http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/space_time/satellites/ Satellites. Read science articles on every type of satellite, from the new infrared satellite to micro-satellites. Free satellite pictures too. en-us Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:05:01 EST Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:05:01 EST 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/space_time/satellites/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091021101820.htm As preparations for the launch of SMOS and Proba-2 continue on schedule, the engineers and technicians at the Russian launch site say goodbye as both satellites are encapsulated within the half-shells of the Rockot fairing. Wed, 21 Oct 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091021101820.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090923102333.htm The first Swiss satellite in history -- extremely small and 100 percent student designed and built -- has been successfully launched from the Sriharikota space station in India. Constructed by the EPFL, with many institutional partners, the SwissCube has gone into orbit. Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090923102333.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090918153115.htm A combination of small satellites can, with innovative methods, use the signals of the navigation satellite systems GPS and Galileo to significantly improve remote sensing of Earth. Wed, 23 Sep 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090918153115.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090916092818.htm Scientists have assembled the first global geological map of Jupiter's moon Ganymede -- the solar system's largest moon -- and in doing so have gathered new evidence into the formation of the large, icy satellite. Fri, 18 Sep 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090916092818.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090805114618.htm The Naval Research Laboratory's satellite suite, the Atmospheric Neutral Density Experiment 2 (ANDE-2), was deployed from NASA's Space Shuttle Endeavour on July 30, 2009. Wed, 05 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090805114618.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090710121543.htm On June 27, 2009, the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite, GOES-O, soared into space during a spectacular launch from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. GOES-O has now been renamed and its solar array has been deployed. Thu, 30 Jul 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090710121543.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090526183858.htm Since the early 1960s, super powerful spy satellites have been the stuff of the military and intelligence communities. Now two U.S. companies have launched commercial imaging satellites that offer the same sort of space-based images of the Earth to the public. One of these companies recently launched the highest-resolution commercial imaging satellite in the world. Wed, 27 May 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090526183858.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090505061949.htm Do we have to modify Newton's theory of gravitation as it fails to explain so many observations? Voices are increasingly being heard that support this heretical hypothesis. Two new studies are likely to provide yet more grist for the mill. Their latest results about so-called "satellite galaxies" at the periphery of the Milky Way could rock the theoretical foundations of standard physics. Tue, 05 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090505061949.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090320112112.htm Europe's GOCE satellite has been formally declared ready for work. During the critical Launch and Early Orbit Phase beginning with separation from its booster, GOCE was checked out to confirm that all of its control systems are operating normally. GOCE (the Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer) is the first of a new family of ESA satellites designed to study our planet and its environment in order to enhance our knowledge and understanding of Earth-system processes and their evolution, to enable us to address the challenges of global climate change. Fri, 20 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090320112112.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090213102047.htm The recent collision involving an active U.S. commercial Iridium satellite and an inactive Russian Cosmos 2251 satellite in low Earth orbit has demonstrated an urgent need to establish a civil space traffic control system. Tue, 17 Feb 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090213102047.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090209081429.htm A new environmental satellite that will improve weather forecasting and monitor environmental events around the world soared into space recently after a picture-perfect launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA-N Prime spacecraft lifted off Feb. 6 at 2:22 a.m. PST aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket from NASA's Space Launch Complex 2. Mon, 09 Feb 2009 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090209081429.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090204094951.htm ESA is now gearing up to return to Russia to oversee preparations for the launch of its GOCE satellite – now envisaged for launch on 16 March 2009. This follows implementation of the corrective measures after the anomaly with the Rockot launcher that delayed the launch of GOCE by Eurockot Launch Services last October. Thu, 05 Feb 2009 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090204094951.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081217124426.htm Satellites that were designed to measure sea level over the world's oceans can serve a valuable purpose over land, a new study has found. Researchers used satellite to measure the height and extent of flooding in North America, South America, and Asia. Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081217124426.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081215184317.htm A new study shows the periodic "breathing" of Earth's upper atmosphere that has long puzzled scientists is due in part to cyclic solar wind disturbances, a finding that should help engineers track satellites more accurately and improve forecasts for electronic communication disruptions. Sat, 20 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081215184317.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081113181312.htm It's not much bigger than a softball and weighs just 2 pounds. But the "pico satellite" being designed and built in a University of Florida aerospace engineering laboratory may hold a key to a future of easy access to outer space -- one where sending satellites into orbit is as routine and inexpensive as shipping goods around the world. Sun, 16 Nov 2008 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081113181312.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081102211920.htm After four months of tests and qualification of the entire satellite and the ground segment by the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES), the French space agency, command and control operations for the Jason-2 ocean altimetry satellite were handed over to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on 29 October. Sun, 02 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081102211920.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081002172253.htm Researchers are developing a new robotic system to service more than 8,000 satellites now orbiting the Earth, beyond the flight range of ground-based repair operations. Currently, when the high-flying celestial objects malfunction -- or simply run out of fuel -- they become "space junk" cluttering the cosmos. Mon, 13 Oct 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081002172253.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080908073753.htm The preparatory activities for the launch of ESA's GOCE satellite from the Plesetsk cosmodrome in northern Russia had to be stopped yesterday afternoon (Sunday 7 September) by Eurockot due to an anomaly identified in one of the units of the guidance and navigation subsystem of the launcher's upper stage (Breeze KM). Mon, 08 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080908073753.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080709153152.htm Think you have trouble getting rid of the clutter in your living room? After more than 50 years of launching rockets and satellites into space, the human race now has to deal with the clutter left behind -- or is it "above"? Dead satellites, spent rocket stages, paint flakes, and coolant from nuclear-powered satellites continue to orbit the Earth at ultrahigh velocities. Thu, 10 Jul 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080709153152.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080626125818.htm Canada is building the world's first space telescope designed to detect and track asteroids as well as satellites. Called NEOSSat, this spacecraft will provide a significant improvement in surveillance of asteroids that pose a collision hazard with Earth and innovative technologies for tracking satellites in orbit high above our planet. Fri, 27 Jun 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080626125818.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080527110949.htm Clouds have typically posed a problem to scientists using satellites to observe the lowest part of the atmosphere, where humans live and breathe, because they block the satellite's ability to capture a clear, unobstructed view of Earth's surface. It turns out, however, that these "obstructions" are worth a closer look, as clouds and their characteristics actually serve a valuable role in Earth's climate. That closer look is now available by satellites comprising the Afternoon Constellation, or A-Train. Wed, 28 May 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080527110949.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080513104004.htm Satellites currently use radio waves to exchange data. Now the data rate has been increased a hundredfold by using lasers instead of radio signals. Two test satellites each carried a diode laser pump module. The data whizzed back and forth at the speed of light between German satellite TerraSAR-X and US satellite NFIRE, covering more than 5000 kilometers in space without any errors. Wed, 14 May 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080513104004.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080507105616.htm Following a successful launch on April 27, GIOVE-B began transmitting navigation signals May 7. This is a truly historic step for satellite navigation since GIOVE-B is now, for the first time, transmitting the GPS-Galileo common signal using a specific optimised waveform, MBOC (multiplexed binary offset carrier), in accordance with the agreement drawn up in July 2007 by the EU and the US for their respective systems, Galileo and the future GPS III. Fri, 09 May 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080507105616.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080422160001.htm The exchange of information between distant sources is the basis of all communications, but quantum mechanics may open up this distant exchange as never before. Quantum key distribution, for instance, would allow for absolutely secure encryption of information exchange by encoding information keys on single photons. Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080422160001.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080328101532.htm For the first time, physicists have been able to identify individual returning photons after firing and reflecting them off of a space satellite in orbit almost 1,500 kilometers above the earth. The experiment has proven the possibility of constructing a quantum channel between Space and Earth. Sat, 29 Mar 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080328101532.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080313185726.htm The Vanguard I satellite celebrates its 50th birthday this year. Its launch on March 17, 1958 from Cape Canaveral, Fla., culminated the efforts of America's first official space satellite program begun in September 1955. The first solar-powered satellite, Vanguard I has the distinction of being the oldest artificial satellite orbiting the earth. Tue, 18 Mar 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080313185726.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080314130433.htm ESA's Artemis data relay satellite, controlled from Fucino (Italy) and with its mission control center and Earth terminal located at Redu (Belgium), is providing communications between the Jules Verne ATV and the ATV Control Center in Toulouse (France). Fri, 14 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080314130433.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080216114853.htm Space scientists report on new discoveries about gamma ray bursts obtained from the Swift satellite and coordinated observations from a global network of ground based telescopes. Gamma-ray bursts are short-lived events, lasting between a few milliseconds to a few minutes. The brightest of them emit more energy in a few seconds than our Sun will emit in its whole 10 billion year lifetime. Gamma ray bursts are occurring several times daily somewhere in the universe, fortunately at huge distances from our solar system. These fleeting explosions are precursors to the births of black holes. Fri, 22 Feb 2008 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080216114853.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080220223653.htm The targeting by missile of a failed U.S. intelligence-gathering spacecraft now orbiting Earth spotlights a number of associated policy issues, from dealing with the growing problem of orbital debris and the need to establish space traffic control measures, to defusing concerns over the weaponization of space. Thu, 21 Feb 2008 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080220223653.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071213101348.htm Weather broadcasts have long been a staple for people planning their day. Now with the help of NASA satellites, researchers are working to broaden daily forecasts to include predictions of air quality, a feat that is becoming reality in some parts of the world. Wed, 19 Dec 2007 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071213101348.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071022120157.htm A successful re-ignition of the Ariane 5 upper stage engine performed during the most recent mission has consolidated Ariane 5's readiness for the launch of the Jules Verne Automated Transfer Vehicle. Wed, 24 Oct 2007 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071022120157.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071016131504.htm TC-1, one of the two satellites of the CNSA/ESA Double Star mission, was decommissioned on Oct. 14 as its designed orbit lifetime came to an end. The satellite re-entered Earth's atmosphere and turned to dust during its descent. Fri, 19 Oct 2007 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071016131504.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071003081901.htm Fifty years after Sputnik 1 -- the first artificial satellite -- was launched into orbit, scientists looks back at the story of that particular mission and examines some of key issues of modern satellite technology, from navigation with GPS and Earth observation to the dangers of "space junk" and the potential weaponization of space. Fri, 05 Oct 2007 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071003081901.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070921100324.htm Cleanup and rebuilding teams responding to the devastation across Greece caused by this summer's deadly fires are getting help from space. A series of crisis map products based on satellite acquisitions of affected areas are being provided to aid damage assessment efforts following the activation of the International Charter on Space and Major Disasters. Sun, 23 Sep 2007 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070921100324.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070914123848.htm Japan has successfully launched a new unmanned spacecraft to explore the Moon -- the largest lunar mission since the Apollo program. KAGUYA will investigate the entire moon in order to obtain information on its elemental and mineralogical composition, its geography, its surface and sub-surface structure, the remnant of its magnetic field, and its gravity field. Fri, 14 Sep 2007 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070914123848.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070905172000.htm Researchers have used a new technique to save $60 million for broadcasters by extending the service life of two communications satellites. The technique works by applying an advanced simulation and a method that equalizes the amount of propellant in a series of fuel tanks so that the satellite consumes all of the fuel before being retired from service. Sat, 08 Sep 2007 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070905172000.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070829143607.htm Greece has experienced more wildfire activity this August than other European countries have over the last decade, according to data from ESA satellites. The country is currently battling an outbreak of blazes, which began last Thursday, that have spread across the country killing more than 60 people. Mon, 03 Sep 2007 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070829143607.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070817104512.htm A UK-led initiative to build a satellite which can significantly improve the accuracy of climate change data is gaining momentum following calls from the United Nations, the US Academy of Sciences and the World Meteorological Organisation. Tue, 21 Aug 2007 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070817104512.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070809130000.htm The detection of emergency beacons will be greatly improved by the introduction of Europe's satellite positioning system, Galileo. The Galileo satellites will carry transponders to relay distress signals to search and rescue organizations. Tue, 14 Aug 2007 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070809130000.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070630061101.htm Scientists have obtained the first-ever 3D picture of interconnected magnetic 'dances' in near-Earth space, known as magnetic reconnection events. The data from ESA's Cluster satellites will help to understand better magnetic reconnection, a process related to star formation, solar explosions and the entry of solar wind energy into the near-Earth environment. Sun, 01 Jul 2007 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070630061101.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070622090716.htm Satellite tracking software freely available on the Internet and some textbook physics could be used by any organization that can get hold of an intermediate range rocket to mount an unsophisticated attack on military or civilian satellites. Mon, 25 Jun 2007 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070622090716.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/05/070527182019.htm Astronomers have made the first ever observation of one of the satellites of the planet Uranus passing in front of another. The observation was made on the night of 4th May using the robotic Faulkes Telescope South at Siding Spring Observatory, Australia. Mon, 28 May 2007 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/05/070527182019.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/05/070514154316.htm A partnership between NASA and the US Naval Academy is offering students real-world experience. During 2007 and 2008, students at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., will build a satellite called "MidSTAR-2" through a US Department of Defense program that will carry four experiments into space in 2011 to look at different parts of Earth's atmosphere, gamma rays and solar winds. Tue, 15 May 2007 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/05/070514154316.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/05/070510123716.htm Travellers have relied on accurate timekeeping for navigation since the development of the marine chronometer in the eighteenth century. Galileo, Europe's twenty-first century navigation system, also relies on clocks -- but they are millions of times more accurate than those earlier timepieces. Mon, 14 May 2007 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/05/070510123716.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/05/070504114217.htm GIOVE-A successfully transmitted its first navigation message, containing the information needed by user receivers to calculate their position. Prior to reaching this milestone, the satellite had been broadcasting only the data needed for measuring the receiver-to-satellite distance. Sat, 05 May 2007 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/05/070504114217.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/04/070415122833.htm NOAA and NASA announced a plan to restore a key climate sensor, designed to give climate researchers a more precise depiction of the structure of the Earth's ozone layer. Mon, 16 Apr 2007 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/04/070415122833.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/02/070222155503.htm Georgia Tech researchers have a created a new satellite technology that allows satellites to blast off with less fuel, opening the door for deep space missions, lower launch costs and more hardware on board. Mon, 26 Feb 2007 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/02/070222155503.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/11/061120175549.htm Sixteen years after its launch on Oct. 6, 1990, the Ulysses spacecraft has begun its third "solar polar orbit" -- a journey around the poles of the sun. The mission, a joint NASA-European Space Agency venture, studies how the sun's gaseous outer atmosphere spews into space, creating huge space storms. This violent "space weather," in turn, can affect Earth's electricity, satellite and cell phone communications. Tue, 21 Nov 2006 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/11/061120175549.htm