Tag

Orbital Decay

All articles tagged with #orbital decay

space5 days ago•2 min saved

NASA Halts Swift Rescue Mission as Observatory Nears Re-entry

NASA canceled the plan to boost the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory to a higher orbit after LINK’s attitude-control issues; the telescope is expected to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere later this year. LINK will still rendezvous with Swift to gather data, but the mission will not rescue or extend Swift’s life. NASA will pursue alternative options to react rapidly to cosmic events and learn from the rendezvous attempt for future satellite-servicing missions.

via Engadget|

#link-spacecraft #nasa #orbital-decay

technology2 months ago•9 min saved

Race to Save Swift: private-led rescue mission in record time

NASA and Katalyst Space Technologies are racing to save the Swift gamma-ray observatory by building the Link servicing spacecraft to capture Swift and boost it back to a safe orbit, launching aboard Northrop Grumman’s Pegasus XL on a record-fast timeline. The mission relies on streamlined contracting and aggressive testing under time pressure, potentially setting a blueprint for rapid, private-public space missions, though Swift continues to decay in low Earth orbit.

via Ars Technica|

#katalyst-space-technologies #nasa #orbital-decay

space3 months ago•5 min saved

Solar Activity Quickens Space Debris Decay in Low Earth Orbit

A 36-year study of 17 debris objects in low Earth orbit shows that when solar activity rises to a certain level, heating of the thermosphere expands the atmosphere and increases drag, causing debris to lose altitude faster. The researchers identify a transition threshold near two-thirds of solar maximum and note stronger extreme ultraviolet emissions around solar peaks, with practical implications for satellite operators who may need more frequent orbit corrections and greater fuel reserves during active solar phases.

via The Daily Galaxy|

#low-earth-orbit #orbital-decay #solar-activity

science5 months ago•3 min saved

Hubble in a Death Spiral: Will Its Era End Soon?

NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, launched 36 years ago, is now in a precarious era as orbital drag and aging gyros threaten its stability; forecasts place possible reentry from the late 2020s to the mid-2030s, with options including a controlled reentry or boosting to a higher orbit, though a post-Shuttle servicing mission isn’t feasible and any final mission remains uncertain, even amid occasional proposals like a SpaceX Crew Dragon visit.

via Futurism|

#deorbit #hubble-space-telescope #nasa

space-and-spaceflight6 months ago•15 min saved

NASA Puts Swift Observatory on Pause to Prevent Reentry, Seeks Rescue Mission

NASA has paused most Swift Observatory science operations to reduce atmospheric drag and slow its orbital decay, as the 21-year-old gamma-ray telescope faces a rising risk of uncontrolled reentry by mid-2026. To extend its life, NASA awarded a $30 million contract to Katalyst Space Technologies for a rescue mission to rendezvous with Swift and boost its orbit, with a launch aimed for June to keep the spacecraft above about 185 miles in altitude. The Burst Alert Telescope will still detect gamma-ray bursts, while other telescopes remain on hold to minimize drag.

via Gizmodo|

#atmospheric-drag #gamma-ray-bursts #orbital-decay

science1 year ago•4 min saved

Doomed Exoplanets and Their Lessons on Planetary Evolution

A massive exoplanet, TOI-2109b, is spiraling towards its star in a process called orbital decay, with three possible outcomes: it could be consumed by the star, torn apart by tidal forces, or lose its gaseous layers to become a rocky super-Earth. Researchers are monitoring this process to better understand planetary evolution and star-planet interactions.

via Space|

#death-spiral #exoplanet #hot-jupiter

science1 year ago•3 min saved

Effects of Releasing a Paper Airplane from the ISS

A new study explores what happens if a paper airplane is launched from the ISS, finding it would quickly decay and burn up in Earth's atmosphere within about 3.5 days, and suggesting such disposable objects could be used for low-cost atmospheric measurements and space debris management.

via IFLScience|

#iss #orbital-decay #paper-airplane

science-and-technology1 year ago•3 min saved

Solar Storms Cause Musk's Satellites to Reenter Earth's Atmosphere

Research indicates that increased solar activity shortens the lifespan of SpaceX's Starlink satellites and may cause them to reenter Earth's atmosphere at higher velocities, potentially increasing debris risks. The study highlights the impact of geomagnetic storms on satellite orbit and reentry, emphasizing the growing challenges of managing the increasing number of satellites in Earth's orbit.

via Gizmodo|

#geomagnetic-activity #orbital-decay #satellite-debris