How Did SpaceX Convert Two Oil Rigs into Launch Pads?
As space travel evolves, so too will its launch sites. Instead of building stationary launch pads like the ones that NASA and other space agencies have used traditionally, SpaceX is working to convert two floating oil rigs into off-shore launch pads. How is SpaceX turning oil rigs into launch pads?
How Are Spaceflight Inc.’s Sherpa Vehicles Improving Satellite Launch?
Traditionally, satellites were simply strapped to larger rockets designed to push them into higher orbits, but this can be an incredible waste of fuel and resources. However, Spaceflight Inc.’s Sherpa vehicles may help change that. So what are Sherpa vehicles, and how are they supporting satellite launches?
Why Are Satellites So Important?
SpaceX has been launching 60 satellites at a time as part of their Starlink constellation. When complete, this network will provide high-speed, low-latency internet to the entire world. However, people have started to express concerns about the sheer number of satellites that will be orbiting the planet by 2027 — Starlink’s scheduled completion date. This project provides one example of a type of satellite orbiting at various heights above the planet’s surface. Why are satellites so essential? What Is a Satellite? Most people have heard the word “satellite” thrown around, but for those who don’t work in the industry, it is a very broad term that can mean many different…
Common Tools Used to Gather Data in Space
As a species, we’re working on expanding our horizons — literally — by making our first forays into outer space. In the next decade, we’re hoping to have people living permanently on the Moon and may even be making the first attempt to land human beings on Mars. Despite this push toward interstellar exploration, there is still a lot about the universe around us that we don’t know, and a lot that we don’t even know to ask about yet. On top of that, much of the data that we could be collecting from outer space is invisible to the human eye. What tools are scientists using to gather data…
What’s the Difference Between LEO, MEO and GEO Satellites?
As of the beginning of 2019, nearly 5,000 satellites are orbiting our planet — more, since SpaceX just launched 60 Starlink communications satellites in one monumental event. With so many orbiting bodies circling the Earth, it’s a miracle they don’t crash into each other, right? It might seem like magic, but in reality, it’s because they aren’t all orbiting at the same height. Let’s take a closer look at what LEO, MEO and GEO satellites are, and why more companies are investing in LEO and MEO satellites to support space exploration. LEO — Low Earth Orbit Satellites in low Earth orbit, or LEO, are the closest devices to Earth. They’re…
TESS Space Telescope Discovers First Exoplanet
The TESS space telescope was launched on April 18, 2018, sitting atop a Space X Falcon 9 rocket. This telescope, which is short for the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, is designed to scan the night sky in search of one thing — exoplanets, or potentially habitable planets outside of our solar system. This satellite has finally discovered its first exoplanet — LHS3844 b, otherwise known as Pi Mensae c. A “Super Earth” This new exoplanet orbits a sun that is is only slightly larger than our home star. Astronomers have already spotted a massive gas giant orbiting that star — one that is nearly 10 times the mass of Jupiter.…
What’s on the Menu for Astronauts?
When you think of eating food in space, what foods come to mind? Chances are, it’s that freeze-dried ice cream that you tried once as a kid during a science field trip, right? During the early part of the space race, that would have been a staple, but astronaut food doesn’t look like that anymore. What is on the menu for modern astronauts, and how has it changed since we first started setting out into the cosmos? Early Astronaut Food During the early years of manned space flight, the food that the astronauts were able to take into space with them greatly resembled the tube of toothpaste on your bathroom…
Why Does the Advisory Committee Want a Smaller ISS Crew?
There are currently six astronauts on the International Space Station right now — three from the United States, two from Russia and one from Japan. You can use this website to see who they are and how many days they’ve been in space. There are even informational profiles for each astronaut, so you can learn more about them. A total of six astronauts doesn’t sound like a lot in the grand scheme of things, but that hasn’t stopped the Advisory Committee from recommending smaller ISS crews going forward. Why does the committee want smaller teams on the International Space Station, and what will this mean for the future of the…
How Do Spacecraft Withstand Re-Entry into Earth’s Atmosphere?
If you’re lucky when you look up in the sky at night, you might see a shooting star. As you’re making your wish, what you’re actually seeing is a small piece of rock or space junk burning up in the atmosphere. The friction of re-entry causes the shooting star to ignite and burn, which is why you see a brief flash of light. This begs the question: How do our spacecraft withstand that level of heat and friction to return our astronauts safely home? Friction = Drag The fireball you see when something re-enters Earth’s atmosphere is caused by friction. As the spacecraft moves through the air molecules that make…
Why Your Kids Will Live on Mars
Mars has a daytime temperature of 73 ºF, but a nighttime temperature of -100 ºF. Nearly 95% of the martian atmosphere is carbon dioxide, and the planet is constantly exposed to intense radiation. So why are humans so eager to go to Mars, and how would we ever make it habitable? In short, establishing a human settlement on Mars and making humans a multi-planetary species would be an astronomical (pun intended) step for humankind, and there are innovators making this dream a reality. The Spirit of Human Curiosity First of all, humans want (and need) to go to Mars for the spirit of adventure and exploration. Throughout all of history,…
