Space science news

Author: jappe

  • A Spin Around An Exoplanet Most Like Earth

    This artistic animation depicts one possible appearance of the planet Kepler-452b, the first near-Earth-size world to be found in the habitable zone of star that is similar to our sun. The planet’s rotation is sped up.

  • Southern Bavaria


    Earth observation image of the week: a Sentinel-1 image of Germany’s state of Bavaria, also featured on the Earth from Space video programme

  • Sizes of Kepler Planet Candidates, July 2015

    Kepler planet candidates by size as of July 2015.

  • The Argo's hidden cargo


    Space science image of the week: Intricate dust lanes are revealed in this far-infrared view of the constellation Carina

  • Week In Images


    Our week through the lens:
    13-17 July 2015

  • Full launch coverage


    Watch the replay of the full MSG-4 launch coverage from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana on 15 July

  • [ISS / Japanese Experiment Module (KIBO)] Free-Space PADLES experiment conducted

    Free-Space PADLES experiment conducted

    Last Updated: July 14, 2015

    The first Free-Space PADLES experiment intended to investigate the space radiation dose outside the Japanese Experiment Module “Kibo” was conducted from June 1-15, 2015.

    PADLES will be shipped to the JAXA Tsukuba Space Center (TKSC) for analysis after its return to earth. During this technology demonstration mission, the following will be closely evaluated:

    • The space radiation environment in Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
    • The hull wall capability of Kibo as compared to its internal environment

    The results of this experiment using PADLES will provide basic data useful for the risk assessment of Extravehicular Activities (EVA), and the assessment and optimization of hull wall thickness for manned spacecraft.

    The next experiment is scheduled in March 2016 or later.

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    Astronaut Scott Kelly verifies the retrieved Free-Space PADLES (June 17, 2015) (Credit: JAXA/NASA)

    Retraction to Kibo’s airlock

    On June 15, under remote control from the TKSC, Kibo’s robotic arm with Free-Space PADLES attached to the Multi-Purpose Experiment Platform (MPEP) was transferred from the exposure point to in front of Kibo’s airlock door. PADLES on the MPEP was then retracted into the airlock.

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    MPEP being transferred to the airlock (June 15, Credit: JAXA/NASA)

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    The MPEP being transferred to the airlock on June 15 (Credit: JAXA/NASA)

    Free Space PADLES retraction [1 min., 54 s] (Credit: JAXA/NASA)

    Retrieval to the Kibo’s PM

    The MPEP was retracted into the Kibo’s airlock. After depressurization to 1 atm, Astronaut Scott Kelly retrieved PADLES for its return to earth.

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    Retracted MPEP (Credit: JAXA/NASA)

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    Free-Space PADLES being removed from the MPEP (Credit: JAXA/NASA)

    Digest video showing Free-Space PADLES retrieval [1 min., 28 s] (Credit: JAXA/NASA)

    Various types of experiments using PADLES have been conducted since 2008 with the launch of Kibo modules.

    See also:
    PADLES database
    Free-Space PADLES

    Responsible unit:
    JEM Mission Operations and Integration Center
    Human Spaceflight Technology Directorate
    JAXA Tsukuba Space Center

    *All times are Japan Standard Time (JST)

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  • NASA Pluto New Horizons July 13 Media Briefing Time Change, Media Center Open

    NASA will provide comprehensive television, Internet and social media coverage this week of the agency’s New Horizons spacecraft historic July 14 flyby of Pluto. The time for the flyby preview news briefing on NASA Television Monday, July 13 has moved up 30 minutes, and now will start at 10:30 a.m. EDT.

  • Chameleon satellite to revolutionise telecom market

    Telecom satellites are set to enter a new age, as ESA, Eutelsat and Airbus Defence & Space begin designing the most flexible payload ever. 

  • Second Instrument Delivered for NASA’s OSIRIS-REx Mission

    An instrument that will explore the surface of a primitive asteroid in search of water and organic materials has arrived at Lockheed Martin Space Systems in Denver for installation onto NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission.

  • Counting stars with Gaia

    This image, based on housekeeping data from ESA’s Gaia satellite, is no ordinary depiction of the heavens. While the image portrays the outline of our Galaxy, the Milky Way, and of its neighbouring Magellanic Clouds, it was obtained in a rather unusual way.

  • My first day at ESA


    First blog post by Jan Woerner, on taking up duty as ESA Director General

  • Telescopes focus on target of ESA’s asteroid mission

    Telescopes around the globe recently homed in on one point in the sky, observing the paired Didymos asteroids – the target for ESA’s proposed Asteroid Impact Mission.

    The 800 m-diameter main body is orbited by a 170 m moon, informally dubbed Didymoon. The duo were more favourably placed from March until early June for studies.