Electrospray thruster makes small satellites more capable
MIT spinout’s electric-propulsion system improves maneuverability of small satellites.
First-light images from NASA’s soil moisture satellite revealed
Professor of civil and environmental engineering Dara Entekhabi, science team leader of NASA's SMAP satellite, marvels at the project's first snapshot of Earth.
New technique allows analysis of clouds around exoplanets
Team describes use of method to determine properties of clouds surrounding the exoplanet Kepler-7b.
For the first time, spacecraft catch a solar shockwave in the act
Solar storm found to produce “ultrarelativistic, killer electrons” in 60 seconds.
Plasma shield
Researchers find that Earth’s “plasmaspheric hiss” protects against a harmful radiation belt.
Researchers detect brightest pulsar ever recorded
The pulsar, about as large as the city of Boston, is 10 million times brighter than the sun.
Where to grab space debris
Algorithm tested aboard the International Space Station analyzes the rotation of objects in space.
MicroMAS: small is beautiful
Professor Kerri Cahoy and her group recently delivered MicroMAS, the weather nanosatellite they built in collaboration with MIT Lincoln Laboratory, to a launch provider.
A river of plasma, guarding against the sun
MIT scientists identify a plasma plume that naturally protects the Earth against solar storms.
Big plans for small spacecraft
Paulo Lozano is designing tiny ion thrusters for the next generation of satellites
Space weather’s effects on satellites
MIT study finds that high-energy electrons in space may be to blame for some satellite failures.
Inflatable antennae could give CubeSats greater reach
Design inflates with a powder that turns into gas.
