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Trisat-S Nanosatellite Captures 'Black Sun' Effect to Validate Autonomous Navigation
space-technology2 days ago

Trisat-S Nanosatellite Captures 'Black Sun' Effect to Validate Autonomous Navigation

The Trisat-S nanosatellite, launched in September 2026, successfully captured an image of the Sun exhibiting the 'Black Sun' effect, where extreme brightness causes sensor pixels to appear dark. This visual artifact, rather than a failure, serves as a critical reference point for determining a spacecraft's attitude and orbit. The mission, led by the University of Maribor and SkyLabs, aims to develop miniaturized imaging technology for autonomous navigation in deep space. The satellite also tested advanced hibernation technologies and was launched by Isar Aerospace, marking the first European company to reach orbit with its own launch vehicle.

via European Space Agency (ESA)|
#autonomous-navigation#esa#nanosatellite
Artemis Crew Face Mobility and Dust Challenges That Deep-Sea Tech Could Solve
space-technology6 days ago

Artemis Crew Face Mobility and Dust Challenges That Deep-Sea Tech Could Solve

An opinion piece by Dennis Meredith argues that NASA’s Artemis program should look to deep-sea exploration for solutions to current spacesuit limitations. The author notes that current bulky suits restrict astronaut mobility, limit task time, and allow hazardous lunar dust to enter capsules. He suggests that technologies developed for high-pressure, confined deep-sea environments could offer better design principles for future lunar operations.

via SpaceNews|
#artemis-program#deep-sea-technology#lunar-dust
Google Launches First Orbital AI Test Satellite on October 1
technology14 days ago

Google Launches First Orbital AI Test Satellite on October 1

Google is launching an experimental satellite named MVP on October 1, 2026, to test AI hardware in space. The refrigerator-sized satellite, built by Planet Labs and carrying four Tensor Processing Units, will run for 15-minute intervals due to cooling limits. This first step in Project Suncatcher aims to validate orbital computing before a planned 2027 dual-satellite launch.

via mashable.com|
#artificial-intelligence#data-centers#google
space-technology14 days ago

Stuttgart PhD Research Proposes Indefinite Satellite Orbit Using Atmospheric Air as Fuel

Francesco Romano’s PhD research at the University of Stuttgart introduces a new atmosphere-breathing electric propulsion (ABEP) system that could allow satellites to remain in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) indefinitely without carrying conventional propellant. The system uses a radio-frequency helicon plasma thruster paired with a specular intake to capture atmospheric gases, specifically atomic oxygen, argon, and nitrogen, and convert them into thrust. Laboratory tests demonstrated that the thruster can operate reliably with only 50-60W of power, while modeling suggests it could sustain a satellite between 190 and 250 km altitude using less than 1.6 kW. Although the technology addresses the high cost and limited supply of xenon fuel, it remains unproven in actual space missions due to challenges like atomic oxygen corrosion and atmospheric variability.

via SciTechDaily|
#abep#plasma-thruster#satellite-propulsion
Google Launches First Orbital AI Satellite to Test Solar-Powered Computing
technology15 days ago

Google Launches First Orbital AI Satellite to Test Solar-Powered Computing

Google is set to launch its first experimental satellite, part of Project Suncatcher, on October 1 via a SpaceX Falcon 9. The refrigerator-sized device, built by Planet Labs, aims to test if AI hardware can operate in orbit using solar power. While the prototype will only run for 15 minutes at a time, it marks the start of a long-term effort to move data centers into space by the mid-2030s.

via Futurism|
#artificial-intelligence#google#space-technology
Google Launches Experimental Satellite to Test Orbital AI Computing
technology16 days ago

Google Launches Experimental Satellite to Test Orbital AI Computing

Google is launching an experimental satellite next Thursday, designed to process simple AI queries from orbit. The refrigerator-sized device, built by Planet Labs, passed rigorous vibration tests in a San Francisco clean room. This move represents a strategic shift in AI infrastructure, aiming to reduce latency and energy costs by leveraging solar power in space, though it remains an experimental proof-of-concept rather than a full-scale data center replacement.

via The New York Times|
#artificial-intelligence#data-centers#google
Caltech researchers use new algorithm to visualize black hole jet in 3D
science17 days ago

Caltech researchers use new algorithm to visualize black hole jet in 3D

Caltech astrophysicists have released a high-resolution video of a supermassive black hole’s plasma jet using a new neural field algorithm called 'kine.' The footage, derived from 27 years of data on the blazar 3C 345, allows scientists to observe different parts of the jet moving at varying speeds, a capability previously limited to overall velocity tracking.

via New York Post|
#astronomy#black-holes#blazars
US publicly confirms on‑orbit weapon, signaling a new era in space arms
national-security26 days ago

US publicly confirms on‑orbit weapon, signaling a new era in space arms

Air Force Secretary Troy Meink宣布美国已在轨道上部署空间武器并将用于保护美军，这标志着美国首次公开承认在太空具备进攻能力。此举是在多年警告称中国和俄方已在轨道进行可能威胁卫星的激光与干扰等行动之后的正式披露，预示全球太空武器竞争的升级。

via The Washington Post|
#air-force#military-technology#national-security
NASA Taps U.S. Industry to Accelerate 40+ Space Technologies for Moon and Mars
technology3 months ago

NASA Taps U.S. Industry to Accelerate 40+ Space Technologies for Moon and Mars

NASA selected 41 proposals from 37 companies under its 2025 Announcement of Collaboration Opportunity to mature more than 40 space technologies for Moon and Mars missions; these no-fund partnerships leverage NASA facilities and about $30 million in agency resources plus $32 million in industry contributions, with 12–24 month performance windows across areas like power, in-space logistics, landing, and dust mitigation.

via NASA (.gov)|
#mars#moon#nasa
NASA Maps 2026 Tech Gaps to Power Moon Bases and Beyond
space4 months ago

NASA Maps 2026 Tech Gaps to Power Moon Bases and Beyond

NASA released the 2026 Civil Space Shortfall Ranking based on 454 external responses, consolidating 187 shortfalls into 32 priority categories and selecting 40 focus areas for FY2026 investments to accelerate lunar infrastructure, surface mobility, logistics, and onboard computing for future Moon and Mars missions, underscoring public-private partnerships to energize the space economy.

via NASA (.gov)|
#artemis#lunar-infrastructure#nasa
Cape Canaveral set for SpaceX NASA ISS resupply flight with sonic-boom return
space5 months ago

Cape Canaveral set for SpaceX NASA ISS resupply flight with sonic-boom return

SpaceX will launch a Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral to deliver a Cargo Dragon to NASA's ISS as part of CRS-34; liftoff is scheduled for 7:16 p.m. ET on May 12 on a northeast trajectory, with the first stage aiming to land at LC-40 near the launch site, triggering a sonic boom over Brevard County. Weather forecasts show only a 35% chance of favorable conditions, and a backup liftoff at 6:50 p.m. on May 13 is planned if needed.

via Florida Today|
#cape-canaveral#international-space-station#nasa
Hair-thin nanotube shield could protect future space tech from radiation
technology5 months ago

Hair-thin nanotube shield could protect future space tech from radiation

Scientists have developed a stretchable, ultra-thin shielding material made from carbon and boron nitride nanotubes that blocks electromagnetic radiation (99.999%) and neutron radiation (72%), and can be 3D-printed. When formed in a honeycomb shape, shielding improves by about 15%. This lightweight, flexible material could protect equipment and astronauts across satellites, space stations, and other space tech, with the study published in Advanced Materials.

via Space|
#boron-nitride-nanotubes#carbon-nanotubes#nanomaterials