Latest news with #Earth-moon
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Elevators could soon take astronauts to the moon, study reveals
A groundbreaking study by researchers from the University of Cambridge and Columbia University proposes a futuristic but feasible method for lunar travel : space elevators . Rather than relying on expensive, fuel-hungry rockets, this new approach envisions a thin, ultra-strong cable stretching from the moon to Earth's orbit. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This "spaceline" could dramatically reduce mission costs and energy consumption, potentially making travel to the moon as routine as launching satellites today. Using existing materials like carbon-based polymers, scientists believe such an elevator could become operational within decades, revolutionizing the way humans explore space. How the lunar elevator would work Unlike a traditional Earth-based space elevator, which would require materials that don't yet exist, the moon-based design minimizes gravitational tension. Anchored on the moon and extending to Earth's geostationary orbit, the cable would let spacecraft dock and move along it without heavy fuel. Lower costs, higher access Launching payloads via the spaceline could reduce fuel needs by up to two-thirds, slashing the cost of space missions. This would make frequent lunar expeditions, scientific missions, and commercial projects far more feasible. Lower operational costs could encourage international cooperation and even private investment in lunar exploration. The elevator might serve as a long-term, reusable asset rather than a one-time rocket launch. The Lagrange point advantage The elevator would pass through the Earth-moon Lagrange point, a stable gravity-neutral zone ideal for space infrastructure. Scientists view it as the perfect site for building orbital labs, telescopes, and staging grounds for interplanetary missions. Its unique environment reduces collision risks with debris and enables long-term maintenance of sensitive scientific instruments. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now A gateway to permanent space presence If built, the spaceline could enable a sustainable human presence in space by simplifying travel between Earth, the moon, and key orbital locations. Lunar bases, research stations, and space factories could all become part of daily operations. It marks a shift from one-off moon landings to a long-term presence beyond Earth, paving the way for humanity's deeper reach into the solar system.
Economic Times
21-05-2025
- Science
- Economic Times
House-size asteroid 2025 KF to pass within spitting distance of Earth today
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel A newly discovered asteroid, approximately the size of a house, is set to make a close yet harmless approach to Earth today, May 21, 2025. Designated 2025 KF, this near-Earth object will pass within one-third of the Earth-moon distance, offering scientists a valuable opportunity to observe such celestial events At approximately 1:30 p.m. ET (1730 GMT), 2025 KF will pass about 71,700 miles (115,000 kilometers) from Earth, traveling at a speed of 25,880 miles per hour (41,650 kilometers per hour) relative to our planet. Its trajectory will take it closest to Earth's south polar region before it continues its orbit around the on May 19 by astronomers at the MAP project in Chile's Atacama Desert, 2025 KF has an estimated diameter between 32 and 75 feet (10 to 23 meters)Despite its proximity, NASA confirms that the asteroid poses no threat to Earth or the moon, missing our natural satellite by roughly 140,844 miles (226,666 kilometers).Even if 2025 KF were on a collision course with Earth, its small size means it would likely disintegrate in the atmosphere, posing no danger to those on the has cataloged nearly 40,000 near-Earth asteroids since 1998, with close passes by small asteroids occurring regularly. Approximately 4,700 of these are classified as potentially hazardous, though scientists believe it's unlikely any will impact Earth in the next late discovery of 2025 KF highlights the need for vigilant observation, as even small asteroids can approach Earth with little warning. Such monitoring is crucial for planetary defense and understanding the dynamics of our solar 2025 KF's approach is not the closest on record, an asteroid in 2020 passed just 1,830 miles (2,950 kilometers) from those interested in observing 2025 KF, it will be located in the constellation Hydra during its closest approach. However, due to its small size and brightness, it will only be visible through long-exposure photography or with the aid of powerful telescopes.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
House-size asteroid 2025 KF to pass within spitting distance of Earth today
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel A newly discovered asteroid, approximately the size of a house, is set to make a close yet harmless approach to Earth today, May 21, 2025. Designated 2025 KF, this near-Earth object will pass within one-third of the Earth-moon distance, offering scientists a valuable opportunity to observe such celestial events At approximately 1:30 p.m. ET (1730 GMT), 2025 KF will pass about 71,700 miles (115,000 kilometers) from Earth, traveling at a speed of 25,880 miles per hour (41,650 kilometers per hour) relative to our planet. Its trajectory will take it closest to Earth's south polar region before it continues its orbit around the on May 19 by astronomers at the MAP project in Chile's Atacama Desert, 2025 KF has an estimated diameter between 32 and 75 feet (10 to 23 meters)Despite its proximity, NASA confirms that the asteroid poses no threat to Earth or the moon, missing our natural satellite by roughly 140,844 miles (226,666 kilometers).Even if 2025 KF were on a collision course with Earth, its small size means it would likely disintegrate in the atmosphere, posing no danger to those on the has cataloged nearly 40,000 near-Earth asteroids since 1998, with close passes by small asteroids occurring regularly. Approximately 4,700 of these are classified as potentially hazardous, though scientists believe it's unlikely any will impact Earth in the next late discovery of 2025 KF highlights the need for vigilant observation, as even small asteroids can approach Earth with little warning. Such monitoring is crucial for planetary defense and understanding the dynamics of our solar 2025 KF's approach is not the closest on record, an asteroid in 2020 passed just 1,830 miles (2,950 kilometers) from those interested in observing 2025 KF, it will be located in the constellation Hydra during its closest approach. However, due to its small size and brightness, it will only be visible through long-exposure photography or with the aid of powerful telescopes.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
House-size asteroid will pass between Earth and moon on May 21
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. A newly discovered house-size asteroid is set to make a close, yet harmless approach to Earth on May 21, passing within one-third of the Earth-moon distance. The close approach will happen at approximately 1:30 p.m. ET on May 21 (1730 GMT), at which point the asteroid, designated 2025 KF, will pass a mere 71,700 miles (115,000 km) from Earth, according to NASA. During the pass, the asteroid will be travelling at a speed of 25,880 miles per hour (41,650 kph) relative to Earth. Its trajectory will see it pass closest to our planet's south polar region before continuing its long, looping orbit around the sun. 2025 KF is not currently considered to be a potentially hazardous object. It also poses no risk of impacting the moon, missing Earth's natural satellite by roughly 140,844 miles (226,666 km). TOP TELESCOPE PICK: Want to see the planets of our solar system for yourself? The Celestron NexStar 4SE is ideal for beginners wanting quality, reliable and quick views of celestial objects. For a more in-depth look at our Celestron NexStar 4SE review. The rocky body was discovered on May 19 by astronomers at the MAP project in Chile's Atacama Desert, according to the Minor Planet Center, just a few days ahead of its close approach. Asteroid 2025 KF is estimated to have a diameter ranging between 32 and 75 feet (10 - 23 meters), making it approximately the size of a house. Even if 2025 KF were to hit Earth, its small size means that it would likely burn up in the atmosphere, posing zero threat to those living on our planet, per NASA. NASA has catalogued close to 40,000 near-Earth asteroids since it began watching the skies for potentially hazardous objects back in the summer of 1998, and we know today that close passes with automobile-sized asteroids occur on a yearly basis. RELATED STORIES: — What are asteroids? — US Representatives worry Trump's NASA budget plan will make it harder to track dangerous asteroids — After the Arecibo collapse in 2020, a lone NASA radar dish in the Mojave desert stepped up as a leading asteroid hunter Of that number, around 4,700 are classified as potentially dangerous asteroids, though scientists at the Center for Near Earth Object Studies have said that it's unlikely that any asteroid capable of causing widespread damage to Earth will strike our planet in the next century. It's also worth noting that 2025 KF's rendezvous doesn't even come close to breaking the record for the closest asteroid pass of Earth, which occurred in 2020 when a car-size asteroid passed a mere 1,830 miles (2,950 km) from our planet's surface and survived to tell the tale.
South China Morning Post
30-04-2025
- Science
- South China Morning Post
China's daytime laser ranging breakthrough takes moon race to new heights
China's Tiandu-1 satellite has taken part in a laser ranging experiment in Earth-moon space under strong daylight conditions, which the satellite's developer says is the first test of its kind. Advertisement China's Deep Space Exploration Laboratory (DSEL) ran a laser ranging experiment on April 26-27 from the Earth to the Tiandu-1 experimental satellite, which has been orbiting the moon since its launch in March last year, according to state broadcaster CCTV. Satellite laser ranging measures the distance to orbiting satellites, which involves a laser at an observatory sending pulses of light to the satellite which then bounce back, allowing for distance to be calculated. While satellite laser ranging tracks Earth-orbiting satellites during the day, conducting these experiments in Earth-moon space has previously been limited to nighttime, as strong daylight can interfere with the laser signal and cause signals to be lost in background noise. This allows limited observation windows and data collection for satellites in Earth-moon and lunar orbit, which are vital to China's push for expanding its presence on the moon. The test, which DSEL told state media was the world's first Earth-moon laser ranging test under strong daylight conditions, expands the limits of the technology and will help with carrying out future deep space missions. Advertisement The Tiandu-1 satellite was launched into space alongside the Tiandu-2 and Queqiao-2 relay satellites in March last year. The mission was intended to help verify new technologies in the construction of an Earth-moon communication and navigation system.
