I. What is an Ion Thruster? Ion thrusters are a type of propulsion system used in spacecraft to generate thrust by accelerating ions. Unlike traditional chemical rockets that rely on combustion to produce thrust, ion thrusters use electricity to ionize propellant and create a stream of charged particles that are expelled at high speeds to … Read more
I. What are spacecraft landing sites selection criteria? When selecting a landing site for a spacecraft, there are several key criteria that must be taken into consideration. These criteria include the scientific value of the site, the safety of the landing area, the geological features of the site, and the potential hazards that may be … Read more
I. What is the Myth of Luna? The Myth of Luna, also known as the Moon Goddess, is a prominent figure in mythology across various cultures. Luna is often depicted as a beautiful and mysterious deity who rules over the night sky. She is associated with the moon, which has long been a source of … Read more
Starlink has become the dominant consumer satellite-broadband network by scale, footprint, and launch cadence. In early 2026, public reporting and third-party measurement data point to a service with 10M+ active users, service availability across 150+ markets, and a constellation with thousands of operational satellites in low Earth orbit. Starlink Statistics (Top Highlights) Starlink Customer Growth … Read more
What is a Light Echo? A light echo is a phenomenon in astronomy where light from a bright source, such as a supernova or a variable star, is reflected off surrounding interstellar dust or gas. This reflection causes the light to appear as an expanding ring or shell around the source, similar to the ripples … Read more
Active satellites (often reported as “functioning satellites” or “active payloads”) are spacecraft still providing services in orbit—communications, Earth observation, navigation, science, and more. Because launches and re-entries happen constantly, reputable trackers publish these counts as “as of” snapshots rather than permanent totals. Active Satellite Statistics (Top Highlights) How many active satellites are in orbit? One … Read more
I. What is the Square Kilometer Array (SKA)? The Square Kilometer Array (SKA) is a next-generation radio telescope project that aims to revolutionize our understanding of the universe. It will be the largest and most sensitive radio telescope ever built, with a collecting area of one square kilometer. The SKA project is a global collaboration … Read more
I. What are Gamma-Ray Bursts? Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are the most powerful explosions in the universe, releasing more energy in a few seconds than our sun will emit in its entire lifetime. These bursts are extremely energetic and are thought to be caused by the collapse of massive stars or the merger of neutron stars. … Read more
What is Newton’s Third Law of Motion? Newton’s Third Law of Motion states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This means that whenever one object exerts a force on a second object, the second object exerts an equal and opposite force back on the first object. In simpler terms, this … Read more
What is Virgin Orbit? Virgin Orbit is a private spaceflight company founded by Sir Richard Branson in 2017. It is a subsidiary of Virgin Group, which also includes Virgin Galactic, another space exploration company. Virgin Orbit focuses on launching small satellites into space using a unique air-launch system. How does Virgin Orbit launch satellites into … Read more