African Astronomical Society’s Post

NASA recently simulated an asteroid impact scenario that showed a 72% chance of an asteroid hitting Earth on July 12, 2038. This exercise, involving nearly 100 experts, aimed to evaluate and improve our preparedness for such a potential threat. The event was part of the Planetary Defense Interagency Tabletop Exercise held at Johns Hopkins APL. Key findings from the exercise revealed significant gaps in our ability to respond swiftly and effectively to an asteroid threat. These include the need for better decision-making processes, faster deployment of space missions, and improved global coordination and disaster management plans. The DART mission, which successfully demonstrated the possibility of altering an asteroid's path, was a crucial part of this simulation. To enhance our future readiness, NASA is developing the NEO Surveyor, an infrared space telescope scheduled to launch in June 2028. This mission aims to detect potentially hazardous asteroids well in advance, giving us the opportunity to devise and implement effective response strategies. The exercise highlights the ongoing need for global collaboration and advanced planning in planetary defense. #GlobalCoordination #SpaceMissions #DisasterManagement #AsteroidThreat #SpaceTelescope #NEOSurveyor #DARTmission #PlanetaryDefense #AsteroidImpact #NASA

Manicouagan Impact Crater from Space Orbiting 400 kilometers above Quebec, Canada, planet Earth, the International Space Station Expedition 59 crew captured this snapshot of the broad St. Lawrence River and curiously circular Lake Manicouagan on April 11. Right of center, the ring-shaped lake is a modern reservoir within the eroded remnant of an ancient 100 kilometer diameter impact crater. The ancient crater is very conspicuous from orbit, a visible reminder that Earth is vulnerable to rocks from space. Over 200 million years old, the Manicouagan crater was likely caused by the impact of a rocky body about 5 kilometers in diameter. Currently, there is no known asteroid with a significant probability of impacting Earth in the next century. Each month, NASA' Planetary Defense Coordination Office releases an update featuring the most recent figures on near-Earth object close approaches, and other facts about comets and asteroids that could pose a potential impact hazard with Earth. Image Courtesy of NASA ISS

🌍🚀 Planetary Defender in Action! NASA's DART Mission Success 🛰️💥 We just witnessed a groundbreaking moment in planetary defense! NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission successfully altered the course of an asteroid for the first time in history, showcasing our ability to protect Earth from potential asteroid threats. The DART spacecraft collided with the asteroid Dimorphos, demonstrating that we can change the trajectory of an asteroid through kinetic impact. This mission paves the way for future innovations in space exploration and planetary defense strategies. 🌌 As we look to the future, this milestone highlights the importance of global collaboration in protecting our planet from cosmic threats. Let’s continue pushing the boundaries of what's possible, staying innovative and proactive in safeguarding Earth. #PlanetaryDefense #DARTMission #NASA #SpaceExploration #Innovation #TechForGood #EarthFirst #STEM #AsteroidDeflection

China is going to copy the NASA's DART Mission. China is planning its first mission to impact an asteroid in the name of planetary defense. The mission will serve a dual purpose: One craft will impact the asteroid while its partner observes the space rock to learn more about the solar system and its formation. The China National Space Administration (CNSA) mission may have already selected its target — the near-Earth object (NEO) 2015 XF261, a nearly 100-foot-wide (30 meters) asteroid. According to the small-body database managed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), 2015 XF261 last came relatively close to Earth just this week, on Tuesday (July 9), when it passed within 31 million miles (50 million kilometers) of our planet. The space rock was traveling at around 26,000 mph (42,000 kph), roughly 30 times faster than the speed of sound. Follow Rocketry Tamil for more! #China #DART #PlanetaryDefence #Spacerock #Asteroid #CNSA #RocketryTamil

Voyager 1, humanity's farthest spacecraft, faces a communication breakdown. Though still actively exploring interstellar space, it's unable to send data back to Earth due to a malfunction in its flight data system (FDS). The issue lies within the FDS, which normally packages scientific and engineering data for transmission. While it receives commands, it can't communicate with the telecommunications unit (TMU) for data transfer. The loss of communication with the veteran probe poses a technical hurdle for the NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Engineers are poring over historical design documents to diagnose the fault and formulate a solution, a process that could extend into weeks. Fixing Voyager 1 requires careful consideration, as new commands could have unintended consequences. NASA emphasises the importance of understanding its intricate systems to avoid jeopardising its ongoing interstellar mission. Despite the current obstacle, Voyager 1's legacy remains. It holds the record for the longest operational space probe and continues to expand our understanding of the universe beyond the Sun's reach. The hope is that NASA's efforts will soon restore its voice, allowing us to hear from the "other side" again. #isro #nasa #voyager #voyagermission #goldenrecord #intersteller #space #spacecraft #cosmos #space #adityal1 #nisar #xposat

A Space Lesson to start off your week - and why it is important. Lagrange Points are positions in space where objects sent there tend to stay put. At Lagrange points, the gravitational pull of two large masses precisely equals the centripetal force required for a small object to move with them. These points in space can be used by spacecraft to reduce fuel consumption needed to remain in position. In warfighting terms, we can think of Lagrange Points as Key Terrain - where the holder of this terrain gains a marked advantage to whoever controls it. Space is too vast for anyone to control all of it. If someone controls these Lagrange Points, they have an advantage. I think NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration explains it well AND they have a really map that shows these Lagrange Points like a terrain map! What do you think of Lagrange Points as Key Terrain? #space #intelligenceprepationofthebattlefield https://lnkd.in/gBUbXTAb

【Farthest ever landing by man made objects: Titan landing】 On Jan. 14, 2005, ESA's Huygens probe made its descent to the surface of Saturn's hazy moon, Titan. Carried to Saturn by NASA's Cassini spacecraft, Huygens made the most distant landing ever on another world, and the only landing on a body in the outer solar system. This video uses actual images taken by the probe during its two-and-a-half hour fall under its parachutes. Huygens was a signature achievement of the international Cassini-Huygens mission, which will conclude on Sept. 15, 2017, when Cassini plunges into Saturn's atmosphere. More: https://lnkd.in/gzZ6VXd9

Starliner will stay on the ISS for this week and is slated to head back on the 22nd. Wishing astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams a great trip back. This rendering from NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration shows all six spacecraft berthed on ISS. Meanwhile, a few quick facts that help you appreciate the events: > The ISS has the capability of accepting 8 spacecraft at a time: 4 on the Russian side and 4 on the US. > For the first time in history, the US has three different crew-rated spacecraft simultaneously: Crew Dragon-2, Starliner, and Orion. > Starliner, Like the Russian Soyuz and the Chinese Shenzhou, makes a land landing and not an ocean splashdown like the crew Dragon and Orion. It does not need to consider sea states but weather still could play a part in the scheduled descent date. The two main landing sites are at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, with backups in Utah, Arizona, and California An exciting time for human space exploration! #space #humanspace #astronauts #nasa #Boeing. https://lnkd.in/gkzaMnVN

Industry News of The Week 🌟 ◾ Capella Space lands $15 million U.S. Air Force contract for radar imaging upgrade - https://lnkd.in/gvKjgb8p ◾ MDA Space to Double Satellite Manufacturing Capability in Quebec - https://lnkd.in/eGPACVEp ◾ U.S. Military Invest $12.5 million in Ursa Major Rocket Company - https://lnkd.in/eWWPbT9t ◾ ICEYE to Supply NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration with Critical Radar Imagery for Earth Research - https://lnkd.in/eTnxhVv4 ◾ Earth Will Get a Temporary Mini Moon – Will You See Two Moons In the Sky? - https://lnkd.in/eHWwc7YC What are your thoughts on these topics? Do any of these stories resonate with the challenges or opportunities you see in the industry? Let us know in the comments! #space #spaceindustry #newsoftheweek #satellite #satcom #nasa

🚀Asteroid 2024 LB4: A Safe Yet Significant Near-Earth Encounter on June 16, 2024 On June 16, 2024, asteroid 2024 LB4 will make a notable near-Earth approach, passing at a safe distance of 1,800,000 miles. This celestial event, though not threatening, highlights the importance of NASA's continuous efforts in planetary defense. NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) and the Planetary Defense Coordination Office (PDCO) play crucial roles in tracking and analyzing near-Earth objects (NEOs). Utilizing advanced telescopes and radar systems, these agencies ensure our planet's safety by monitoring and predicting the paths of asteroids like 2024 LB4. This specific asteroid, comparable in size to a commercial airliner, will pass nearly eight times the distance between Earth and the Moon, posing no threat to our planet. The meticulous tracking and observation of such NEOs offer valuable insights into their composition and behavior, informing future planetary defense strategies. Continuous monitoring is essential to identify and mitigate potential hazards, and NASA's efforts, in collaboration with international partners, remain pivotal in safeguarding Earth. For more detailed insights into this significant event and NASA's planetary defense initiatives, read our latest blog post here. https://lnkd.in/e_8WQ34g #NASA #PlanetaryDefense #Asteroid2024LB4 #SpaceSafety #NEO #Astronomy