"Space Selfie" is a project that allows users to send a photo to a tiny satellite in low Earth orbit, which then takes a picture of the photo displayed on its screen with Earth as a backdrop, creating a "space selfie." The project, a collaboration between Crunch Labs and former Apple engineers, uses a small, low-cost satellite and emphasizes accessibility and a playful approach to space exploration. Users can purchase slots to upload their photos, and the satellite captures the images using a camera attached to a selfie stick. The resulting images are then sent back down to Earth and shared with the user.
Japanese startup ispace's HAKUTO-R Mission 1 lunar lander has successfully entered lunar orbit, marking a significant milestone for the first private mission to attempt a Moon landing. The lander is scheduled to attempt a soft landing in June within the Atlas crater, aiming to deploy payloads including a two-wheeled rover developed by the Japanese space agency JAXA, a rover from the United Arab Emirates, and a transformable lunar robot. The successful orbital insertion puts ispace on track to become the first private company to achieve this feat.
Hacker News commenters generally expressed excitement and cautious optimism about ispace's Hakuto-R mission. Several pointed out the significance of a private company achieving lunar orbit, viewing it as a positive step for space exploration and commercialization. Some discussed the technical challenges of the landing, particularly the complexities of terrain navigation and communication delays. A few commenters raised concerns about the lack of live coverage of the landing attempt, while others speculated on the potential scientific and economic benefits of future lunar missions, including resource extraction. There was also discussion about the broader context of the "new space race" and the growing involvement of private companies in space exploration.
Satellogic has launched a free, near real-time satellite imagery feed called "Open Satellite Feed." This public stream provides up to 10 revisits per day of select areas of interest, offering a unique resource for observing dynamic events like natural disasters and urban development. While the resolution isn't as high as their commercial products, the frequent revisits and open access make it a valuable tool for researchers, developers, and anyone interested in monitoring changes on Earth's surface. The feed provides browse imagery and metadata, enabling users to track specific locations over time and access the full-resolution imagery for a fee if needed.
Hacker News users generally expressed excitement about Satellogic's open data feed, viewing it as a significant step towards more accessible satellite imagery. Some praised the move's potential for positive societal impact, including disaster response and environmental monitoring. Several commenters questioned the true openness of the data, citing limitations on resolution and area coverage as potential drawbacks compared to fully open data. Others discussed the business model, speculating on Satellogic's motivations and the potential for future monetization through higher resolution imagery or value-added services. A few technically-inclined users inquired about the data format, processing requirements, and potential integration with existing tools. There was some discussion about the competitiveness of Satellogic's offering compared to existing commercial and government satellite programs.
Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost lander successfully touched down on the lunar surface, making them the first commercial company to achieve a soft landing on the Moon. The mission, part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, deployed several payloads for scientific research and technology demonstrations before exceeding its planned mission duration on the surface. Although communication was eventually lost, the landing itself marks a significant milestone for commercial lunar exploration.
Hacker News users discussed Firefly's lunar landing, expressing both excitement and skepticism. Several questioned whether "landing" was the appropriate term, given the lander ultimately tipped over after engine shutdown. Commenters debated the significance of a soft vs. hard landing, with some arguing that any controlled descent to the surface constitutes a landing, while others emphasized the importance of a stable upright position for mission objectives. The discussion also touched upon the challenges of lunar landings, the role of commercial space companies, and comparisons to other lunar missions. Some users highlighted Firefly's quick recovery from a previous launch failure, praising their resilience and rapid iteration. Others pointed out the complexities of defining "commercial" in the context of space exploration, noting government involvement in Firefly's lunar mission. Overall, the sentiment was one of cautious optimism, acknowledging the technical achievement while awaiting further details and future missions.
Powerful new magnets built for NASA's next-generation electric propulsion system have passed initial testing and are ready for space-like conditions. These magnets, made of a high-temperature superconducting material, are crucial to the Advanced Electric Propulsion System (AEPS) which aims to significantly shorten travel times for future deep-space missions like Mars trips. The magnets enable the Hall thruster to achieve higher power and efficiency compared to current technology, pushing spacecraft faster while using less propellant. They will now undergo rigorous testing in a vacuum chamber that simulates the harsh environment of space.
Hacker News commenters discuss the potential of the new magnet technology for electric propulsion. Some express excitement about the increased efficiency and power density offered by these superconducting magnets, envisioning applications beyond just the VASIMR engine, like fusion power. Others are more cautious, pointing to the challenges of maintaining cryogenic temperatures in space and the need for radiation shielding. Several commenters delve into technical details, comparing different thruster types (Hall effect, ion, etc.) and the specific advantages of high-temperature superconductors. There's also a thread discussing the complexities of testing in space and the long road to practical implementation for technologies like VASIMR. Overall, while acknowledging the hurdles, commenters seem optimistic about the progress and potential impact of this magnetic technology on space travel.
AstroForge has chosen a small, 50-meter asteroid named Brokkr-2 as the target for its upcoming platinum-prospecting mission. This ambitious, privately funded venture aims to analyze the asteroid's composition through spectral analysis during a close flyby, rather than attempting a landing or sample return. While considered "high risk," the mission will serve as a crucial test of AstroForge's autonomous deep-space navigation and observation technology, paving the way for future asteroid mining endeavors. The company plans to launch in October 2025 aboard a SpaceX rideshare mission, reaching the asteroid in early 2027.
Hacker News commenters express skepticism about AstroForge's asteroid mining mission, questioning the company's technical readiness and financial viability given the "seat-of-the-pants" nature of the project. Several commenters highlight the immense challenges of space-based resource extraction, from the complexities of maneuvering and anchoring to an asteroid to the difficulties of processing and returning materials to Earth. Some doubt the economic feasibility of asteroid mining in general, citing the high upfront costs and uncertain returns. Others suggest AstroForge's primary goal is generating publicity rather than achieving its stated objectives. The lack of detailed technical information released by the company fuels further skepticism. A few commenters offer cautious optimism, acknowledging the difficulty but expressing hope for the future of space resource utilization.
NASA's Parker Solar Probe is about to make its closest approach to the Sun yet, diving deeper into the solar corona than ever before. This daring maneuver, occurring in late December 2024, will bring the spacecraft within 7.3 million kilometers of the solar surface, subjecting it to extreme temperatures and radiation. Scientists anticipate this close flyby will provide invaluable data about the Sun's magnetic field, solar wind, and coronal heating, potentially unraveling longstanding mysteries about our star's behavior.
Hacker News commenters discussed the practicality of calling the Solar Probe Plus mission "flying into the Sun" given its closest approach is still millions of miles away. Some pointed out that this distance, while seemingly large, is within the Sun's corona and a significant achievement. Others highlighted the incredible engineering required to withstand the intense heat and radiation, with some expressing awe at the mission's scientific goals of understanding solar wind and coronal heating. A few commenters corrected the title's claim of being the "first time," referencing previous missions that have gotten closer, albeit briefly, during a solar grazing maneuver. The overall sentiment was one of impressed appreciation for the mission's ambition and complexity.
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https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44084892
HN commenters were generally unimpressed with the "Space Selfie" project. Several pointed out the environmental impact of sending a chrome sphere into orbit, filled with selfies, calling it "littering" and "pointless". Others questioned the actual "space" aspect, as the satellite appears to orbit at a relatively low altitude, still within the Earth's atmosphere and thus subject to decay and eventual re-entry. The high cost of the project ($10 million initially projected) was also criticized, with commenters suggesting more worthwhile uses for that money. Some dismissed it as a publicity stunt with little scientific or artistic value. There was a minor thread discussing the technical aspects of the satellite's construction and orbit, but the overall sentiment leaned heavily towards disapproval.
The Hacker News post titled "Space Selfie" links to a project allowing users to upload a photo that will be displayed on a small screen attached to a weather balloon and sent to near-space, taking a "selfie" with the Earth in the background. The comments section on Hacker News contains a mixed bag of reactions.
Several commenters express skepticism about the feasibility and value of the project. One user questions the claimed altitude of 100,000 feet, suggesting it seems improbable given the balloon's size and payload. Another doubts the actual visibility of the uploaded image from that height, even with zoom, calling it a "gimmick." Further skepticism targets the photo quality, with some predicting blurry and unimpressive results.
Concerns about the environmental impact are also raised. Commenters point out the potential for the balloon and its payload to become litter, falling back to Earth and polluting the environment. They question the sustainability and responsibility of such projects, especially if they become popular.
Despite the doubts and criticisms, some commenters find the project intriguing or amusing. One commenter simply expresses a desire to see the actual photos taken. Another humorously remarks on the idea, creating a fictional scenario of future archaeologists finding these space selfies and misinterpreting their purpose.
Some users shift the discussion to alternative methods of achieving a similar effect, such as using high-altitude drones or even attaching a camera to a model rocket. They debate the advantages and disadvantages of each approach in terms of cost, complexity, and environmental impact.
A few comments delve into technical details. One user provides insights into the regulations related to high-altitude balloons, highlighting the need for obtaining proper authorization. Another discusses the possibility of live-streaming video from the balloon, though acknowledges the challenges involved.
Overall, the comments on Hacker News offer a diverse range of perspectives on the "Space Selfie" project, from excitement and curiosity to skepticism and environmental concern. While some are captivated by the novelty, others question its practical value and ecological impact. The discussion provides a balanced view, highlighting both the potential and the drawbacks of this unconventional approach to photography.