Tag JAXA

EarthCARE carries four instruments that work together to study clouds and atmospheric aerosols, enabling a comprehensive understanding of their impact on Earth’s climate. The Atmospheric LIDAR (ATLID) measures the altitudes of cloud tops and aerosols using a laser and telescope. It emits ultraviolet pulses and detects the scattered light to calculate the altitude and infer […]

Scientists studying samples collected by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s (JAXA) asteroid explorer Hayabusa2 have made an exciting discovery about the effects of space weathering on asteroid 162173 Ryugu. Using a technique called electron holography, the team examined the magnetic properties of the samples to gain insights into the magnetic field in the early solar […]

With the increasing number of launches to meet the demand for satellites, the amount of space debris in orbit is also growing. This has become a concern as it poses risks to functioning satellites and spacecraft. In response to this problem, organizations like Astroscale are focusing on developing commercial on-orbit services for active and defunct […]

Japan’s H3 rocket successfully reached orbit on its second attempt, 11 months after it failed during its debut flight. The launch took place at the Tanegashima Space Center and sent a mass simulator and two small satellites to a Sun-synchronous orbit. The H3 rocket was developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Mitsubishi […]

This week is a busy one for space missions, with multiple launches scheduled from various countries. SpaceX, in particular, is preparing for four separate Falcon 9 missions, while JAXA and Roscosmos also have significant launches on the horizon. One of SpaceX’s missions is set to launch NASA’s PACE Earth-observation satellite, which aims to provide constant […]

Japan’s Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) lunar lander has successfully landed on the Moon’s surface, achieving a soft touchdown. However, there is currently an issue with the lander’s ability to generate electricity from its solar cells. The spacecraft is relying on internal battery power, and controllers are working to optimize data recording and downloading […]

The International Space Station (ISS) recently reached a major milestone, celebrating its 25th year in orbit. Despite the occasion, the crew of Expedition 70 continued their ongoing work and experiments on board the orbital laboratory. Throughout the final quarter of 2023, cargo spacecraft arrived at the ISS to deliver supplies and fresh experiments while also […]

The Mitsubishi Heavy Industries H-IIA launch vehicle continues its successful career with the launch of the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) robotic lunar lander and the X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM) X-ray telescope. This marked the 47th flight of the H-IIA, with only three flights remaining before retirement. Originally scheduled for launch on […]

Wings Unfolded: The Huginn Mission Begins on the International Space Station In a remarkable display of international collaboration, the International Space Station (ISS) welcomed its newest crew members on August 27th, as Crew-7 successfully docked with the orbiting laboratory. This historic mission marks the beginning of ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen’s Huginn mission, during which he […]

Japan’s space agency, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), has once again postponed the launch of its “Moon Sniper” lunar mission. That’s the third time the launch has been delayed, this time due to strong winds. The new launch date has not been announced yet. The mission was set to take place from the southern […]