Tag: space

New FireSat Set to Transform Wildfire Detection and Response

Posted on by U-M Space Institute
Chris Ruf with students
The first prototype of the FireSat constellation launched into low-Earth orbit in March, paving the way for a large network of satellites that will help enhance wildfire detection, mitigation and response around the world. The entire constellation will eventually consist of 50 satellites that will use infrared cameras to detect and track wildfires from space. They will also use a next-generation Global Navigation Satellite System Reflectometry (GNSS-R) receiver that can measure soil and vegetation moisture based on how the surface reflects GPS microwaves, harnessing signals already bouncing off the Earth from navigation satellites.

Small, Faint and ‘Unexpected in a Lot of Different Ways’: U-M Astronomers Make Galactic Discovery

Posted on by U-M Space Institute
galaxy
A discovery made by a team led by researchers at the University of Michigan tugs at the seams of some key cosmic lessons we thought we had learned from our own galaxy. This dwarf galaxy, named Andromeda XXXV and located roughly 3 million light-years away, is forcing astronomers to rethink how galaxies evolve in different cosmic environments and survive different epochs of the universe.

“Former NASA Rocket Scientist Aisha Bowe to Make History as Crew Member on Blue Origin’s First All-Woman Spaceflight”

Posted on by U-M Space Institute

In an article for BecauseOfThemWeCan.com, Aisha Bowe, a U-M Climate & Space alumna, talks about her announcement that she will be part of Blue Origin’s NS-31 mission, making history as one of six women flying together on the 11th human spaceflight of New Shepard. She was featured in the article “Former NASA Rocket Scientist Continue Reading »

“U-M Department of Astronomy’s First Satellite Launch Could Pave the Way for Exoplanet Discoveries”

Posted on by U-M Space Institute

In an article for The Michigan Daily, Dr. John Monnier, a professor at the University of Michigan Department of Astronomy, talks about the STARI Mission and how interferometers in space could allow scientists to study exoplanets in greater detail than they are currently able with existing technology. He was interviewed in the article “U-M Continue Reading »

U-M Awarded up to $7.5M to Bring Heat-Tolerant Semiconductors From Lab to Fab

Posted on by U-M Space Institute
silicon chip
Heat-resistant sensing and computing chips made of silicon carbide could advance aircraft, electric and gas-powered vehicles, renewable energy, defense and space exploration—and University of Michigan researchers are leading a multimillion dollar collaborative effort to bring more of them to market. Funded by the Silicon Crossroads Microelectronics Commons Hub, the project is launching with $2.4 million in initial funding, and could receive up to $7.5 million over three years.