Latest news with #ApertureRadar
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
NASA Langley workforce slashed by 40% in Trump budget plan
NASA Langley Research Center will lose funding for several projects and cut its workforce by 672 civil servants under the Trump administration's proposal to slash about $163 billion in federal spending next fiscal year. The White House budget proposal is a starting point, and ultimately Congress must approve it. But the technical supplement to the proposed budget released on Friday includes new details about how the administration would seek to reduce federal spending levels. NASA's budget would be slashed by roughly a quarter — from $24.8 billion down to $18.8 billion — and would lay off nearly a third of its workforce — more than 5,500 people across its 10 staffed centers. The technical supplement said centers will use cross-mission retraining opportunities and offer buyouts to meet the staffing requests. For NASA Langley, that includes a staffing cut from 1,730 people to 1,058. NASA Langley spokesperson Brittny McGraw said Langley doesn't have any additional context for how the cuts would work. 'At this point, there are no decisions that have been made going forward about what things could look like,' McGraw said. Another major shift proposed for Langley would be in its Aerosciences Evaluation and Test Capabilities. NASA currently operates 12 wind tunnels and propulsion test facilities, seven of which reside at Langley. The proposed budget would replace an 84-year-old vertical spin tunnel with a new flight dynamics research facility at Langley. However, there's a catch. The proposed budget slashes Aerosciences funding by more than $40 million and will put up to five unspecified wind tunnels in 'stand by' mode with minimal maintenance. Aerosciences isn't the only program being hit with cuts to meet the budget request. NASA's science programs across the board are set to be gutted to meet the new goals. Science funding is seeing its funding cut from $7.3 billion to $3.9 billion. That includes: Earth Science research funding cut by $240 million. Earth systematic missions, which study the planet's biology, having its budget more than halved. The Sentinel-6 project, which studies sea levels, cut from roughly $51 million to $8 million. The GRACE-Continuity project, which tracks glaciers and water movement, cut from more than $132 million to roughly $42 million Aperture Radar, which provides detailed imaging of Earth, chopped to roughly a third of its budget. That's bad news for a research center with a significant science directorate, according to U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott. Scott, the Democratic Congress member who represents the Hampton area where Langley sits, said Langley is an integral part of NASA's scientific research to understand the planet, and cutting its funding will have real consequences. The White House seeks sharp spending cuts in Trump's 2026 budget plan Say cheese: Cameras built at NASA Langley are landing on moon's surface Sunday NASA and Jefferson Lab fuel inventions and the regional economy, leaders say Youngkin says current Jefferson Lab management contract will be extended during rebid process 'Much of this work is being done in Hampton Roads at NASA Langley,' Scott said in a statement. 'The cuts to NASA's funding and staff proposed by the Trump Administration will put the United States behind in our pursuit to advance science and protect our communities from threats like climate change and sea level rise.' Sen. Tim Kaine, Virginia Democrat, added in a statement the loss of jobs will have a particularly devastating impact on the Hampton Roads community. 'These proposed cuts, if the House and Senate pass them, would destroy NASA as we know it, and have a devastating impact on the region's community and economy,' Kaine said. Those proposed cuts are a 'full-out assault on science,' according to Sen. Mark Warner, who said Wednesday that NASA Langley has been an integral part of building a culture of scientific innovation in Hampton Roads and the country. Now, Warner said that culture is in jeopardy. 'That trickles through the economy, especially when we're talking about this many folks laid off at NASA Langley, that has been our premier aerospace research facility in the country,' the Virginia Democrat said. 'Many of those future scientists, you can make a lot more money working at a tech company, but they come and work for NASA because of the mission. Well, that mission is being undermined. That's going to hurt Hampton Roads' ability to be a research community.' Devlin Epding, 757-510-4037,
Gulf Insider
15-03-2025
- Science
- Gulf Insider
UAE's First SAR Satellite, Etihad-SAT, Successfully Launched Aboard SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket
Etihad-SAT, the UAE's first Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite, was successfully launched today aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket. The highly anticipated launch took place at the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, the US. This is a groundbreaking achievement for the UAE's space ambitions and marks a significant milestone in the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre's (MBRSC) growing contributions to space exploration and technological innovation. The launch was initially scheduled for 10.39am, but was later moved to 10.43am. Developed as part of a strategic partnership with South Korea's Satrec Initiative, Etihad-SAT was designed with the involvement of MBRSC's team, who led the technical specifications phase before moving on to preliminary design and technical validation to ensure compliance with the highest global standards. MBRSC engineers then took the lead in finalising the design and manufacturing in partnership with Satrec Initiative. Etihad-SAT is equipped with advanced SAR technology that enables high-precision Earth observation in all weather and environmental conditions, both day and night. The satellite offers three imaging modes: spot mode (high-resolution imaging for small areas), scan mode (wide-area coverage for large regions), and strip mode (extended observation for longer regions). These features make Etihad-SAT a powerful tool for multiple industries, from detecting oil spills and managing natural disasters to enhancing maritime navigation, supporting smart agriculture, and conducting environmental monitoring. The data provided by Etihad-SAT will be processed using AI-powered technologies.
Arabian Business
15-03-2025
- Science
- Arabian Business
UAE launches first synthetic aperture radar satellite Etihad-SAT successfully
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) has launched Etihad-SAT, its first Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite, from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA. The satellite departed aboard a Falcon 9 rocket at 10:43 AM UAE time, with the Dubai ground station confirming receipt of the first signal at 12:04 PM UAE time. Etihad-SAT marks a significant development in MBRSC's Satellite Development Programme as the Centre's first satellite equipped with SAR imaging technology, the Emirates News Agency (WAM) said in a statement, adding that this capability will enhance Earth observation by providing high-resolution images in all weather conditions, furthering the UAE's commitment to developing space solutions. UAE launches Etihad-SAT: First SAR satellite enhances Earth observation capabilities The satellite was developed through a partnership with South Korea's Satrec Initiative. MBRSC's team led the technical specifications phase before progressing to preliminary design and technical validation. MBRSC engineers subsequently took the lead in finalising the design and manufacturing in partnership with Satrec Initiative, aligning with MBRSC's commitment to enhancing national space capabilities through knowledge transfer and technology localisation. 'The UAE is steadily advancing towards strengthening its position among the leading nations in space science and technology, guided by the vision of our leadership and its continuous support for this vital sector. We express our gratitude for this support, which has resulted today in a new achievement with the launch of Etihad-SAT. The satellite represents a strategic step in enhancing our Earth observation capabilities and gathering critical data that supports sustainable development. This milestone also paves the way for leveraging space technologies across various fields that serve the nation. We remain dedicated to achieving sustainable technological advancement that strengthens our country's position and solidifies its active role on the global stage,' Talal Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi, Vice President, MBRSC said. Etihad-SAT represents a technological advancement in MBRSC's satellite fleet, integrating radar imaging technology with existing optical satellite capabilities. The satellite features advanced SAR technology for high-precision Earth observation across all weather and environmental conditions during both day and night. It offers three imaging modes: spot mode for high-resolution imaging of small areas, scan mode for wide-area coverage, and strip mode for extended observation of longer regions. 'The successful launch of Etihad-SAT is a testament to the support and vision of our leadership, reflecting the progress the UAE is making in the space sector and further reinforcing its contributions in this domain. This achievement reflects our commitment to advancing the UAE National Space Programme and a part of our ambitious strategy to drive innovation and space technology development. It aligns with a long-term vision aimed at empowering future generations to contribute to sustainable progress in space exploration. We will continue to work towards achieving further milestones and reinforce the UAE's position as a key player in this sector,' Hamad Obaid AlMansoori, Chairman of MBRSC added. These capabilities make Etihad-SAT applicable for multiple industries, from detecting oil spills and managing natural disasters to enhancing maritime navigation, supporting smart agriculture, and conducting environmental monitoring. Data collected by Etihad-SAT will be processed using AI technology to enhance accuracy and efficiency. 'We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the UAE on the successful launch of Etihad-SAT, a remarkable achievement. This milestone not only strengthens the UAE's capabilities in Earth observation but also highlights the importance of international collaboration. As a long-standing partner, Satrec Initiative is proud to collaborate with MBRSC to develop high-resolution SAR satellite. We look forward to continued cooperation with MBRSC and the UAE in shaping the future of space technology,' Ee-Eul Kim, CEO & President of Satrec Initiative said. SAR technology allows satellites to capture high-resolution images regardless of weather conditions, time of day, or atmospheric interference. Unlike optical cameras, radar imaging uses radio waves that penetrate clouds, darkness, and rain, enabling consistent data collection. The satellite will be operated and managed by MBRSC's Mission Control Centre, with specialised teams overseeing operations and analysing data transmitted back to Earth.
