Humanity needs to start addressing the growing space junk problem now, before it gets out of hand, scientists stress. Earth orbit is getting more and more crowded, with both active satellites and pieces of debris. There’s so much stuff up there that it’s far from alarmist to start worrying about the Kessler syndrome, a nightmare … Read more
This article is republished from Eos.org under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here. On April 2, 2024, a shower of fireballs lit up the night sky over Los Angeles and much of central and Southern California. Onlookers wondered whether they were witnessing a meteor, a failed rocket launch, or even a UFO. … Read more
New observations from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have corroborated data from its predecessor, the Hubble Space Telescope, to determine something is missing from our recipe of the cosmos. The JWST conducted its largest survey yet of the accelerating expansion of the cosmos as scientists attempt to discover why the universe is expanding faster … Read more
While generative AI accelerates space domain awareness (SDA), going further to link GenAI via multiple large language models (LLMs) delivers revolutionary advantages—allowing space operators to rapidly manage assets, prevent collisions, and determine intent. But as our team sees every day, GenAI needs human insights to get SDA right. Take the example of Booz Allen i2S2, … Read more
A countdown is underway at NASA’s Florida spaceport, ticking down the days until the public can experience a rocket engine test closer than ever before — by standing directly under the engine’s nozzle. The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has announced the upcoming opening of The Gantry at LC-39, a former launch pad viewing tower … Read more
Telescopes in space have a huge advantage over those on the ground: they can see the universe more clearly. The Earth’s atmosphere, weather conditions, and low-flying satellites don’t obscure their view. But space telescopes have a disadvantage too. They can’t be repaired, at least not since NASA’s Space Shuttle program ended in 2011. But next-generation … Read more
The 2024 SpaceNews Icon Awards honor extraordinary achievements that are driving humanity’s exploration of space and shaping the future of the industry. Chosen by the SpaceNews editorial team following an open call for nominations, these awards recognize individuals, missions, and organizations whose work has redefined excellence across 10 categories. This year’s winners represent the best … Read more
On Nov. 19, SpaceX launched its Starship vehicle on its sixth test flight. While the flight showcased key technical advancements, such as a successful engine relight on the Starship upper stage, it also highlighted the challenges of reusability, with the Super Heavy booster failing to land back at the launch tower. This incremental progress … Read more
The Optical Telescope Assembly for NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope was recently delivered to the largest clean room at the agency’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. (Image credit: Future) Scientists working on NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope have achieved a significant milestone in assembling the next-generation observatory, which aims to address … Read more