In a significant move to enhance international collaboration in space exploration, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson is set to travel to Lima, Peru, on November 14. This visit underscores NASA’s commitment to promoting the peaceful use of outer space while fostering partnerships that can lead to innovative advancements in aerospace research.

During his visit, Nelson will meet with Maj. Gen. Roberto Melgar Sheen, the director of Peru’s National Commission for Aerospace Research and Development (CONIDA). This meeting marks a pivotal moment for both organizations, as they prepare to sign a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at bolstering space cooperation between the United States and Peru.

The MOU outlines several key areas of collaboration, including:

1. Safety Training: Ensuring that both nations adhere to the highest safety standards in aerospace research and development.
2. Joint Feasibility Study for Sounding Rockets: This initiative will explore the potential for a sounding rockets campaign, which is crucial for gathering atmospheric data and conducting scientific research.
3. Technical Assistance: NASA will provide technical support to CONIDA, particularly concerning sounding rocket launches, which will aid in the development of Peru’s aerospace capabilities.

Nelson’s visit also serves as an opportunity to discuss the broader significance of international partnerships in space. In an era where space exploration has become increasingly globalized, collaboration among nations is essential for addressing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

One of the highlights of this visit will be the celebration of Peru’s recent signing of the Artemis Accords earlier this year. These accords are instrumental in establishing norms for the exploration and use of outer space, promoting transparency, and ensuring that space activities are conducted safely and sustainably.

As NASA continues to engage with countries around the world, this visit to Peru exemplifies the agency’s dedication to fostering a collaborative spirit in space exploration. By working together, nations can not only enhance their scientific capabilities but also contribute to a shared vision of peaceful exploration that benefits all of humanity.

Bill Nelson’s upcoming trip to Peru is more than just a diplomatic engagement; it is a testament to the power of international collaboration in the field of space exploration. Through partnerships like the one with CONIDA, NASA is paving the way for a future where space is explored responsibly and for the benefit of all nations.

For more information about NASA’s international partnerships, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/oiir

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In a remarkable demonstration of both the unpredictability of space and the extraordinary capabilities of modern astronomical detection, a small asteroid, designated 2024 UQ, recently made headlines after it struck Earth just hours after being identified. This event, which took place on October 22, 2024, marks the third “imminent impactor” recorded this year, highlighting the continual and often daunting reality of near-Earth objects (NEOs).

Discovered by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) in Hawaii, a network of four telescopes dedicated to scanning the night sky for potential collision threats, 2024 UQ was small—measuring only about 3 feet (1 meter) in diameter. While news of an asteroid making contact with Earth can evoke concern, there was no cause for alarm in this instance. The diminutive size of the asteroid meant that it posed very little threat to anything on the ground. In fact, it burned up in the atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean near California, leaving no trace or damage.

However, the swift timeline of events raises critical questions about the effectiveness of our current monitoring systems. The impact occurred just two hours after the initial detection, which meant that by the time data was transmitted to the impact monitoring systems operated by the European Space Agency’s Near-Earth Object Coordination Center, the impact had already taken place. According to their November 2024 newsletter, the ATLAS survey had successfully obtained images identifying the asteroid on a collision trajectory, but due to its position near the edge of two adjacent observational fields, it was not recognized as a significant threat until it was too late.

This incident serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in tracking and predicting the paths of NEOs. While advancements in technology have undoubtedly improved our ability to detect these celestial objects, the circumstances surrounding 2024 UQ showcase the potential for oversights in our monitoring capabilities. Despite this event being minor in scale, it emphasizes the importance of continued investment in space surveillance systems, as well as international collaboration in tracking potential hazards lurking in the vast expanse of space.

As we look forward, this close encounter reaffirms the need for vigilance in our exploration and observation of the cosmos. Each NEO presents an opportunity for learning and growth in our understanding of near-Earth dynamics. While 2024 UQ may have come and gone without incident, it certainly sparks curiosity about what lies ahead in our ongoing quest to safeguard our planet from the skies.

Reference Links:

Space.com: https://www.space.com/the-universe/asteroids/asteroid-that-hit-earth-hours-after-being-detected-was-3rd-imminent-impactor-of-2024

Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS): https://fallingstar.com/

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The Danger from Asteroid Impact: https://fallingstar.com/danger.php

The science section of our news blog STM Daily News provides readers with captivating and up-to-date information on the latest scientific discoveries, breakthroughs, and innovations across various fields. We offer engaging and accessible content, ensuring that readers with different levels of scientific knowledge can stay informed. Whether it’s exploring advancements in medicine, astronomy, technology, or environmental sciences, our science section strives to shed light on the intriguing world of scientific exploration and its profound impact on our daily lives. From thought-provoking articles to informative interviews with experts in the field, STM Daily News Science offers a harmonious blend of factual reporting, analysis, and exploration, making it a go-to source for science enthusiasts and curious minds alike. https://stmdailynews.com/category/science/

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Strategic collaborations above 60,000 feet unlocks new potential for traffic and climate management, earth observation and imaging, methane, storm, and wildfire detection, and more

ROSWELL, N.M. /PRNewswire/ — Sceye, a leading U.S. aerospace company specializing in High-Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS), announced a cooperating research and development agreement with United States Geological Survey (USGS) and a Space Act agreement with NASA. The purpose of these agreements is to enhance climate and environmental imaging, monitoring, and data collection from the stratosphere. This partnership builds on Sceye’s successful 2024 flight program, which concluded with a milestone launch on October 24, 2024, demonstrating the platform’s readiness for commercialization and long-duration missions in 2025.

This collaboration positions Sceye’s HAPS technology as a critical partner in providing precise earth observation and lifting multi-mission payloads. Using advanced hyperspectral imaging, Sceye will help NASA and USGS detect methane “super emitters,” monitor wildfire activity, storms, earthquakes, and other extreme weather events. The partnership will help track essential environmental data and metrics in real-time and also positions Sceye to support NASA and USGS in expanding the range of climate data collection and in strengthening forecasting models.

“Our partnership with NASA and USGS is built on the potential of HAPS to stay over an area of operation for long periods of time. In contrast to satellites, HAPS can do that below orbital altitude, thereby offering a unique vantage point to address climate change and better prepare for extreme weather events,” said Mikkel Vestergaard Frandsen, CEO and Founder of Sceye. “We are unlocking the stratosphere as the next frontier to make important scientific advancements that will help communities across the world.”

With climate change accelerating and methane emissions at record levels, Sceye’s HAPS technology offers a solution to precisely detect emissions down to the pixel. Sceye is also collaborating with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the New Mexico Environmental Department on a five-year program to detect methane emissions across the state. Sceye’s last flight of the year demonstrates the platform’s operational readiness by capturing essential data through onboard infrared cameras.

Sceye’s HAPS are powered by solar energy captured during daylight and stored in batteries to operate throughout the night. This enables continuous flight above 60,000 feet, where few technologies can operate effectively.

“HAPS are a gamechanger for the scientific community because they can linger over events, take high resolution data continuously in real time, and give a more accurate understanding of what may happen before, during, and after an event,” said Jonathan Stock, Director, USGS National Innovation Center.

The final launch of Sceye’s 2024 flight program completed a successful flight year and the full characterization of the vehicle, including achieving the important milestones of controlled relocation, full diurnal flight, and the ability to stay over an area of operation for long periods of time.

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With a focus on commercialization and endurance in 2025, Sceye will transition to testing the platform’s capacity to sustain long-duration “seasonal flights.” These missions will enable continuous monitoring during critical periods like wildfire season, supporting rapid response efforts with near real-time data on evolving threats.

Following a successful Series C round that raised the company’s pre-money valuation to $525 million, Sceye is advancing its mission to create world-changing solutions.

About Sceye

Founded in 2014, Sceye is an aerospace company dedicated to advancing stratospheric technology to connect people and protect the planet. Sceye leads the High-Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS) industry, focusing on universal connectivity, climate monitoring, natural resource management, and disaster prevention.

SOURCE Sceye

The science section of our news blog STM Daily News provides readers with captivating and up-to-date information on the latest scientific discoveries, breakthroughs, and innovations across various fields. We offer engaging and accessible content, ensuring that readers with different levels of scientific knowledge can stay informed. Whether it’s exploring advancements in medicine, astronomy, technology, or environmental sciences, our science section strives to shed light on the intriguing world of scientific exploration and its profound impact on our daily lives. From thought-provoking articles to informative interviews with experts in the field, STM Daily News Science offers a harmonious blend of factual reporting, analysis, and exploration, making it a go-to source for science enthusiasts and curious minds alike. https://stmdailynews.com/category/science/

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