New Atlas

Environment Audio available

Quarter of West Antarctic glacier ice unstable, says 25-year satellite study

Michael Irving May 16, 2019

A new study has examined 25 years of satellite data to get a sense of the extent of ice loss across Antarctica. According to the findings, warming waters have destabilized as much as a quarter of the glacier ice in West Antarctica.

Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica is one of the places hardest hit by ice loss

Space Audio available

Rocket Lab fires a set of satellites into orbit for US military

Nick Lavars May 6, 2019

Following a year with mixed results, 2019 is shaping up as quite a success story for US space startup Rocket Lab. The company has backed up a successful satellite launch for DARPA in March with another for the US Air Force.

Rocket Las has successfully launched another set of satellites into space

Space Audio available

ESA developing satellite navigation markers for easier docking in space

David Szondy April 25, 2019

ESA and Hungary-based Admatis are developing infrared and phosphorescent navigation markers for satellites. The patches that attach to the outer hull or insulation of the spacecraft are designed to help space servicing vehicles more safely approach, rendezvous, and dock with the target satellite.

Testing "Passive Emitting Material at end-of-life," or PEMSUN, markers to enable easier docking with satellites

Space

Rocket Lab delivers experimental satellite to orbit for DARPA

Nick Lavars March 28, 2019

In another feather in the cap for the New Zealand-based startup, Rocket Lab has successfully pulled off its first launch for DARPA, delivering an experimental satellite into orbit that the agency hopes will open up new possibilities around radio communication.

Electron lifts off with DARPA's payload in tow

Military

Indian anti-satellite missile test meets with success

David Szondy March 27, 2019

India has conducted its first anti-satellite weapons test, destroying an existing satellite today in low-Earth orbit. The missile launched from the Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam Island launch complex took out a previously launched Indian satellite.

The satellite was destroyed by a Shakti missile

Telecommunications

Lockheed's LTE-over-Satellite comms system turns cellphones into sat phones

David Szondy March 13, 2019

To maintain communications during emergencies or in remote areas, Lockheed Martin has come up with a new LTE-over-Satellite system that will allow LTE mobile phones to hook up with satellites to provide 4G connections.

The new technology would allow LTE mobile phones to tap into a satellite network

Space

ESA blows up batteries to combat space debris

David Szondy March 12, 2019

It what seems like a paradox, engineers have been blowing up batteries in hopes of cleaning up space debris. In a series of severe "abuse" tests at the test bunkers of France’s CEA, lithium-ion batteries were tortured to better understand catastrophic battery failures and prevent battery explosions.

Micrometeoroid battery impact test conducted by ESA

Environment Audio available

China and India lead the way in "greening" the Earth since 2000

Michael Irving February 12, 2019

A new study of satellite data has shown that the Earth has gotten “greener” in the last 20 years or so, with the biggest contributors being China and India. Before we celebrate though, there are a few caveats to consider.

Satellite data has shown that the Earth has gotten 5 percent greener in recent years, but ...

Space

Longer-lasting propulsion system designed for CubeSats

Ben Coxworth February 6, 2019

In recent years, shoebox-sized "CubeSats" have made satellite technology available to groups that could otherwise never afford it. A new propulsion system, developed at Indiana's Purdue University, could now also make the devices more reliable.

Space

How satellites are helping scientists more accurately predict drought and wildfire risk

Nick Lavars January 28, 2019

Advanced scientific instruments in orbit around the planet have given us the ability to track its stocks of groundwater resources, which researchers are now figuring out how to tap into to build more accurate predictions of drought and the risks that it brings months in advance.

Satellite data combined with new modeling has given scientists the ability to more accurately predict drought