MIT Space Telecommunications, Astronomy and Radiation Laboratory’s Post

A model of a Nanosatellite, that is being developed by the Space Division of Pakistan's National Aerospace Science & Technology Park (NASTP). 🇵🇰 A nanosatellite is a small satellite with a mass between 1 kg and 10 kg (2.2 to 22 pounds). These compact satellites are part of the broader category of small satellites and are widely used for scientific, commercial, and educational purposes.

In my latest for The Debrief, I discuss how Unidentified Aerospace Phenomena sightings are collected and investigated in France by the state with GEIPAN's new head, Frédéric Courtade (With some nuggets for the knowledgeable reader) #uap https://lnkd.in/e6JryghC

In an era where proximity operations to uncooperative objects are on the rise, our paper addresses the pressing need for advanced technology to tackle the challenges of in-orbit servicing and removal missions. The new paper by Giacomo Borelli, Gabriella Gaias and Camilla Colombo tackled the challenges of controlling an uncooperative target rotational motion with a contactless method for a future capture. Specifically, novel guidance and control strategies during the contactless operations of plume impingement to stabilise the target are developed. Check out the OpenAccess paper published in Aerospace MDPI here: https://lnkd.in/ecwq4iue AerospacePoliMi Aerospace MDPI European Research Council (ERC) #space #research #journal #MDPI #COMPASS #debris #control #GNC

Our paper on "Understanding the effects of spacecraft trajectories through solar coronal mass ejection flux ropes using 3DCOREweb" has just been published in ApJ 🥳 After developing a GUI to facilitate the usage of our 3D Flux Rope Model, we looked at how the trajectory of a spacecraft through a CME affects the appearance of magnetic field measurements. This will help us in drawing conclusions on the 3D structure of a CME by looking at 1D time series. 🛰 ☀ 🥐 https://lnkd.in/dY-VNT66

♻️⛽️Another Milestone Unlocked for In-Orbit Refueling! ⛽️♻️ Dawn Aerospace's DFT-Passive Port has successfully completed Environmental Qualification, proving its readiness for the intense demands of space. What does this mean?  ✔️ Verified performance under pressure, vibration, and extreme thermal conditions. ✔️ Greater responsibility and reusability of satellites ✔️ A roadmap with Dawn to in-orbit refueling “This isn’t just a vision anymore—in-orbit refueling is happening,” says Jeroen Wink, CRO at Dawn Aerospace. "The space industry is evolving, and we’re building the tools to make it happen." 🛰️Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dUzrpF2v

It's worth winning the INNOspace Masters. Want an example? We'll give you two: For the InnoCubE project, two #DLR Challenge winners and overall winners have joined forces to realise a completely new #satellite concept. It will be tested in #orbit during an initial one-year mission at the end of 2024. Here are the two spin-in ideas combined in this project: - SKITH (Skip the harness) wireless satellite infrastructure, winner of the DLR Challenge and overall winner in 2016: Until now, the harness for satellites has been necessary, but also costly, heavy and a major risk factor. The SKITH wireless bus system connects all satellite components such as communications, OBC, ADCS, payload and PCDU. The system is both real-time and failsafe. - Wall#E – Fibre-Reinforced Spacecraft Walls for Storing Energy, DLR Challenge winner and overall winner in 2017: The idea behind Wall#E is to integrate energy storage functions into the support structures of #spacecraft, which will significantly reduce the mass and volume of satellites without sacrificing performance. To this end, Wall#E uses fibre-reinforced structures infiltrated with innovative solid-state battery materials. The project is being continued by the Technische Universität Berlin and the Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg. It embodies two core objectives of the DLR Challenge and the #INNOspace Masters: promoting technology transfer between #space and non-space and collaborative research projects. Want to learn more? https://lnkd.in/eUCF23Mm Deutsche Raumfahrtagentur im DLR Deutsches Zentrum für Luft-und Raumfahrt e.V.

#ICYMI – The new #CORDIS Results Pack on In-space Electric Propulsion is showcasing the achievements of 12 #H2020 projects funded under the Strategic Research Cluster (SRC) on #ElectricPropulsion. ⚡ 🛰️ As a key strategic technology, electric propulsion is an essential enabler for the EU Future Space Ecosystem and for ensuring European global leadership in the areas of in-space operations and transportation. ➡ https://europa.eu/!VMwrpc #EUSpaceResearch #EUSpace #SpaceIndustry EU Space

Ready for delivery 💪: Our central tube will be the first #CFRP flight hardware for a space probe 🛰️! The basis for the central tube is the design of a demonstrator, which was built as a so-called “second source” for another mission. Once the demonstrator has been revised for the new project, the CFRP component will become part of the Comet Interceptor space probe now. The central tube is the heart of the probe, to which all essential components inside are fixed. Our little tube (as it is lovingly called by our team) is now ready for integration at OHB SE. By the way, we also supplied a HeHPV tank (Helium High Pressure Vessel) for the Comet Interceptor mission.   ESA's Comet Interceptor will be the first mission to visit a comet coming directly from the outer reaches of the Sun 🌞 and carrying material untouched since the formation of the solar system. After launch, the probe will be “parked” in space before setting off to intercept a suitable, untouched comet. Comet Interceptor consists of three space probes that will measure the comet's nucleus at several points. The main probe and a secondary probe are provided by European Space Agency - ESA, while JAXA: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency is responsible for the development of the third probe.   The launch of Comet Interceptor is planned for 2029 with an #Ariane6 🚀 in Kourou. #rocketscience #spaceEnablers #space

It was  a pleasure to present the results from the ESA funded project of the 2100 nm laser source development as well as the free space measurements and also to introduce the ambition for the follow up TRL6 laser development. 

Nice summary and key takeaways from this years SPACE PROPULSION CONFERENCE in Glasgow 🚀