A #Seattle startup called #Hubble Network (no relation to NASA's Hubble) is unveiling a system that uses low-power #Bluetooth chips and #satellites in low Earth orbit to keep track of devices around the globe. https://www.geekwire.com/2025/hubble-network-launches-satellite-bluetooth-tracking/ #Space #Tech
der.hans
boosted
Comment from Andy Lawrence (University of Edinburgh) in Science: "Astronomical interference is not as important a problem as climate change, or plastic in the sea, or the loss of biodiversity, but the root cause is the same—uncontrolled growth and displacement of the true costs. Why do we need twice as many satellites every year and a half? It's asking for trouble in so many ways."
The research fairy
boosted
"''The message that I keep trying to deliver to anybody who will listen is: We need to have fewer satellites with longer operational lifetimes. Anything that you can do to make your satellites last longer and to use fewer of them—that is the engineering challenge that we are now facing, and I don’t see anyone really taking that up.'"
Featuring quotes from our members @sundogplanets and @planet4589.
Marc
boosted
"Brightness statistics for #satellites of the #Starlink, #BlueBird, #Qianfan, #Guowang and #OneWeb constellations are reported. Nearly all these #spacecraft exceed the magnitude 7+ brightness limit pertaining to interference with professional #research. Most also exceed the magnitude 6 reference where they distract from aesthetic appreciation of the night sky."
Japan’s flagship H2A rocket lifted off for the final time early Sunday, successfully concluding a 24-year run that has defined the nation’s space capabilities. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/06/29/japan/science-health/japan-h2a-rocket-retired/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #sciencehealth #jaxa #rockets #satellites #h3 #space #h2a