Important Innovations Collection

SAT to Precisely Measure Climate Change Impact on Oceans                                                  Source:  NASA & ESA Keeping a Watchful Eye on Oceans & Climate Change A new NASA and European Space Agency (ESA) satellite to precisely measure rising sea levels from climate change was launched into orbit this weekend onboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, from California.  The satellite will be able to precisely measures sea levels on 90% of the world's oceans.  This is the latest in a series of ocean monitoring satellites.  But the technologies on this satellite are so precise they will be able to provide sea level measurements within a few centimeters. Weather Forecasting Data Assistance According to NASA, the new satellite will also help improve the accuracy of weather forecasts as it will provide new, in-depth d...

First Arab Mission to Mars Source:  Launch of H-2A Rocket with Hope Satellite onboard Spectacular Launch and Congratulations from NASA A Japanese H-2A rocket launched the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Hope Mission to Mars this morning.  Within an hour of the flight, the rocket's upper stage released the Hope Mission satellite.  Hope is using its solar panels to power its systems, including its communications system. Hope notified controllers at the Space Center in Dubai of the successful separation.  The Dubai Center is overseeing the orbiter's 306,957,369 mile journey at 75,185 miles per hour speeds to Mars. Try Audible and Get Two Free Audiobooks First Arab Interplanetary Mission This is the first Arab interplanetary mission.  The Hope mission is designed to demonstrate the UAE's scientific, technological and space capabilities.  Hope is a 2,976 pound satellite designed and developed at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center (MBRSC) in the UAE....

Egypt To Launch 1st Communications Satellite on Friday Source: Egyptian Space Agency TIBA-1 to Provide Egypt Call and Internet Full Service Egypt is sending its first communications satellite into orbit on Friday.  The government believes this will improve its communications infrastructure and internet services and also attract new investors.  The satellite will work along with existing land and telecommunications infrastructure.  Egypt believes that a strong communications network is essential to its economic growth.  Interestingly, the satellite called TIBA-1's coverage area includes nearby Arab and African nations.  The Egyptian government may sell those areas new satellite services. Launch Date Friday The Friday launch of Egypt's first communications satellite will take place from a space center in French Guiana in one of Europe's Arianespace rockets.  The satellite is 5.6 tons and was made by Airbus and Thales Alenia Space.  It will st...

LightSail 2 - Solar Sailing in Space Source:  The Planetary Society's LightSail in Orbit Solar Powered Space Missions This green energy technology has the potential to be disruptive innovation. It's a solar powered sail invented by the non-profit Planetary Society in California, led by the Science Guy Bill Nye.  The LightSail 2 CubeSat spacecraft successfully deployed its solar sail a few days ago in space.  It's the first spacecraft to be propelled by sunlight alone.  This is very important science because the use of solar sails to convert solar wind into thrust could save fuel and provide clean solar power for spacecrafts on long space missions. Solar Sailing Source:  The Planetary Society - image from LightSail The small spacecraft is the size of a toaster.  It was hurled into space aboard a Space X Falcon Heavy rocket in late June.  A few days ago, flight controllers on the ground in California fully deployed the solar s...

DARPA's Experimental Satellite Now in Orbit Source:  Rocket Lab's Launch of DARPA Satellite New Zealand's Rocket Lab The Pentagon's Advanced Research Projects Agency - DARPA - just launched an experimental satellite that it hopes will open new possibilities around radio communications. A New Zealand based startup Rocket Lab performed the successful launch, its first for DARPA. Experimental Satellite Testing The satellite is designed to test out a new type of "membrane reflective-array antenna".  The purpose is to improve communications in small spacecraft. Electron Rocket Lab is a new comer in the space launch business, starting in 2013.  Its rocket Electron lifted off from New Zealand's Mahia Peninsula. The company is building an impressive portfolio. In November 2018, Rocket Lab put six customer satellites into orbit.  It then worked with NASA on a first of a kind mission called the Venture Class Launch Services program.  And now, its Elec...

China Launches Space Based Communications Network China Satellite Launch Race to Space,  Broadband Space China's Hongyun  satellite project is ambitious and was just launched.  It's a space based, broadband network to deliver internet services globally, and particularly to underserved regions. It just launched from a Long March 11 carrier rocket in northwestern China.  It's the first in the Hongyun project planned by the Chinese Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.  Experts say this venture by China is to provide global internet services. The purpose is to compete with Google and other international firms to deliver broadband and internet services more cheaply, professionally and efficiently from space.  Ed Kane  amazon.com/author/ekane