Latest news with #Transporter13
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Newly launched NASA satellites open eyes to start studying 'auroral electrojets' in Earth's atmosphere
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. The first bits of data have come back from the trio of small satellites that make up NASA's EZIE (Electrojet Zeeman Imaging Explorer) mission, which aims to solve some mysteries surrounding the "auroral electrojet" phenomena in our atmosphere. The "first light" observations are promising, and NASA says the EZIE satellites are "poised to reveal crucial details about Earth's auroral electrojets." After launching March 14 from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base on SpaceX's Transporter 13 rideshare mission, EZIE's three suitcase-sized cubesats now orbit a few hundred miles above Earth in a string-of-pearls configuration. "The EZIE team is very excited about these first-light results," Sam Yee of the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, the mission's principal investigator, said in a statement. "The observations demonstrate that both the spacecraft and the MEM instrument onboard are working as expected." MEM, short for Microwave Electrojet Magnetogram, measures a phenomenon called Zeeman splitting. This method will give NASA researchers insight into the structure and evolution of the electrojets system, which has never been available to scientists before. Auroral electrojets are intense currents created by the massive energy transferred by the solar wind when it hits Earth's upper atmosphere. The electrojets push about 1 million amps of electrical charge around Earth's magnetic poles every second. Related: SpaceX launches 74-satellite Transporter 13 mission, lands Falcon 9 rocket for the 400th time (video) Related Stories: — Where and when to see the northern lights in 2025 — Solar wind: What is it and how does it affect Earth? — NASA satellites catch Earth's magnetic field making music While they flow some 65 miles (100 kilometers) above the ground, auroral electrojets are responsible for some of Earth's largest magnetic disturbances. They can also impact the safety of astronauts and cause satellite interference. Understanding these electrojets has been a priority at NASA for a while, and the EZIE mission marks the first time scientists will have the chance to map them up close. The mission is funded by the Heliophysics Division at NASA Headquarters in Washington and is managed out of Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Next, the team will run final checkouts and calibrations for the three EZIE cubesats. If everything goes well, NASA says the mission will start formal science investigations in a month.
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
SpaceX launches more Starlink satellites 12 hours after Crew-10 sent to ISS
March 15 (UPI) -- SpaceX launched another batch of Starlik satellites into orbit Saturday morning, a little more than 12 hours after the private company teamed up with NASA to send four astronauts to the International Space Station -- also from Florida. In addition, SpaceX sent 74 satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base on a rideshare mission called Transporter 13 late Friday from California. All three involved a Falcon 9 rocket. The SpaceX flight with 23 satellites, including 13 with direct-to-cell capabilities, lifted off at 7:35 a.m. EDT from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station pad 40. Eight minutes later the Falcon 9's upper stage landed aboard drone ship Just Read the Instructions in the Atlantic Ocean, completing its 18th mission. This was the 23rd SpaceX from Florida this year. This launch came two days, eight hours, 59 minutes and 40 seconds after the liftoff of the Starlink 12-21 mission, beating SpaceX's previous turnaround time at that pad by nearly six hours. Earlier Saturday from California, SpaceX launched satellites developed by Cape Canaveral-based Sidus Space at 11:43 p.m. PDT. "There were 74 payloads on this flight, including cubesats, microsats, hosted payloads, a re-entry capsule, and an orbital transfer vehicle carrying 11 of those payloads to be deployed at a later time," SpaceX reported. The first Transporter mission launched in January 2021, sent 143 payloads to orbit, a record that still stands. The rocket's first stage came back to Earth 7.5 minutes later, making a vertical, powered touchdown back at Vandenberg. It was the 13th landing for this booster and the 400th for a Falcon 9 first stage overall, according to SpaceX. On Saturday light, Crew-10 will dock with the ISS. The Dragon capsule is scheduled to reach the space station about 11:30 p.m. EDT. The crew members are Commander Anne McClain and pilot Nichole Ayers with NASA, and mission specialists Takuya Onishi of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and Kirill Peskov, a Roscosmos cosmonaut with Russia. The Falcon 9 lifted off from Kennedy Space Center's pad 39A at 7:03 p.m. under a clear sky and a setting sun. The flight got the go ahead after they resolved an air pocket issue in the hydraulics system for the clamp arm supporting the Falcon 9 rocket. The flight had been scheduled for Wednesday and didn't go off on Thursday because of unfavorable weather conditions along the path. Minutes after launch, Falcon 9's first stage landed on Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Then, Dragon went into low Earth orbit. When the spacecraft docks, there will be 11 crew members. Aboard the Crew-9 capsule, Williams and Wilmore will ride back to Earth "no earlier than Wednesday March 19," according to NASA. They will be joined by NASA's Nick Hague and Roscosmos' Aleksandr Gorbunov, who arrived at the ISS on Sept. 29, 2024. Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore went to the Space Station on the troubled Boeing Starliner June 5, 2024, for what was planned as a week-long test flight. Due to Starliner issues it became a nine-month mission. The next SpaceX launch is scheduled for Monday from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station pad 40. The launch window for another batch of Starlink satellites opens at 2:09 p.m.
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Muon Space Deploys FireSat Protoflight, Marking a Major Milestone in Global Wildfire Monitoring
Initial FireSat satellite is healthy, paving the way for improved real-time wildfire intelligence and future constellation expansion MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., March 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Muon Space, an end-to-end space systems provider, has successfully launched the FireSat Protoflight satellite, marking a significant milestone in the deployment of the FireSat constellation. This groundbreaking initiative aims to transform global wildfire detection, monitoring, and response. Designed and built by Muon Space—including its state-of-the-art six-channel multispectral infrared (IR) instrument—FireSat showcases the company's expertise in delivering fully integrated, mission-tailored satellite systems from concept to operation. Launched aboard SpaceX's Transporter 13 rideshare mission on March 14 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, Muon Space has successfully established communications with the satellite and confirmed its operational health. "The FireSat mission exemplifies Muon Space's ability to rapidly design, build, and deploy high-performance remote sensing systems tailored to address complex, real-world challenges," said Jonny Dyer, CEO of Muon Space. "FireSat is just the beginning—we are demonstrating how purpose-built constellations can deliver transformative solutions at the speed our customers and partners require." Announced in May 2024, the FireSat Constellation is a collaboration between Muon Space and Earth Fire Alliance, combining Muon's expertise in space-based remote sensing with the Alliance's deep knowledge of wildfire management and response strategies. This partnership aims to enhance global wildfire response, management, and situational awareness by providing actionable data to first responders, policymakers, and communities facing escalating wildfire threats. Working closely with hundreds of members of the federal, state, and local fire communities, Muon Space developed the FireSat system and delivered its first satellite to orbit in just 16 months. The initiative has been supported by leading NGOs and philanthropic organizations, including Environmental Defense Fund, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, and others. "Designing and building an advanced infrared instrument capable of detecting wildfires with high confidence required significant scientific and engineering innovation," said Dan McCleese, Chief Scientist of Muon Space. "This achievement underscores Muon Space's ability to push the boundaries of space-based observation, advancing not only wildfire intelligence but also a broad range of critical operational, scientific, and security applications." The planned 50+-satellite constellation will eventually provide global coverage with each point on Earth observed every 20 minutes with key wildfire-prone regions benefiting from more frequent observations. "FireSat is a game-changer for wildfire response," said Brian Collins, Executive Director of Earth Fire Alliance. "For too long, decision-makers have relied on outdated or incomplete fire data. FireSat is poised to provide persistent, high-fidelity, and detailed information that will empower end users to save more lives and structures, better protect ecosystems, and reduce economic losses." Muon is currently developing three additional satellites, which will launch in 2026. FireSat is expected to reach full operational capacity by 2030. About Muon Space Founded in 2021, Muon Space is an end-to-end Space Systems Provider that designs, builds, and operates LEO satellite constellations delivering mission-critical data. Our revolutionary, integrated technology stack, Halo enables customers to optimize every dimension of their missions for faster time-to-orbit and superior constellation remote sensing performance. Our state-of-the-art facilities in CA are optimized for manufacturing spacecraft and rapid, flexible payload integration at scale. From earth observation to national security, Muon Space is dedicated to delivering Earth Intelligence for a safer and more resilient world. For more information on Muon Space, visit: About Earth Fire Alliance Earth Fire Alliance is a California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation founded in 2024 on the belief that high-fidelity data, accessible on a global scale, will transform humanity's collective approach and relationship to fire. The Alliance shares a vision of expanding wildfire focus and funding from reactive suppression to proactive stewardship that includes better informed real-time decisions on the ground, data-driven resilience initiatives, and improved understanding about the positive and negative role of fire on the landscape. Committed to delivering transformative real-time data from all wildfires on Earth through user-driven technology and radical collaboration, Earth Fire Alliance champions the FireSat satellite constellation. FireSat will deliver unprecedented data about where fires are and how fast they're moving to frontline fire responders around the globe. Learn more about the Alliance, FireSat, and how to get involved or support at View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Muon Space Sign in to access your portfolio
Associated Press
15-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Muon Space Deploys FireSat Protoflight, Marking a Major Milestone in Global Wildfire Monitoring
Initial FireSat satellite is healthy, paving the way for improved real-time wildfire intelligence and future constellation expansion MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., March 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Muon Space, an end-to-end space systems provider, has successfully launched the FireSat Protoflight satellite, marking a significant milestone in the deployment of the FireSat constellation. This groundbreaking initiative aims to transform global wildfire detection, monitoring, and response. Designed and built by Muon Space—including its state-of-the-art six-channel multispectral infrared (IR) instrument—FireSat showcases the company's expertise in delivering fully integrated, mission-tailored satellite systems from concept to operation. Launched aboard SpaceX's Transporter 13 rideshare mission on March 14 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, Muon Space has successfully established communications with the satellite and confirmed its operational health. 'The FireSat mission exemplifies Muon Space's ability to rapidly design, build, and deploy high-performance remote sensing systems tailored to address complex, real-world challenges,' said Jonny Dyer, CEO of Muon Space. 'FireSat is just the beginning—we are demonstrating how purpose-built constellations can deliver transformative solutions at the speed our customers and partners require.' Announced in May 2024, the FireSat Constellation is a collaboration between Muon Space and Earth Fire Alliance, combining Muon's expertise in space-based remote sensing with the Alliance's deep knowledge of wildfire management and response strategies. This partnership aims to enhance global wildfire response, management, and situational awareness by providing actionable data to first responders, policymakers, and communities facing escalating wildfire threats. Working closely with hundreds of members of the federal, state, and local fire communities, Muon Space developed the FireSat system and delivered its first satellite to orbit in just 16 months. The initiative has been supported by leading NGOs and philanthropic organizations, including Environmental Defense Fund, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, and others. 'Designing and building an advanced infrared instrument capable of detecting wildfires with high confidence required significant scientific and engineering innovation,' said Dan McCleese, Chief Scientist of Muon Space. 'This achievement underscores Muon Space's ability to push the boundaries of space-based observation, advancing not only wildfire intelligence but also a broad range of critical operational, scientific, and security applications.' The planned 50+-satellite constellation will eventually provide global coverage with each point on Earth observed every 20 minutes with key wildfire-prone regions benefiting from more frequent observations. 'FireSat is a game-changer for wildfire response,' said Brian Collins, Executive Director of Earth Fire Alliance. 'For too long, decision-makers have relied on outdated or incomplete fire data. FireSat is poised to provide persistent, high-fidelity, and detailed information that will empower end users to save more lives and structures, better protect ecosystems, and reduce economic losses.' Muon is currently developing three additional satellites, which will launch in 2026. FireSat is expected to reach full operational capacity by 2030. About Muon Space Founded in 2021, Muon Space is an end-to-end Space Systems Provider that designs, builds, and operates LEO satellite constellations delivering mission-critical data. Our revolutionary, integrated technology stack, Halo enables customers to optimize every dimension of their missions for faster time-to-orbit and superior constellation remote sensing performance. Our state-of-the-art facilities in CA are optimized for manufacturing spacecraft and rapid, flexible payload integration at scale. From earth observation to national security, Muon Space is dedicated to delivering Earth Intelligence for a safer and more resilient world. For more information on Muon Space, visit: About Earth Fire Alliance Earth Fire Alliance is a California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation founded in 2024 on the belief that high-fidelity data, accessible on a global scale, will transform humanity's collective approach and relationship to fire. The Alliance shares a vision of expanding wildfire focus and funding from reactive suppression to proactive stewardship that includes better informed real-time decisions on the ground, data-driven resilience initiatives, and improved understanding about the positive and negative role of fire on the landscape. Committed to delivering transformative real-time data from all wildfires on Earth through user-driven technology and radical collaboration, Earth Fire Alliance champions the FireSat satellite constellation. FireSat will deliver unprecedented data about where fires are and how fast they're moving to frontline fire responders around the globe.
