• LAGRANGIAN
  • Posts
  • Breaking Space News: June 30 - July 6, 2024

Breaking Space News: June 30 - July 6, 2024

From Lunar Mysteries to Ancient Antarctic Rivers, Asteroid Encounters, and Martian Scars, as Kazakhstan and Botswana Step Up Their Involvement in Space Exploration, While the US Space Industry Prepares to Tackle Regulatory Changes.

Author

Lagrangian Despatch
July 07, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 31 minutes

Dear Lagrangian,

Thanks for joining us this week! We hope that you find this week’s installment interesting and entertaining to read. For the best reading experience, we recommend viewing this newsletter in your web browser. Anything that we missed? Please feel free to leave a message with us.

Enjoy reading!

 

SPACE GOVERNANCE

 

Kazakhstan Signs Up to Collaborate for China's Research Outpost on the Moon

In a significant move for lunar exploration, Kazakhstan has entered into a memorandum of cooperation with China on the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) initiative. This agreement, signed during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent visit to Kazakhstan, is one of 30 documents that aim to strengthen ties between the two nations.

The ILRS, led by the China National Space Administration (CNSA), aims to build a permanent lunar base in the 2030s, with precursor missions like Chang’e-7 and Chang’e-8 in the 2020s. This initiative runs parallel to NASA’s Artemis Program, supported by 42 countries. China plans to establish the International Lunar Research Station Cooperation Organization (ILRSCO) to manage the moon base and enhance commercial launch site access. Kazakhstan, diversifying from Russia, is emerging as a key player due to its strategic location and infrastructure like the Baikonur cosmodrome, Bleddyn Bowen, a space policy expert told SpaceNews.

The Soyuz rocket is erected into position at the launch pad March 24, 2009, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. (Credit: NASA)

With Kazakhstan becoming the 12th country to join the ILRS, China continues to expand its diplomatic reach in space exploration, challenging the U.S.'s influence through the Artemis Accords. Incidentally, Bahrain’s National Space Science Agency, an Artemis Accords signatory, and Egyptian Space Agency, will develop a hyperspectral imager for the Chang’e-7 mission.

Space Regulation in Flux: The Call for a National Space Act Amidst Regulatory Changes in US

In the US, the Chevron Doctrine had previously served as a cornerstone of contemporary administrative law, directing courts to defer to an agency’s interpretation of their authorizing statutes. In the wake of the US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the Chevron Doctrine may have significant implications for the regulation of commercial activities in outer space, and agencies like the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) may face challenges to their actions.

Courts in the US must now determine the extent of agency powers when statutes are ambiguous. While agencies retain the ability to make factual findings, especially on technical matters, their interpretations will no longer be as immune to legal challenges. James E. Dunstan, an expert in administrative and outer space law, writing for SpaceNews, argues that this shift is particularly relevant to space regulation because there is no National Space Act providing clear congressional direction. Agencies have been piecing together authority from pre-space age statutes, leading to a regulatory regime with gaps and overlaps. It also underscored the overreach of agencies like the FCC, which aims to regulate aspects of in-space servicing and manufacturing beyond spectrum use, and the FAA, which seeks to impose rules on rocket upper stages in orbit, despite congressional limitations.

Given the international implications of this ruling, it may be time for the US Congress to pass a National Space Act to define agency authority and establish guidelines for deference. As Dunstan points out, there is an imminent need to balance permissionless innovation with the precautionary principle to maintain American leadership in the cislunar economy. This decision could prompt Congress to provide a clear framework for commercial space development.

 

SPACE COMMERCE

 

Botswana’s First Satellite Mission with BIUST and EnduroSat

The Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST), is partnering with the Bulgarian cubesat manufacturer and operator, EnduroSat to build Botswana’s first satellite, named BOTSAT-1. It is scheduled to launch on SpaceX’s Transporter-13 mission no earlier than February 2025.

BOTSAT -1 and the partnership underscores the potential benefits of space technology for economic development and educational advancement in emerging space nations like Botswana. (Credit: EnduroSat)

BOTSAT-1 aims to support Botswana’s mining and agriculture sectors by using a hyperspectral camera payload to provide data on ground and soil composition. The sensor in the payload is designed to achieve a spatial resolution of 32 meters from an altitude of 500 kilometers, covering a swath of 32 kilometers. It captures various bands of light in the visible and near-infrared (VNIR) spectrum, which is reflected off the Earth’s surface, aiding in the identification of materials and monitoring of vegetation, water, and air quality.

This information is expected to aid local decision-makers in long-term planning and investments. The satellite marks a significant step for Botswana in diversifying its economy beyond diamond production, SpaceNews reports. The collaboration between EnduroSat and BIUST focuses on space education and technical training, with BIUST engineers joining EnduroSat in Bulgaria for the satellite’s assembly. BIUST plans to operate BOTSAT-1 from Botswana using EnduroSat’s software. This partnership aims to establish Botswana as a space hub, attract regional talent, and develop the space sector in Southern Africa.

China’s MinoSpace Secures $137 Million for Satellite Innovation

Chinese commercial satellite manufacturer MinoSpace has successfully raised over $137 million to expand its satellite design and production capabilities. This significant investment propels MinoSpace into the status of a ‘commercial space unicorn enterprise,’ with a valuation exceeding 1 billion yuan.

The funding, led by Wuxi Economic Development Zone Shangxian Industry Investment Fund, will be channeled towards major national and commercial missions, including satellite internet and Earth observation. MinoSpace, also known as Beijing Weina Star Technology Co., Ltd., aims to enhance its supply chain, invest in core technologies, and establish an efficient mass production line for satellites.

China’s Commercial Space Sector Growth
MinoSpace’s new satellite manufacturing base in Wuxi City supports the region’s goal to create a top-tier aerospace industry cluster. The city’s policies to boost commercial space activities aim to attract advanced technology and benefit the local economy. This aligns with China’s focus on commercial space as a key sector. Founded in 2017, MinoSpace produces over 50 satellites annually and has launched 24 satellites. The company is also expanding internationally with sales offices in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

Global Alliances and Strategies in Commercial Space Ventures, including Space Stations might ensure collaboration and competitiveness

As the International Space Station (ISS) approaches its decommissioning around 2030, the focus shifts to commercial space stations. Starlab Space, a joint venture involving Western ISS partners, exemplifies this transition. The company has evolved from a NASA-supported project to an international collaboration with Airbus, Mitsubishi Corporation, and Canada’s MDA Space, each bringing technical expertise and market access. Starlab Space’s strategy is to recreate the ISS’s international cooperation in a commercial setting. By involving companies from Canada, Europe, and Japan, Starlab aims to maintain the Western world’s sovereignty in space against competitors like China’s Tiangong station. This approach also addresses the reluctance of other space agencies to directly fund American space ventures, unlike in the past from the ISS’s barter system.

Private Sector Progress
Axiom Space, already active with private astronaut missions to the ISS, is preparing for its own commercial station. Collaborating with Thales Alenia Space and various national agencies, Axiom is expanding its reach. Notably, Boryung Corporation’s investment and the BRAX Space Corporation joint venture signify South Korea’s interest in Axiom’s endeavors. Vast Space, though a latecomer, is rapidly advancing with its single-module station, Haven-1, set for a 2025 launch. The company’s agreement with ESA and discussions with the European startup, The Exploration Company for cargo services, highlight its commitment to international cooperation and European integration.

An artist’s render of an inflatable space station module targeted for launch to the Axiom segment of the International Space Station at the end of 2024. (Credit: Axiom Space)

The Role of ESA and Cargo Vehicles
ESA’s involvement with commercial space stations is crucial, as demonstrated by its contracts with The Exploration Company and Thales Alenia Space for cargo vehicle design. These partnerships are vital for the success of commercial stations post-ISS, with ESA potentially acting as a significant client.

Cosmic Shielding to Safeguard Aethero’s Edge Computing Module from Radiation in next Space Mission

Cosmic Shielding Corp. (CSC), an Atlanta, US based startup is collaborating with San Francisco-based startup Aethero to launch a radiation-hardened edge computer into space. The device, which includes Nvidia’s Jetson Orin NX GPU, is set to be part of the SpaceX Falcon-9 Transporter-11 rideshare mission on July 10 from Vandenberg Space Force Base.

The edge computer will test CSC’s 3D-printed nanocomposite metal material, Plasteel, which has previously been evaluated on the ISS on an Axiom mission. This mission aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of Plasteel in safeguarding commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) components in space, potentially allowing space companies to utilize more readily available terrestrial technology.

“It’s going to be the fastest AI-capable chip in space.”

Yanni Barghouty, CSC co-founder and CEO, to SpaceNews.

The growth of the commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) space market is projected to grow from $1.9 billion in 2021 to $4.12 billion by 2032. An effective demonstration could make a case for future missions to opt out of using custom components specifically hardened against radiation for space use, and significantly reduce lead times and costs for space missions. Meanwhile, the advanced GPUs could enhance capabilities for Earth-observation, communications satellites, and in-space operations.Post-mission, Cosmic Shielding and Aethero are considering a joint line of computers for space applications.

Space Pioneer’s Tianlong-3 Rocket Misfires in Static Test

Chinese commercial space company Space Pioneer experienced a failure during a static-fire test of their two-stage Tianlong-3 (“Heavenly Dragon-3”) rocket’s first stage. The incident occurred at their Henan province facility on June 30, resulting in an unintended launch and subsequent explosion.

The test to verify the rocket’s capabilities failed when the stage detached from its hold-down clamps, soared, before plummeting back to Earth, causing a massive explosion due to the remaining propellant. Space Pioneer, also known as Beijing Tianbing Technology, attributed the failure to a structural issue at the test bench connection, leading to an automatic engine shutdown. No casualties were reported, and the company plans to analyze the failure and resume testing with new hardware soon.

This setback, amid China's recent lunar sample success and rocket debris concerns, could delay Space Pioneer’s orbital launch plans and hinder the development of Chinese megaconstellations. The reusable Tianlong-3, similar to SpaceX’s Falcon 9, is designed for significant payloads to low Earth orbit. Space Pioneer, which secured $207 million in funding this month, is the first Chinese commercial entity to reach orbit with Tianlong-2.

 

MILITARY IN SPACE

 

Turion secures Space Force’s SpaceWERX contract for developing Micro-Droid Satellites for Autonomous Debris Removal

Turion Space, a California based startup, has been awarded a $1.9 million contract by SpaceWERX, the U.S. Space Force’s tech division. The contract is focused on developing an autonomous system for docking and maneuvering spacecraft, with the goal of engaging uncooperative space objects and aiding in the deorbiting of inactive satellites.

Micro-Droid Satellites and Debris Removal
Co-founder and CEO Ryan Westerdahl emphasized Turion’s focus on in-space mobility and non-Earth imaging. Their first satellite, Droid.001, launched in June 2023, is already providing data to the Space Force’s Unified Data Library, for space situational awareness. Next, a 2026 demonstration will feature a Droid mothership deploying micro-Droid satellites with a capturing device, developed under a SpaceWERX contract and partially funded by NASA, to tackle space debris using grapplers.

Turion Space’s debris identification, capture and deorbiting workflow. (Credit: Turion Space, SpaceNews)

Revenue Through Payload Hosting
Turion aims to provide debris removal services but is currently focused on hosting space domain awareness payloads for steady income. The company offers three payload hosting options and will soon launch the larger Droid Alpha bus. By 2027, Turion plans to produce 45 satellites annually, featuring advanced ion thrusters developed with Desert Works Propulsion. The company has raised nearly $20 million in venture capital. Turion Space was co-founded in 2020 by former SpaceX engineer Ryan Westerdahl, Tyler James Pierce, and Patryk Wiatr.

Pentagon Taps Private Sector for Space Superiority with SpaceWERX
As the space race intensifies, the U.S. Space Force’s SpaceWERX is spearheading the Pentagon’s efforts to maintain a competitive edge in space technology. With a budget of approximately $460 million annually, SpaceWERX invests in startups and small businesses through research and development contracts.

SpaceWERX accelerates emerging space technologies from initial funding to commercial viability using SBIR/STTR (Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer) funds. Led by Arthur Grijalva, it announced five STRATFI agreements in 2024, partnering with the Defense Innovation Unit to fast-track innovations in areas like in-orbit surveillance and satellite maneuvering. Notable collaborations include a space demonstration with Rocket Lab and True Anomaly.

German Military and Airbus sign new $2.5 Billion Satellite Contract

The German Military has awarded Airbus Defense and Space with a contract worth $2.5 billion to deliver the next-generation SATCOMBw 3 (“Bundeswehr’s satellite communications system”) satellite. This project marks a major advancement in military satellite communications, promising increased bandwidth, enhanced security, and greater resilience.

The contract includes two geostationary satellites based on Airbus’ Eurostar Neo platform, ground segment upgrades, launch services, and 15 years of operational support. These satellites, weighing 6,000 kilograms each, are set to replace the aging SATCOMBw 2 system by the end of this decade.

The involvement of German suppliers such as OHB and other local companies emphasizes the program’s contribution to the national industry.

 

SPACE SCIENCE

 

NASA's COSI telescope will Study the Creation and Destruction of Matter and Antimatter, readies for SpaceX ride

NASA has awarded SpaceX a firm-fixed-price contract to launch the Compton Spectrometer and Imager (COSI) mission. The launch, scheduled for August 2027, will be carried out using SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

The COSI mission will study energetic phenomena in the Milky Way and beyond, focusing on the creation and destruction of matter and antimatter, as well as the final stages of the lives of stars. This wide-field gamma-ray telescope is set to probe the origins of the Milky Way’s galactic positrons, uncover the sites of nucleosynthesis in our galaxy, perform studies of gamma-ray polarization, and find counterparts to multi-messenger sources which refer to celestial phenomena or occurrences that emit various forms of signals, such as gravitational waves and electromagnetic radiation, allowing for a comprehensive study through different observational means

The mission represents a collaboration between several institutions, including the University of California, Berkeley’s Space Sciences Laboratory, the University of California, San Diego, the Naval Research Laboratory, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, and Northrop Grumman. With a total mission cost of $145 million, excluding the $69 million launch contract, COSI aims to enhance our understanding of cosmic processes through improved sensitivity, spectral resolution, angular resolution, and sky coverage.

ESA’s Mars Express explores Geological Formation to capture a Martian Scar

In the latest observations from ESA’s Mars Express, a striking geological feature known as Aganippe Fossa has been captured on the Martian surface. This trench-like formation, also referred to as a ‘graben,’ extends approximately 600 kilometers and is characterized by its steep walls.

This tan-coloured rectangle of Mars is bumpy and irregular in the left half, with numerous small mounds clustering together and a number of jagged grooves and ridges seen throughout. The right half of the frame is smoother and marked by zebra-like stripes, a result of windblown dust. A dark scar, reminiscent of a dashed line, emerges from the bottom-middle of the image and arcs round to the middle-right. (Credit: ESA/DLR/FU Berlin)

A key shows that lower altitude land is coloured purple/blue, then we move through green and red to the highest altitude land in white/brown. (Credit: ESA/DLR/FU Berlin)

It intriguingly intersects the lower regions of Arsia Mons, one of the largest volcanoes on Mars, 435 kilometers wide and over 9 kilometers high, which is part of the Tharsis region—a volcanic hotspot that includes the Solar System’s tallest volcano, Olympus Mons. Aganippe Fossa likely formed from the stretching and fracturing of Mars's crust due to magma beneath the Tharsis volcanoes.

Imagery from the High Resolution Stereo Camera on Mars Express reveals two terrain types around Arsia Mons: 'hummocky' with mounds and valleys, and 'lobate' with sloping cliffs and rocky debris. These formations, part of the volcano’s aureole at its base, are linked to ancient glacial activity. The aureole, present only on the northwestern flank, was likely shaped by prevailing winds affecting ice distribution.

This map shows a patch of Mars with two volcanos marked. Also indicated is a long white rectangle labelled 'HRSC orbit 25 189' and a smaller rectangle within. Inside the smaller rectangle, we see the label 'Aganippe Fossa'. The colouring of the map provides information about the height of the land, with the highest land shown in white and the lowest in green. The area marked with the small rectangle is red. (Credit: NASA/MGS/MOLA Science Team)

The region's surface shows patterns from windblown dust, sand, and remnants of lava flows. Mars Express, operational since 2003, studies Mars's surface, atmosphere, and subsurface, greatly enhancing our understanding. The HRSC has revealed diverse landscapes like ridges, sinkholes, craters, and ancient lava pools, enriching our knowledge of Mars's geology and environment. The mission, led by the German Aerospace Center (DLR), has been notably productive in exploring and assessing Mars.

Antarctica’s Fossilized River System may hold clues to Predicting Future Climate Changes

Geologists have unearthed the remnants of an ancient river system beneath the West Antarctic ice sheet, revealing a once-thriving waterway that extended nearly a thousand miles. This finding provides a window into Earth’s climatic past and offers insights into potential future climate scenarios.

The research, led by sedimentologist Johann Klages of the Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Center for Polar and Marine Research in Germany, stems from a 2017 expedition aboard the research icebreaker Polarstern. The team employed advanced seafloor drilling equipment to extract sediment cores from the frozen seabed, which yielded layers from two distinct geological periods.

Getz Ice Shelf of the Amundsen Sector, West Antarctica, and sea ice offshore. (Credit: NASA/USGS, processed by Dr. Frazer Christie, Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge - for representational purposes, not related to the research described here)

Analysis of these layers showed that the lower sediment, dating back to the mid-Cretaceous period about 85 million years ago, contained fossils indicative of a temperate rainforest. The upper layer, from the mid-to-late Eocene epoch roughly 30 to 40 million years ago, exhibited stratified patterns characteristic of a river delta, akin to those found in the Mississippi River or Rio Grande.

Overview map of West Antarctica. The map shows the subglacial topography of the study area (68), including major geological units and tectonic structures (5, 8, 13, 73) as well as the proposed (schematic) location of the Eocene river system. Inset map shows the position of the figure on the Antarctic continent. The black square refers to the location of the map in Fig. 2. Abbreviations: AP, Antarctic Peninsula; AT, Adare Trough; EWM, Ellsworth-Whitmore Mountains; MBL, Marie Byrd Land; MMR, Mt. Murphy Rift; NVL, North Victoria Land; PB, Prydz Bay; TIB, Thurston Island Block. (Credit: DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adn6056)

The discovery of a unique molecule in sediment, linked to freshwater cyanobacteria, confirmed an ancient river's existence. Researchers traced the river from the Transantarctic Mountains to the Amundsen Sea, spanning about 930 miles. This finding aids scientists in studying past climate events and underscores the importance of understanding Earth's history to predict future climate changes, especially with current CO2 levels nearing those of the late Eocene. The team is now analyzing Oligocene-Miocene core sediments to refine climate models further.

NASA’s Radar Tracks Close Approaches of Near-Earth Asteroids

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) successfully tracked two significant asteroids as they made their close approaches to Earth. The first, asteroid 2011 UL21, approximately a mile wide, passed by at a safe distance of about 17 times the distance between the Moon and Earth on June 27. This was the first time radar imaging was possible for this asteroid, despite its discovery in 2011. The observations confirmed that 2011 UL21 poses no foreseeable threat to our planet.

The Goldstone Solar System Radar, part of NASA’s Deep Space Network, made these observations of the recently discovered 500-foot-wide (150-meter-wide) asteroid 2024 MK, which made its closest approach — within about 184,000 miles (295,000 kilometers). (Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech)

Because close approaches by asteroids the size of 2024 MK are relatively rare, JPL’s planetary radar team gathered as much information about the near-Earth object as possible. This mosaic shows the spinning asteroid in one-minute increments about 16 h. (Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech)

The second asteroid, designated 2024 MK, is about 500 feet wide and made a much closer pass within 184,000 miles of Earth on June 29. This proximity provided an exceptional opportunity for JPL’s planetary radar team to gather detailed information about its physical properties. The radar images revealed an elongated and angular shape with distinct surface features such as concavities, ridges, and boulders.

Both asteroids were observed using the Goldstone Solar System Radar, part of NASA’s Deep Space Network. Notably, 2011 UL21 was found to be a binary system with a small moon orbiting it. The discovery of such binary systems is crucial as they offer insights into the formation of these celestial bodies. The close approach of 2024 MK, a relatively rare event, resulted in a slight alteration of its orbit due to Earth’s gravity, shortening its orbital period around the Sun by 24 days. Despite being classified as potentially hazardous, 2024 MK is not considered a threat for the foreseeable future.

 

RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT

 

Investigating the Origins of Lunar Swirls, New Study proposes alternative Theory

In a recent study, experimental petrologists at Washington University in St. Louis, US (WashU) have conducted laboratory experiments to investigate the origins of lunar swirls—mysterious, light-colored features on the Moon’s surface. These swirls, visible even through backyard telescopes, appear as sinuous, brushstroke-like patterns that extend for hundreds of miles. NASA’s spacecraft data has revealed that rocks within these swirls are magnetized, causing them to deflect solar wind particles and remain lighter in color compared to their darkened surroundings. The question of how these rocks became magnetized is intriguing, especially since the Moon currently lacks a magnetic field.

NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) captured lunar swirl Reiner Gamma, a bright patch amid the otherwise dark Oceanus Procellarum mare. While visible from a backyard telescope, LRO’s view from orbit reveals tendrils that extend for several hundred kilometers. (Credit: NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center/Arizona State University)

Michael J. Krawczynski, an associate professor at WashU, suggests that meteorite impacts delivering iron-rich material to the Moon’s surface could cause magnetization, though the exact mechanism for some swirls remains uncertain. Krawczynski’s team, including recent PhD graduate Yuanyuan Liang, explored an alternative theory involving underground lavas cooling slowly in a magnetic field, potentially creating magnetic anomalies. Their research focused on ilmenite, a mineral abundant on the Moon, which can form magnetizable iron particles under specific conditions. The study found that smaller ilmenite grains are more likely to undergo the necessary reduction reaction for magnetization due to their larger surface area to volume ratio.

Understanding lunar swirls is crucial for insights into the Moon's surface, magnetic history, and planetary impacts on space environments. This research will help interpret data from future missions like NASA’s 2025 Lunar Vertex mission. Krawczynski’s experiments are currently the best way to test hypotheses about subsurface lava affecting lunar swirls until direct exploration is possible.

A New Study suggests using the Ionosphere as a Dark Matter Detector

In a recent theoretical study, researchers have proposed that Earth’s ionosphere could be the key to detecting elusive dark matter. The study suggests that as Earth moves through a hypothetical ocean of ultralight dark matter, interactions between dark matter waves and plasma waves in the ionosphere could generate detectable radio waves.

The ionosphere, a plasma-rich layer of the upper atmosphere, is known for its natural wave activity. The study’s models indicate that under certain conditions, when the frequency of dark matter waves aligns with that of plasma waves, a resonance effect could amplify the interaction, leading to the production of radio waves. This phenomenon would be rare, but with a finely tuned radio antenna and a year-long observation period, scientists believe it might be possible to capture these signals.

Aurora and airglow are seen from the International Space Station in 2015. (Credit: NASA/JSC/ESRS)

This approach offers several advantages: the ionosphere’s natural reflection of many radio waves reduces background noise, and its proximity to Earth makes it an accessible and constantly monitored environment. While the existence of such ultralight dark matter is highly theoretical, and the observation technique requires further development, the potential to study one of the universe’s most mysterious components from our own backyard is an exciting prospect for astronomers and physicists alike.

The study adds to the ongoing efforts to understand dark matter, which is thought to constitute a significant portion of the universe’s mass. Despite its pervasive influence on galactic structures and cosmic evolution, dark matter remains undetected by conventional means due to its weak interaction with light and ordinary matter. If successful, this new method could provide a groundbreaking way to observe dark matter directly, shedding light on one of the cosmos’ greatest mysteries.

The study was carried out in the Department of Theoretical Physics in University of Geneva, Switzerland and CERN, and the paper can be found here.

Newfound Satellite Dwarf Galaxies shed light on Dark Matter's interactions with Milky Way

In a recent breakthrough, astronomers have made significant progress in addressing the “missing satellites problem” which has puzzled scientists for years. The standard dark matter model predicts a certain number of satellite galaxies orbiting the Milky Way, but observations have consistently fallen short. However, an international research team utilizing data from the Hyper Suprime-Cam (HSC) Subaru Strategic Program (SSP) telescope in Hawaii, has discovered two new satellite galaxies, named Virgo III and Sextans II.

The position of a newly found dwarf galaxy (Virgo III) in the constellation Virgo (left) and its member stars (right; those circled in white). The member stars are concentrated inside the dashed line in the right panel. (Credit: NAOJ/Tohoku University)

Renowned for its ability to detect distant and faint celestial bodies, the telescope adds to the seven previously identified satellite galaxies, bringing the total count to nine. The discovery challenges the standard model of cosmology, the “lambda cold dark matter model” (Λ CDM), which among other things assumes dark matter particles move slower than light. The Λ CDM predicts hundreds of satellite galaxies around major galaxies like the Milky Way and Andromeda, but only a fraction have been observed. In the case of Milky Way, the number is significantly lower than the 220 predicted by Λ CDM.

Satellite galaxies around the Milky Way Galaxy. The plane of the Galactic disk is on the horizontal plane. The blue squares are the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds, and the red circles are other satellite galaxies. The fainter their absolute visual magnitude, the smaller the dot size. (Credit: NAOJ/Tohoku University)

Dark matter’s interaction with gravity allows scientists to infer its presence, as it influences the motion and dynamics of visible matter. Large galaxies are believed to be enveloped by vast halos of dark matter, extending beyond their visible components. The Λ CDM suggests these halos were crucial in galaxy evolution, drawing in gas and dust to form stars and eventually merging to create larger galaxies.

Interestingly, the research suggests that if the distribution of satellite galaxies found within the HSC-SSP’s (which has a small field of view) footprint is representative of the entire Milky Way, there could be as many as 500 satellite galaxies. This presents a new challenge: the "too many satellites problem." To resolve this, further high-resolution imaging and analyses are being planned.

The Subaru Telescope, Hawaii. (Credit: Tohoku University)

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile is set to discover more satellite galaxies. Professor Masashi Chiba of Tohoku University expects these efforts to greatly advance our cosmic understanding.

Despatch Out. 👽🛸