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.
What's harder than flying a single satellite in Earth orbit? Flying two—right beside each other, at proximities that would normally trigger collision avoidance maneuvers.
Space Exploration
Dec 2, 2024
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The moons of Mars are garnering increased attention, not only because they could provide a view of the solar system's past but also because they could provide invaluable staging areas for any future human settlement on Mars ...
Space Exploration
Dec 2, 2024
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Instruments aboard robotic landers have measured seismicity on the moon and Mars, helping researchers learn about the inner workings of those celestial bodies. But the internal makeup of Venus is still not known, in part ...
Planetary Sciences
Nov 26, 2024
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The double-satellite Proba-3 is the most ambitious member yet of ESA's Proba family of experimental missions. Two spacecraft will fly together as one, maintaining precise formation down to a single millimeter.
Space Exploration
Nov 19, 2024
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31
Last week, three tiny Australian satellites from Curtin University's Binar Space Program burned up in Earth's atmosphere. That was always going to happen. In fact, Binar means "fireball" in the Noongar language of the First ...
Planetary Sciences
Nov 12, 2024
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The Pentagon's first batch of new and more capable GPS satellites is as much as eight to 11 months behind the desired delivery schedule because contractor Lockheed Martin Corp. is having difficulty manufacturing some complex ...
Space Exploration
Nov 11, 2024
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Earth's city lights streak by in this long-exposure photo taken by NASA astronaut Don Pettit on Oct. 24, 2024. The green glow of Earth's atmosphere is also visible on the horizon.
Space Exploration
Nov 7, 2024
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What do the Earth's gravitational field and the trajectories of satellites and space debris have in common? The Earth's gravitational field influences the orbits of our companions in space, while the changes in the orbits ...
Planetary Sciences
Oct 30, 2024
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24
A team of space researchers with the IAU Center for the Protection of Dark and Quiet Skies from Satellite Constellation Interference, working with a colleague from Belgian Working Group Satellites, has found that the satellites ...
The two CubeSat passengers aboard ESA's Hera mission for planetary defense have exchanged their first signals with Earth, confirming their nominal status. The pair were switched on to check out all their systems, marking ...
Space Exploration
Oct 28, 2024
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