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military space

Earth Satellites

Polyus: the Real Death Star?

While suspicion, fear, and fantasy, at times were closely associated with the Cold War period in terms of how the USA and the USSR viewed one another’s respective actions, it became clear that space projects were not exempt from this mutual scrutiny either. One such project which did little to Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 10 yearsNovember 5, 2015 ago
The Future

Space Guns!

Have you ever stopped and really thought about the possibility of finding life in the universe or maybe that extra-terrestrial life finding us! And then, when they find us, what if they aren’t exactly friendly and they want our planet for some super evil plan so they decide to have Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 10 yearsAugust 11, 2015 ago
Concept Spacecraft

XS-1: Spaceplane of the Future?

The good news first: a major aerospace contractor is researching how to build a reusable spaceplane that could dramatically cut the cost of accessing low Earth orbit. Now the bad news: it is purely for military users and cannot carry people.     Aerospace giant Northrop Grumman has won a Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 11 yearsAugust 20, 2014 ago
Universe

Space and Astronomy Around the World

Astronomy is a science that knows no borders. Everyone around the world can look up to the sky and see the Universe in front of them, providing the glare from city pollution doesn’t spoil the view. In the past scholars from around the world have theorised and pondered about our Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 11 years ago
Earth Satellites

The Real Mystery Satellites

There are thought be thousands of satellites in working order in orbit around the Earth. If the count was to include all Earth satellites including broken parts and discarded pieces, there are thought to be 21,000 pieces of space junk greater than 10cm across up there. If we include fragments Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 12 years ago
Human Exploration

Cleaning Up the Final Frontier

Our attempts to reach out into space and learn as much as we can about our Universe and also learn much more about the workings of our beautiful Blue Planet has come at a cost and the space agencies around the world have not ignored the growing space “graveyard” encompassing Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 12 yearsNovember 29, 2013 ago
UFOs and Fringe Science

The Truth About the Black Knight Satellite Mystery

There are around 3000 human-made satellites in working order around the Earth, however if the debris of old and damaged satellites are taken into account the number increases dramatically. Ever since the Soviet Union launched the very first artificial satellite into orbit in 1957, various countries around the world have Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 12 yearsJuly 18, 2013 ago
IMAGE of extreme skydive
Human Exploration

14 Amazing Spacesuits

Spacesuits or suits for space. The name appears explicitly clear. However as there is no definitive boundary marking the edge of Earth’s gradually diminishing atmosphere and the start of space, apart from a few more incontrovertible examples in our mind’s eye, we may feel that the actual parameters of the Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 12 yearsFebruary 19, 2013 ago
X-37 artist impression
Rockets

X-37: Speculation, Secrets and Espionage?

The Boeing X-37, also called the Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV), is an unmanned American spacecraft.  Its first orbital mission was on 22 April 2010 returning back to Earth on 3 December 2010.  A second X-37 was launched on 5 March 2011 and has not yet returned to Earth at time Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 13 yearsMay 10, 2012 ago
Concept Spacecraft

Nazis in Space: The Truth about Hitler’s Space Program

Has lurid fiction like the movie Iron Sky any basis in fact?  Everyone knows that WW2 Germany developed rockets far in advance of the Allies, but some argue that in 1945 the Third Reich was on the verge of developing a space program!   Ever since Adolf Hitler’s ‘Thousand Year’ Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 14 yearsJune 23, 2011 ago
Image of C-1057 concept
Concept Spacecraft

10 Space Shuttles which never flew

NASA’s Space Shuttles have become a familar sight in their thirty years of service, but there have been other shuttle designs which never left the ground.Some were ingenious alternative concepts to the vehicle which is shortly to be retired, some were potential replacements and there was even a couple of Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 14 yearsMay 12, 2011 ago
Image of X-37
Rockets

X-37: Secrets of the Pentagon’s spaceship

X-37: a spaceplane developed in secret for classified missions in Earth orbit. It sounds like something from a Cold War techno-thriller novel but the United States Air force’s X-37B is a real project and it is flying today. Tracy McConnell reveals the truth. (For more up to date information on Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 14 yearsApril 5, 2011 ago
Concept Spacecraft

Rods from god: a terrifying space weapon?

“Rods from God” is the nick-name given to a hypothetical orbital weapon for bombarding targets on the Earth from space. Just how feasible is this concept?   There are undeniable links between the spaceflight and military communities but apart from a few tests of anti-satellite weapons, the odd armed space Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 15 yearsSeptember 27, 2010 ago
Rockets

Blue Streak: the UK’s Cold War rocket

The Blue Streak rocket was an advanced British missile of the 1950s which nearly became a space rocket before ending up a casualty of government apathy. Let’s look at Blue Streak’s rise and fall.     These days most British economists agree that designing and manufacturing things are rather icky Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 15 yearsSeptember 22, 2010 ago
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RSS Intergalactic Craic
  • S3Ep6 - Intergalactic Craic On The Road
    Welcome to a very special edition of Intergalactic Craic where we take it on the road! Join Rok, Zuri, Alice, and Andrew as they venture half way around the world to attend the ACM2023 conference in Flagstaff Arizona!
  • S3Ep5 - Craic with all these moons?
    Heather and her new co-host Dr Rok are back! Taking time out of their busy schedules they have recorded an episode all about the dramatic increase to the number of moons of the gas giants Jupiter and Saturn! They also delve into their own busy schedules and explain everything there is to know about AOP's […]
  • S3Ep4 - Wee Bitta Craic: Bout Ye Alice?
    This month is the final 'getting to know you' episode of Intergalactic Craic: Wee Bitta Craic. Ethan and Zuri interview Alice and ask her all about how she came to be doing her PhD at AOP. Find out this and more in this info packed episode!
Welcome to Astronotes

Hello and welcome to Astronotes, the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium’s official blog. Here you will find the latest news and views from all those who work in our organisation, from the fascinating worlds of astronomy and space exploration. We hope you will come here to learn what is hot and exciting, profound or even weird from worlds beyond ours . So that's the introduction out of the way, now on with the Universe!

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