How Does Space Junk Happen? Causes, Risks, and What Happens Next
Learn how space junk forms, why it keeps growing, and which technologies may reduce orbital debris.
Learn how space junk forms, why it keeps growing, and which technologies may reduce orbital debris.
I. What was the Space Shuttle Challenger? The Space Shuttle Challenger was a spacecraft operated by NASA as part of its Space Shuttle program. It was the second orbiter to join the fleet and was named after the British naval research vessel HMS Challenger, which sailed the Atlantic and Pacific oceans during the 1870s. The … Read more
Learn how solar storms trigger auroras, from the Sun’s charged particles to Earth’s magnetic field and glowing upper atmosphere.
Learn how satellites monitor Earth using imaging, radar, climate sensors, and data networks that track change across land, oceans, and atmosphere.
Learn how satellites extend internet access, support remote areas, and keep global networks connected with fast, resilient links.
I. What is Microlensing Magnification? Microlensing magnification is a phenomenon in astrophysics where the gravitational field of a massive object, such as a star or planet, acts as a lens to magnify the light from a background source. This effect occurs when the massive object passes between the observer and the background source, causing the … Read more
Learn why solar storms happen, what triggers them on the Sun, and how they can affect satellites, power grids, and communications.
Learn how satellites are launched, from rocket lift-off to orbit insertion, deployment, and mission operations.
Explore why satellites have surged in number, from cheaper launches and mega-constellations to broadband demand, defense needs, and space policy.
I. What is Lyman-alpha Forest? The Lyman-alpha Forest is a term used in astrophysics to describe a series of absorption lines in the spectra of distant quasars caused by intervening clouds of neutral hydrogen gas. These absorption lines appear as a forest of lines in the ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum, specifically around the … Read more