Selection of the most interesting space news for the week: NASA asked commercial companies to save the Hubble telescope, the Ukrainian satellite EOS SAT-1 got in touch, and we talk about the most anticipated space events of 2023 and the difference between the Julian and Gregorian calendar.
It took less than an hour to make the atoms, a few hundred million years to make the stars and planets, but five billion years to make man!
Georgy Gamov
Volcanic eruption starts on Jupiter’s moon
Astronomers observing Jupiter’s moon Io recorded increased volcanic activity on it. Since July 2022, several small and at least one large eruption have occurred on this moon.
The first satellite of the world’s first agro-focused EOSDA constellation gets in touch
On January 3, 2023, EOS SAT-1, the initial satellite of EOS SAT, the first agri-focused satellite constellation launched by a remote sensing company, was successfully delivered into a low Earth orbit by SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. After separation from the rocket, the satellite transmitted telemetry, confirming the start of its work.
Satellite images of the destroyed base of the invaders in Makiivka
Independent investigator Benjamin Pittet published satellite images of Planet Labs. They show the destroyed base of the Russian invaders in Makiivka. On New Year’s Eve, the Ukrainian Armed Forces launched a missile attack on it.
A super-powerful eruption occurred on the Sun
On January 3, a powerful flare occurred on the Sun, accompanied by a coronal mass ejection. Space observatories have received very spectacular images of this event. The ejection was not directed towards the Earth, so the flare does not pose a threat to our planet.
Dies the last member of the Apollo 7 mission
In the USA, former astronaut Walter Cunningham passed away at the age of 91. He was the last survivor of the Apollo 7 expedition. It was the first manned mission under the American lunar program. Astronauts tested the Apollo spacecraft in near-Earth orbit, removing questions about its safety. This opened the way to the Apollo 8 mission, during which, in December 1968, people flew around the Moon for the first time.
NASA asks commercial space companies to save Hubble
NASA asked commercial companies to submit their proposals and ideas on how to raise the orbit of the Hubble telescope. This operation will extend the life of the famous observatory, and the experience gained during its implementation could be used to save other satellites.
Airbus joins Starlab Orbital Station Project
Airbus Defense and Space has announced the joining of the commercial orbital station Starlab to the project. This step may help to simplify the access of European countries to near-Earth orbit after the completion of the ISS operation.
Photo of the week
The Korean Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) has published the first images taken by the Danuri probe after entering a selenocentric orbit. On it you can see the rise of our planet above the lunar surface.
Interesting figure — 26 thousand avoidance maneuvers
During the period from December 1, 2020 to November 30, 2022, Starlink satellites performed 26,037 avoidance maneuvers in orbit. This figure is contained in a report sent to SpaceX to the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The document indicates that now Starlink satellites perform 75 avoidance maneuvers per day.
Something to read on the weekend
Christmas is celebrated in Ukraine on December 25 and January 7. People often call them “Catholic” and “Orthodox”, but this is completely wrong. This fact has nothing to do directly with religious issues, but is determined only by the calendar. From our article, you will learn why this happens and what is the difference between the Julian and Gregorian calendars.
We also share the most impressive images of the past year, summarize launch statistics and tell about the most anticipated space events of 2023.
Read also: Winter Mars and new spacesuits for astronauts: News Digest
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