The Chinese Tiangong-1 Space Station Will Fall To Earth In The Next Few Months

         The Tiangong-1 (Heavenly Palace 1 in Chinese) was the first space station launched by China. It was carried into orbit in September of 2011 aboard a Long March 2F/G rocket. It served as a manned laboratory and “experimental testbed to demonstrate orbital rendezvous and docking capabilities.” It is thirty five feet long and eleven feet in diameter.

Russian Soyuz And Proton Rockes Are Reaching The End Of Their Competitiveness In The Commercial Launch Market

       Sixty years ago on October 4th, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the first artificial Earth satellite, and triggered the Space Race between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. The Sputnik satellite was sent into orbit by a Soyuz rocket. Since that historical launch, the Soyuz family of rockets was the workhorse for the Soviet space program, and, since the fall of the U.S.S.R.

U.S. And Russia Sign Letter Of Intent To Construct A Space Station To Orbit The Moon.

       The releationship between U.S. and Russia has been deteriorating as investigations into Russian meddling in our last presidential election have proceeded. However, there is one area where cooperation has continued and is even expanding. That is in the exploration of space. The U.S.

International Group Preparing Test Mission To Attempt To Deflect An Asteroid

       There are many asteroids that cross the orbit of the Earth. Occasionally, one passes near the Earth. If a large asteroid hits the Earth, the consequences could be catastrophic. There have been a lot of discussions and debates about what could be done if astronomers detect an asteroid on a collision course with the Earth.

Experiments With Bacteria On The International Space Station Show How They Become Antibiotic Resistance

      I have mentioned before that bacteria in spacecraft can develop into more virulent strains with antibiotic resistance. This adds to the biological problems that humans face when living in space beyond the atmosphere and gravity of the Earth. A recent experiment on the International Space Station provided additional detail on how these changes occur.

U.S. Air Force Considering Placing Tungsten Rods In Orbit As A Kinetic Projectile Weapon

       The Outer Space Treaty was signed in 1976 by one hundred and seven countries. Among its provisions is a ban on putting any nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons in Earth orbit. Of course there is the problem of being able to actually know exactly what is being launched into orbit by different countries and private firms.

Sierra Nevada Working On Dream Chaser Space Plane for Unmanned and Manned Missions to the International Space Station.

       Since the U.S. Space Shuttle program was ended in 2011 after one hundred and thirty five missions, the U.S. has had to rely on the launch capabilities of Russia in order to ferry astronauts to the International Space Station. Since retiring the Space Shuttle, NASA has been working with private contractors to develop a new space plane to carry astronauts and supplies to orbit.

New Cylindrical Hall Thruster Being Developed In China

       It takes very powerful propellant and powerful engines to raise payloads out of the Earth’s deep gravity well. But once you are in space, there are much less powerful propulsion systems that can provide low thrust over time which can add up to substantial acceleration for station keeping in orbit and getting around in the solar system.

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