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.
The ISS's orbit is slowly decaying. While it might seem a permanent fixture in the sky, the orbiting space laboratory is only about 400 km above the planet. There might not be a lot of atmosphere at that altitude. However, ...
Space Exploration
Jan 21, 2025
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When NASA and the Indian Space Research Organization's (ISRO) new Earth satellite NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) launches in coming months, it will capture images of Earth's surface so detailed they will show ...
Planetary Sciences
Jan 21, 2025
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Teams with NASA are gaining momentum as work progresses toward future lunar missions for the benefit of humanity as numerous flight hardware shipments from across the world arrived at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in ...
Space Exploration
Jan 20, 2025
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If there is a leader in the aerospace industry, SpaceX is it. The company's Crew Dragon and Cargo Dragon spacecrafts are the current go-to vehicles to deliver astronauts and supplies to the International Space Station.
Space Exploration
Jan 20, 2025
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Astronomers have been battling threats to their clear skies on all fronts lately. One of the most notable battles, which we have reported on repeatedly, is the one against Starlink and other mega-constellations of satellites, ...
Astronomy
Jan 18, 2025
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India docked two satellites in space Thursday, a key milestone for the country's dreams of a space station and a manned moon mission, the space agency said.
Space Exploration
Jan 16, 2025
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Last night, a crucial step in the European Space Agency's eclipse-making Proba-3 mission was completed: the two spacecraft, flying jointly since launch, have successfully separated. This leaves them ready to begin their cosmic ...
Space Exploration
Jan 15, 2025
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The first IRIDE satellite—the Pathfinder Hawk—is now in orbit around Earth after lifting off on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on 14 January.
Planetary Sciences
Jan 15, 2025
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In December 2024, five CubeSats deployed into Earth's orbit from the International Space Station. Among them was LignoSat, a wooden satellite from JAXA (Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency) that investigates the use of ...
Space Exploration
Jan 8, 2025
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It's slightly larger than a 5-liter water bottle, and is whizzing around the Earth at a speed of 7.5 kilometers per second. The satellite has two cameras built into its body, and can be controlled quickly and turned smoothly ...
Planetary Sciences
Jan 2, 2025
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