Roscosmos Assembles Engine 11D58M for "Angara-A5" Rocket The 11D58M engine, powered by liquid oxygen and naphthyl fuel, produces 8.5 tons of thrust in a vacuum and can restart multiple times in space. Despite its small size, this engine is highly intricate to manufacture. A variation of the 11D58M was previously employed in the propulsion system of the "Buran" orbiter spacecraft.
Oleg Kotov's Journey: From Military Doctor to Seasoned Cosmonaut Oleg Kotov, Russia's 100th cosmonaut and the world's 452nd, celebrates his 60th birthday today. With three space flights and six spacewalks, Kotov's space career is illustrious. Transitioning from a military doctor, he patiently waited 11 years for his first space mission, eventually becoming a ship commander. In a recent interview, Igor Marinin from the Public Council of "Roscosmos" discussed Kotov's life, career, and remarkable achievements. The conversation shed light on Kotov's journey to becoming a seasoned cosmonaut, including his experiences during an incident on the ISS and the challenges of facing outer space alone.
Norwegian Mountain Ranges Seen from Space The stunning mountain ranges of Norway have been captured in a breathtaking view from space. The image showcases the majestic and rugged terrain of Norway, highlighting its iconic peaks and valleys, covered in snow and surrounded by fjords. The aerial perspective offers a unique glimpse of the natural beauty and geological diversity of this Scandinavian country.
First Orbital Data Center: Starcloud to Launch NVIDIA H100 GPU into Space in November An American startup will pioneer sending AI data centers into space by launching the Starcloud-1 satellite equipped with the NVIDIA H100 GPU via a Falcon 9 rocket. This satellite's primary tasks include processing satellite imagery and evaluating Google's Gemma language model. The ambitious goal is to develop an orbital "data farm" with a colossal capacity of up to 5 gigawatts, marking a significant advancement in space-based data processing capabilities.
Scientists Compile the Largest Catalog of Galaxy Clusters in History The DES Catalog, compiled from data collected over 6 years, is considered one of the most detailed maps of the dark Universe. It includes tens of thousands of galactic clusters spread across billions of light-years. This groundbreaking work aids in unraveling the effects of dark matter and energy on the Universe's evolution.
Powerful M6.4 Solar Flare Strikes, the Strongest in Three Months A powerful solar flare of class M6.4 has occurred, marking the strongest flare in the past three months. The Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences stated that this flare was "unexpected" and surpassed earlier predictions. Solar flares like this one have the potential to induce magnetic storms, interfere with power systems, and pose health risks to individuals.
Astronomers Discover Potentially Habitable Super-Earth A recently discovered exoplanet, named GJ 251 c, has caught the attention of astronomers for being potentially habitable. Located 20 light-years away from Earth, this super-Earth orbits within the habitable zone of its star, making it a promising candidate for further research on possible extraterrestrial life. Scientists are optimistic about the prospect of studying GJ 251 c in more detail, particularly focusing on analyzing its atmosphere. The deployment of new 30-meter ground-based telescopes is expected to provide valuable insights into the composition and conditions of this distant world, offering exciting opportunities for exploring the mysteries of the universe.
Toyota to Assist ispace in Third Moon Landing Attempt Toyota is set to help refine the design of a compact lunar rover as part of ispace's latest attempt to reach the Moon. The collaboration aims to benefit from Toyota's experience in developing dependable and energy-efficient vehicles. ispace is gearing up for its third endeavor to land on the Moon after facing communication challenges in past missions. The upcoming launch is planned for 2027.
Yeka presents Orbit Health Index The new Orbit Health Index aims to evaluate the extent of human pollution in near-Earth space and the escalating risks of collisions and debris formation. Similar to a climate thermometer, the index assigns a value where 1 signifies safety, while higher values reflect increased peril. Presently, pollution levels are four times higher than the established norm.
The Iron Hands of the International Space Station Space is not just manned by astronauts, but also by Canadian robots Canadarm2 and Dextre - essential tools for various tasks in orbit. These robots play a crucial role in capturing cargo ships, relocating equipment, and supporting astronauts during their spacewalks. This dedicated team of technicians ensures the ISS remains in optimal condition as it orbits the Earth at high speeds, passing over various regions like the Sahara, the Pacific Ocean, and the Philippine Sea hundreds of kilometers below.
