November 2018
Being human in space
...interstellar space vehicle, to be constructed from a hollowed-out asteroid. The aim is not just to focus on the necessary technology but also to consider the biological and social factors involved in making such a gargantuan voyage feasible. “We need...
February 2019
Simulating lunar and martian regolith in the laboratory
...the recent resurgence of interest in missions to both the Moon and Mars, it is an exciting time for research and technology developments that rely on planetary regolith simulants. ESA’s Sample Analogue Curation Facility will provide access to curated...
February 2020
Aeroshells – from LEO to Mars
... aeroshells may have an important role to play. In summary, aeroshells are a simple, low cost and space-tested technology with the potential to enable new forms of space transportation. In doing so, aeroshells are well positioned to make a valuable...
October 2020
Essential role of satellites in disaster and pandemic management
... such as remote sensing to access high-resolution satellite imagery. That was critical in enabling stakeholders’ use of satellite technologies for more effective mapping, to overcome the outdated colonial maps, during the Ebola outbreak. For example...
March 2021
Eyes on the prize
... Though many people outside the industry may not realise it, the UK is in the premier league of world space technology, from instrumentation, data science and satellite operations to satellite manufacture. Government decisions over the past two...
April 2021
Norway’s pioneering use of microsatellites
... laser communication payload developed by the Dutch research institute (TNO) and the Delft based company Hyperion Technologies, a next generation miniaturised AIS receiver with a CubeSat form factor from Kongsberg Seatex, an improved VDES system...
