Aviation & Aerospace News

  1. Visualizing Combustion Dynamics: NASA And High-Speed Cameras 10/17/2023

    Combustion is a chemical process in which a substance reacts with oxygen to give off heat. Burning a candle, a fire in a fireplace, pressing the gas pedal … these are a few everyday examples of the result of combustion, all of which happen faster than the eye can see. NASA, however, can precisely and accurately study combustion through the use of high-speed cameras.

  2. Using IR At The Border To Fight … The Canadian Cartel? 10/12/2023

    Infrared is used at the border for surveillance, detecting people or vehicles crossing the border, and detecting disguises at security checkpoints. Could it have helped take down the Maple Mafia?

  3. The Wow! Signal: 72 Seconds That Still Remain A Mystery 9/7/2023

    The "Wow! signal" is the name given to a strong and unusual radio signal detected by Dr. Jerry R. Ehman on August 15, 1977. This signal was detected at Ohio State University's Big Ear radio telescope, which was used for the SETI program. The Wow! signal is notable for being one of the most famous and intriguing potential instances of a signal from an extraterrestrial civilization.

  4. Nuclear Dreams: The Race To Build Project Orion 9/6/2023

    ​Project Orion was a conceptual design for a spacecraft propulsion system that was developed during the late 1950s and early 1960s. Ambitious and innovative, the project's goal was to develop a spacecraft capable of carrying humans to distant destinations – including Mars and beyond – using nuclear explosions for propulsion.

  5. SWIR, MWIR, And LWIR: One Use Case For Each 8/31/2023

    SWIR, MWIR, and LWIR describe different ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum, primarily in the context of infrared (IR) radiation. All three correspond to a specific range of wavelengths within the IR spectrum, and they are commonly used in various applications including remote sensing, thermal imaging, and spectroscopy.

  6. NASA, ESA, And Space Photonics 8/21/2023

    The history of photonics began in 1960 with the invention of the laser. Two years later the first laser echoes reflected off the moon. Thus began the field of space photonics, enhancing on-board data handling, high-resolution measurement systems, processing units, and more.

  7. How NASA Uses High-Speed Cameras During Launch And In Flight 8/18/2023

    Artemis I was an uncrewed test flight that orbited and flew beyond the moon in late 2022. The primary goals of the mission were to demonstrate Orion's systems in a spaceflight environment and ensure a safe re-entry, descent, splashdown, and recovery. Let’s take a look at the cameras used to capture Artemis I’s launch and flight.

  8. The Cobots Are Coming! The Cobots Are Coming! 8/7/2023

    Using 2D or 3D vision to guide robots can improve flexibility and lower costs in various industrial applications. With the rise of collaborative robots, also known as cobots, there are now more opportunities to integrate machine vision into the work environment.

  9. Come On Baby Track My Wildfire 6/14/2023

    The recent rash of wildfires burning in Canada has drawn attention to a problem that most experts agree is only going to get worse over the coming months and years. Many technologies are being used to help fight these wildfires, including infrared.

  10. Want To Colonize Space? You're Going To Need Artificial Photosynthesis 6/9/2023

    When humans colonize space, where will we start: Mars, Earth’s Moon, or another celestial body? And what should be done on that body: residences, industrialization, or another purpose? Regardless of where we start and for what purpose, space colonization will require a plethora of technologies, including artificial photosynthesis.