The hottest Satellite Technology Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Technology Topics

Space Traffic Management: The Growing Challenge of Collision Avoidance

Space Ambition • 359 implied HN points • 19 Jul 24
🕹 Technology Space Exploration Satellite Technology
  1. The number of satellites in space is rapidly growing, with projections to reach 100,000 by 2030. This increase means there is also a lot more space debris to manage.
  2. To avoid collisions, satellites need constant monitoring and updates on their positions. Companies are using radars and telescopes to track space objects more accurately, as even tiny debris can cause big problems.
  3. Dealing with space debris involves not just avoidance but also how to properly dispose of it after missions. If not managed well, the cost of avoiding collisions will rise, and satellites will become more expensive.

Where Do Spacecraft Live: How to Choose the Right Satellite Orbit?

Space Ambition • 79 implied HN points • 28 Jun 24
🕹 Technology Space Exploration Engineering Satellite Technology Aerospace Industry
  1. Choosing the right satellite orbit is a key factor for the success of a space mission. It helps control costs and how well the satellite can perform its job.
  2. There are different types of orbits such as Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), and Geostationary Orbit (GEO), each serving different purposes and applications.
  3. As the number of satellites in space grows, effective disposal methods are crucial to avoid creating space debris, which could lead to future problems.

More Upmass!! (Or, Small Launch=Little Business)

Ill-Defined Space • 9 implied HN points • 31 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Space Industry Rocket launches Aerospace Engineering Satellite Technology
  1. Heavy-class rockets are the most popular choice in 2024, with more than half of all launches using them. They are often needed for bigger payloads like satellites.
  2. China has a wide range of rockets, launching more different types than the U.S. and other countries combined. This shows their strong focus on space operations.
  3. Small rockets are the least used, even though many startups are trying to develop them. This highlights a challenge in the market for small satellite launches.

Gateways to the Cosmos: From Gigantic Spaceports to Unconventional Methods of Reaching Space

Space Ambition • 419 implied HN points • 01 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Space Exploration Aerospace Satellite Technology Innovation
  1. There are many active launch sites around the world, with a total of 66 launch sites identified, including 46 currently operational. These sites are crucial for space exploration and are usually equipped with necessary facilities.
  2. The rise of private companies is changing how rockets are launched. Smaller rockets and satellite launches are becoming more common, leading to the creation of smaller spaceports tailored to these needs.
  3. Some countries are considering building spaceports far from home due to advantageous geography or legal reasons. Launching rockets closer to the equator, for example, can make the process more efficient.

Pixxel: Earth's Honest Mirror

Tigerfeathers! • 24 implied HN points • 07 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Space Exploration Satellite Technology Aerospace Engineering Data Analysis
  1. Pixxel is developing a fleet of satellites with special cameras that can see details beyond what regular cameras can, helping monitor Earth's health and detect issues like pollution and crop problems.
  2. The founders of Pixxel, Awais and Kshitij, began their journey in college and faced many challenges, including launch failures and funding issues, but they remained determined and adapted their business strategy.
  3. Pixxel aims not just to serve Earth, but eventually wants to use their technology for exploring resources in space, showing how their ambitions go far beyond just satellite imaging.
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Tracking the Invisible from Space: Greenhouse Gases. Part 2: Private Sector Solutions.

Space Ambition • 219 implied HN points • 21 Apr 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Greenhouse Gases Private sector Satellite Technology Artificial Intelligence
  1. The private sector is playing a big role in tracking greenhouse gas emissions with new satellite technologies. Companies are using satellites and AI to gather and analyze data on emissions more effectively.
  2. Different startups are focusing on monitoring specific gases or emission sources, making it easier to identify pollution hotspots. This helps companies and governments target their efforts to reduce emissions.
  3. While progress has been made in satellite monitoring, there's still a lot to learn about how greenhouse gases behave in the atmosphere. Better models and more data are needed to fully understand and manage these emissions.

JUICE: A Journey to the Icy Moons of Jupiter

Europe in Space • 98 implied HN points • 10 Apr 23
🔬 Science Space Exploration Astronomy Satellite Technology Planetary Science
  1. JUICE mission to study Jupiter's icy moons is a world-beater showing European excellence in space exploration.
  2. JUICE will be the first spacecraft to perform various feats, like a lunar-Earth gravity assist and orbiting moons of another planet.
  3. JUICE spacecraft has a titanic effort in its creation, involving multiple countries and costing around €1.6 billion.

SpaceX's Collaborative Orbit

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 39 implied HN points • 06 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Space Exploration Satellite Technology Business strategy Innovation
  1. SpaceX often collaborates with its competitors, despite having a history of legal disputes with them. This shows that alliances can be more valuable than ongoing conflicts.
  2. Amazon has recently partnered with SpaceX for several launches to help deploy its Project Kuiper satellite network. This highlights how major companies are working together in the space industry.
  3. SpaceX has become a significant player in the aerospace market, making it hard for other companies to ignore its influence and reach.

Amazon Kuiper: More Than LEO Broadband

Ill-Defined Space • 19 implied HN points • 20 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Satellite Technology E-commerce Subscription services Space Industry Telecommunications
  1. Amazon Kuiper offers more than just broadband internet, leveraging its space infrastructure for other revenue streams.
  2. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy envisions Kuiper providing reliable internet access to underserved areas worldwide, enabling various activities like education and commerce.
  3. Amazon's investment in Kuiper is a small fraction of its annual revenues and profits, highlighting the company's broader vision beyond just internet broadband services.

Security Cameras For The Planet

Surfing the Future • 0 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Satellite Technology
  1. A significant methane leak was detected in Kazakhstan; methane is a potent greenhouse gas compared to carbon dioxide.
  2. New technology allows for the detection of global methane emissions, aiding in climate emergency efforts.
  3. Satellites can track methane leaks using a unique fingerprint created when sunlight passes through it; MethaneSat technology is coined as a 'security camera for the planet.'