satellites
Latest about satellites

Thousands of dams in the US are old, damaged and unable to cope with extreme weather. How bad is it?
By Sascha Pare published
Dams in the U.S. are showing signs of damage that are worsening with age and climate change. Could satellites help prioritize repairs amid budget and inspection constraints?

Orbiting satellites could start crashing into one another in less than 3 days, theoretical new 'CRASH Clock' reveals
By Harry Baker published
Researchers have proposed a theoretical timepiece, dubbed the "CRASH Clock," which tells us how quickly satellites would start colliding if they lost the ability to avoid each other, such as during a powerful solar storm. And its value is rapidly decreasing.

Tractor beams inspired by sci-fi are real, and could solve the looming space junk problem
By Harry Baker published
Researchers are developing a real-life tractor beam, with the goal of pulling defunct satellites out of geostationary orbit to alleviate the space junk problem.

Secretive SpaceX satellites operated by US government are shooting disruptive radio signals into space, astronomer accidentally discovers
By Harry Baker published
An amateur astronomer has accidentally uncovered a series of puzzling radio signals coming from SpaceX's government-operated "Starshield" network. The signals overlap with protected frequencies and could disrupt other nearby spacecraft, experts warn.

Earth's magnetic field has a weak spot — and it's getting bigger, putting astronauts and satellites at risk
By Tom Metcalfe, Eos.org published
This could be bad news for satellites and spacefarers.

The next Carrington-level solar superstorm could wipe out 'all our satellites,' new simulations reveal
By Harry Baker published
New ESA simulations suggest that a solar storm on par with the 1859 Carrington Event could wreak havoc on Earth-orbiting satellites — and it is a question of "when," not "if" this will happen, experts say.

'City killer' asteroid 2024 YR4 could shower Earth with 'bullet-like' meteors if it hits the moon in 2032
By Harry Baker published
There is currently a 4.3% chance that the giant space rock 2024 YR4 will hit the moon in seven years. If this does happen, debris from the nuclear bomb-like impact could trigger a "spectacular" meteor shower that will endanger Earth-orbiting satellites.

The closer a volcano is to erupting, the greener the trees around it look from space
By Sascha Pare published
Scientists have found a way to monitor volcanic carbon dioxide levels — one of the first signs a volcano might be about to blow — that doesn't involve trekking up a mountain.

What goes up must come down: How megaconstellations like SpaceX's Starlink network pose a grave safety threat to us on Earth
By Samantha Lawler published
Opinion Thousands of satellites with incredibly short lifetimes are being sent up into low Earth orbit. When they fall back down they're fireballs of pollution — and what doesn't burn up hits the ground.
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