2013
2013 – Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) Space Activities
The number of FSS satellites has grown tremendously over the past five years in response to increased demand. Deregulation of international markets has sparked the rise of new companies providing content to customers via satellite. Harmonization of digital transmission standards has helped manufacturers, allowing for economies of scale and more cost-effective distribution.
2013 – Suborbital Payload Launch
One of the pioneers of commercial suborbital flights, Armadillo Aerospace, announced that it was suspending operations in early August 2013 due to funding issues. Founded by noted video game designer John Carmack, Armadillo Aerospace steadily developed and tested a series of ever-improving vertical take-off, reusable rocket-powered vehicles.
Using Earth Observation Data to Better Understand Zebra Migrations
Scientists have relied on ground observations, GNSS collars, and satellite images to track animal migration. These tools allow scientists to monitor migration, but not to predict where or when it will happen.
PUMA Tracks Progress of Pulmonary Disease Patient
The Portable Unit for Metabolic Analysis (PUMA) was invented at NASA Glenn Research Center to monitor an astronaut’s oxygen intake and carbon dioxide release, basic factors in astronaut health. This same technology is now being used to track the treatment progress of patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
Taking Red Helps with Cholesterol
To reduce the logistical requirements of a crew operating in space, a spacecraft must carry a precise combination of plants and microorganisms that efficiently recover oxygen, potable water, and nutritious food from waste products.
Helping the Lame to Walk: The X1 Exoskeleton
Robonaut 2, a humanoid robot on the ISS, has lent its technology to another NASA project: the X1 robotic exoskeleton. The 26-kilogram (57-pound) X1 attaches to both legs, with controls and a harness extending over the person’s back and shoulders. X1 has been developed by NASA and industry partners for dual purposes.
Canada’s Biopsy Robot
Advances in robotics led by space programs are finding a wide array of uses in the medical field. In addition to the hospital QC Bot derived from the Mars rovers, a robot capable of performing biopsies for breast cancer has been developed and is entering clinical trials.
WISE Recruited to Search for Near Earth Objects (NEOs)
The search for potentially hazardous NEOs has increased since the incident at Chelyabinsk, and in June 2013, the 10,000th NEO was detected. NASA reactivated the WISE telescope in September to find new NEOs, aiming to discover 150 such objects by the end of the spacecraft’s life cycle.
Russia’s “In Earth” Asteroid
A meteor explosion over the Russian city of Chelyabinsk in February brought the danger of near Earth asteroids to the forefront of planetary defense. The asteroid was undetected until it entered Earth’s atmosphere, resulting in 1,200 people injured and millions of dollars in damages after exploding more than 32 kilometers (20 miles) above the Earth’s surface.
Imaging and Tracking Ship Movement
Ships are required to transmit information regarding their location through the Automatic Identification System (AIS), but this data can be falsified and the requirement is not universally enforced. Supplementing AIS data with visual satellite imagery can help security and intelligence officials more accurately track ship movements.