Tag Archives: catastrophe

Start-Up Space Clock: Precision Countdown to Catastrophe

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Canadarm2, ISS robot arm built by the Canadian Space Agency

ESA/NASA

The most accurate clock in space will start within a few days and start building highly synced networks from the best clocks on the planet. However, the project will only work for a few decades, and only a few years before it burns out as hair removal for the International Space Station at the end of the decade.

Atomic Clock in Space (ACES) is a European Space Agency (ESA) mission that generates time signals with unprecedented accuracy and transmits them to nine ground stations via lasers as they pass over the overhead at 27,000 km/h. This watch network is very closely synchronized and provides extremely accurate timekeeping around the world.

As a result, ACES can test Einstein’s theory of general relativity. This states that the passage of time is influenced by the strength of gravity and is very accurately affected. It also supports all research, from dark matter to string theory.

ACES is scheduled to be released on April 21st for the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Center, Florida. Upon reaching the ISS, the Canadarm2, the Canadian Space Agency’s robotic arm, attaches it to the outside of ESA’s Columbus Laboratory, where it remains in a vacuum in the space.

The package actually consists of two clocks. One is called SHM, which can be kept stable for a short period of time. Together, these watches are extremely accurate, losing less than a second for over 300 million years. It is 10 times more accurate than a GPS satellite clock.

Pharaohs are basically modeled on Paris’ atomic clocks that occupy the entire room. Its technology was no more than a cubic meter, miniaturization to something that could allow rocket launches and survive the harshness of living in space was by no means a feat.

To generate an accurate clock signal, the pharaoh expels a fountain of cesium atoms cooled to absolute zero and observes its interaction with the microwave field. On Earth, devices of 3 meters are required, but at microgravity, these atoms move slowly and are sprayed into smaller fountains, making them much smaller.

Simon Weinberg The ESA says that simply placing a teaspoon close can create an electromagnetic field strong enough to destroy the watch. “Just putting it in context, it’s better than the 100 million seconds we’re trying to measure here,” says Weinberg. “So it’s one hell of challenging work.”

The ACES concept dates back to the 1990s and was originally scheduled to be released at the Space Shuttle, which retired in 2011. Once you reach space, the first signal will not reach the Earth-bound clock for a year and a half. It takes about six months to outsource the device.

The ACES then operates until 2030, after which the ISS intentionally crashes into the Earth’s atmosphere and burns out. By that point, the new ultra-precision watch known as optical watches likely have created an atomic clock that has become obsolete on Earth, but by then it may not be small or robust enough to be used in space.

At one point, Weinberg says the ESA is aiming to launch a new generation of ACEs to replace what was lost in the ISS, whatever the technology was most appropriate back then. “We’ll go a long way from doing it, and we have to gather support, fundraising and more to make sure that happens.”

topic:

  • time/
  • International Space Station

Source: www.newscientist.com

Can Catastrophe be Prevented if an Asteroid is Approaching Earth?

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Hidden somewhere in the dark of space, there is a giant asteroid on a collision course with Earth. If we don’t spot it and somehow stop its arrival, it will hurtle through Earth’s atmosphere at 60,000 kilometers per hour and slam into the ground, vaporizing everything it touches.

With millions of asteroids hurtling through the inner solar system, the threat is inevitable. A conflict will occur sooner or later. But that doesn’t mean the Earth has to be a sitting duck. The global community is obsessed with planetary defense, carefully planning how to repel extraterrestrial invaders should they appear, or at least minimize carnage.

Among other things, this research includes scanning the sky for threats and testing missions to throw asteroids off course. But it also includes a surprising amount of role-playing, with scenarios in which teams impact asteroids in a war game. “Exercises like this are necessary because in the real world, we have not yet reached this point where we need to actually design and build a mission,” NASA said. Paul Chodas do a lot of role-playing. “It makes you think about details that you wouldn’t otherwise think about.”

In the coming paragraphs, you’ll be in the hot seat for a choose-your-own-adventure version of one of these role-playing games. You decide how to react when an asteroid comes towards us. Whether you want to crash your spaceship, use sunlight-absorbing paint to change its course, or just blow it to pieces, you’ll realize we have even more options…

Source: www.newscientist.com

Satellite collision catastrophe now unavoidable, warn experts

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Approximately 50,000 collision avoidance maneuvers were performed by satellites in SpaceX’s Starlink constellation in the first half of 2024. This number reflects the growing concern about satellite collisions as the number of satellites orbiting the Earth continues to increase unchecked.

With a significant portion of our communication, navigation, and climate change observation relying on space infrastructure, the potential for a catastrophic collision that could disrupt these critical services is a valid concern.

According to Andy Lawrence, Regius Professor of Astronomy at the University of Edinburgh, the threat is more insidious. Lawrence compares the situation to the “boil the frog” analogy, pointing out that gradual changes often go unnoticed until it’s too late.

Space debris resulting from collisions poses a significant risk to operational satellites. Previous incidents, such as the 2009 collision between the U.S. satellite Iridium 33 and the Russian spacecraft Cosmos 2251, highlight the potential dangers of high-speed collisions in orbit.

As the number of satellites in orbit continues to rise, the risk of collisions and conjunctions also increases. Flybys between satellites, like the ones observed by LeoLabs, underscore the potential for catastrophic events that could generate significant amounts of debris in space.

Efforts to prevent collisions, such as onboard software maneuvers and tracking systems, are crucial in mitigating risks. However, as more satellites are launched, concerns remain about the software’s ability to handle the increasing volume of space objects.

The rise in satellite constellations, driven by companies like Starlink aiming to provide global internet coverage, exacerbates the collision risk. The challenge now is to balance the benefits of satellite technology with the potential hazards it poses to orbital space, astronomy, and the environment.

As the debate continues on how to manage the growing number of satellites and ensure the sustainability of outer space, the need for international cooperation and responsible satellite deployment becomes increasingly evident.

Ultimately, the future of space exploration and satellite operations hinges on finding a delicate balance between technological progress and ensuring the long-term health and safety of our activities in space.

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To orbit the Earth, a satellite must travel at a minimum speed of 7.8 km/s (4.8 miles per second), highlighting the immense energy released in a potential collision. The increasing density of satellites in orbit raises concerns about the risks posed by collisions and close encounters between space objects.

As technology advances and more satellites are launched into space, the need for responsible space debris management becomes paramount in ensuring the sustainability of future space missions and satellite operations.

Satellite collisions can scatter thousands of pieces of debris into orbital space around Earth – Image courtesy of Alamy

The increasing number of satellites in orbit not only poses risks to operational spacecraft but also interferes with astronomical observations and environmental concerns. Balancing the benefits of satellite technology with the potential hazards it poses to space and the environment is crucial in the era of rapid space exploration and commercial satellite deployment.

As we navigate the complexities of space governance and responsible satellite deployment, collaboration among stakeholders, regulators, and operators will be essential in ensuring the sustainability and safety of our activities in space.

The future of satellite operations and space exploration depends on our ability to address these challenges effectively and ensure a secure and sustainable space environment for future generations.

A blend of exposures showing thousands of satellites swarming the night sky in 2022 – Photo credit: Alan Dyer/VW Pics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

As we continue to expand our presence in space, it becomes increasingly important to consider the implications of our actions on the environment, astronomy, and the sustainability of future space activities. By addressing these challenges collaboratively and responsibly, we can pave the way for a safer, more sustainable future in space exploration and satellite operations.

obscure our view of the universe

The proliferation of satellites around Earth presents challenges to astronomers, with concerns about interference with observations and radio signals. Finding a balance between technological progress and preserving the integrity of astronomical research is a key concern in the evolving landscape of space exploration.

As we strive to harness the benefits of satellite technology while mitigating its potential risks, it is essential to prioritize international cooperation and sustainable practices in satellite deployment and space exploration. By working together to address these challenges, we can ensure a brighter and more sustainable future in space.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

The impending catastrophe: Climate change’s impact on our oceans

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Around this time last year, Dean Grubbs and his colleagues were celebrating a conservation success story.The star of the show was the smalltooth sawfish, a large ray with a saw-like snout lined with tiny teeth. Victim of coastal development and bycatch, in 2003 it became the first saltwater fish to receive federal protection under the Endangered Species Act. By 2023, Florida's population will be the last sawfish in the US, and it's on the rise. “We were excited. We were seeing the population start to bounce back,” says Grubbs, a marine ecologist at Florida State University.

Then disaster struck. In January, a sawfish was found dead, thrashing about in shallow waters, spinning like crazy. This was after months of the smaller fish exhibiting similar behavior. Suddenly, Grubbs and his team were spending their days pulling dead sawfish from the water. After months of research and testing, the culprit finally emerged: ocean heat. A record-breaking heatwave brought “hot tub” water temperatures to Florida's coast in 2023, setting off a chain reaction that appears to have devastated the vulnerable sawfish population.

This is just one cautionary tale: something is wrong with the world's oceans. From orange algae blooms in the North Sea to outbreaks of gelatinous Bombay duckfish off the coast of China to the disappearance of Antarctic “bottom waters,” evidence is mounting that extreme temperatures are wreaking havoc on our oceans. After years of acting as silent sinks for excess human-made heat, the oceans are beginning to creak under the pressure. And we're finally starting to realize just how worried we should be.

About 90 percent of the excess is…

Source: www.newscientist.com