A North Korean satellite launched into space last week appears to be malfunctioning but could remain in orbit for several years, a leading expert in the United States said Tuesday.
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Data from trackers in South Africa and Britain suggest the brightness of the satellite has been fluctuating, which indicates it is tumbling as it orbits. That likely means a malfunction in the probe’s stabilizers because it was designed to constantly point toward the Earth.
Category Archives: Space
Astronomers say apparently malfunctioning North Korea satellite could orbit Earth for years | Fox News
Posted by Matt
on December 18, 2012
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Russians face up to their outer-space crisis | NBC News
Posted by Matt
on September 29, 2012
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Rogozin developed and published a get-well strategy in March, and by all accounts it was realistic and reasonable. The strategy admitted that the visible setbacks were really consequences of deeper problems. But outside observers worried that it just wasn’t possible to fix the problems without resources that the government was reluctant to commit.
Worse, the main problem Rogozin found was actually external to the Russian space industry. He realized that the Russian government didn’t really have any idea what to do with the industrial base left over from Soviet times. He found that Russia wanted to continue human spaceflight with the International Space Station, and also “was planning to fly everywhere” without really understanding why. “There is no architecture of values, no clear understanding of concept,” he complained.
“There is only one main task today,” Rogozin told reporters this month. “Russia must determine its goals in space, what are we seeking?”
Russians face up to their outer-space crisis – Technology & science – Space | NBC News
Why Medvedev Says His Failed Space Program is Bankrupting Russia – International Science Times
Posted by Matt
on August 10, 2012
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According to his department’s own estimates, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev of Russia claims that Moscow’s golden era of being a frontrunner in the space race may be over thanks in no small part to a loss of respectability and serious funds from a series of hackneyed, failed space projects, which include two satellites that failed to even launch.
Why Medvedev Says His Failed Space Program is Bankrupting Russia – International Science Times
DIA director: China preparing for space warfare | Washington Free Beacon
Posted by Matt
on February 24, 2012
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Burgess stated in little-noticed written testimony prepared for an appearance before the Senate Armed Services Committee that Beijing is developing missiles, electronic jammers, and lasers for use against satellites.
Much of the space warfare activity is being carried out under the guise of China’s supposedly non-military space program, he said.
“The space program, including ostensible civil projects, supports China’s growing ability to deny or degrade the space assets of potential adversaries and enhances China’s conventional military capabilities,” Burgess said.
DIA director: China preparing for space warfare | Washington Free Beacon
As China Surges In Space, Russia Stumbles
Posted by Matt
on December 31, 2011
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The two largest space powers outside the U.S. had wildly divergent records in 2011, with Beijing boasting 19 launches and demonstrating in-orbit docking for a future space station while the Kremlin ordered an investigation into a string of high-profile engineering failures plaguing Russia’s space program.
The implications for Russia of a nosedive in the quality of its space efforts could be especially serious. The failures have been condemned by President Dmitry Medvedev, and the efforts at recovery will be watched carefully beyond Russia. The troubles have hit just as NASA has become reliant on its International Space Station (ISS) partner for manned spaceflights and as Moscow seeks to expand its commercial reach with launches from South America.
Meanwhile, China—only the third nation to develop its own capability to launch humans into orbit and long a player in commercial launch services—is growing increasingly confident.
Severe Solar Storms Could Disrupt Earth This Decade: NOAA
Posted by Matt
on August 9, 2011
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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a federal agency that focuses on the condition of the oceans and atmosphere, said a severe solar storm could cause global disruptions in GPS systems, power grids, satellite communications, and airline communications.
With solar activity expected to peak around 2013, the Sun is entering a particularly active time and big flares like the recent one will likely be common during the next few years.
Severe Solar Storms Could Disrupt Earth This Decade: NOAA – International Business Times
Solar storms could create $2tn ‘global Katrina’, warns chief scientist | Science | The Guardian
Posted by Matt
on February 22, 2011
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GPS systems and electricity networks are increasingly vulnerable to damage by turbulent solar weather, scientists say
The threat of solar storms that could wreak havoc on the world’s electronic systems must be taken more seriously, the UK government’s chief scientist has warned. A severe solar storm could damage satellites and power grids around the world, he said, leading to a “global Katrina” costing the world’s economies as much as $2tn (£1.2tn).
Solar storms could create $2tn ‘global Katrina’, warns chief scientist | Science | The Guardian
