Research suggests that the presence of aluminum in the atmosphere could increase by almost 30% in 2022 due to satellite reentries, and if satellite constellations grow as planned, aluminum oxide levels could increase by 646% over natural levels annually, posing long-term risks for ozone depletion.

Satellite megaconstellations like SpaceX's Starlink, with thousands of satellites, could significantly increase the amount of aluminum oxides released into the atmosphere upon reentry, potentially catalyzing reactions between ozone and chlorine, leading to ozone depletion and hindering the Earth's atmosphere from healing itself.

SpaceX's Starlink project, aiming for global internet coverage through thousands of satellites, also raises concerns about light pollution, potential interference with weather forecasting.

SpaceX has not provided immediate comment on the study.

The ozone layer's stability is crucial for life on Earth, and disturbances from satellite constellations could have serious consequences.

Japan's wooden satellite, LignoSat, offers a sustainable alternative to metal satellites, reducing the risk of pollution and debris upon reentry and simplifying satellite design, representing a milestone in sustainable space technology development.

Sources: Futurism, PC Mag Australia, NewsBytesApp, ZME Science, Global Domains News, Heise

This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq.

The post Researchers warn satellite megaconstellations like SpaceX lead to ozone depletion appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Boeing's Starliner spacecraft successfully launched Wednesday on its first crewed test flight to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, carrying astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams.

The mission aims to test the vehicle's capabilities, including manual flight operations and docking with the ISS, before certifying it for operational crew rotation missions.

The launch faced delays due to technical issues, such as software errors during and a recent helium leak in the propulsion system.

After reaching orbit, Boeing's Starliner capsule encountered new helium leaks, with three leaks identified, two occurring post-launch, prompting valve shutdowns, though crew safety is confirmed as they prepare for a planned ISS docking on Thursday.

The Starliner capsule, capable of carrying up to seven people but typically four NASA crew members, features traditional hand controls alongside touchscreens.

Starliner joins SpaceX's Crew Dragon in providing commercial crew transportation services to the ISS, reducing reliance on Russian Soyuz spacecraft.

NASA is increasingly relying on private companies like Boeing and SpaceX for its human spaceflight program, contributing to safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation to and from the ISS, after retiring the space shuttles.

The mission, initially scheduled for May 6 but postponed to June 5 due to technical issues, marks a significant milestone for Boeing, which has faced setbacks in previous Starliner test flights due to software issues and parachute problems. A successful mission could boost the company's reputation and secure its contract with NASA for six additional Starliner trips to the ISS.

SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft, another provider of astronaut transportation services for NASA, launched its first crewed mission to the ISS four years earlier, enhancing safety by providing a backup option for crew transportation. If successful, NASA will alternate between Boeing's Starliner and SpaceX's Dragon capsules for future astronaut transportation to the ISS.

NASA and Boeing will monitor the mission from their respective control centers, with astronauts Wilmore and Williams testing various Starliner systems during their stay on the ISS. The Starliner is set to autonomously dock with the ISS's Harmony module for about a week before landing.

Boeing's outgoing CEO Dave Calhoun will testify before a U.S. Senate panel on June 18 to address issues related to the 737 MAX crashes that killed 346 people, concerns about safety and quality control, Boeing's failures that eroded public trust, and the company's efforts to regain trust and restore its role in the economy and national defense.

Industry sources suggest contenders for Boeing's top job include Spirit AeroSystems CEO and Boeing Commercial Airplanes president, as the company aims to address whistleblower allegations and quality control issues, including claims of faulty 787 Dreamliner assembly processes, which Boeing denies.

The launch was hailed as a milestone in NASA's history by Administrator Bill Nelson, as the agency continues to rely on commercial partners for human spaceflight.

Sources: NASA, The New York Times, PBS, CBS News, NBC News, NPR, BBC, CNN, Reuters, Bloomberg, Fast Company, Wired, AP News, CNBC

This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq.

The post More Helium leaks discovered after historic successful crewed launch of Boeing's Starliner appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

SpaceX, the aerospace company helmed by Elon Musk, is preparing for the fourth launch of its massive Starship rocket as early as next week.

This highly anticipated test flight holds great significance in the pursuit of developing a reusable rocket system capable of making space exploration more accessible, cost-effective, and potentially even enabling human visits to distant celestial bodies.

"The fourth flight of Starship will aim to bring us closer to the rapidly reusable future on the horizon. We're continuing to rapidly develop Starship, putting flight hardware in a flight environment to learn as quickly as possible as we build a fully reusable transportation system designed to carry crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars, and beyond," SpaceX says.

Starship and Super Heavy loaded with more than 10 million pounds of propellant in a rehearsal ahead of Flight 4. Launch is targeted as early as June 5, pending regulatory approval pic.twitter.com/lss0brCZgN

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) May 29, 2024

According to SpaceX, the launch window for the Starship rocket, coupled with its Super Heavy booster, could open as early as Wednesday, June 5, contingent upon obtaining approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Despite the company's previous Starship test ending in a fiery spectacle, the FAA has determined that the incident posed no safety risks to the public, granting SpaceX the green light to proceed with another test launch before completing the investigation into the previous mishap.

Watch Starship's fourth flight test → https://t.co/bJFjLCiTbK https://t.co/SjpjscHoUB

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) June 6, 2024

While the FAA has yet to issue the launch license required for the fourth test, approvals for the preceding three launches were granted within a day or two of the designated launch window. SpaceX has indicated that the launch window will open as early as 7 a.m. Central Time (8 a.m. ET, 5 a.m. PT), though the company has urged the public to follow its social media channels for the most up-to-date information, as such schedules are subject to change.

"The mission will fly a similar trajectory as the previous flight and will shift focus from achieving orbit to demonstrating the ability to return and reuse Starship and Super Heavy, including opening and closing the payload door in space for the first time and executing its first reentry from space," SpaceX stated.

A live webcast of the launch will commence approximately 30 minutes before liftoff and can be viewed on SpaceX's website and its X account.

The post Starship launch No. 4: When and how to watch Musk's latest attempt to conquer space appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Eight miniature satellites designed and created by Israeli students were launched into orbit on Thursday on board the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the NASA center in Florida.

Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

The satellites were built by junior high schoolers of various backgrounds from across Israel as part of the "Tevel" program, in collaboration with the Israel Space Agency and the Science and Technology Ministry.

The students, who spent three years on the projects, gathered with officials on Thursday to watch the live launch via video from NASA, which took place at 5:30 p.m. local time.

Video: Moshe Ben Simhon

Control of the satellites, which will be used to carry out various tasks, will be possible from communication stations in Israel. Altogether, the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched over 100 satellites from different countries into orbit.

"This is one of the Israel Space Agency and the Science and Technology Ministry's most exciting programs," Science and Technology Minister Orit Farkash-Hacohen said. "It connects between different students and peoples, and leads to a social change."

Director-General of the Israel Space Agency Uri Oron said,

"The participants, their families and the educational staff have achieved a tremendous accomplishment. We have all realized that space has the potential to connect and bring success. This is the first milestone of the program, but given its success, I am confident that more will follow."

The post SpaceX launches 8 satellites built by Israeli students into orbit appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.