The European Space Agency (ESA) is preparing to launch a unique satellite in 2027, designed specifically to study how satellites break apart upon reentry into Earth’s atmosphere. This mission, named DRACO (Destructive Reentry Assessment Container Object), will be an important step in ESA’s effort to develop technology that limits the creation of space debris. ESA has awarded the contract to Deimos, a European technology company, to build this spacecraft, which will provide invaluable data as it breaks apart during its reentry. This data will help scientists better understand satellite disintegration and its environmental impact.

Understanding Satellite Breakup

The goal of the DRACO mission is to collect data on how satellites disintegrate during reentry. By studying this, researchers aim to design future satellites that will fully burn up during reentry, reducing the risk of debris reaching the Earth’s surface. The mission will also examine how spacecraft reentry affects the atmosphere, including how different materials interact with it and what byproducts are produced.

Innovative DRACO Design

At 200 kilograms, DRACO will be about the size of a washing machine. Its design will allow it to break apart like a normal satellite, but a specially engineered capsule will survive reentry. This capsule, measuring 40 centimetres, will carry four cameras and 200 sensors to record crucial data during the breakup. After reentry, it will deploy a parachute and transmit the collected information before being lost at sea.

Advancing Zero Debris Technology

According to Holger Krag, ESA’s Head of Space Safety, the DRACO mission will play a key role in developing future satellite technology. The data it collects will be used to build more demisable satellites by 2030, aligning with ESA’s Zero Debris charter, which aims to stop the creation of space debris within this decade.

Tim Flohrer, head of ESA’s space debris office, also emphasised the mission’s importance in helping to advance zero-debris technologies, particularly as the number of satellite launches continues to increase worldwide.

In May 2024, a remarkable geomagnetic storm, also known as solar storm, impacted Earth, resulting in vibrant auroras that captivated observers worldwide. These stunning natural displays occur when eruptions of solar plasma, known as coronal mass ejections, collide with Earth’s magnetic field. While these events are a visual delight, they also raise significant questions about the impact of solar radiation on humans travelling beyond Earth’s atmosphere.

Exploring Radiation Risks in Space

During this geomagnetic event, NASA’s BioSentinel spacecraft took the opportunity to gather crucial data on solar radiation. This research is vital as NASA  gears up for future missions to the Moon and Mars. As noted by Sergio Santa Maria, who leads the BioSentinel project at NASA’s Ames Research Center, the timing coincided with a solar maximum, which allowed for an in-depth examination of the radiation environment in space.

BioSentinel’s Unique Mission

BioSentinel, a compact satellite roughly the size of a cereal box, is situated over 30 million miles from Earth in a solar orbit. Unlike life on Earth, which is shielded by the planet’s magnetic field, BioSentinel had to endure the full effects of the solar storm. Initial data suggest that although the storm was considerable, it was only associated with a moderate increase in solar radiation, indicating that the immediate threats to life may not be as severe as previously anticipated.

Adaptation of Scientific Goals

Originally intended to study yeast in space, BioSentinel has shifted its focus to understanding the broader implications of deep space conditions. The spacecraft’s biosensor instruments continue to provide valuable insights into the radiation environment in space. Santa Maria pointed out that despite the completion of the biological aspect of the mission, BioSentinel still holds significant scientific relevance, demonstrating its capability for future long-duration missions.

Conclusion: The Importance of Ongoing Research

The spectacular auroras that light up the night sky serve as a reminder of the unseen forces governing our solar system. As NASA and its collaborators seek to deepen their understanding of space environments, the data collected by missions like BioSentinel is essential. This research not only enhances our knowledge of solar radiation but also informs the safety and success of future human explorations beyond Earth.

The northern sea robin (Prionotus carolinus) is an intriguing marine species known for its remarkable adaptations. Unlike most fish, this species employs its six leg-like appendages to navigate the ocean floor. This ability allows it not only to move but also to explore the sea bed in search of food. While this capability was long known in the scientific community, another strange use case of its leg was recently discovered.

Sensory Capabilities of Sea Robins

Recent studies have illuminated how these legs function as sensory organs. Researchers observed that the northern sea robin is capable of detecting buried prey through chemical cues released into the water. Using its shovel-like feet, the fish can unearth hidden food sources, demonstrating a unique blend of mobility and sensory detection.

Research Collaboration and Findings

A collaborative research effort involving developmental biologist David Kingsley from Stanford University and molecular biologist Nicholas Bellono from Harvard University examined the sea robin’s sensory adaptations. The study was published in the journal Current Biology. Their experiments placed the fish in environments with buried mussels and amino-acid capsules. The results confirmed the fish’s efficiency in locating and retrieving these hidden items, thanks to the specialized bumps on its legs, known as papillae, which house taste receptors.

Evolutionary Insights into Adaptation

The evolutionary background of the northern sea robin reveals an intriguing narrative. An evolutionary analysis of various sea robin species indicated that while the legs initially developed for locomotion, their sensory capabilities evolved later. The researchers identified the tbx3a gene as a key factor in the development of these legs, and using CRISPR technology, they demonstrated that altering this gene can impact both leg formation and sensory function.

Conclusion: Implications of the Research

The findings from this research not only enhance our understanding of the northern sea robin but also provide broader insights into how species adapt over time. By exploring the genetic and evolutionary pathways that led to such unique adaptations, scientists can better understand the complexities of marine life and the evolutionary processes that shape it.