According to research published in Current Biology, satellite imagery of Adélie penguin guano is allowing scientists to track how penguin diets and populations shift as sea ice in Antarctica declines. By analyzing historical satellite archives, researchers have linked regional dietary differences to long-term population changes across the continent, providing new insights into Southern Ocean ecosystems. … Read more
Astronomers at the University of Warwick have identified previously undetected space debris in geosynchronous orbit (GEO), posing a new risk to vital satellites used for global communications, navigation, and weather monitoring. By utilizing a “blind stacking” algorithm on archival data from the Isaac Newton Telescope, the team discovered 25 faint debris fragments—some as small as … Read more
California startup Reflect Orbital has received federal clearance to launch a prototype satellite designed to reflect sunlight onto specific areas of Earth after dark. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved the mission for the company’s Eärendil-1 satellite, which will deploy a 59-foot film reflector to test the feasibility of creating artificial illumination for disaster response, … Read more
Planned deployments of up to 1.7 million satellites could cause “devastating consequences” for astronomy, according to new research from the European Southern Observatory (ESO). The study, published in Astronomy & Astrophysics, warns that these massive constellations pose an “existential threat” to telescopes by making the night sky significantly brighter and obscuring celestial views. How many … Read more
Amateur astronomers can expect a shift in seasonal stargazing patterns this July as Earth reaches its annual aphelion and planetary alignments offer rare viewing opportunities. According to veteran observer Bob King, the transition from June to July brings a gradual increase in evening darkness, providing more time for celestial observation. Key events include a tight … Read more
Amazon’s Satellite Play: How the Globalstar Deal and Apple Partnership Reshape Connectivity Amazon’s acquisition of Globalstar, announced Tuesday, marks a significant escalation in the race to dominate satellite internet and direct-to-device communication. The $11.57 billion deal isn’t just about expanding Amazon’s Project Leo (formerly Kuiper) satellite network; it’s about securing a crucial partnership with Apple … Read more
From Ice Watch to Magnetic Field Monitor: CryoSat’s Unexpected Recent Role In a surprising turn of events, ESA’s CryoSat mission, initially designed to monitor polar ice, has demonstrated the ability to accurately measure disturbances in Earth’s magnetic field. This unexpected capability arose from a software upgrade to the satellite’s platform magnetometer, an instrument typically used … Read more
Rocket Lab and the Militarization of Space: A New Zealand Dilemma Rocket Lab, the New Zealand-founded aerospace company, is increasingly at the center of a debate surrounding the growing militarization of space. While New Zealand officials maintain a commitment to the peaceful use of space, Rocket Lab’s expanding contracts with the U.S. And U.K. Defense … Read more
The Rising Tide of Internet Shutdowns and the Promise of Direct-to-Cell Technology The debate within the ICT4D community regarding connecting the unconnected – from spectrum allocation to the role of companies like Starlink – continues. However, a more pressing issue is emerging: governments are increasingly adept at wielding the “off switch,” cutting off internet access … Read more
The Sky is Falling? How Satellite Mega-Constellations Threaten Earth’s Atmosphere and Night Skies When we look up at the night sky and see a satellite glide past, we might not consider climate change or the ozone layer. Space may feel separate from the environmental systems that sustain life on Earth. But increasingly, the way we … Read more