by David Todd | Apr 19, 2016 | JAXA, Satellites, Science
The cause of the spin that led to the demise of the Japanese Astro H (Hitomi) space observatory, on 26 March 2016, has been described by JAXA. In fact there were two spins and two causes: an incorrect measurement of rotation and a subsequent firing by incorrectly set...
by David Todd | Apr 13, 2016 | exploration, Science, Technology
While physicists note that the speed of light cannot be exceeded, at least on current understanding, using light itself to accelerate a spacecraft could get one to 20 per cent of the speed of light (3 x 108 m/s). A new project called “Project Starshot” has been...
by David Todd | Apr 7, 2016 | ESA, History, Science
The Government of the United Kingdom, led by its Prime Minister David Cameron, came under furious criticism from the “Brexit” side for its planned mailshot attempt to convince the British public to vote to stay in the EU in the referendum in June and using...
by David Todd | Apr 6, 2016 | China, Launches, Satellites, Science
At 1738 GMT on 5 April 2015, China launched its Shi Jian 10 mission into orbit on board a Long March 2D/2 (CZ-2D/2) rocket. The launch took place from the Jiuquan launch site in China. The 3,500kg satellite which was manufactured by CAST (Chinese Academy of Space...
by David Todd | Mar 31, 2016 | ESA, exploration, Science, Technology
Johann-Dietrich ‘Jan’ Woerner has been Director General of the European Space Agency (ESA) since 1 July 2015. After eight years heading German Aerospace Centre (DLR) and the German delegation at ESA, he succeeded Jean-Jacques Dordain in the leading ESA executive role....
by David Todd | Mar 29, 2016 | JAXA, Satellites, Science, Seradata News
All communications were lost with the Japanese Astro-H (Hitomi) astronomy spacecraft after a suspected structural failure event on 27 March 2016 after it fell into a spin. US Strategic Command detected debris coming off the spacecraft at 0142 GMT and there was a...
