All posts tagged: space

Advancing in-space manufacturing for the future space economy

Advancing in-space manufacturing for the future space economy

Published by skeptic

Experts developed roadmaps for robotic assembly, resilient materials, lunar habitats, and demonstration infrastructure to advance space manufacturing The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) reinforced its position as a national leader in space technology and innovation by hosting the Roadmap for In-Space Manufacturing of Resilient Structures Workshop at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology on 19-20 May, 2026, sponsored by The Grainger College of Engineering and the Aerospace Engineering Department at UIUC. The workshop brought together leading researchers, programme managers, technology developers, and decision-makers from NASA, the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), industry, and academia to identify the critical challenges and opportunities that will shape the future of manufacturing, assembly, and infrastructure beyond Earth. Hosted by the UIUC Center for In-Space Manufacturing of Resilient Structures (SpaceMaRS), the workshop reflects the Center’s mission to develop a fundamental understanding of the materials science-processing-property relationships that enable on-demand manufacturing of resilient, lightweight structures in space. Bringing together faculty and students from multiple departments within The Grainger College of Engineering, the Center is preparing the next generation of …

Northrop’s robot space mechanic is a new way to keep satellites at work longer

Northrop’s robot space mechanic is a new way to keep satellites at work longer

Published by skeptic

High above the Earth, a new generation of robots designed to keep satellites working longer is replacing its predecessor — quite literally. This week, a spacecraft built and operated by Northrop Grumman called a Mission Extension Vehicle (MEV) unplugged from a communications satellite operated by the Australian firm Optus. For more than a year, the MEV spacecraft has been stuck to the back of the Optus satellite, keeping it in the right place in space so it can continue its mission. Now, the satellite life-extension spacecraft is leaving to make room for its replacement. In July, four new Northrop spacecraft launched into orbit on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. One is called the Mission Robotic Vehicle (MRV), a powerful satellite equipped with two advanced robotic arms that was developed by DARPA, the U.S. military research organization. The other three are called Mission Extension Pods, or MEPs, smaller, simpler satellites that are essentially modular propulsion systems. Those four spacecraft are currently headed for targets around 27,000 miles above the Earth. In 2027, the MRV will use …

Space expert says people may become emotional during ‘best eclipse in decades’

Space expert says people may become emotional during ‘best eclipse in decades’

Published by Sam Flores

Imo Bell, a planetarium astronomer at the Royal Greenwich Observatory, said: “You can project the image of the eclipse using a household item like a colander which has lots of holes in, point the colander towards the sun with your back facing it, and in the shadow of the colander you’ll be able to see the eclipse in the holes, which is really cool.” Source link

What can we learn from eclipses?

What can we learn from eclipses?

Published by Sam Flores

A total solar eclipse will sweep across northern Spain on August 12 in one of Europe’s most anticipated astronomical events of the decade. From the Sun’s corona to animal behaviour and human emotions, these rare celestial events continue to provide scientists with valuable insights more than two millennia after they were first observed. Head of Space Science at the Centre National d’Études Spatiales, Olivier Joie-La Marle, shares further insights. Keywords for this article Source link

Solar eclipse: “Never look at it without eye protection”

Solar eclipse: “Never look at it without eye protection”

Published by Sam Flores

We’re just hours away from a rare celestial event, a total solar eclipse. Day will briefly turn into night across parts of northern Spain as the Moon completely blocks out the Sun. Beyond Spain, millions more will see a partial eclipse across Europe, Canada, the northern US and northwest Africa. And we’ll have plenty of coverage for you throughout the day. Francis Monte reports. Keywords for this article Source link

How and When to View the Perseid Meteor Shower (August 2026)

How and When to View the Perseid Meteor Shower (August 2026)

Published by skeptic

In addition to a historic total solar eclipse, August also features one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year. On the night of August 12 and into the early morning of August 13, astronomy enthusiasts in the northern hemisphere and parts of the southern hemisphere will be able to admire the Perseids during a particularly favorable viewing window. Occasionally, Earth passes through the trails of particles left behind by some comets as they travel through the solar system. When these tiny fragments enter Earth’s atmosphere, friction with the air heats them until they burn up. From below, it looks as though the sky is filled with bright flashes streaking across the heavens at high speed. These are meteor showers. There are several throughout the year, and the one in August is called the Perseids. Although a meteor shower is one of the few astronomical phenomena that can be observed with the naked eye, it is not always easy to track. To enjoy it to the fullest, it’s a good idea to follow some …

Garden Experts Share 6 Tips To Heatwave-Proof Your Outdoor Space For 2027

Garden Experts Share 6 Tips To Heatwave-Proof Your Outdoor Space For 2027

Published by Sam Flores

!function(n){if(!window.cnx){window.cnx={},window.cnx.cmd=[];var t=n.createElement(‘iframe’);t.display=’none’,t.onload=function(){var n=t.contentWindow.document,c=n.createElement(‘script’);c.src=”//cd.connatix.com/connatix.player.js”,c.setAttribute(‘async’,’1′),c.setAttribute(‘type’,’text/javascript’),n.body.appendChild(c)},n.head.appendChild(t)}}(document);(new Image()).src=”https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=5a777b9b-81fe-41a6-8302-59e9953ee8a2″;cnx.cmd.push(function(){cnx({“playerId”:”5a777b9b-81fe-41a6-8302-59e9953ee8a2″,”mediaId”:”c41e05a6-7ba0-42f1-8023-0f5ff30eab87″}).render(“6a79fbade4b01ec886912ac5”);}); As the south of England enters the fifth (!!) heatwave of the year, you might be looking at your garden wondering whether some major changes are due in the years to come.  British summers are only going to get hotter and drier if Met Office data is anything to go by. The national weather and climate service noted the top five warmest summers on record have all happened since 2003.  Bone-dry lawns, withered shrubs and unbearably sunny spots are likely to become the norm in some gardens – especially in the south of England, which is currently facing hosepipe bansamid a persistent period of drought.  If you’re thinking about making a few changes to your yard so you can enjoy the outdoors come rain or extreme shine, three gardening experts have shared their top tips to heatwave-proof your outdoor space. 1. Create shade “Providing shade in gardens is going to be vital in hot summers to come to reduce temperatures and provide environments for other plants to grow at their bases,” Kate …

Space Agencies Are Trying to Keep Astronauts From Losing Their Sight

Space Agencies Are Trying to Keep Astronauts From Losing Their Sight

Published by skeptic

The European Space Agency is trying to understand why astronauts lose their eyesight in space, in the hope they can figure out how to treat—or even prevent—the condition as looming longer spaceflights heighten the risk of permanent vision damage. The agency has commissioned British eye-scanning startup Siloton to develop a solution ahead of the international Artemis flights to the moon and other deep space missions. The health tech uses quantum technology to shrink core components used in eye-testing equipment found at optometrists to fit on a photonic chip smaller than a coin. Founded by physicists in 2020, Siloton is currently working with the UK’s National Health Service to enable patients with retinal conditions to self-scan at home. “The ESA pretty much has the same requirements,” says cofounder and chief technology officer Euan Allen. “It’s just in a totally different environment.” Spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS) is a collection of eye and brain changes caused by spending prolonged periods in a low-gravity environment, and it impacts around 70 percent of astronauts on the International Space Station, according …

Eclipse chasers: When chasing totality becomes a way of life (1/4)

Eclipse chasers: When chasing totality becomes a way of life (1/4)

Published by Sam Flores

For some people, eclipse chasing is a family affair. Jared Kho, 37, has travelled the world to witness total solar eclipses since 2012, following in the footsteps of his parents, Janet Tay and Koh Joo Beng, who have been travelling together to observe eclipses for almost 20 years. Jared experienced his very first total solar eclipse aboard a ship “somewhere between Tahiti and Australia” in 2012, when he was 23 years old, according to the travel journal his mother keeps to document the family’s expeditions and the astronomical phenomena they observe. “My father and I have been observing eclipses together for years,” Jared told FRANCE 24. His father has witnessed 14 total solar eclipses to date, while Jared has seen four. The August 12 eclipse, which will cross parts of Greenland, Iceland and Spain, will be his fifth. Once again, he plans to watch it from a ship. Their vessel will sail off La Coruña, in Spain’s northwestern Galicia region. Watching from the sea allows them to avoid many of the logistical challenges expected on land, including …