Satellites currently use radio waves to exchange data. Now the data rate has been increased a hundredfold by using lasers instead of radio signals. Two test satellites each carried a diode laser pump module developed with the help of Fraunhofer researchers.

An updated version of the Global Assimilation of Ionospheric Measurements (GAIM) model went operational at the Air Force Weather Agency (AFWA) on February 22, 2008. The operational GAIM program has been under development since 1999 by the U.S. Department of Defense and is managed by the Naval Research Laboratory’s (NRL) Space Science Division. This new version of GAIM is capable of ingesting ultraviolet (UV) data sets from DMSP satellites.

The European Space Agency (ESA) is set to launch the Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) satellite this fall as researchers try to learn more about the amount of moisture in the ground in the United States and around the world.

The solar space observatory Hinode was launched in September 2006 [1], with the name "Hinode" meaning sunrise in Japanese.

ESA's Artemis data relay satellite, controlled from Fucino (Italy) and with its mission control centre and Earth terminal located at Redu (Belgium), is providing communications between the Jules Verne ATV and the ATV Control Centre in Toulouse (France).

The Vanguard I satellite celebrates its 50th birthday this year. Its launch on March 17, 1958 from Cape Canaveral, Florida, culminated the efforts of America’s first official space satellite program begun in September 1955.

Radio waves accelerate electrons within Jupiter’s magnetic field in the same way as they do on Earth, according to new research published in Nature Physics this week. The discovery overturns a theory that has held sway for more than a generation and has important implications for protecting Earth-orbiting satellites.

Nokia has opened a satellite design studio in Rio de Janeiro reflecting the increasing impact Latin American style and culture is expected to have on the future design of mobile devices and services.

The United States has tried to reassure Russia that a missile strike against a failed American spy satellite late Wednesday was not a test for the controversial missile defense system Washington wants to build in the Czech Republic and Poland. Stefan Bos reports that U.S. Acting Undersecretary for Arms Control and International Security, John Rood, made the comments in Budapest after talks with Russian officials.

While China, India and Russia Accelerate Space Programs Increased Worldwide Launch Failures Affect Commercial Satellite Launch Schedule.

The Second Young Engineers’ Satellite (YES2) was activated and separated from the Foton-M3 spacecraft earlier today. The tether deployed for 8.5 km, after which the Fotino capsule was released on its way to Earth.

Researchers have used a new technique to save $60 million for broadcasters by extending the service life of two communications satellites.