Collaborate Disseminate
When the US Air Force’s X-37B autonomous spaceplane launched into orbit for the sixth time this week, it was carrying an experiment to explore the potential for beaming solar energy from space to Earth. The Photovoltaic Radio-frequency Antenna Module (… Continue reading X-37B spaceplane experiment to test tech for beaming solar power to Earth
When the US Air Force’s X-37B autonomous spaceplane launched into orbit for the sixth time this week, it was carrying an experiment to explore the potential for beaming solar energy from space to Earth. The Photovoltaic Radio-frequency Antenna Module (… Continue reading X-37B spaceplane experiment to test tech for beaming solar power to Earth
The US Air Force’s not-so-secret X-37B spaceplane has successfully launched on its sixth mission, OTV-6 (USSF 7). On May 17, 2020, at 13:14 GMT, the unmanned, autonomous spacecraft lifted off from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Sta… Continue reading X-37B spaceplane launched for sixth secretive mission
Following on from the leggy T-Rex released last year, MB&F and L’Epee 1839 have teamed up once again to make another quirky timepiece – this time one that’s part desktop clock and part space station. Taking cues from the eponymous station from Star Tre… Continue reading Starfleet Explorer brings a touch of Star Trek to timekeeping
Raytheon Missiles & Defense is developing a ramjet-propelled shell that will double the range of US military artillery to over 100 km (62 mi). Working under a US$7.9 million US Army contract, the tactical 155mm XM1155 Extended-Range Artillery Projectil… Continue reading New artillery round uses ramjet for extra range
Scientists at North Carolina State University (NCSU) have been working on a new polymer that could be the basis for lighter, cheaper and more environmentally friendly radiation shielding. Led by Da Cao, the team introduced bismuth trioxide particles in… Continue reading Polymer compound shows promise as cheap, light radiation shielding
The US Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has developed a 3D-printed nuclear reactor core prototype, with the ultimate goal of the Transformational Challenge Reactor (TCR) Demonstration Program being to create an advanced, full… Continue reading Oak Ridge developing 3D-printed nuclear reactor core
ESA has released “sonifications” of the telemetry sent back by the BepiColombo Mercury probe during its April 20, 2020 flyby of Earth. Sounding like a series of atonal symphony pieces, the five audio recordings were captured by two instruments installe… Continue reading BepiColombo makes cosmic music during Earth flyby
Researchers have taken inspiration from a mosquito’s ability to fly and land in the dark to develop a new collision-avoidance sensory system that has been tested on a quadcopter. The international team of scientists, led by Professor Richard Bomphrey a… Continue reading Mosquito night navigation inspires new drone obstacle avoidance system
An MIT research proposal outlines a new method for rendezvousing with interstellar objects (ISOs) like ‘Oumuamua using a solar slingshot technique. By using solar sails to position deep-space probes on the edge of the solar system, the idea is to use t… Continue reading Solar slingshot could help spacecraft intercept interstellar objects