Spacecraft dynamics is the subfield of celestial mechanics which studies human-created objects’ movements through space. It encompasses calculations, refinement and planning for such bodies such as spacecraft or satellites. Spacecraft Dynamics block computes position, velocity and attitude over time of six degree-of-freedom rigid-body systems with six degrees-of-freedom rigid bodies. Mass tab allows specifying an initial…
Orion was designed by Lockheed Martin to transport astronauts on deep space missions to an asteroid, eventually reaching Mars and then back. Based on technology decades ahead of what Apollo could offer, Orion offers greater opportunities for exploration than Apollo ever could. Engineers from an engineering team are taking steps this month to meet its…
Once a satellite or space station reaches its end of life, its final option may either be further space exploration (which requires more fuel), or controlled reentry back onto Earth – to minimize risks to people, officials select an isolated spot on our planet as the target for controlled reentry. Point Nemo Point Nemo, named…
Space Craft Worldwide offers an exciting and challenging workplace for employees to experience growth, with employees being both friendly and supportive of one another, while offering valuable learning opportunities. Earth-orbiting spacecraft provide data about our solar system’s Sun, Earth and other bodies such as Jupiter. While interstellar probes like Pioneer 10/11 Voyager 1& 2 have…
NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft has brought joy and wonder to both children and adults alike with images from Pluto and a Kuiper Belt object beyond it. However, an unexpected proposal could undermine its future – something the public deserves to know about. New Horizons currently rests between Jupiter and Pluto, emerging once every year for…
Cassini was powered by three radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs). These generated heat, which converted into electrical energy for its instruments. Mission was the largest and most complex interplanetary spacecraft ever constructed, weighing more than 5.6 tonnes, standing 6.7 metres tall, and four metres across at its widest point. The Mission Long-range goal was to conduct…
Voyager 1 took one last snapshot of our solar system before heading home in its final moments: this family portrait with Earth as the star. NASA’s InSight Mars Lander is reaching the end of its journey and leaving behind an amazing archive of amazing pictures. Below are a selection of our favorites; these images serve…
Spacecraft are vehicles designed for travel in outer space. Their systems and instruments vary depending on their mission, from piloted to unpiloted designs. To land on Mars, a lander must separate from its orbiter and descend slowly through its atmosphere, protected from its harsh environment by an aeroshell and heat shield. Phoenix Phoenix was named…
NASA’s Cassini spacecraft has returned an abundance of data about Saturn and its moons, which is revolutionizing our understanding of this fascinating planet. Since 2005, Cassini has conducted an in-depth investigation of Saturn and its rings and moons, uncovering mysteries but leaving others for future scientists to solve. On September 3, it will conclude its…
