Satellites
Satellites can be organised into two groups, natural and artificial. An example of a natural satellite, a body that orbits a planet, is the Moon. Artificial satellites are man-made and placed into orbit around Earth by humans, and without them modern day life would grind to a halt. There are many types of satellite such as communications, navigation, weather, observation and space telescopes The International Space Station is also a satellite.

NASA to test giant slingshot designed to fling satellites into orbit

The space agency has partnered with private company SpinLaunch, who say their unique spinning mechanism could help cut the cost and environmental impact of small satellite launches.
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Space Junk: Is it a disaster waiting to happen?

Experts are calling for urgent action before debris floating in orbit around the Earth triggers a runaway cascade of collisions known as the Kessler Syndrome.
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Does anyone control where satellites are launched into space?

Astrophysicist Dr Alastair Gunn explains why changes may be needed to stop satellites colliding in space.
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In pictures: Virgin air-launched rocket carries 10 ‘CubeSat’ satellites into orbit

It is the first orbital class, air-launched, liquid-fuelled rocket to reach space.
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'Space hurricane' observed above the North Pole

The space hurricane was detected in the Earth's upper atmosphere and 'rained electrons' over the North Pole for nearly eight hours.
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Elon Musk's Starlink gives "amazing" broadband to UK villages

The controversial constellation is expected to grow to tens of thousands of satellites, covering the globe by 2022.
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How swarm spacecraft could help us understand Earth like never before

Small, simple, cheap satellites are being developed to explore and study space in new ways. If we deploy them in vast swarms, these ‘CubeSats’ could change the way we see and protect our planet.
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Elephant populations surveyed from space using artificial intelligence

The world-first study opens the door to more effective methods of monitoring the movements of endangered species.
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UK-built nanosatellites set for launch

The satellites will monitor shipping movements from low-Earth orbit.
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We don't know where over 75 per cent of orbital debris actually came from

Orbital debris threatens our satellites, but these items are not being monitored closely enough say astronomers.
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Shoebox-sized satellites built in the UK to be launched this month

The nanosatellites have on-board technology that can predict the locations of boats and track their whereabouts.
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Controversial SpaceX Starlink satellites trial dark coating

Astronomers are fearful of having dark skies spoiled by hundreds and, eventually, thousands of bright satellites circling overhead.
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CHEOPS: ESA satellite mission to help us understand exoplanets launches

ESA's CHaracterising ExoPlanet Satellite mission could help us discover potentially habitable planets beyond our Solar System
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CHEOPS, ESA's exoplanet-studying satellite, launched successfully

The CHEOPS mission seeks to examine planets orbiting bright stars relatively close to our Solar System.
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Proposed ESA 'satellite embracer' scoops up hazardous space debris

Other options for dealing with space debris include casting a net over objects or using a harpoon.
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Parker Solar Probe discovers 'strange' and 'unexpected' flips in Sun's magnetic field

The spacecraft’s mission is to help scientists unlock the mysteries of the Sun’s volatile atmosphere.
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Japanese space probe starts year-long journey home from asteroid

The Japanese space probe has left its orbit around the asteroid Ryugu, about 180 million miles from Earth.
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SpaceX successfully launches more mini-satellites

SpaceX is among several companies interested in providing broadband internet coverage worldwide.
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The new arms race above our heads

Forget the traditional battlegrounds of land, sea and air. Rapid developments in technology and our reliance on satellites for everything from communication to navigation are pushing conflicts into a new arena: outer space.
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10 NASA sounds that’ll whisk you off into space

Ever since the 1950s, NASA has been collecting sounds from its pioneering missions. The space agency uploaded over 60 audio clips to its SoundCloud page, so we've picked out some of our favourites. Put on your headphones and let us take you into space!
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The controversial satellite constellation

SpaceX’s ambitious project to provide broadband connections to hard-to-reach areas of the planet has got some commentators worried about light pollution, space junk and the future of astronomy.
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Does the debris around Earth affect the atmosphere?

There's a lot of space junk up there orbiting the planet, but what effect is it having?
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The Digital Silk Road - China's $200 billion project

China’s expansion of its digital communications infrastructure will have global implications in the years to come.
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UK spaceport: the rocket revolution close to home

The site has been chosen and building will soon begin on what will become Britain's first spaceport. We look into exactly what we're likely to be launching in The Great British Blast Off!
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