spacecraft

Northrop Grumman uses AI to reduce spacecraft design time from years to hours in a major shift in space engineering

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Northrop Grumman said it will apply artificial intelligence to significantly accelerate spacecraft development. The company says that integrating AI into the engineering process will shorten design cycles from years to hours. This approach combines mission expertise with advanced AI technology to improve speed and accuracy. It is intended to enable more complex and mission-critical space … Read more

NASA’s Curiosity spacecraft discovers a surprising number of giant ‘dragon scales’ scattered on Mars

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Black and white photo of polygon-covered rocks on Mars that look like giant reptilian scales

section of Mars New photos reveal that it is covered in a surprising number of features, including chunks of fossilized giant reptile scales. But don’t worry. This strange structure was not created by giant aliens. Rather, it may have something to do with ancient water. NASA’s Curiosity spacecraft snapped a photo of a strange rock … Read more

NASA’s Curiosity spacecraft discovers a surprising number of giant ‘dragon scales’ scattered on Mars

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A close-up of Mars' rocky polygons that look like the scales of a giant reptile.

Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission when you buy through links in our articles. Dozens of polygon-covered rocks that look like chunks of fossilized “scales” from giant reptiles surround the surface of Mars near Antofagasta in Gale Crater. |Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS/Kevin M. Gill section of Mars New photos reveal that it is covered … Read more

NASA has shut down another Voyager 1 instrument as humanity’s most distant spacecraft prepares for a dangerous ‘big bang’ flight to conserve power

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A small space probe floating above a purple and blue starry background

After nearly half a century in space, the Voyager 1 spacecraft has shut down one of its last remaining scientific instruments in a desperate attempt to conserve power. NASA’s decision to power down the instruments comes just before the final “big bang” moment that mission managers hope will further extend the lives of the two … Read more

Japanese private spacecraft to investigate two satellites that will disappear in 2027 for the first time

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Private Japanese Spacecraft Set To Inspect Two Defunct Satellites In 2027 For The First Time

Astroscale Japan We aim to change the landscape of satellite services. The ISSA-J1 mission is the first of its kind to inspect multiple defunct satellites in different orbits, providing important insights into the status of the satellites that were previously unattainable. This bold move represents a major step forward in space sustainability and in-orbit servicing … Read more

Qingzhou prototype cargo spacecraft completes rendezvous test in orbit

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Qingzhou prototype cargo spacecraft completes rendezvous test in orbit

HELSINKI — China has conducted rendezvous and close operational tests involving a prototype cargo spacecraft and a satellite, a step toward low-cost orbital infrastructure. The Qingzhou prototype spacecraft was launched on March 30th on CAS Space’s first Kinetica-2 kerosene liquid oxygen rocket and successfully entered orbit carrying two small companion satellites. The Qingzhou prototype spacecraft, … Read more