Science

Deep underground: the Gran Sasso low radioactivity lab where the experiment was done. (Courtesy: Massimiliano De Deo, LNGS-INFN) A controversial theory put forward by physicist Roger Penrose and anesthesiologist Stuart Hameroff that posits consciousness to be a fundamentally quantum-mechanical phenomenon has been challenged by research looking at the role of gravity in the collapse of

TAMPA, Fla. — The payload for Viasat’s second ViaSat-3 broadband satellite has arrived in California to be integrated with a Boeing chassis, the operator said July 13. The high-throughput payload traveled by truck from Viasat’s facility in Tempe, Arizona, to Boeing in El Segundo, where it will also undergo environmental tests in preparation for launch.

GREENBELT, Md. — The James Webb Space Telescope, once an albatross around the neck of NASA, has become a symbol of the agency’s capabilities and potentially a tool to win support and funding for other programs. That transformation has become evident with the successful launch and commissioning of the $10 billion space telescope, culminating with

New frontiers: the new cooling technique could lead to ultracold experiments across the periodic table. (Courtesy: iStock/Eyematrix) Researchers in Singapore have used a magneto-optical trap (MOT) to cool atoms in “main group III” of the periodic table to millikelvin temperatures. This group comprises boron and the elements below it in the table. The experiment is

TAMPA, Fla. — Plans to use the 12 GHz band for terrestrial 5G would severely disrupt non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) broadband across the United States, OneWeb said July 11 in analysis supporting an earlier study from SpaceX. In a letter to the Federal Communications Commission, OneWeb urged the regulator to reject a request from satellite broadcaster

WASHINGTON — A test of the booster for SpaceX’s first orbital Starship vehicle July 11 ended with flames erupting unexpectedly from the base of the vehicle, triggering a fire at the pad. Video of testing activities at SpaceX’s Starbase complex at Boca Chica, Texas, showed a burst of flames at the base of the Super

First look: the James Webb Space Telescope’s first “deep field” image was released today at a special event at the White House (Courtesy: NASA, ESA, CSA, and STScI) US president Joe Biden has unveiled the first spectacular full-colour science image from the $10bn James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). The image, known as “SMACS 0723”, is

TAMPA, Fla. — Japanese startup GITAI plans to demonstrate robotic arm capabilities externally on the International Space Station for the first time next year. GITAI said July 11 its autonomous, 1.5-meter-long dual robotic arm system (S2) would be mounted on the Bishop Airlock, a module funded by U.S.-based Nanoracks. The startup aims to achieve NASA’s

Companies seeking help through the Space Systems Command ‘Front Door’ initiative can expect to wait several days for a response WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Systems Command has actively promoted a new initiative to help commercial companies do business with the government called “Front Door.” The effort, however, is off to a slow start as

Join the audience for a live webinar at 3 p.m. GMT/10 a.m. EDT on 3 August 2022 to explore thermal runaway with lithium-ion cells and batteries Want to take part in this webinar? Thermal runaway is an undesired occurrence with lithium-ion cells and batteries when improperly designed, manufactured or used. With the size of these

TAMPA, Fla. — Dish Network and others pushing for permission to use 12 GHz spectrum for 5G said July 7 that SpaceX’s study on how it would severely disrupt its broadband customers is “scientifically and logically flawed.” The 5G for 12 GHz Coalition, which includes the satellite TV broadcaster and a mix of telcos, public

WASHINGTON — The European Space Agency is continuing to study options to ensure a continued supply of upper stage engines for the Vega C rocket as that vehicle gears up for its inaugural launch. The first flight of the Vega C, an upgraded version of the Vega small launch vehicle, is scheduled for 7:13 a.m.

Canadian technology start-up Medscint is partnering with researchers at UMC Utrecht to develop a real-time dosimetry platform for MR-guided adaptive radiotherapy Optical innovation, clinical translation: Martin Fast and Prescilla Uijtewaal are part of the UMC Utrecht research team working on plastic scintillation dosimetry for MR-Linac treatment systems. (Courtesy: UMC Utrecht) Tumour shape and position relative

The contract is a sole-source award for a satellite called ROOSTER, short for Rapid On-orbit Space Technology Evaluation Ring WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Force awarded Northrop Grumman a $22 million contract to produce a satellite bus able to carry multiple small payloads that will be used to demonstrate on-orbit refueling in geostationary orbit.  The

A key challenge for the Space Force is how to assess cyber security risks, said Lt. Gen. Stephen Whiting WASHINGTON — Satellite operators are dealing with the reality that the ground systems and network equipment used to operate space systems provide many entry points for cyber attackers.  Cyber and malware attacks can be pulled off

Icy path: “Chasing ghost particles at the South Pole”. (Courtesy: Yuya Makino) This edition of the Red Folder looks at some images from two science-related photography contests. Last week the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP) announced the winners of its IUPAP 100 Photo Contest. First prize in the “At a glance” category

TAMPA, Fla. — Lynk Global said it is still waiting for Spaceflight to rebook a flight for the second commercial satellite in its cellphone-compatible broadband network, four months after the launch services provider’s space tug was kicked off a SpaceX mission. Lynk-07 was supposed to launch onboard Spaceflight’s Sherpa orbital transfer vehicle (OTV) in April

WASHINGTON — NASA strongly criticized Russia for using the International Space Station to promote its invasion of Ukraine, a break from the agency’s approach of emphasizing ongoing cooperation despite the war. In a statement late July 7, NASA said it “strongly rebukes” Russia for political activity on the station related to Russia’s ongoing invasion of