Post the Covid pandemic, the Emirates has emerged as one of the most popular spots for destination weddings
uae6 hours ago
Nasa is debating whether to try to fix a jammed solar panel on its newly launched Lucy spacecraft, en route to explore an unprecedented number of asteroids.
The problem cropped up shortly after the spacecraft’s October 16 liftoff on a 12-year journey.
After measuring the electric current this week, Nasa reported on Wednesday that one of Lucy’s two giant, circular solar panels is only between 75 per cent and 95 per cent extended. A lanyard is holding it in place.
Any attempt at reopening the wing — which is 24 feet in diameter (7 metres) — would not occur before mid-November.
So far, the problem has not affected Lucy’s outbound flight, so there’s no rush to figure out the next step, officials said. Everything else on the spacecraft — already 6 million kilometres away — is working properly.
The mission’s lead scientist, Hal Levison of Southwest Research Institute, said the team is encouraged that the combined power from both solar panels “is keeping the spacecraft healthy and functioning”.
“It’s too early to determine longer range implications to the entire mission,” Levison said in an email Thursday. While the problem is concerning, “our team is working this very diligently and carefully to find a workable solution”.
The nearly $1 billion mission seeks to explore seven so-called Trojan asteroids that share Jupiter’s orbit around the sun and another space rock closer to home. Lucy should swoop within 965 kilometres of each target.
Post the Covid pandemic, the Emirates has emerged as one of the most popular spots for destination weddings
uae6 hours ago
It bears the name 'Dubai' in Arabic and dates back to the 1960s
uae6 hours ago
The quake occurred at 3.03am local time
uae6 hours ago
Debutant and |Dubai amateur Oscar Craig makes the cut on a tough day dominated by warm winds
sports10 hours ago
In a packed leaderboard the tied second place was decided on a card countback with the Emirates Golf Federation 2 Team prevailing
golf11 hours ago
Chief organiser Tony Estanguet says the goal is to organise a 'spectacular but also more responsible Games which will contribute towards a more inclusive society'
sports12 hours ago
Hag will hopeful Luke Shaw, Anthony Martial and Lisandro Martinez will return before the season's end
sports12 hours ago
The menu is designed to showcase a diverse array of India's most popular snacks
kt network12 hours ago