space debris

The U.K.’s King Charles III is really serious about keeping space clean, so much so that he unveiled the Astra Carta framework’s seal at Buckingham Palace yesterday.Are Big Consumer Facing Tech Companies Redeemable? The Astra Carta framework is a Sustainable Markets Initiative, as described in a Royal Family press release, which emphasizes sustainable practices for space companies. Charles unveiled the seal at the Space Sustainability Event at the palace, which saw attendees,including scientists, astronauts,…

ODIN Space has passed a major milestone by powering up a super-sensitive experimental in-space sensor. Once fully developed, a dispersed network of these sensors could be capable of tracking hypervelocity objects no larger than a grain of sand.Coastal Animals Are Thriving on Plastic Pollution Out in the Pacific Ocean | Extreme EarthThe sensor technology, installed on the D-Orbit ION satellite, launched intospace on June 12 as part of SpaceX’s Transporter 8 mission. As ODIN Space announced in a June 27 press release, the…

Astroscale’s satellite stalking a defunct satellite in orbit to throw it towards Earth’s atmosphere. Screenshot: AstroscaleLow Earth orbit is littered with defunct satellites floating without purpose. A Japanese company is developing a satellite able to stalk those dead satellites, capture and release them towards a fiery reentry through Earth’s atmosphere, thereby putting an end to their misery.Astronomers Could Soon Get Warnings When SpaceX Satellites Threaten Their ViewTokyo-based Astroscale released a video detailing…

Apparently, space wood is a thing. Japanese researchers are preparing to launch the world’s first satellite made from wood following a successful experiment on board the International Space Station (ISS), which suggestslumber can be quite sturdy in outer space.Astronomers Could Soon Get Warnings When SpaceX Satellites Threaten Their ViewIn partnership with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), a team of researchers from Kyoto University exposed three types of wood to the harsh environment outside the ISS, and…

Retired satellites typically burn up in Earth’s atmosphere, never again seeing the light of day. However, a Welsh design firm named Space Forge is developing a foldable heat shield in the ongoing effort make satellites reusable, and the company wants to test the concept in orbit later this year. Astronomers Could Soon Get Warnings When SpaceX Satellites Threaten Their ViewIt’s called Pridwen, named in honor of King Arthur’s legendary shield. Space Forge announced the new foldable heat shield earlier this week in a press…

Like any satellite in Earth orbit, the Hubble Space Telescope is sinking, and it’s been doing so for the past 33 years. A proposed solution from two space startups offers an intriguing strategy for safely boosting Hubble’s orbit, allowing NASA to extend the lifespan of its storied observatory. Astronomers Could Soon Get Warnings When SpaceX Satellites Threaten Their ViewHubble is currently healthy, but atmospheric drag will eventually cause it to re-enter our planet’s atmosphere at some pointduring the mid-to-late 2030s.…

Just how vulnerable are the thousands of government-operated satellites speeding along their orbits above our heads? A team of researchers proved they could hack into a European Space Agency-owned satellite, allowing them to take full control of its communication, imaging—and even its maneuverability systems.Astronomers Could Soon Get Warnings When SpaceX Satellites Threaten Their ViewThe intrusion was a controlled hack as part ofESA’s ongoing CYSAT conference. According to a Tuesday release, a cybersecurity team from…

An illustration of an astronaut inside the science deck.Illustration: AirbusThe company designed its orbital module to be stationed around Earth, the Moon, or even Mars, whether it be attached to commercial or government-owned infrastructure in space. “The Airbus LOOP is designed to fit with the upcoming generation of super-heavy launchers that can launch an entire module in one piece,” Airbus wrote. “Thus, the Airbus LOOP is immediately operational once in orbit, ready to host humans and payloads.” An illustration of…

Orbit is increasingly becoming a busy highway, with more companies launching hoards of satellites above our skies. With all those spacecraft cruising in Earth orbit, a group of industry representatives is suggesting new guidelines for “road safety”in space.Another Vortex Hits Texas | Extreme EarthThe Space Safety Coalition (SSC) updated its set of guidelines for space operations to include “rules of the road,” a list of best practices to avoid collisions between spacecraft. SSC updated its “Best Practices for the…

China is developing a parachute system to help control where its rocket boosters land instead of free-falling onto the ground near populated areas.Taking out the Trash (in Space)The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) is finalizing a plan whereby it uses a parachute and a gliding control system on some of its Long March rockets’ boosters and payload fairings, CCTV reported (English translation provided in the video). The parachute will significantly narrow down the falling booster’s landing area…