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- 1New Satellite Engine Would Use Air as Fuel●New Satellite Engine Could Use Earth's Atmosphere to Stay in Orbit Indefinitely
Engineers have unveiled a satellite propulsion concept that scoops up molecules of Earth's upper atmosphere and uses them as propellant, potentially letting satellites in low orbit refuel themselves and stay aloft indefinitely instead of falling back. The idea could cut the cost and waste of constant resupply missions and transform how long-lived observation and communications satellites are designed.
- 2Earth's atmosphere has gotten less dusty in unexplained reversal▼In a mysterious reversal, Earth’s atmosphere has gotten less dusty
Scientists have observed that the amount of dust in Earth's atmosphere has declined, reversing a previous trend. NBC News reports the shift is described as mysterious, with the cause of the reversal not yet explained. Dust in the atmosphere affects climate, air quality and weather patterns, so researchers are paying close attention to what is driving the change.
- 3Private spacecraft burns up after failed NASA telescope rescue▼Private spacecraft burns up in Earth's atmosphere after failing to rescue aging NASA telescope
A private spacecraft sent to service or boost an aging NASA telescope failed in its mission and has burned up in Earth's atmosphere. The attempt, which would have extended the observatory's life, ended without a rescue, raising questions about the telescope's future and the risks of commercial deep-space servicing missions.