Last week, the US Federal Communications Commission reduced the term that space agencies and private companies can leave orbital debris in place from 25 years to five. Though the rule was declared without support from NASA or Congress, it will be in effect for “anyone who wants to launch a satellite that needs a license from the agency to use a slice of the electromagnetic …
NASA’s OSAM-1 (On-orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing 1) robotic spacecraft will repair, service and upgrade satellites within Earth’s orbit. Its mission (previously known as Restore-L) can be achieved thanks to five new technologies that make it possible to “extend satellites’ lifespans—even if they were not designed to be serviced on orbit.” Not only does this mean more functional satellites transmitting more information, but it will also …
Headed to space today (with weather permitting), the GOES-T satellite and its arsenal of high-resolution cameras will track storms, wildfires and more in real time across North America. The National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration (NAOA) partnered with NASA to design and construct the satellite, which already has siblings in space. In contrast to previous satellites of this nature, which mostly trek through low Earth orbit, …
