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Radar images show Europe's doomed ERS-2 satellite buckle and burn during final orbits of EarthNew radar images show surprise changes to the doomed ERS-2 spacecraft as it tumbled through Earth's atmosphere on Feb. 21.
exoplanets -
Big, doomed 'TIE fighter' satellite seen from space just days before crashing back to EarthThe European Space Agency's ERS-2 Earth observation satellite was spotted in space as it prepares to make a fiery reentry into Earth's atmosphere on Feb. 21.
space-exploration -
An astronomer's lament: SpaceX 'megaconstellations' are ruining space exploration for everyonePrivate companies like SpaceX are crowding Earth's atmosphere with ever-increasing numbers of satellite 'megaconstellations'. For astronomers, the toll of these bright, ubiquitous objects is already painfully clear.
space-exploration -
Can we refuel 'dead' satellites in space? Bold new missions aim to try.When a satellite runs out of fuel, it becomes little more than space junk. Now, space agencies and private companies want to change that. Here's how scientists plan to refuel satellites — in orbit.
space-exploration -
NASA's Voyager 1 probe hasn't 'spoken' in 3 months and needs a 'miracle' to save itA communications glitch is preventing NASA's Voyager 1 probe — the farthest spacecraft from Earth in history — from sending home data, and mission scientists are growing concerned.
space-exploration -
Big, dead European satellite will come crashing back to Earth this monthThe uncontrolled reentry of Europe's defunct ERS-2 satellite is expected in mid-February. It's highly likely that the 5,000-pound craft will land somewhere in the ocean.
space-exploration -
NASA's 1st successful 2-way laser experiment is a giant leap for moon and Mars communicationsNASA has successfully transmitted data between Earth and two spacecraft using lasers, completing a groundbreaking experiment that could aid in future missions to other worlds.
space-exploration -
Sci-fi inspired tractor beams are real, and could solve a major space junk problemFeature 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.
Feature -
Falling metal space junk is changing Earth's upper atmosphere in ways we don't fully understandA research plane that flew through Earth's stratosphere identified more than 20 elements that are linked to the aerospace industry. Experts predict that the problem could become much worse in the future.
space-exploration
