September 2016
URBOCOP: saving planet Earth
... and flares, known as coronal mass ejections. Changes in Earth’s magnetosphere which result in the destruction of the protective shield that could deflect coronal mass ejections. Potentially dangerous asteroids and comets, which could lead to mass...
October 2016
Unlocking the potential of annular ion engines
... [HETs], as embodied by the commercial HET (BPT-4000) [5], and the 12.5 kW HET (Hall Effect Rocket with Magnetic Shielding, or HERMeS) under co-development by NASA and JPL for the Solar Electric Propulsion Technology Demonstration Mission (SEP...
January 2017
Blueprint for NASA’s journey to Mars
... in cis-lunar space or on a subsequent mission to Mars. Planning ahead for sufficient residual propellant provides some radiation shielding for the return journey, allows for recovery of MBC elements, and provides additional options for mission...
July 2017
Hunting for neutrinos in the ice of Antarctica
... is in its pilot-phase. Located in a very specific corner on the Ross ice-shelf with pure ice and shielded by mighty trans-Antarctic mountains from the nearest research stations, nine stations are currently in operation to test...
July 2017
Rapidly evolving space industry needs faster UN response
... need to maintain an equal pace. It reminds me of the lasting historical struggle between artillery on the one hand and shielding on the other. When one innovated, the other had to adjust, and vice versa. Having an imbalanced relationship...
September 2017
Measuring space debris risk
... that the greatest risk posed to spacecraft is from objects in the 2 to 3 mm range. For debris objects below 1 mm, shielding and good design can normally provide a successful defence. So, from a satellite perspective a ‘bad’ conjunction is one with...
