Connect with us

Published

2 months ago

on

On November 19, the International Space Station (ISS) adjusted its orbit to avoid a fragment of space debris originating from a satellite that disintegrated in 2015, according to NASA reports. The maneuver raised the station’s altitude of approximately 250 miles (440 kilometres) above Earth, preventing the debris from coming within 2.5 miles (4 kilometres) of the orbital outpost. This marked the 39th avoidance action taken by the ISS since its initial launch in November 1998 and the first instance of 2024.

Space Debris: A Growing Threat

Data from NASA shows that over the years, the ISS has conducted multiple maneuvers annually to protect its crew and infrastructure from space debris, although 2024 has seen fewer incidents compared to previous years. Hugh Lewis, a professor of astronautics at the University of Southampton, explained in Live Science that while fewer evasive actions have been needed so far this year, this could change unpredictably, with sudden increases in collision risks potentially necessitating immediate responses.

Causes of Space Junk Proliferation

According to reports, increased solar activity during the current solar maximum cycle has been influencing the behaviour of space debris. Solar events, such as coronal mass ejections, cause Earth’s atmosphere to expand, creating drag that can alter debris trajectories. Additionally, deliberate satellite destruction tests, such as Russia’s anti-satellite (ASAT) test in 2021, have significantly contributed to the accumulation of hazardous debris. Four of the nine maneuvers conducted by the ISS since 2021 were linked to fragments from Cosmos-1408, a Soviet-era satellite targeted during the ASAT operation.

Mitigating Future Risks

Experts, including Lewis, have emphasised the importance of removing defunct satellites to limit debris growth. It was noted that proactive measures, such as deorbiting retired satellites, would reduce collision threats significantly. With the ISS scheduled for decommissioning in 2031, maintaining safe operations remains critical as the threat from space junk continues to escalate.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Science

69-Year-Old Man with Paralysis Flies Virtual Drone Using Brain Implant

Published

6 hours ago

on

January 22, 2025

By

69-Year-Old Man with Paralysis Flies Virtual Drone Using Brain Implant

A paralysed individual, aged 69, has successfully piloted a virtual drone using a brain-computer interface (BCI) that interprets neural signals. This innovative achievement has enabled the participant to navigate a video-game obstacle course by imagining specific finger movements. The breakthrough device, which bridges brain activity and real-time control, demonstrates potential applications for assisting those with mobility challenges to engage in intricate tasks. These developments mark significant progress in the application of BCIs for enhancing motor functions.

Breakthrough Detailed in Nature Medicine

According to a study published in Nature Medicine, the man, who had been paralysed in all four limbs following a spinal cord injury, controlled the virtual drone using neural signals linked to imagined movements of specific finger groups. The research relied on electrodes implanted in the participant’s left motor cortex, which had been placed during a prior operation in 2016. Algorithms were trained to decode the brain’s signals when he visualised moving his right thumb, different finger pairs, or combinations of them.

The researchers reported that the participant initially practised synchronising imagined movements with a virtual hand displayed on a screen, achieving a high degree of accuracy by hitting up to 76 targets per minute. Subsequently, the signals were connected to the drone’s navigation system, allowing him to steer it through a virtual basketball court, manoeuvring rings with precision.

Expert Insights on Potential Applications

Matthew Willsey, a neurosurgeon at the University of Michigan and a co-author of the study, told Nature Medicine that the participant likened the experience to playing a musical instrument, requiring delicate adjustments to maintain control. Willsey noted that the research seeks to enable control of multiple movements simultaneously, potentially assisting activities such as typing or playing musical instruments.

John Downey, a BCI researcher from the University of Chicago, described the work as an important initial step in understanding hand control mechanisms. He highlighted the potential of this technology as a versatile tool for individuals with limited mobility. Researchers aim to enhance the system to decode signals for all ten fingers.

Continue Reading

Science

Hubble Telescope Observes Two Young Stars in Orion Nebula

Published

7 hours ago

on

January 22, 2025

By

Hubble Telescope Observes Two Young Stars in Orion Nebula

Two young stars have been captured in a new image taken by the Hubble Space Telescope, located in the Orion Nebula, a well-known region for star formation. The stars, named HOPS 150 and HOPS 153, are situated approximately 1,300 light-years from Earth. The Orion Nebula is considered the closest massive star-forming region to Earth and contains hundreds of newly forming stars. The image provides insight into the ongoing process of star birth, showing the stars in their early stages as they gather material from their surrounding environment.

Protostars Observed in Orion Nebula

As reported by space.com, according to the European Space Agency’s (ESA) statement, the stars were identified through the Herschel Orion Protostar Survey conducted using the Herschel Space Observatory. HOPS 150, which consists of two stars, a forming a binary system, is seen glowing in bright golden red in the image’s upper-right corner. The binary stars are surrounded by a large cloud of gas and dust, which continues to provide material for their growth. The protostars are said to be midway in their developmental process, based on the light they emit in different wavelengths.

Stellar Jet Emission from HOPS 153

The statement also noted that HOPS 153, located on the left side of the image, exhibits a narrow jet of colorful gas extending outward. This jet is a byproduct of the star’s evolution, as it ejects material while feeding from its surrounding disk. The colorful jet, composed of high-speed matter, interacts with the surrounding gas and dust in the nebula, influencing the formation of new stars in the region.

Future Evolution of the Young Stars

ESA officials have stated that HOPS 153 is still deeply embedded in its birth cloud of cold, dense gas. While the protostar itself is not visible, the jet it emits can be clearly observed. As the star continues to develop, further material ejection is expected, which may impact the surrounding nebula and the formation of neighboring stars.

Continue Reading

Science

New Lithium-Sulfur Battery Retains 80 Percent Capacity After 25,000 Cycles

Published

8 hours ago

on

January 22, 2025

By

New Lithium-Sulfur Battery Retains 80 Percent Capacity After 25,000 Cycles

Engineers and materials scientists have achieved a major advancement in battery technology, developing a lithium-sulfur battery that retains 80 percent of its charge capacity after 25,000 charging cycles. The new design, which uses a specially formulated electrode, represents a significant improvement over conventional lithium-ion batteries. The breakthrough could pave the way for smaller, lighter, and longer-lasting energy storage solutions, addressing critical demands in electronics and electric vehicles.

Key Innovations in the Study

According to a study published in Nature, sulfur was utilised as a core component for the battery’s solid electrode. Despite being abundant and cost-effective, sulfur has historically posed challenges due to issues such as ion loss and expansion during reactions with lithium. These problems were tackled by incorporating a glass-like mixture composed of sulfur, boron, lithium, phosphorus, and iodine. The iodine element was found to enhance electron movement during redox reactions, allowing for faster charging and improved performance.

As reported by Techxplore, the research demonstrated that the porous atomic structure of the electrode facilitated ion diffusion, eliminating the need for intermediary movements. This structural stability, combined with the chemical properties of the glass-phase electrolyte, contributed to the battery’s durability across an unprecedented number of cycles.

Performance and Potential Applications

The experimental lithium-sulfur battery maintained its capacity even under high temperatures, a notable advantage in demanding environments. Standard lithium-ion batteries typically degrade after approximately 1,000 cycles, making this new battery’s longevity a striking development. Despite its promise, the study’s authors acknowledged the need for further research to improve energy density and explore alternative materials that could reduce the battery’s overall weight.

Efforts are being directed at refining this technology to support the growing demand for energy storage in applications ranging from consumer electronics to renewable energy systems.

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who’sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.



Heavy Dark Matter Could Break the Standard Model, New Research Shows

Continue Reading

Trending