GOOGLE EARTH NOW INCLUDES AMAZING NASA SATELLITE IMAGES - The images you see on Google Earth have moved into sharper focus thanks to an update provided by a new satellite. NASA’s Landsat 8 satellite launched in 2013, but Google has just launched a fresh set of imagery taken from the satellite which enables not only sharper images, but also better, brighter and more realistic colours than previously possible. The new technology means Google can better stitch together images of the Earth, whereas until now Google Maps and Earth used imagery from the Landsat 7.   More
(Source: BT.com - Jun 30)

LONG MARCH 4B LAUNCHED WITH SHIJIAN-16-2 ON ATOP - China Launched their experimental Satellite Shijian-16-2 today from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. It is second Shijian-16 satellite-first was launched on October 25, 2013. It was 231st mISSion of Long March Rocket. Again CNSA surprised us with launch of the rocket; this time launch was performed with technology demonstrator satellite on atop. Only information about planned launch activity was NOTAM announcements regarding Jiuquan region air space. Launch was performed today at 03:21 GMT from platform 603 on Launch Site 43 in Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.   More
(Source: Military Technologies - Jun 30)

WOW! SPACE STATION CROSSES SUN'S FACE IN AMAZING PHOTO - A stunning skywatcher photo shows the International Space Station (ISS) crossing the face of the sun earlier this month. Alexander Krivenyshev, president of WorldTimeZone.com, captured the image from New York City on June 13 using a Canon EOS 7D camera, as well as a solar filter. (Warning: Never photograph or observe the sun directly without a solar filter or other such protective gear; serious and permanent damage to your eyes and equipment can result.) "The composite image made from five frames shows the International Space Station (Expedition 47), with a crew of six onboard, in silhouette as it transits the sun on Monday, June 13, 2016 at 15:22:12 EDT   More
(Source: Space.com - Jun 30)

AIST-2D SATELLITE LAUNCHED FROM VOSTOCHNY BEGINS SCIENTIFIC EXPERIMENTS - Operators of the Aist-2D satellite, which was put into orbit in April, have activated its scientific payload and begun research in accordance with the flight plan, the Samara University press service told Interfax. "The entire scientific payload designed by Samara University's Institute of Space Instruments Engineering for the Aist-2D is operating normally, and we have begun the research envisaged by the satellite's flight plan," the press service quoted Institute Director Nikolai Semkin as saying. The satellite is carrying six packages of scientific equipment, five of which were designed by Samara University.   More
(Source: Russia Beyond the Headlines - Jun 29)

LONG MARCH 7 PAYLOAD RAISES ANTI-SATELLITE CONCERNS - A secondary payload on China’s first Long March 7 launch has raised concerns about its anti-satellite applications. The Aolong-1 spacecraft is equipped with a robotic arm, a technology Chinese officials say is a test of future spacecraft to remove orbital debris. However, others are concerned the spacecraft is part of Chinese efforts to develop anti-satellite weapons, noting the technology to rendezvous with a “non-cooperative target” like a defunct satellite could also move or disable an active spacecraft.   More
(Source: SpaceNews - Jun 29)

SKY AND SPACE PICKS VIRGIN GALACTIC FOR SATELLITE LAUNCH - Would-be satellite wholesaler Sky and Space Global (SAS) on Monday announced a deal with Virgin Galactic to launch up to 200 nano-satellites. Together the satellites will form a constellation that will increase the capacity of the Australia-based company's planned voice and data infrastructure. SAS plans to begin putting its satellites in orbit from the second quarter of 2018. SAS will use Virgin Galactic's LauncherOne, an air-launched rocket, still under development in the U.S., designed specifically for the nano-satellite market.   More
(Source: Total Telecom - Jun 28)

FIRST SATELLITE DEVELOPED BY EMIRATI STUDENTS READY FOR LAUNCHING - The first satellite developed by Emirati students from the American University of Sharjah is ready for lift-off into space. The nanosatellite Nayif-1 was designed with the help of a team of engineers and specialists from the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in part of a partnership to provide hands-on experience to the students. It has passed all the necessary tests and is ready for its launch this year, the centre said. Yousuf Al Shaibani, director general of the centre, said the satellite’s development was a testament to its commitment to develop Emirati talent. “There is no doubt that the field of satellite design and manufacturing is a new industry to UAE universities and students," Mr Al Shaibani said.   More
(Source: The National - Jun 28)

CREW PREPS FOR CARGO SHIP MANEUVERS - A pair of Expedition 48 cosmonauts are getting a Progress cargo ship ready to undock and redock Friday morning before its ultimate departure Saturday night. The maneuver will test an upgraded telerobotically operated rendezvous system installed in the Zvezda service module after the Progress docked in December. The Progress 62 (62P) resupply ship will undock from the Pirs docking compartment, back away to a distance of about 200 meters, then move back toward Pirs and dock 34 minutes later. Finally, the 62P will complete its mission Saturday night when it undocks for good and burns up over the Pacific Ocean less than 4 hours later.   More
(Source: NASA - Jun 28)

RUSSIA'S PLAN TO SPIN OFF A NEW SPACE STATION FROM THE ISS - The potential breakup of an international alliance is now brewing, and no, we're not talking about Brexit. This one is happening above our heads. Russia's main contractor in human space flight just detailed its plans to separate the newest modules from the International Space Station (ISS) once the long-lived project comes to an end in the 2020s. It plans to build a new habitable base in Earth orbit called the Russian Orbital Station, or ROS. The outpost will include three modules initially, possibly joined by two more in the future. Russian plans to split the ISS have been circulating for years. Now, for a host of political, financial, and technical reasons, this isn't just a wild idea on paper anymore.   More
(Source: Popular Mechanics - Jun 28)

Previous Next