Bacterial ‘sat nav’ tracks where you’ve been with surprising accuracy

We naturally pick up microorganisms as we move about the world. Now, researchers have developed an AI tool that accurately links you to a particular location using a sample of the bugs you’ve collected on your travels – like a bacterial satellite navig… Continue reading Bacterial ‘sat nav’ tracks where you’ve been with surprising accuracy

Super Magdrive rocket thrusters run on heavy metal

The most abundant metal known to man is iron. It’s everywhere. Not just on Earth, but in space as well. Astro engineers have just figured out how to use iron – or nearly any metal for that matter – as plasma rocket fuel.Continue ReadingCategory: Space,… Continue reading Super Magdrive rocket thrusters run on heavy metal

Garmin Mini 2 digital survival beacon throws lifeline farther off-grid

When Garmin acquired DeLorme in 2016, it immediately upgraded its outdoor offerings with the addition of the inReach line of two-way emergency satellite communications beacons. Two years later in 2018, it improved upon the inReach design by shrinking i… Continue reading Garmin Mini 2 digital survival beacon throws lifeline farther off-grid

ESA’s Pathfinder mission to test sat-nav coverage in lunar orbit

ESA plans to use its upcoming Lunar Pathfinder mission to experiment with expanding sat-nav coverage to the Moon. By tuning in to the radio signals leaking from the Galileo and GPS satellite constellations, the goal is to provide more precise and accur… Continue reading ESA’s Pathfinder mission to test sat-nav coverage in lunar orbit

China’s BeiDou global satellite navigation system is fully operational

More than 30 years of planning and development have borne fruit six months ahead of schedule, as China’s complete BeiDou-3 global satellite positioning system was formally commissioned this month.Continue ReadingCategory: Mobile Technology, TechnologyT… Continue reading China’s BeiDou global satellite navigation system is fully operational

Not Just GPS: New Options For Global Positioning

A few weeks ago, China launched the final satellite in its BeiDou-3 satellite positioning system. Didn’t know that China had its own GPS? How about Europe’s Galileo, Russia’s GLONASS, or Japan’s QZSS? There’s a whole world of GPS-alikes out there. Let’s take a look.

The Global Positioning System (GPS) that …read more

Continue reading Not Just GPS: New Options For Global Positioning

GPS notches up 25 years of telling us where to go

The Global Position System (GPS) has turned 25 years old. Operated by the US Space Force, the constellation of navigational satellites went fully operational on April 27, 1995, though US Space Command only made the formal announcement three months late… Continue reading GPS notches up 25 years of telling us where to go

Star Trackers: Telling Up From Down In Any Space

Keeping track of position is crucial in a lot of situations. On Earth, it’s usually relatively straight-forward, with systems having been developed over the centuries that would allow one to get at least a rough fix on one’s position on this planet. But for a satellite out in space, however, …read more

Continue reading Star Trackers: Telling Up From Down In Any Space