Space Stuff

The era of reusability in space has begun​

"We’re on the cusp of some bigger initiatives."​



Artist's rendering of the Mission Extension Vehicle-2 (foreground) docked to a client satellite.

Artist's rendering of the Mission Extension Vehicle-2 (foreground) docked to a client satellite.

A large, passenger van-sized spacecraft sidled up to an active, 6-ton satellite on Monday afternoon about 36,000 km above the Earth's surface. Slowly, ever so slowly, the distance between the two vehicles closed.
There was nothing wrong with the satellite, which is 17 years old and owned by Intelsat. All the while on Wednesday, it continued actively delivering broadband and other media services across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. But it was running desperately low on fuel to maintain its position, and Intelsat would have soon had to send the vehicle to a "graveyard" orbit.
 
Live stream of latest SN15 test attempt:
-EDIT-
I know I'm a sad, old nerd, but I thoroughly enjoyed that. Watched it like it was a cup final. :D
 
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Robert said:

Who could know we’re here on Earth?​

A survey of nearby bodies reveals a lot of stars from which Earth is detectable.​

Image of the Earth as a small dot below Saturn's rings.'s rings.

This is what Earth looks like from within the Solar System. Imaging it from a different system entirely poses some challenges.
Click to expand...

I use that capture as my wallpaper on my work laptop, it raises a few eyebrows here and there when I present something. I'm always amazed at how little people really know (or care for that matter) about where we really sit in the universe.
 
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