Lunar science

Astroport Space Technologies, awarded a NASA Technology Research contract for lunar construction

Retrieved on: 
Friday, May 21, 2021
Lunar science, Planetary science, Regolith, Space manufacturing, Lunar soil, STTR, Small Business Innovation Research, Space science, Applied sciences, Exploration of the Moon

NASA selected 289 small businesses and 47 research institutions to receive Phase I funding for its 2021 SBIR/STTR program .

Key Points: 
  • NASA selected 289 small businesses and 47 research institutions to receive Phase I funding for its 2021 SBIR/STTR program .
  • Astroport was one of only four Texas companies selected for this year\'s STTR program.\nAstroport Space Technologies, Inc. is a deep tech space start-up with headquarters in San Antonio, Texas.
  • With this initial small contract we hope to plant the seeds for a San Antonio industry to become known for expertise in space construction processes and manufacturing.
  • "\nAstroport\'s Lunar Regolith Melting and Lunar Regolith Binding stabilization and solidification technologies are used for manufacturing feedstock for lunar construction.

NASA Will Name Companies Selected to Collect Lunar Resources Under Artemis Program

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, December 1, 2020
Exploration of the Moon, Outer space, Spaceflight, Lunar science, Orion, Moon, Artemis program, Lunar resources, Lunar soil, Lunar outpost, Commercial Lunar Payload Services

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --NASA will hold a media teleconference Thursday, Dec. 3, at 1 p.m. EST to announce the companies it has selected to collect lunar resources as part of the Artemis program.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, Dec. 1, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --NASA will hold a media teleconference Thursday, Dec. 3, at 1 p.m. EST to announce the companies it has selected to collect lunar resources as part of the Artemis program.
  • Next-generation lunar science and technology is a key objective for returning to the Moon under the Artemis program and preparing for Mars.
  • The ability to extract and use space resources is critical to support a sustainable human presence on the lunar surface.
  • Companies selected for space resources contracts will collect a small amount of lunar regolith from any location on the Moon's surface and provide imagery to NASA of the collected material, along with data that identifies the collection location.

NASA's SOFIA Discovers Water on Sunlit Surface of Moon

Retrieved on: 
Monday, October 26, 2020
Space science, Applied sciences, Planetary science, Lunar science, Moon, Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, Micrometeorite, Infrared astronomy, Colonization of the Moon, Lunar water

WASHINGTON, Oct. 26, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) has confirmed, for the first time, water on the sunlit surface of the Moon.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, Oct. 26, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) has confirmed, for the first time, water on the sunlit surface of the Moon.
  • This discovery indicates that water may be distributed across the lunar surface, and not limited to cold, shadowed places.
  • As a comparison, the Sahara desert has 100 times the amount of water than what SOFIA detected in the lunar soil.
  • Micrometeorites raining down on the lunar surface, carrying small amounts of water, could deposit the water on the lunar surface upon impact.

NASA's SOFIA Discovers Water on Sunlit Surface of Moon

Retrieved on: 
Monday, October 26, 2020
Space science, Applied sciences, Planetary science, Lunar science, Astronomical imaging, Observational astronomy, Moon, Micrometeorite, Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, Infrared astronomy, Colonization of the Moon

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. andWASHINGTONand COLUMBIA, Md., Oct. 26, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) has confirmed, for the first time, water on the sunlit surface of the Moon.

Key Points: 
  • MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. andWASHINGTONand COLUMBIA, Md., Oct. 26, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) has confirmed, for the first time, water on the sunlit surface of the Moon.
  • This discovery indicates that water may be distributed across the lunar surface, and not limited to cold, shadowed places.
  • As a comparison, the Sahara Desert has 100 times the amount of water than what SOFIA detected in the lunar soil.
  • Micrometeorites raining down on the lunar surface, carrying small amounts of water, could deposit the water on the lunar surface upon impact.

MacuLogix Introduces the AdaptDx Pro, Guided by Theia

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 14, 2020
Planetary science, Lunar science, Theia, Workflow, Adaptation, Astronomical objects, Articles

As a self-contained wearable headset, the AdaptDx Pro requires no dark room or external computer and features an artificial intelligence-driven,onboard technician named Theia.

Key Points: 
  • As a self-contained wearable headset, the AdaptDx Pro requires no dark room or external computer and features an artificial intelligence-driven,onboard technician named Theia.
  • "AdaptDx Pro makes it simple to fit dark adaptation testing into any practice workflow, and Theia frees up the technician to focus on other valuable tasks."
  • The AdaptDx Pro launches today, and the company has committed to providing current AdaptDx table-top device owners with the first opportunity to upgrade to the AdaptDx Pro.
  • By leveraging the science of dark adaptation through its AdaptDx and AdaptDx Pro, guided by Theia, MacuLogix is working to eliminate preventable blindness caused by AMDa chronic, progressive disease that impacts over 170 million people worldwide and goes undiagnosed in 25 percent of patients.

SPI Energy Announces Sale of Sun Roof II and Sun Roof V Solar Projects in Italy

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 1, 2019
Photovoltaics, Planetary science, Lunar science, Rooftop photovoltaic power station, Theia, Astronomical objects, Astronomy

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Oct. 01, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SPI Energy Co., Ltd. ("SPI Energy" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: SPI), a global provider of green energy solutions for business, residential, government and utility customers and investors, today announced the closing on the sale of Sun Roof II and Sun Roof V to Theia Investments (Italy) S.r.l.

Key Points: 
  • SANTA CLARA, Calif., Oct. 01, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SPI Energy Co., Ltd. ("SPI Energy" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: SPI), a global provider of green energy solutions for business, residential, government and utility customers and investors, today announced the closing on the sale of Sun Roof II and Sun Roof V to Theia Investments (Italy) S.r.l.
  • Sun Roof II, comprised of three rooftop solar projects totaling 1.83 MW located in Sassari, Italy, and Sun Roof V, a 1 MW rooftop solar project located in Cisterna di Latina, Italy, have been in operation since 2012.
  • Emel Solar Limited (UK) (Emel Solar), a leading global renewable energy advisor advised SPI Energy on the sale to Theia.
  • Mr. Xiaofeng Peng, Chief Executive Officer of SPI Energy, commented, "We are excited about the successful sale of Sun Roof II and Sun Roof V to Theia.

NASA Research Could Reshape Understanding of Moon Formation

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 31, 2019
Planetary science, Moon, Astronomy, Planetary core, Physical sciences, Io, Lunar science

In the generally accepted model for the formation of the Moon, the proto-Earth is hit by a Mars-sized impacting body.

Key Points: 
  • In the generally accepted model for the formation of the Moon, the proto-Earth is hit by a Mars-sized impacting body.
  • Righter modelled the composition of the Moon considering several controlling factors: its bulk composition, post-impact disk processes, and the formation of the Moon's small metallic core.
  • The research paper, titled "Volatile Element Depletion of the Moon the Roles of Precursors, Post-Impact Disk Dynamics, and Core Formation," was published Jan. 23.
  • The lab is managed by ARES, which is responsible for curation and scientific research coordination for all NASA extraterrestrial samples.

NASA Research Could Reshape Understanding of How Planets Form

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, August 9, 2018
Planetary science, Geology, Lunar science, Apollo program, Moon rock, Petrology, Meteorite, NASA

HOUSTON, Aug. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Researchers have identified a new type of meteorite with the potential to reshape our understanding of planetary formation.

Key Points: 
  • HOUSTON, Aug. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Researchers have identified a new type of meteorite with the potential to reshape our understanding of planetary formation.
  • "Andesites, the Earth equivalent of this rock, evolved through extensive geological processes that are largely thought to be unique to Earth.
  • The lead author of the study, Poorna Srinivasan, completed the research during an internship in ARES, which is responsible for curation and scientific research coordination for all NASA extraterrestrial samples.
  • Srinivasan was guided in her research by McCubbin and NASA Apollo lunar sample curator Ryan Zeigler.