DIY Space: More NASA Space Kits

NASA and the website Littlebits.cc are working together to get an actual working “space kit” out to the public. The kit, which costs $189, can be used to build all sorts of projects (at least 10, according to the website). Do you want to build an International Space Station replica? This kit will help you do […]

Can Nigerian Satellites Find Kidnapped Girls?

For those people not living under a rock, there have been quite a few stories regarding the kidnapped girls in Nigeria (rock-dwellers go here to catch up). Imagine my surprise, though, at finding out that Nigeria has not just one, but two imagery satellites orbiting the Earth in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Not only that, […]

Why Space Matters: HEO Satellite Operations, Part 2–Those Pesky Overcharges

Satellite highly elliptical orbits (HEOs) are interesting orbits for space operators in any kind of mission, especially considering the challenges inherent in using such orbits. OK–so that statement’s a little nerdy, but if you’re reading this blog, there’s an inner nerd in you just waiting to be outed. In the last lesson, you were, perhaps […]

Why space matters: HEO Satellite Operations, Part 1–You’ve Never Kepled?

In previous lessons you’ve learned about the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and the Geosynchronous Orbit (GEO). There are pros and cons in using each orbit. Generally for satellites in LEO orbit, particularly imagery satellites like those owned by DigitalGlobe and SkyBox, the closer the satellites are to the Earth, the more detail of the objects […]

Why Space Matters: Satellites Can See Bad Actors

Imaging and video satellites, like the SkyBox Imaging’s SkySat-1 satellite, bring a different, almost Santa-like, perspective to world events. While they don’t necessarily see you when your sleeping, they can guess when you’re awake. They know when you are rioting in the streets, and setting fire to property because your human rights are being violated. […]