Satellite Observations
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Solar Sail Satellites Could Enhance Space Weather Forecasting and Alerts
Solar sail satellites, harnessing sunlight for propulsion, are being developed to improve space weather forecasting. NOAA and NASA’s Solar Cruiser project aims to extend geomagnetic storm alert times by 50%, reducing risks to power grids, GPS, and air traffic. The new spacecraft, expected to launch in 2029, will move beyond traditional observatio...
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Tiny Plasma Jets on Sun Identified as Key Drivers of Solar Wind
Observations from ESA’s Solar Orbiter have revealed that tiny plasma jets, known as picoflares, are responsible for both the fast and slow components of the solar wind. The discovery challenges previous assumptions that different mechanisms drive these solar wind types. With further research, scientists hope to refine space weather predictions, p...
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Chorus Waves Found Far From Earth Raise Concerns for Space Exploration
Chorus waves, energetic electromagnetic bursts resembling bird chirps, have been detected 100,000 miles from Earth, far beyond their usual range. NASA's Magnetospheric Multiscale satellites observed these waves in a flatter region of Earth's magnetosphere, contradicting prior assumptions about their formation near strong magnetic gradients. The wav...
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China’s Ceres-1 Rocket Successfully Deploys 5 Satellites for Weather and Remote Sensing
China's space industry continues to grow with the successful deployment of five satellites by the Ceres-1 rocket on 20 January. The payload included four Yunyao-1 meteorological satellites and the Jitianxing A-05 remote sensing satellite. This launch, conducted by Galactic Energy, marks a key milestone in China’s expanding commercial space sector...
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Astronomers Spot Hundreds of Hidden Supermassive Black Holes Using Infrared
Hundreds of hidden supermassive black holes have been identified using infrared observations, offering fresh insights into their role in galaxy formation. Researchers relied on data from NASA's Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) and the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) to detect emissions from black holes obscured by thick clouds ...
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SpaceX Successfully Launches 131 Satellites on Transporter 12 Mission
SpaceX’s Transporter 12 mission, launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base, deployed 131 satellites into low Earth orbit on 14 January 2025. Among the payloads were 37 satellites from Planet Labs, including the AI-powered Pelican-2, designed for high-resolution imaging and real-time data analysis. The mission also saw the Falcon 9 booster success...
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NASA's LEXI Mission Will Explore Earth’s Magnetic Shield from the Moon
NASA is preparing for the launch of the Lunar Environment Heliospheric X-ray Imager (LEXI) aboard Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost lander, scheduled for January 15. The mission will observe Earth’s magnetosphere, capturing X-ray images that reveal how the planet's magnetic shield reacts to solar wind. This project could improve predictions of geoma...
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NISAR Satellite by NASA and ISRO to Monitor Earth Like Never Before
NASA and ISRO's NISAR satellite will soon launch to monitor Earth's changing surface with dual-band radar. The mission will capture precise data on land deformation, ice-sheet movements, and vegetation. This first-of-its-kind collaboration combines NASA’s L-band radar expertise with ISRO’s S-band radar capabilities, ensuring comprehensive insig...
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SpaDeX Precursor To India's Own Space Station: Jitendra Singh
India will look forward to a heavenly handshake between its two satellites in the new year even as it sets its eyes on launching the most expensive earth observation spacecraft in alliance with NASA.
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Solar Cycle 25: How the Sun’s Peak Activity Will Impact Earth in 2025
Solar Cycle 25 continues with high activity levels in 2025. Increased solar flares and geomagnetic storms are anticipated, with risks to satellite systems and power grids. Widespread auroras could also light up low-latitude skies. Partial solar eclipses are scheduled for March and September in select regions. Observations indicate strong solar phen...
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Astronomers Spot New Cosmic Explosions 100 Times Brighter Than the Sun
Astronomers have discovered a new class of cosmic explosions, known as 'millinovas,' which are 100 times brighter than the Sun. These events, first identified in 2023, were observed in the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds, two satellite galaxies of the Milky Way. The millinovas are thought to occur when white dwarfs feed off a companion star, prod...
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ISRO and NASA to Launch NISAR Satellite in March 2025 for Earth Observation
The ISRO-Nasa collaboration on the NISAR satellite will launch in March 2025, aiming to revolutionise global Earth observation. The satellite, featuring advanced radar technology, will monitor land and ice surfaces, track ecosystem changes, and detect geological events like earthquakes and landslides. The mission will help map Earth’s surface wit...
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SWOT Satellite Reveals Key Insights on Ohio River Basin Lakes and Reservoirs
The SWOT satellite, a joint NASA-CNES mission, has provided new insights into the Ohio River Basin’s lakes, reservoirs, and water movement. Observations show water level changes between 1,600 feet and 330 feet, offering hydrologists critical insights into river discharge and freshwater availability. The SWOT satellite captures comprehensive water...
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ISRO Successfully Launches PSLV-C59 Carrying ESA’s Proba-3 Satellites
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the PSLV-C59 rocket on December 5, 2024, from Sriharikota, deploying the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Proba-3 satellites into orbit. Proba-3, a twin-satellite mission, aims to demonstrate precision formation flying, achieving control down to a millimeter. The spacecraft will cre...
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ISRO Delays PSLV Launch That Will Carry ESA’s Proba-3 to Space, to Take Place on December 5
ESA’s Proba-3 mission, aimed at studying the Sun’s corona through an artificial eclipse, has been rescheduled to December 5, 2024, following a technical delay. The mission, which will launch aboard India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), will use two satellites to demonstrate advanced formation-flying technology. These satellites will ...
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Solar Sail Satellites Could Enhance Space Weather Forecasting and Alerts
Solar sail satellites, harnessing sunlight for propulsion, are being developed to improve space weather forecasting. NOAA and NASA’s Solar Cruiser project aims to extend geomagnetic storm alert times by 50%, reducing risks to power grids, GPS, and air traffic. The new spacecraft, expected to launch in 2029, will move beyond traditional observatio...
-
Tiny Plasma Jets on Sun Identified as Key Drivers of Solar Wind
Observations from ESA’s Solar Orbiter have revealed that tiny plasma jets, known as picoflares, are responsible for both the fast and slow components of the solar wind. The discovery challenges previous assumptions that different mechanisms drive these solar wind types. With further research, scientists hope to refine space weather predictions, p...
-
Chorus Waves Found Far From Earth Raise Concerns for Space Exploration
Chorus waves, energetic electromagnetic bursts resembling bird chirps, have been detected 100,000 miles from Earth, far beyond their usual range. NASA's Magnetospheric Multiscale satellites observed these waves in a flatter region of Earth's magnetosphere, contradicting prior assumptions about their formation near strong magnetic gradients. The wav...
-
China’s Ceres-1 Rocket Successfully Deploys 5 Satellites for Weather and Remote Sensing
China's space industry continues to grow with the successful deployment of five satellites by the Ceres-1 rocket on 20 January. The payload included four Yunyao-1 meteorological satellites and the Jitianxing A-05 remote sensing satellite. This launch, conducted by Galactic Energy, marks a key milestone in China’s expanding commercial space sector...
-
Astronomers Spot Hundreds of Hidden Supermassive Black Holes Using Infrared
Hundreds of hidden supermassive black holes have been identified using infrared observations, offering fresh insights into their role in galaxy formation. Researchers relied on data from NASA's Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) and the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) to detect emissions from black holes obscured by thick clouds ...
-
SpaceX Successfully Launches 131 Satellites on Transporter 12 Mission
SpaceX’s Transporter 12 mission, launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base, deployed 131 satellites into low Earth orbit on 14 January 2025. Among the payloads were 37 satellites from Planet Labs, including the AI-powered Pelican-2, designed for high-resolution imaging and real-time data analysis. The mission also saw the Falcon 9 booster success...
-
NASA's LEXI Mission Will Explore Earth’s Magnetic Shield from the Moon
NASA is preparing for the launch of the Lunar Environment Heliospheric X-ray Imager (LEXI) aboard Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost lander, scheduled for January 15. The mission will observe Earth’s magnetosphere, capturing X-ray images that reveal how the planet's magnetic shield reacts to solar wind. This project could improve predictions of geoma...
-
NISAR Satellite by NASA and ISRO to Monitor Earth Like Never Before
NASA and ISRO's NISAR satellite will soon launch to monitor Earth's changing surface with dual-band radar. The mission will capture precise data on land deformation, ice-sheet movements, and vegetation. This first-of-its-kind collaboration combines NASA’s L-band radar expertise with ISRO’s S-band radar capabilities, ensuring comprehensive insig...
-
SpaDeX Precursor To India's Own Space Station: Jitendra Singh
India will look forward to a heavenly handshake between its two satellites in the new year even as it sets its eyes on launching the most expensive earth observation spacecraft in alliance with NASA.
-
Solar Cycle 25: How the Sun’s Peak Activity Will Impact Earth in 2025
Solar Cycle 25 continues with high activity levels in 2025. Increased solar flares and geomagnetic storms are anticipated, with risks to satellite systems and power grids. Widespread auroras could also light up low-latitude skies. Partial solar eclipses are scheduled for March and September in select regions. Observations indicate strong solar phen...
-
Astronomers Spot New Cosmic Explosions 100 Times Brighter Than the Sun
Astronomers have discovered a new class of cosmic explosions, known as 'millinovas,' which are 100 times brighter than the Sun. These events, first identified in 2023, were observed in the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds, two satellite galaxies of the Milky Way. The millinovas are thought to occur when white dwarfs feed off a companion star, prod...
-
ISRO and NASA to Launch NISAR Satellite in March 2025 for Earth Observation
The ISRO-Nasa collaboration on the NISAR satellite will launch in March 2025, aiming to revolutionise global Earth observation. The satellite, featuring advanced radar technology, will monitor land and ice surfaces, track ecosystem changes, and detect geological events like earthquakes and landslides. The mission will help map Earth’s surface wit...
-
SWOT Satellite Reveals Key Insights on Ohio River Basin Lakes and Reservoirs
The SWOT satellite, a joint NASA-CNES mission, has provided new insights into the Ohio River Basin’s lakes, reservoirs, and water movement. Observations show water level changes between 1,600 feet and 330 feet, offering hydrologists critical insights into river discharge and freshwater availability. The SWOT satellite captures comprehensive water...
-
ISRO Successfully Launches PSLV-C59 Carrying ESA’s Proba-3 Satellites
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the PSLV-C59 rocket on December 5, 2024, from Sriharikota, deploying the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Proba-3 satellites into orbit. Proba-3, a twin-satellite mission, aims to demonstrate precision formation flying, achieving control down to a millimeter. The spacecraft will cre...
-
ISRO Delays PSLV Launch That Will Carry ESA’s Proba-3 to Space, to Take Place on December 5
ESA’s Proba-3 mission, aimed at studying the Sun’s corona through an artificial eclipse, has been rescheduled to December 5, 2024, following a technical delay. The mission, which will launch aboard India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), will use two satellites to demonstrate advanced formation-flying technology. These satellites will ...
