer was a 400-day chase covering roughly 1 billion kilometers (621 million miles) ...
Space Exploration
Jul 15, 2026
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22
A U.S.-Russian space crew arrived Tuesday at the International Space Station after launching from the Russia-leased Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
Space Exploration
Jul 14, 2026
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6
A giant mirror to create "sunlight on demand" was just approved by the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC), despite opposition from astronomers and the public, and real safety concerns.
Space Exploration
Jul 13, 2026
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