Satellite Earth Observation data can provide a resource to assist national statistical services as they compile data in support of reporting on the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Indicators via Voluntary National Reviews. Many national statistical services have traditionally relied on ground-based survey as the primary data collection approach. Several SDG Indicators, including SDG13 (Climate Action)

The multiple Mars gravity-assist trajectory is compared to the phasing trajectory for placing a spacecraft in a circular Sun–Earth L4 orbit with a 1 AU semi-major axis and inclinations of 10° and 14.5∘ relative to the ecliptic plane. The gravity-assist maneuvers are treated as instantaneous velocity changes using a zero-sphere-of-influence model. The trajectory is optimized for two potential launch

Rendezvous maneuvers represent one of the most complex maneuvers in spaceflight. To approximate the relative motion between two objects during short time periods, linearized motion models, such as the well-known Clohessy-Wiltshire model, are commonly employed. To address the inaccuracy of these equations arising from the non-spherical gravitational potential field, Schweighart and Sedwick developed

Advances in motor and battery technologies have driven the implementation of electric pumps in propulsion systems. Hybrid rocket motors, distinguished by simplified thrust modulation capabilities, substantially improve spacecraft maneuverability. The thrust regulation capacity can be enhanced through electric pump-fed systems that enable rapid, large-scale thrust adjustments. This study presents the

This paper presents the observational findings for the most powerful solar particle event (SPE) on Mars in the current 25th solar cycle, based on surface (DAN/Curiosity) and orbital (HEND/Mars Odyssey) measurements. The numerical modelling of SPE proton interaction with the atmosphere and Martian surface showed that the computational results are in good agreement with the experimental data. The neutron

When designing the new space launch bases their maximum launch capacity must be defined. The deterministic evaluation of the launch rate can be performed when the entry hypotheses are very simple. However, when increasing the number of constraints there are no deterministic methods to account for all complexity of launch rate scheduling. That is why we consider it as an NP (nondeterministic polynomial

To meet the growing demands for reliability and onboard performance in launch missions, this paper introduces a modified smoothing-homotopy sequential convex programming (MSH-SCP) approach for endo-atmospheric ascent trajectory optimization problems with strict path constraints. Compared to the original SH-SCP, the proposed method introduces three major enhancements. Firstly, the convolution of the

‘Sub-orbital activities’ – also referred to as ‘high altitude activities’, ‘higher airspace operations’ or ‘non-orbital spaceflight activities’ – are difficult to grasp from a legal perspective. Are they ‘aviation activities’ – governed by national and international air law – or are they ‘space activities’ – governed by national and international space law? The Space Law Committee of the International

Space tether-net capture represents a promising solution for active space debris removal. This study proposes a gunpowder-actuated separable closing mechanism to ensure effective debris containment within the tether-net during the post-capture phase. A ground-based experiment was developed to validate the feasibility of this method, with parallel development of a high-fidelity finite element model

The detonation engine combustion chamber represents a typical confined channel, whose operational stability is significantly influenced by the coupling effects between complex inlet shock structures and combustion chamber backpressure fluctuations. Based on supersonic pulsating inflow simulating practical conditions, this work delves into detonation propagation characteristics and mechanisms through

This paper is focused on the shock wave motion during inlet starting and unstarting phenomena (swallowing and expelling of shock waves) on supersonic and hypersonic diffusers, which are critical for the efficient operation of both ramjets and scramjets. The motion speed of a normal shock wave along the inlet duct during these processes is analyzed to better understand the influence of design parameters

We propose a simple and reliable algorithm for collision avoidance manoeuvre optimisation, capable of computing impulsive, multi-impulsive, and low-thrust manoeuvres. Utilising differential algebra techniques, safety metrics such as probability of collision and miss distance are approximated by a polynomial of arbitrary order as a function of the control. Moreover, operational constraints, namely the

Based on detonation combustion, oblique detonation engines are expected to achieve high performance at high Mach numbers. However, the existing theoretical models significantly overestimate the engine performance compared to the numerical simulation results. To bridge the gap between theory and practice, an ideal model of oblique detonation engines and a two-dimensional numerical simulation of an oblique

The emergence and proliferation of In-space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM) technology holds far-reaching implications, particularly considering the current era of rapid advancements in space technology, escalating commercialization of space activities, and novel utilization of the space domain including in cislunar space. This paper presents the preliminary findings of a multi-year research

Optical Mining harnesses solar energy to extract volatiles for use in space-mainly water-from volatile-rich, car-bonaceous chondrite asteroids—particularly those in the 10-m size range. This size range is ideal for first-generation Optical Mining technology, being small enough to process with just a few years of development while large enough to likely contain sufficient water to ensure profitability

NASA and ESA are working on returning humans to the moon through initiatives such as the Artemis mission and Argonaut Lander of the ESA. To establish lunar surface infrastructure, it is crucial to minimise dust emissions generated by the rocket plume. The aim of this study is to develop a computational model investigating the interaction between the plume and a sintered landing surface. Understanding

Hypersonic reentry vehicles face significant aerodynamic drag and severe aerodynamic heating during their return process, making drag reduction and thermal protection critical design priorities. Several novel methods for drag reduction and thermal protection, such as drag reduction rods, windward concave cavities, and reverse jets, have emerged; however, each single method has its limitations in either

The Throttleable Liquid Propulsion Demonstrator is a liquid rocket engine demonstrator designed to enable deep throttling using green propellants: High-Test Peroxide at 98 % concentration and ethanol at 96 % concentration. Throttling is achieved through two independently-actuated cavitating mass flow regulation valves. No additional ignition device is utilized, as the catalytic decomposition of the

Space flight safety is a multidisciplinary topic. Regular symposia are being held discussing acute issues. The eleventh Space Flights Safety Symposium discussed the problems of protective measures for space structures and the future strategies aimed at conducting safe and peaceful Space missions. The following topics were under discussion: development of high speed aviation transport, protection of

Lunar habitats are complex systems that must operate under the extremely demanding and disruptive conditions of space. Thus, novel testing techniques are necessary to evaluate design choices and validate autonomous decision-making strategies. Thermomechanical cyber–physical testing (CPT) offers unique opportunities to observe realistic behaviors, train models, test ideas, and validate methods. This

In recent years, the rapid growth of the space economy has led to a significant increase in spacecraft launches. The presence of more artificial objects in Earth’s orbits poses a risk to their operative life, due to the increasing probability of collisions, particularly in densely populated orbits such as Low Earth Orbits and Geostationary Orbits.

The staged combustion aft-injected hybrid rocket motor is a novel propulsion system that utilizes an independent fuel-rich solid propellant gas generator, with high performance and promising application prospects. However, its performance is significantly influenced by the hydrogen peroxide injection scheme. Therefore, a three-dimensional numerical model based on the Euler-Lagrange framework for multiphase

This work develops a novel two-phase control framework that enables a swarm of compact spacecraft (agents), such as CubeSats and Nanosats, to autonomously capture tumbling and uncooperative targets. By leveraging decentralized, bio-inspired swarm behavior control and distributed coordination strategies, the proposed system enables fully interchangeable agents to achieve robust, leaderless self-organization

Thrust stands are essential tools for evaluating the performance of propulsion systems, including Hall effect thrusters, ion thrusters, and pulsed plasma thrusters (PPTs). Our thrust stand supports a prototype weighing up to 0.8 kg and measures impulses from 150 to 550 μN s. It generates voltage oscillations with peaks between 5 mV and 35 mV, which, combined with NI voltage modules, minimizes weight

Microwave Rocket, a next-generation space transportation system, generates thrust by utilizing millimeter-wave energy beamed from the ground. The thruster operates cyclically, alternating between thrust generation — where air is compressed and exhausted via millimeter-wave-supported detonation — and an air-refilling process. Although reed valve systems have been studied for air intake, their effect

The cold sintering process (CSP) is proposed as an energy-efficient strategy for rapid lunar regolith-based geopolymer fabrication, addressing the limitations of high-temperature sintering (>1000 °C) and water-intensive geopolymer casting (30–45 wt%, 3–28 days). By employing moderate temperatures (80–200 °C) and pressures (50–250 MPa) with minimal alkali activator (14.4 wt%), CSP achieves ultra-rapid

The Centrifugal Nuclear Thermal Rocket (CNTR) is a Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) concept designed to heat propellant directly by the reactor fuel. The primary difference between the CNTR concept and traditional NTP systems is that rather than using traditional solid fuel elements, the CNTR uses liquid fuel with the liquid contained in rotating cylinders by centrifugal force. If the concept can be

In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) is crucial for lowering the cost of space exploration and sustaining human activity on the Moon. Multiple techniques have been studied to extract oxygen from lunar regolith, including electrochemical processes such as molten regolith electrolysis and molten salt electrolysis, as well as pyrometallurgical processes such as hydrogen and carbothermal reduction. However

Effective collision avoidance strategies will play a central role in the future in order to take account of the rapidly increasing number of satellites in Low Earth Orbit and the associated increase in collision probabilities. For small, lightweight satellites (e.g. CubeSats), propellantless options represent a highly attractive solution. A targeted change in the satellite’s ballistic coefficient alters

A modified version of the Extended Dynamic Mode Decomposition (EDMD) approach for the Koopman operator theory is presented, utilizing sparse-grid quadrature nodes and weights to generate the training data. Compared to standard random sampling, this method emphasizes certain regions of the state space and improves the accuracy and convergence rate of the Koopman operator while reducing the amount of

In-situ resource utilization (ISRU) is essential for supporting long-term exploration and habitat development on Mars with the extraction and production of metals being a crucial part of establishing infrastructure to support human activities. Martian regolith typically contains Fe-rich aluminosilicates and oxides and can potentially be utilized as the primary source for structural metals, especially

There is an increasing interest in science and exploration missions in the Earth-Moon system. These missions call for simple, efficient and accurate timing onboard of these spacecraft. A heterogeneous onboard timing system is proposed, presented and characterized, which comprises an Oven-Controlled Crystal Oscillator (OCXO) and one or several Chip Scale Atomic Clocks (CSACs), providing nano-second

In recent years, manned space missions have advanced towards aiming for the Moon and Mars, underscoring the critical importance of accumulating knowledge on the long-term changes in human interactions within isolated and confined environments (ICE). This study investigated the dynamics of human interactions among the crew participating in the 240-day closed experiment named SIRIUS-21 (Scientific International

The LUnar Geology Orbiter (LUGO) mission is proposed to study surface and subsurface geological features on the Moon that have not yet been the dedicated target of previous missions, with the goal of understanding its thermal evolution and supporting human exploration and future permanent settlements. The objectives of LUGO aim to clarify two important knowledge gaps: 1) to characterize Irregular Mare

Quasi-Sun-pointing (QSP) attitude for ultra-large solar array of solar power satellites solves problems of enormous control fuel consumption and large-amplitude structural vibrations for Sun-pointing attitude and the problem of low solar radiation capturing efficiency for gravity-gradient-stabilized attitude. However, the control of QSP attitude meets great challenges because analytical solution for

The form-finding design of cable-membrane structures usually assumes that the membrane is in an ideal and undamaged state, ignoring the effects of distributed creases on the surface accuracy and stress distribution. This paper proposed a form-finding method for creased cable-membrane structures aiming at minimizing the influence of creases after actual in-orbit deployment. A new orthotropic crease

Space infrastructures have long represented the pinnacle of technological and engineering achievements. This complexity has been further amplified by the advent of the new space race, where private actors are taking the lead, alongside states, in deploying thousands of satellites in outer space. The outer space environment of 2040 will look very different from today. Spacecraft will necessitate more

Accurately predicting and optimizing the performance of spacecraft separation is crucial for enhancing their reliability and applicability in space missions. However, the complex factors involved in separation processes, such as nonlinear contact and nonsmooth impact, present significant challenges to prediction and optimization. Therefore, this paper aims to develop a comprehensive prediction and

To obtain undisturbed samples of the lunar superficial layer, a new sampling method based on a pressure-rotation concept has been proposed. Through theoretical analysis, numerical simulation and laboratory experiments, the influence mechanism of sampler structural parameters on sampling disturbance at various penetration speeds was discussed. Furthermore, the structural parameters were optimized through

This study presents a vibration-based method for detecting the liquid–vapor interface in settled propellant tanks. A theoretical framework is introduced to predict the vibrational response of patch sensors mounted on the tank wall and actuated by a broad-band acoustic excitation. The theory predicts the form of response transitions between wetted and dry conditions as the interface moves past the sensor

To support safe human space exploration, it is important to understand how different effectors, including gravitational forces, influence living organisms. Indeed, altered levels of gravity affect the physiological function of multiple cells, tissues, and organs in living organisms. Previous studies suggested that microgravity modifies plasma membrane permeability and cellular metabolism in erythrocyte

As humanity re-engages in lunar exploration missions, plans are being developed for base construction in the lunar south polar region to support long-term human presence. It is therefore essential to evaluate the structural stability of lunar shelters to protect the lunar base and infrastructure from hazards such as moonquakes. Compression structures such as arches and domes, made from earth or lunar-derived

This article conducted experimental and numerical research on the mixing characteristics of powder fuel in supersonic airflow. It examined how the powder fuel injection parameters affect its penetration depth, diffusion angle, and distribution. The experiments found that by changing the nozzle shape, the penetration depth and diffusion angle of the powder can be improved, which facilitates the downstream

The design and implementation of systems for molten lunar regolith electrolysis (MRE) benefit significantly from detailed modeling of the composition trajectory and evolution of composition-dependent thermophysical properties of regolith-derived oxides during this process. Two properties of interest are the liquidus temperature and viscosity of the molten oxide. The liquidus temperature evolution governs

Spacecraft formation flight is increasingly pivotal in the design of new space missions. This demands an high level of autonomy to optimize science time, and the development of advanced mission concepts to surpass current technological limitations. Recently, Low Earth Orbit (LEO) has been explored as solution for experimental validation of novel formation flight technologies. LEO is related to proximity

High combustion efficiency and low total pressure loss are essential for improving the performance of solid rocket scramjets. This study conducted direct-connect experiments to investigate the combustor performance of a ramp-based solid rocket scramjet with ethylene addition, simulating a Mach 6 flight condition with an equivalence ratio of 0.56. Ramps were installed near the exit of the combustor

DESTINY+ is an upcoming JAXA Epsilon medium-class mission to flyby multiple asteroids including Phaethon. As an asteroid flyby observation instrument, a telescope mechanically capable of single-axis rotation, named TCAP, is mounted on the spacecraft to track and observe the target asteroids during flyby. As in past flyby missions utilizing rotating telescopes, TCAP is also used as a navigation camera

Microvibrations in orbiting spacecraft can lead to performance degradation for sensitive payloads, necessitating knowledge of the propagation rules of vibration and vibration suppression implementation at critical locations. The finite element power flow method is employed to establish a mathematical model for energy transfer in a coupled flywheel–cabin panel system, revealing the impact of the gyroscopic

Spaceflight analog missions incorporate exercise countermeasures to mitigate the negative effects of isolation, reduced activity, and monotony on crew health and performance. Time-efficient, low-risk monitoring of aerobic fitness can be obtained from kinetic responses to moderate-intensity work rate changes to evaluate countermeasure efficacy, ensure mission readiness, and adapt strategies in real

There is an increasing volume of academic research into aspects of potential commercial Space Resource Utilisation (SRU), particularly on the Moon. This research spans the spectrum of geological, technical, legal, environmental, economic and commercial aspects. The mining industry utilises the feasibility study process to evaluate pertinent elements of a potential mine project development on Earth

Accurate forecasting of upper atmospheric conditions can improve the efficiency of satellite operations and reduce the risks associated with the re-entry of large debris objects. Spacecrafts are affected by atmospheric drag which is strongly correlated with solar activity. One of the most important indices of solar activity is the F10.7 index. Recent studies have shown that F30 index demonstrates a

It is known that the distribution of neutrons over the Martian surface depends substantially on the presence of subsurface water ice or hydrated minerals, and the thickness of the Martian atmosphere experiencing seasonal variations. The observed variations of neutron flux could be converted to the neutron dose on the Martian surface. This is an important parameter needed to be known to plan future

The prediction on bearing capacity of regolith on the Moon plays an important role in the design and construction of the future lunar base. However, the classical analytical methods are developed on Earth for terrestrial soils, which may be unable to predict the bearing capacity of lunar soil on the Moon since the gravity effect on the bearing behavior is excluded. Therefore, the assumptions in Prandtl's

As interest in green hypergolic propulsion systems grows, the need for further development and a deeper understanding of promising new propellants with versatile injectors becomes crucial. This experimental work employed a pintle injector to investigate the different atomization behaviors of a reactive fuel surrogate. The surrogate was designed to partially mimic the heat release and vapor formation

The penetration of the lunar subsurface soil with high-speed impact penetrator enables comprehensive exploration of the lunar soil at low cost in a short period of time. However, owing to the strong vibration caused by the high-speed impact on the internal scientific payload of the penetrator, the buffer protection device need be designed to ensure the survivability of the scientific payload. In this

Extracting oxygen and metals from lunar regolith would support exploration activities on the Moon and beyond. This study examines various factors that influence the efficiency and long-term viability of lunar resource extraction processes, specifically focussing on molten salt electrolysis, or the FFC-Cambridge process. Pellets of lunar mare simulant were reduced for a range of different times, to

In-situ resource utilization (ISRU), particularly the extraction and production of structural metals, is crucial for supporting further exploration on Mars. Martian regolith, typically containing plagioclase, pyroxene, olivine, magnetite, and hematite minerals with major oxide components of SiO2, Al2O3, MgO, FeO, and CaO can potentially be utilized as the primary source of key metals. Previous studies

Microwaving heating is a potentially effective method for water extraction from lunar regolith under the extreme conditions on the Moon. However, this method has not been widely applied to extract water from icy regolith, and parametric results of this novel technology are not extensively conducted. In this study, we build an integrated microwave heating system to extract water from icy lunar regolith