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Archive for the ‘satellites’ category: Page 7

Dec 24, 2023

Holograms Might Save Physics

Posted by in categories: holograms, mathematics, mobile phones, quantum physics, satellites

Even though the guts of General Relativity are obtusely mathematical, and for decades was relegated to math departments rather than proper physics, you get to experience the technological gift of relativity every time you navigate to your favorite restaurant. GPS, the global positioning system, consists of a network of orbiting satellites constantly beaming out precise timing data. Your phone compares those signals to figure out where you are on the Earth. But there is a difference in spacetime between the surface of the Earth and the orbit of the satellites. Without taking general relativity into account, your navigation would simply be incorrect, and you’d be late for dinner.

As revolutions go, general relativity is a big one. And as unifications go, it’s a warning. To make this union happen Einstein had to radically, permanently alter not just our conceptions of gravity as a force acting through space and time, but our conceptions of space and time itself. It took no less than a complete overhaul of our entire philosophical understanding of the relation between space and time to bridge the gap.

Continue reading “Holograms Might Save Physics” »

Dec 23, 2023

Firefly’s Alpha Rocket Lifts Off for 4th Mission at Vandenberg SFB

Posted by in categories: military, satellites

SpaceX aiming for Saturday launch to deliver German military satellites from West Coast, with sonic booms likely.

Dec 23, 2023

Rocket Lab wins $515 million contract to build 18 satellites for U.S. government agency

Posted by in categories: government, satellites, security

WASHINGTON — Space launch provider and satellite manufacturer Rocket Lab has secured a deal worth over half a billion dollars to build 18 satellites for a U.S. government agency.

As disclosed in an SEC regulatory filing Dec. 21, Rocket Lab National Security will “design, manufacture, deliver and operate 18 space vehicles” as part of a U.S. government contract valued at $515 million. A spokesperson said the company could not provide further details.

Sources indicate that the customer is likely the Space Development Agency.

Dec 23, 2023

SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches Starlink satellites on record-breaking 19th mission

Posted by in categories: internet, satellites

Liftoff occurred at 12:33 a.m. EST on Saturday (Dec. 23).

Dec 23, 2023

HughesNet’s fast satellite plans rivals Starlink, hitting 100 Mbps

Posted by in categories: internet, satellites

HughesNet’s move to offer 100 Mbps speeds brings it closer to its industry rival, SpaceX’s Starlink, which ranges between 25 to 220 Mbps.

HughesNet’s Jupiter 3 satellite, although geostationary and considerably farther away, rivals Starlink with its size and capacity. The ultra-high-density satellite operates in Ka-band frequencies with 300 spot beams, efficiently allocating and directing signals for better coverage.

Hughes, a pioneer in satellite-delivered internet service since the 1990s, continues to earn recognition.

Dec 23, 2023

SpaceX makes history with a 19th reuse of a Falcon 9 rocket

Posted by in categories: internet, satellites

The company launched 23 of its Starlink internet satellites on a Falcon 9 rocket that had flown 18 times before, breaking its own record for the most flights by a single booster.


SpaceX has achieved a new milestone in its quest to reuse rockets and reduce the cost of spaceflight. The company launched 23 Starlink internet satellites on a Falcon 9 rocket that had flown 18 times before, breaking its record for the most flights by a single booster.

Continue reading “SpaceX makes history with a 19th reuse of a Falcon 9 rocket” »

Dec 23, 2023

SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches for a Recordbreaking 19th Time | Starlink 6–32

Posted by in categories: internet, policy, satellites

SpaceX is aiming to launch another batch of Starlink v2 Mini satellites from the Space Launch Complex 40 launchpad. This Booster, B1058, will try to launch and land for a record-breaking 19th time.\
\
Window Opens: December 22nd at 11PM EST (04:00 UTC on the 23rd)\
Window Closes: December 23rd at 3:31AM EST (08:31 UTC)\
Primary T0: December 22nd at 11:00PM EST (04:00 UTC on the 23rd)\
\
Mission: F9 launch of 23 Starlink v2 Mini satellites \
Target orbit: 285km perigee, 293km apogee, 43 degree inclination.\
Booster: B1058-19; 49d 3h 22min 40s turnaround\
Booster history: Demo-2, Anasis II, SL v1.0–12, CRS-21, Transporter-1, SL v1.0–20, SL v1.0–23, SL v1.0–26, SL 4–1, Transporter-3, SL 4–8, SL 4–17, SL 4–21, SL 4–2, SL 4–37, SL 6–5, SL 6–17, SL 6–26.\
Booster recovery: Droneship Just Read The Instructions (JRIT) located 629km downrange\
Fairing recovery: Bob\
Rocket trajectory: Southeast passing north of Bahamas\
Stubby nozzle: NO\
Stats: \
· SpaceX’s 95th launch of the year and the 6th launch of the month\
· 262nd Falcon orbital launch since Amos 6, F9’s 282nd orbital flight.\
· SpaceX’s 161st launch from SLC-40\
· 71st landing on JRTI out of 72 attempts\
· 181st successful landing since the last failed one\
· 55th launch dedicated to Starlink Gen 2 and 129th launch dedicated to Starlink overall.\
· First Falcon booster to fly for a 19th time\
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Forum: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/ind…\
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⚡ Become a member of NASASpaceflight’s channel for exclusive discord access, fast turnaround clips, and other exclusive benefits. Your support helps us continue our 24/7 coverage. ⚡\
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Dec 21, 2023

Galileo Second Generation satellite aces first hardware tests

Posted by in category: satellites

The new Galileo satellite model from Thales Alenia Space underwent mechanical and signal performance testing this summer at ESA’s ESTEC Test Center. Structural models resisted launch-like noise and vibrations while an electrical model proved its ability to send Galileo signals—a major milestone in the development of Galileo’s Second Generation.

Europe’s Galileo is the world’s most precise navigation system, providing meter-level accuracy to more than 4 billion users worldwide. It currently comprises 28 satellites in orbit and 10 more are due to be launched, after which a new generation of satellites, the Galileo Second Generation or G2, will revolutionize the fleet with enhanced capabilities.

“G2 satellites will be much larger than those of the First Generation, use , host a more powerful navigation antenna, carry more and even better atomic clocks on board and have fully digital payloads,” explains ESA’s Galileo Second Generation Project Manager Miguel Manteiga Bautista. “The modular architecture will offer a high degree of flexibility to accommodate more equipment and inter-satellite links will be enabled,” he adds.

Dec 21, 2023

L3Harris gets green light to produce 16 space-based hypersonic missile trackers

Posted by in categories: military, satellites

WASHINGTON — Defense contractor L3Harris announced Dec. 20 it has received approval from the Space Development Agency to move into production on 16 satellites designed to detect and monitor hypersonic missiles aimed at the U.S. or its allies.

L3Harris said its satellites cleared a critical design review and a production readiness review.

The Space Development Agency (SDA) is a U.S. Space Force organization building a layered network of satellites known as the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. It includes a Transport Layer of interconnected communications satellites that will transmit data collected by the Tracking Layer of sensor satellites.

Dec 21, 2023

Space Force eyes a future of speed and agility in orbit

Posted by in categories: military, policy, robotics/AI, satellites, space

For its latest Hyperspace Challenge accelerator, the U.S. Space Force selected three startups specializing in satellite propulsion, picks reflecting the military’s growing interest in nimble satellites that can maneuver to outplay adversaries.

This marks a shift for the Pentagon, which traditionally has launched satellites into orbit and restricted their movements to conserve fuel. But with rivals fielding maneuverable spacecraft, U.S. officials are calling for a shift to “dynamic space operations,” enabled by autonomous refueling and other in-orbit services.

“Having the ability to refuel would really open new possibilities,” said John Plumb, assistant secretary of defense for space policy. He said the Pentagon is encouraged to see commercial companies developing technologies for in-orbit logistics that also have significant utility for the military.

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