Let’s check on Journal of Propulsion and Power for May (vol. 41 #3): Ezuka, F. Koizumi, H. Nakano, M. et al. Effect of Nonuniform Plasma on Grid Erosion of the Water Ion Thruster pp. 313 1.B39004Kim, J. W. Bhosale, V.… Read More »Note, Paper: Green Steam
How did I miss this one… in Space Science Reviews (vol.221): Nakamura, T. Engrand, C. Zolensky, M. et al. Sample Return Missions: Rosetta Stones Returned from the First Small Bodies in the Solar System 44 s11214-025-002268-4 Yes, Space Science Reviews.… Read More »Note, Paper: Sample Return Science Reviews
…speaking of SiTian… The latest issue of Research in Astronomy and Astrophysics (vol. 25 #4) is a special Issue: Pathfinder of the SiTian Project – Progress of Mini SiTian Huang, Y. Liu, J. Wu, H. et al. The Mini-SiTian Array: A… Read More »Note, Papers: SI on SiTian
In Experimental Astronomy (all-digital, no physical issues) vol. 59, #3: Xiang, W. Jia, P. Li, Z. An Optimization Framework for Wide-Field Small Aperture Telescope Arrays Used in Sky Surveys 32 s10686-025-10004-0 Covering the sky requires more than one telescope: in… Read More »Note, Paper: Better Net-Tels
…see Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4 It’s now Day 5 of a weeklong conference: wrapping up loose ends. Here, the less technical but no less important soft sciences. And posters; lots and lots of posters. Panel Session… Read More »2025 Planetary Defense Conference, Day 5
…see Day 1, Day 2, Day 3 And now on Day 4 of the PDC, we get to the dramatic, unlikely (and hopefully never likely in our era) part of planetary defense: mitigation. That’s action taken when the impactor has… Read More »2025 Planetary Defense Conference, Day 4
…see Day 1, Day 2 Now, in Day 3, we get into the telescopes (and one antenna) for both detection and tracking: Session 4: Near-Earth Object (NEO) DiscoveryThe Pan-STARRS Search for Near-Earth Objects: 10+ Years old and going strong… Read More »2025 Planetary Defense Conference, Day 3
…see Day 1 The last post was the first day of a big, multi-day conference: lots of pleasantries and generalities. Here now we get into some real meat of the matter. Session 1: Hypothetical Threat Exercise Technical SessionThe international… Read More »2025 Planetary Defense Conference, Day 2
The IAA’s Planetary Defense Conference for 2025 (every odd year) is now going on in Stellenbosch (basically Cape Town), South Africa. No, I am not attending, and …arrg, the program still says “preliminary.” Well, for what it’s worth, here’s the… Read More »2025 Planetary Defense Conference, Day 1
There’s a new paper in Space Science Reviews (vol. 221), and yes, it’s a review: long and detailed. Pätzold, M., Andert, T.P., Cardesín-Moinelo, A. et al. Investigations of the Moon Phobos by Mars Express and Implications Towards Its Origin. art… Read More »Note, Paper: No Fear? More Phobos