The Israeli component at the peak of the Mars journey: This week in space
An Israeli computer contributes to the Perseverance rover's record-breaking journey, an Israeli radiation shield proves effective, a Chinese rocket explodes, progress is made in saving the Swift space telescope, and Elon Musk shares ambitious plans for SpaceX.
A Record on Mars
The American Mars rover Perseverance is set to break the record for wheeled travel outside of Earth next week. The vehicle, which began its mission in February 2021, will surpass the 45.16-kilometer cumulative distance recorded by the Opportunity rover during its 14-year mission. A significant advantage for Perseverance is its radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG), which allows it to operate year-round, unlike its predecessors that relied on solar energy.
A key factor in this success is the improvement in computing power. Perseverance travels about 90% of its route autonomously, utilizing sophisticated cameras and advanced image processing algorithms. Part of these capabilities is provided by an Israeli component: the Comex-IE-38 computer from the Yokneam-based company C-LAB (formerly Compulab). This credit-card-sized device is resistant to extreme temperatures and effectively processes data in the harsh Martian environment.
Success for Israeli Protection
The protective vest developed by the Israeli company StemRad to shield astronauts from particle radiation proved effective during the Artemis 1 mission. A study published in Science Advances found that such a vest could reduce radiation exposure by 40–60% during intense solar storms.
Chinese Rocket Explosion
A Chinese Long March 7A rocket exploded on Monday shortly after launch from the Wenchang space base. This was the 18th launch attempt for this model, interrupting a streak of 16 successful missions. Experts suspect a structural failure occurred near the Max-Q point, where the rocket experiences peak mechanical stress.
Saving the Swift Telescope
Catalyst has made progress in its rescue mission for the Swift space telescope. Following a malfunction in the rescue craft's reaction wheels, engineers successfully updated the software. The craft is expected to dock with the telescope in the coming weeks and boost it to a higher orbit, preventing it from burning up in the atmosphere.
Elon Musk's Vision
Elon Musk stated that SpaceX's AI initiatives could soon generate more revenue than its space launch operations. He also announced plans to expand production of Starmind satellites and emphasized that the development of the Starship spacecraft will increase annual payload capacity to millions of tons, which is essential for colonizing the Moon and Mars.
Solar Eclipse
A total solar eclipse occurred on Wednesday, visible primarily over the North Atlantic. This rare event was documented by satellites and aircraft to study the solar corona. The next significant eclipse visible in our region is expected on August 2, 2027.
