Beyond Throwaway Spacecraft: Why Satellite Servicing Matters
Northrop Grumman’s robotic servicer could extend satellite lifespans, cut waste and costs, but must overcome major technical, legal and economic challenges.
Satellites & Orbits
18posts
Starlink and the Cult of Earthbound Resentment
Starlink becomes a case study in why some critics struggle to separate personality, politics, and genuinely useful infrastructure.
When Space Gets Crowded: The Hidden Limits of a New Space Age
A crowded orbital era brings less glamorous problems into view: traffic, debris, coordination, and the cost of success.
Space Junk Blues: How Atomic-6 Armor Turns Cosmic Catastrophes into Yawns
Atomic-6’s debris armor points to a less romantic but essential space challenge: surviving the junk already circling Earth.
From Apollo’s 20-Watt Radio to Modern Milliwatt Signals: The Evolution of Space Communication
From Apollo’s radios to modern weak-signal techniques, space communication is a story of doing more with less power.
From Sci-Fi to Orbit: How the U.S. Military's Latest Launch is Revolutionizing Navigation Without GPS
The X-37B’s latest mission hints at a future where military spacecraft can navigate when GPS is unavailable or denied.
The Kessler Effect: When Space Becomes a Cosmic Junkyard
The Kessler effect turns orbital debris from background clutter into a cascading threat to the space age itself.
Starlink Satellites: Decoding Their Lifetime and Next-Gen Upgrades
Starlink’s short satellite lifetimes are not just a limitation; they are part of a rapid upgrade strategy.
The Tale of Two Satellites: Kalamsat and TerreStar-1
Two very different satellites show how space innovation can come from student ambition as well as commercial scale.
The Cosmic Bullet: Micrometeorites, Space Shields, and Earthly Tests
Micrometeorites are tiny but dangerous, forcing spacecraft designers to think like armorers in orbit.
Ultimate Guide: Stellar Navigation: Star Trackers, Gyros & Accelerometers
Star trackers, gyros, and accelerometers give spacecraft the ability to know where they are when Earth cannot help.
The GPS Chronicles: A Journey Through Satellites, Time, and the Occasional Lost Signal
GPS is a space-based timing miracle that quietly depends on satellites, relativity, and constant correction.
The Deep Space Network: NASA's Cosmic Switchboard Operator on the Brink
NASA’s Deep Space Network is the invisible infrastructure that keeps distant missions talking, and it is under pressure.
The Sky's the Limit: How Satellites are the Unsung Heroes of Earth Monitoring
Earth-observing satellites quietly shape weather forecasts, disaster response, climate science, and the way we understand our planet.
Satellite Repositioning: Options, Challenges, and the Future
Moving satellites after launch is a practical puzzle of fuel, autonomy, servicing, and orbital traffic management.
Satellite Hacking: Vulnerabilities, Security, and the Age of Megaconstellations
Megaconstellations make satellite security more urgent, turning orbital networks into targets as well as infrastructure.
Lagrange Points: Cosmic Parking Spots
Lagrange points are gravitational sweet spots where spacecraft can linger, observe, and do remarkable work.
Amateur Radio in Space: A Global Collaboration
Amateur radio connects students, operators, and astronauts, proving that space communication can still feel personal.