Act fast or fall behind China, US for good, EU leaders told
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EU leaders are warned that the European Union must act quickly or risk falling behind China and the United States in terms of economic performance. The EU is facing challenges such as supply chain disruptions, energy crisis, and the need for clean energy and digital transitions. The European Commission estimates that these transitions will require an additional annual investment of nearly 620 billion euros. The EU is losing ground on innovation to other global powers, and the gap between the EU and the US in terms of economic performance is widening. The EU's economic stagnation has lasted more than 18 months, while the US and China have experienced growth. The EU lacks a properly integrated EU-wide financial market, and its start-ups struggle to raise funds compared to their US counterparts. The EU needs to mobilize citizens' savings to support innovation. The EU leaders are discussing the idea of a Capital Markets Union and a savings and investment union. However, national divisions and resistance to centralization pose challenges to these proposals. The EU needs radical change and rapid innovation to compete with its major competitors. The EU requires significant investments for the green transition and to support Ukraine. The idea of joint EU debt has been proposed but faces resistance from frugal countries. The EU is seeking to define its strategic priorities for the next five-year mandate of the European Commission.
#Eu #China #Us #EconomicPerformance #Innovation #Investment #FinancialMarket #GreenTransition #Ukraine
New Multidirectional Electron Detector to Advance Aurora Studies
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NASA has developed the Acute Precipitating Electron Spectrometer (APES) to study the complex dynamics of energetic electrons in the aurora borealis. APES captures electron precipitation at a rate of one millisecond and utilizes a magnetic field to segregate electrons of varying energies for simultaneous spectrum analysis. To expand its capabilities, NASA is developing APES-360, which introduces a 360-degree viewing angle and is compatible with CubeSat dimensions. The APES-360 prototype is currently under construction and will undergo testing and calibration at Goddard. It is scheduled for a trial on a sounding rocket during an active aurora phase in winter 2025. The design of APES-360 has potential applications in future small satellite missions and larger orbital projects.
#Nasa #AcutePrecipitatingElectronSpectrometer #Apes #AuroraBorealis #ElectronDetector #AuroraStudies #Cubesat
NASA Unveils Comprehensive Space Sustainability Strategy
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NASA has introduced the first installment of its Space Sustainability Strategy, emphasizing the urgency and necessity of the initiative. The strategy outlines NASA's commitment to maintaining leadership in space sustainability, promoting fair access to space, and ensuring that its operations contribute positively to sustainability. It addresses the challenges posed by increased commercial activity in space, including heightened satellite activity and the rise of autonomous spacecraft and commercial outposts, which have led to a more congested and debris-laden environment. A cross-agency advisory board guided the development of this strategy, aiming to refine methods for assessing sustainability in Earth orbit, exploring cost-effective sustainability solutions, fostering sustainable technology and policy, and enhancing global communication about space sustainability. The strategy focuses on Earth orbit, with subsequent volumes to address other operational domains. NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy emphasized the need for action now to preserve critical parts of space for future generations.
#Nasa #SpaceSustainability #EarthOrbit #CommercialActivity #SatelliteActivity #AutonomousSpacecraft #CrossagencyAdvisoryBoard
https://www.spacedaily.com/reports/NASA_Unveils_Comprehensive_Space_Sustainability_Strategy_999.html
NASA Expands Collaboration with Commercial Partners on Space Station Medical Protocols
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NASA is collaborating with commercial partners to develop new commercial space stations and make space more accessible. The lack of established industry standards and government regulations for managing the health and safety of non-professional astronauts in orbit is a concern. NASA is sharing its medical best practices with commercial spaceflight entities to lay a foundation for hosting future NASA missions. Major aerospace companies such as Axiom Space, Blue Origin, Sierra Space, SpaceX, Vast, and Voyager Space are engaged in collaborative agreements with NASA for space station development. The collaboration covers medical evaluations, astronaut selection, training protocols, and post-mission care. Thorough preparation and post-flight reconditioning programs are crucial for the success of individuals and missions. NASA's collaborations are also important in preparing for the eventual decommissioning of the existing space station and supporting the infrastructure development needed for a thriving commercial spaceflight market.
#Nasa #CommercialPartners #SpaceStation #MedicalProtocols #AerospaceCompanies #CollaborativeAgreements
RS-25 engines certified for future Artemis missions after long testing program
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L3Harris Technologies and Aerojet Rocketdyne have concluded a comprehensive series of development and certification tests for the RS-25 engine, confirming its readiness for upcoming Artemis missions, starting with Artemis V. The RS-25 engines, crucial for the propulsion of NASA's Space Launch System (SLS), have undergone significant upgrades to meet the needs of future Artemis missions. The modernized RS-25 engines will operate at 111% of their rated thrust level, an increase from the 104.5% during the shuttle era and 109% for the initial Artemis missions. Significant improvements include the adoption of 3D printing techniques, specifically in the production of the Pogo Accumulator Assembly. Another major advancement is in the Main Combustion Chambers (MCC), where Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) has been employed. The engine's controller has also been upgraded, featuring 20 times the processing capability of its predecessors. The nozzle of the RS-25 has been redesigned for better manufacturability. The RS-25 test program accumulated about 34,000 seconds of hot fire testing across the development, retrofit, and certification phases.
#Rs25Engines #ArtemisMissions #Nasa #SpaceLaunchSystem(sls)
Stardust analysis reveals secrets beyond Sol
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A team led by Curtin University researchers has discovered a rare dust particle within an ancient meteorite that originates from a star beyond our Solar System. The particle was analyzed using atom probe tomography, revealing a magnesium isotopic ratio of 3,025, the highest on record and indicative of its formation in a hydrogen-burning supernova. The research sheds light on the processes governing star life cycles and the cosmic landscape.
#Stardust #CurtinUniversity #Meteorite #AtomProbeTomography #MagnesiumIsotopicRatio #Supernova #StarFormation #CosmicLandscape
https://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Stardust_analysis_reveals_secrets_beyond_Sol_999.html
LeoLabs secures $29M to expand space safety using AI-based solutions
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LeoLabs, a pioneering company, has secured $29 million in funding to enhance its AI-powered insights crucial for space operations. The company utilizes a global radar network and advanced AI algorithms to track over 20,000 objects in low Earth orbit (LEO) and transform measurements into vital insights for commercial and government space operators. The funding round was led by GP Bullhound and included participation from new investors such as 1941 and Dolby Family Ventures, as well as continued support from existing backers including Insight Partners and Space Capital. LeoLabs' advancements and support from investors highlight the critical role of innovative technology in managing the challenges and opportunities of space operations.
#Leolabs #SpaceSafety #Ai-basedSolutions #Funding #LowEarthOrbit #GpBullhound