pollution
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A Space Junk Removal Mission Got Struck By Space Junk
In a sad case of debris-on-debris crime, a defunct payload adapter that was chosen as the subject of a space debris cleanup mission was itself hit by a piece of space junk. The VESPA payload adapter has been floating in Earth’s orbit following the launch of a Vega rocket in 2013, adding to the thousands…
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Heat Waves and Cold Snaps Linked to More Fatal Heart Attacks, Study Finds
The global rise in extreme weather is likely to bring along more fatal heart attacks, new research this week suggests. The study found that exposure to heat waves and cold snaps was associated with higher odds of heart attack deaths. This associated risk was even greater on extreme heat days that also featured high levels…
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Upcoming Orbital Test Could Enable Tracking of Super Tiny Space Debris
ODIN Space has passed a major milestone by powering up a super-sensitive experimental in-space sensor. Once fully developed, a dispersed network of these sensors could be capable of tracking hypervelocity objects no larger than a grain of sand. The sensor technology, installed on the D-Orbit ION satellite, launched into space on June 12 as part…
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An Unexpected Reason It will Be Harder to Breathe as Earth Warms
As global temperatures and emissions rise, it’s going to become harder to breathe. Air quality issues won’t just come from human activity, though — the natural world could also release more pollution in a rapidly warming world.