Reuters Science News Summary
Following is a summary of current science news briefs.
China's Geespace launches 10 low-orbit satellites, eyeing Starlink
Geespace, a company backed by Chinese automaker Geely, said on Friday it launched a third batch of satellites as part of its plan to form a megaconstellation it described as China's equivalent of U.S. firm SpaceX's Starlink. The 10 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites were launched from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre, located in the northern province of Shanxi, Geespace said in a statement.
Electric seaweed fuels pursuit of algae power in Chile
Slimy, green seaweed floats in water-filled beakers, buckets and bins in the University of Santiago's labs, algae which scientists in the Chilean capital are trying to turn into an efficient power source. Their field is biophotovoltaics, which uses a photosynthetic organism such as seaweed to convert light into electrical energy. The scientists spread the seaweed onto electrodes on biophotovoltaic panels, similar to the solar type.
Europe launches last Vega rocket with observation satellite
Europe's Arianespace has launched the last Vega rocket, placing the Sentinel-2C satellite into orbit under the European Union's Copernicus program to monitor Earth's environment. The slender single-body rocket, which does not have boosters strapped to its side unlike larger vehicles, streaked into the night sky at a launch base in French Guiana at 10.50 p.m. local time on Sept 4 (0150 GMT on Sept 5), streamed images showed.
Explainer-What is helium and why is it used in rockets?
Two NASA astronauts aboard Boeing's Starliner will stay on the International Space Station for months because of a faulty propulsion system whose problems included helium leaks. Back on Earth, SpaceX's Polaris Dawn mission has been delayed because of helium issues on ground equipment. Boeing's Starliner spacecraft landed uncrewed in a New Mexico desert late on Friday.
Without astronauts, Boeing's Starliner returns to Earth
Boeing's Starliner spacecraft landed uncrewed in a New Mexico desert late on Friday, capping a three-month test mission hobbled by technical issues that forced the astronauts it had flown to the International Space Station to remain there until next year. NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who became the first crew to fly Starliner in June, remained on the ISS as Starliner autonomously undocked at 6:04 p.m. ET (2204 GMT) on Friday, beginning a six-hour trek to Earth using maneuvering thrusters that NASA last month deemed too risky for a crew.
