European Space Agency create ultrastable adhesive that could revolutionise space missions

(GOCE, a ESA instrument that prompted the exploration of new adhesives – Photo Credit: ESA/AOES Medialab)

A new ultrastable adhesive, identified through European Space Agency research, could be the key to securing and solidifying the stability of large telescopes, instruments and antennas operating in space.

Image of the Day: 29/9/14

(Photo Credit: Jeff Schmaltz/NASA GSFC)

A few days after the calendar officially announced that autumn had arrived in the Northern Hemisphere, the Moderate Resolution Imagingi Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite captured this view of fall colours around the Great Lakes as the season made a visible impact on the North American landscape.

Russian Proton rocket blasts off on first launch since May failure

(Photo Credit: Roscosmos)

Russia’s heavy-lift Proton rocket has successfully returned to flight and placed a Russian military satellite into geostationary orbit just four months after an explosive failure.

Geckos from low-Earth orbit experiment found dead after out-of-control Roscosmos satellite lands

(Russia’s Foton M4 satellite shortly after landing – Photo Credit: Roscosmos)

Roscosmos have confirmed that five gecko lizards sent into orbit on a Russian Foton-M4 satellite have all died. Although the cause of death has not yet been determined, experts are speculating that an anomaly that occurred during flight could be to blame for their demise.

European Space Agency confirms Galileo navigation satellites failed to reach correct orbit following launch

(The satellites’ successful lift off – Photo Credit: ESA/Arianespace)

On August 22nd, a Soyuz VS09 rocket launched two Galileo navigation satellites from the European Space Agency’s spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. The rocket was scheduled to propel the duo into medium-Earth orbit, however the ESA have now confirmed that an anomaly occurred during flight and the satellites were not inserted into their correct trajectories.

Russia regains control of orbiting satellite filled with geckos and insects

(The launch of the vehicle – Photo Credit: Roscosmos)

Three days ago, Russia lost control of an experimental satellite currently in low-Earth orbit. The vehicle, filled with geckos, fruit flies and mushrooms, stopped responding to commands and engineers considered that the craft could plummet to Earth. However, Roscosmos now believe they have re-established contact and control of the vehicle.