UNIVERSEH: The European Space University

Source: NOAA Images (2015, August 18). Hurricane Katrina as seen by NOAA satellite. flickr. https://www.flickr.com/photos/77790740@N08/20676559362

Definition:

Satellite data, also referred to as satellite imagery, provides information about Earth and other planets in space, which are collected by man-made satellites in their orbits. Satellite data allow us to observe the Earth, as satellites deliver information about the surface and weather changes on the planet Earth.

Satellite data is generated via remote sensing technologies. In fact, it is very useful for providing authentic information about the atmospheres, oceans and land masses by constantly collecting  data from joined satellites.

Etymology:

The english word satellite derives from Latin satelles which means "accomplice, follower, attendant, or guard." There are natural satellites, e.g. the planet Moon which is following the Earth on a fix route, but also several artificial satellites which fulfill certain task, e.g. scientific or commercial.

Data is the classical plural of Latin datum which means (thing) given. In classical use originally ". From 1897 the term is referred to as "numerical facts collected for future reference."

Translations:

• French:
  
• German:
  
• Polish: dane satelitarne
  
• Swedish:
  

Links to Videos/Articles:

Satellite etymology in English | Etymologeek.com

data | Etymology, origin and meaning of data by etymonline

Short Definition
A solar eclipse is a natural phenomenon that occurs when the new moon is positioned between the Sun and Earth. A solar eclipse is visible when the Moon’s surface covers the Sun fully or partially casts a shadow on Earth.

Detailed Definition
A solar eclipse is a natural process during which the Sun is completely or partially obscured by the Moon's surface, creating a shadow over Earth. However, this shadow is not large enough to be visible from all parts of the world in the same way. For this reason, each successive solar eclipse can be observed from different sides of Earth, but never in all places at once.

We distinguish four types of solar eclipses:

1. A partial eclipse occurs when the Moon only partially eclipses the Sun.
2. An annular eclipse occurs when the entire Moon is not large enough to conceal the entire Sun. In this case, a ring of light can be observed around the shadow.
3. A total eclipse occurs when the Sun is completely obscured by the Moon. This can only be seen when the Moon is closest to Earth and only where the Moon’s shadow is the darkest.
4. An annular total eclipse (also called a hybrid eclipse) occurs when during the same eclipse it changes from the annular eclipse to the total eclipse or the other way around. This is the rarest type from all of those phenomena.

Etymology
Eclipse (Noun), originated from ancient Greek ἔκλειψις (ékleipsis) which means “the abandonment” or “the darkening of a heavenly body”.

Sample Sentence(s)

A solar eclipse cannot be visible from all the places on Earth all at once.

Translations of Terms/Concepts into Partner Languages

French
Éclipse solaire

German
Sonnenfinsternis

Italian
Eclissi solare

Polish
Zaćmienie Słońca

Swedish
Solförmörkelse

Links to Videos/Articles:

Source: Midjourney (2023, May 31). . midjourney. midjourney.com

Short Definition:

Solar sails (also known as light sail or photon sail) are a method of spacecraft propulsion using radiation pressure exerted by starlight on large mirrors. Solar sails can be used instead of traditional fuel consumption. First proposed in the 1980s as alternative propulsion method for low-weight long-distance spacecrafts, the first real usage of the solar sail system was in JAXA’s IKAROS mission, launched in 2010.

Detailed Definition:

The Solar sails use a phenomenon called solar pressure, which is the force produced by the impact of sunlight photons on the surface of the spacecraft. Normally, solar pressure is affecting all spacecrafts during flights and must be accounted for in trajectory planning, but in that specific case it is used as thrust. Vessels using solar sails must be lightweight as the total force exerted on an eight hundred by eight hundred meters solar sail is about 5 Newtons at Earth's distance from the Sun, so this propulsion method requires specially constructed spacecraft. If solar sails are implemented in space vessel it can produce propulsion without need of fuel usage and thus can be great for small satellites to travel to distant objects without great amount of storage for fuel and engines. The negative side of this technology is significantly small force compared to traditional liquid fuel engines and fragile sail build. Also, this system cannot be used far away from “propulsion” star, as thrust generated by the solar sail is inversely proportional to the square of the distance.

Etymology:

Solar - From Latin sōlāris, from sōl (“sun”),
Sail - From Middle English saile, sayle, seil, seyl, from Old English seġl

Sample Sentence(s):

“The IKAROS probe is the world's first spacecraft to use solar sailing as the main propulsion system.”
“Solar sail is the more effective the closer it is to the star.”

Translations:

French: 

Voile solaire

German:

Sonnensegel

Polish:

Żagiel słoneczny

Swedish:

Sol segel

Links to Videos/Articles:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/305884757_Solar_sail_technology-A_state_of_the_art_review
https://global.jaxa.jp/projects/sas/ikaros/
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/tdm/solarsail/index.html

AGH Space Systems' Skylark rocket launch in Drawsko Pomorskie Source : Autor's photo

Short Definition:

Sounding rocket is a small, unmanned rocket that is meant to take measurements and perform scientific experiments on suborbital flights.

Detailed Definition:

A sounding rocket is a type of rocket that is used to carry scientific instruments to high altitudes for the purpose of collecting data. These rockets are typically smaller and less powerful than other types of rockets, and are launched vertically from a launchpad. The main advantage of sounding rockets is that they can reach altitudes of up to several hundred kilometers, allowing researchers to study the upper atmosphere and the effects of space on various materials and phenomena. Sounding rockets are often used for experiments in fields such as atmospheric science, astrophysics, and meteorology.

Etymology:

Sounding rockets take their name from the nautical term “to sound,” which means to take measurements. The term doesn't come from any latin or greek words.

Sample Sentence(s):

Next week, several sounding rockets will be launched from this site.

Translations:

French:

Fusée-sonde

German:

Höhenforschungsrakete 

Polish:

Rakieta suborbitalna, rakieta sądująca

Swedish:

Klingande raket

Links to Videos/Articles:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weeEGY4SR38

https://www.nasa.gov/missions/research/f_sounding.html

Image source: Midjourney (2023, June 01). AI illustration of space debris in earths orbit. midjourney. midjourney.com

Short Definition:
Space debris are man-made objects which are moving uncontrollably and quickly above the Earth at different altitudes. Space debris can cause significant damage to the orbiting satellites, space crafts, telescopes and space stations.

Detailed Definition:
Space debris are useless man-made objects in space. Examples might be everything from tiny flecks of paint released by thermal stress to the parts of a destroyed satellite or a dead satellite. The amount of space junk is gradually rising as the space activity is growing. To mitigate the negative impact of the debris on the working elements, space waste is divided into smaller parts. It is then either burnt in the atmosphere or sent to the graveyard orbit (especially larger objects like satellites that will no longer work). Space debris collides with each other generating more space waste. This increases the likelihood of further collisions and yields in a higher density of debris in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). This is called the Kessler syndrome.

Sample Sentence(s):
"The problem of managingspace debrisis both an international challenge and an opportunity to preserve the space environment for future space exploration missions."

Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:S4-space-junk-045.jpg

Definition:

An area on Earth's surface or orbit in which decommissioned spacecrafts or satellites are discarded.

Etymology:

Translations:

• French:
  
• German:
  
• Polish: kosmiczne cmentarzysko
  
• Swedish:
  

Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:RENDEZVOUS_-_ARTIST_CONCEPT_-_GEMINI-TITAN_GT-VI_and_GT-VII.jpg

Short Definition:

A space rendezvous is a series of orbital maneuvers focused on bringing together two orbiting spacecrafts. In most cases, a space rendezvous occurs between a space station and a spaceship trying to dock to it. Rendezvous requires a precise match of the orbital velocities and position vectors of spacecrafts, allowing them to remain at a constant distance during final maneuvers or docking.

Detailed Definition:

A space rendezvous is an approach in space to a very close distance (e.g. within visual contact) between spacecrafts or between a spacecraft and a celestial object at zero or very low relative speed. The space rendezvous requires carrying out complex orbital maneuvers, which must be completed in a minimum time without excessive consumption of the propellant. Rendezvous may or may not be followed by docking or berthing, procedures which bring the spacecraft into physical contact and usually create a link between them. NASA's first attempt at rendezvous was made on June 3, 1965, when astronaut Jim McDivitt tried to maneuver his Gemini 4 spacecraft to meet the Titan II launch vehicle's upper stage. Rendezvous was first successfully accomplished by NASA on December 15, 1965, and then lead to success of Apollo's program and moon landing.

Etymology:

Space - From Middle English space, from Anglo-Norman space, variant of espace, espas et al., and spaze, variant of espace, from Latin spatium(“to stretch, to pull”).
Rendezvous - Borrowed from French rendez-vous (“appointment”)

Sample Sentence(s):

The first space rendezvous was in 1965 during Gemini program
The Shuttle Program saw more than 50 space rendezvous and docking missions

Translations:

French: 

Rendez-vous spatial

German:

der Raumfahrt Rendezvous

Polish:

dokowanie, połączenie się statków w przestrzeni kosmicznej 

Swedish:

Rymdmöte

Links to Videos/Articles:

https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/worlds-first-space-rendezvous
https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Astronauts/Rendezvous_and_docking

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNXPtZDS-cg

Source: https://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/the-canadarm2-robotic-arm-is-poised-to-capture-cygnus

Short Definition: 

Ssrms is a manipulator system equipped with two long arms, seven attachment points, and various precision robotic equipment is also known as 'Canadarm2', it is a second-generation robotic arm system in the Mobile Servicing System of the International Space Station, whose main purpose is to take part in high-tonnage/cosmic catching missions. It is the most efficient heavy-duty robotic system (Up to 116 tons) left on the ISS after the Canadarm1 was retired in July 2011.

Detailed Definition:

It is a space manipulator attached to the international space station.As an improved version of the Canadarm 1, the Canadarm 2 is aimed at enhancing; size, load-carrying capacity, arm reach, durability, and increased mobility. It is a robotic system that assists astronauts with payload handling, approach and docking of space shuttles, making Cosmic catches, and maintenance of the station. The robotic arm, which can be managed by the astronauts on the ISS and the NASA and CSA centers on the world, is also adorned with advanced imaging-light systems. It is also used as an anchor point by attaching it to other robotic equipment itself.

Sample Sentence(s): 

''Canadarm2 is made up of parts that can be replaced while in space.''

''Canadarm 2 will also help to berth the Axiom Space Station modules to the ISS.''

Translations:

French

Système de manipulateur à distance de la station spatiale

Italian

Sistema di manipolazione remota della stazione spaziale

Polish

System zdalnie sterowanego manipulatora stacji kosmicznej

Turkish

Uzay İstasyonu Uzaktan Manipülatör Sistemi

German

Fernmanipulatorsystem der Raumstation

Links to Videos/articles:

https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2020/04/Canadarm2_robotic_arm

https://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/iss/canadarm2/about.asp

https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/elements/remote-manipulator-system-canadarm2/

Source: https://www.colorado.edu/faculty/kantha/sites/default/files/attached-files/sandoval_space_tethers.pdf proposed catch and release cycle of a spinning space tether

Short Definition:

Space tethers are long cables attached to a counterweight. It has many applications in space such as propulsion and momentum exchange etc. This idea could help lowering the amount of money needed to transport payload into low earth orbit by hooking onto specialized spacecrafts in the future and either increasing the speed for space travel or decrease it to prepare for landing.

Detailed Definition:

Despite recent achievements in making spacecrafts fully reusable, space travel and space infrastructure continues to be quite expensive and only reserved for a few institutions and companies. The aim is to commercialize space, but to achieve that goal we still need to vastly decrease the amount of money to get payload into low earth orbit. Skyhooks, a special type of space tethers, could help lowering the cost of transportation into space. The idea is to attach cable hundreds or thousands of kilometres to a counterweight and the weight spins in a circle. The tether will be lowered to be 80-150 kilometres above the earth, where it can hook onto spacecrafts and let them go at the best point to maximize speed adjustment. This idea could make reusable rockets much lighter and cheaper by lowering the amount of rocket fuel needed.

Etymology:

Space from Latinspatium

Sample Sentence(s):

Space tethers could revolutionize the space industry by lowering the money needed to get payload into low earth orbit.

French:
attache spatiale
German:
Raumseil
Polish:
uwięź kosmiczna
Swedish:
Rymdboj

Links to Videos/Articles:

https://science.nasa.gov/tether-space

Source: https://planetfacts.org/space-weathering/

Short Definition:

Space weathering is a general term used for different surface processes which happen to objects and celestial bodies in the harsh environment of outer space.

Detailed Definition:

Bodies in the outer space, which do not have atmospheres, are exposed to a number of devastating weathering processes, such as collisions of galactic or solar cosmic rays, the irradiation, implantation and spluttering from solar wind particles; the bombardment by different sizes of meteorites and micrometeorites. These phenomena are encompassed in the blanket term space weathering. The toll that space weathering takes on both the physical and optical properties of the surfaces of many celestial bodies is an important issue, as remotely sensed data needs to be processed appropriately.

Etymology:

"space" - Old French espace, Latin spatium - room, area, distance, stretch of time

"weather" - Old English weder, Old Saxon wedar, Old Norse veðr, German wetar - wind, weather

"we-" - Proto-Germanic wedra - to blow

Sample Sentence(s):

"Space weathering has to be accounted for during the design of space equipment."

Translations of Terms/Concepts into Partner Languages

French: Altération de l'espace

German: Weltraumverwitterung

Polish: Wietrzenie kosmiczne

Swedish: Rymdvittring

Links to Videos/Articles:

https://spaceweather.com

https://sservi.nasa.gov/articles/space-weathering-on-airless-bodies/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdzZdFZrGHA

Source: SpaceX (2016, September 25). SpaceX's proposed Interplanetary Spaceship, at Saturn.. wikimedia commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=51812109

Definition:

Etymology:

Closed compound noun, consisting of ‘space’ and ‘craft’

Translations:

• English: spacecraft (neutr.) – [ˈspeɪskɹɑːft]
  
• French: véhicule spatial (fem.) – [ve.i.kyl spa.sjal]
  
• German: Raumfahrzeug (neutr.) – [ˈʁaʊ̯mfaːɐ̯ˌt͡sɔɪ̯k]
  
• Polish: statek kosmiczny (masc.) – [ˈstatɛk kɔsˈmit͡ʂ.nɨ]
  
• Portuguese: espaçonave (fem.) – [es.ˌpa.so.ˈna.ve]
  
• Russian: космический аппарат (masc.) – [kɐsˈmʲit͡ɕɪskʲɪj ɐpɐˈrat]
  
• Swedish:
  

Note: the Russian translation has a slightly different meaning as it includes devices operating in atmospheres and on surfaces of other celestial bodies.

Short Definition:

A spacecraft propulsion system has the purpose of changing the velocity (acceleration) of a spacecraft and artificial satellites. It is utilised to both leave earth and for orbit insertion. 

To launch a spacecraft from earth, the propulsion method must overcome a higher gravitational pull to provide a positive net acceleration. The difficulty of achieving this change is directly proportional to the size of the vehicle, which is why spacecraft performance is generally discussed in amount of change in momentum per unit of propellant consumed, known as “specific impulse”. The higher the specific impulse, the better the efficiency. 

Once launched, satellites and spacecrafts may need to be moved between orbits, thus requiring propulsion. When a satellite has exhausted its ability to adjust its orbit, its useful life is over. The methods areas are divided into four groups: (1.) chemical propulsion (reaction and rocket engines), (2.) electric propulsion (ion, electrothermal and electromagnetic thrusters), (3.) advanced propulsion technologies and (4) supporting technologies. 

• Spacecraft: From Latin spatium/ "room” + from Nentish creft/ "power, physical strength"
  
• Propulsion: From Latin Pro (pro)/ “before” or “forward” + pellere (pulsion)/”to drive”
  

• Light travels approximately thirty thousand times faster than any current spacecraft propulsion technology.
  
• Nuclear pulse propulsion is a form of spacecraft propulsion that would use nuclear explosives to provide impulse to a spacecraft. 
  

Translations of Terms/Concepts into Partner Languages:

• French: Propulsion spatiale
• German: Antriebsmethoden für die Raumfahrt
• Polish: napęd statku kosmicznego
• Swedish: framdrivning av rymdfarkoster
• Spanish: Propulsión espacial

Links to Videos/Articles:

Space Propulsion: a Survey Study About Current and Future Technologies. DOI: 10.5028/jatm.v10.829

cf. Spacecraft

Source:

Short Definition: 

A Special Purpose Dextrous Manipulator (SPDM), also called 'Dextre', is a system that is part of the Mobile Servicing System (MSS) mounted on the International Space Station (ISS). This robotic system is designed to assist astronauts in spaces where human reach and endurance are limited.

Detailed Definition: 

It is a multi-talented robot added to Canadarm2 on March 16, 2008, by Nasa astronauts Mike Foreman and Richard Linnehan. Designed to withstand the harsh conditions of space, this robot supports astronauts for small tasks around the ISS. These tasks include installing and maintaining the various parts of the ISS's exterior, maintaining the Station's electrical system, and pre-testing new equipment to be added. This robot, which has two hands as sensitive as human hands, has a retractable motorized wrench, camera, light, and connection module in both hands.

Sample Sentence(s):'

'This multi-talented robot can ride on the end of Canadarm2 to move from worksite to worksite, or be ferried on the Mobile Base System.'' 

''Dextre is the most sophisticated space robot ever built.''

Translations:

French: Manipulateur agile à usage spécial

German: Geschickter Manipulator für besondere Zwecke

Italian: Manipolatore abile per scopi speciali

Polish: Zręczny manipulator do zadań specjalnych (SPDM)

Turkish: Özel Amaçlı Hünerli Manipülatör

Links to Videos/Articles: 

https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/elements/special-purpose-dextrous-manipulator/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_Servicing_System

https://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/iss/dextre/about.asp

https://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/iss/dextre/

https://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/iss/dextre/data-sheet.asp

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNcRDBK8zxY&ab_channel=CanadianSpaceAgency

Source: Kutsaev, R. (no data). Stars Galaxy Free Stock Image. stocksnap. https://stocksnap.io/photo/stars-galaxy-IJ5DPL13HR

Definition:

1) A natural luminous body that is visible in the night sky and can be used for navigation.

2) A large celestial body producing light and energy by means of nuclear reactions inside of it.

Etymology

Greek “αστέρι”, Latin “stella”

Translations:

• English: star    [stɑ: (r)]
  
• French: étoile (f)    [et'wal]
  
• German:
  
• Polish: gwiazda
  
• Russian: звезда (f)    [zvʲɪˈzda]
  
• Swedish:
  

Media

Media ESO/Callingham et al.

Definitions

Short Definition
Stellar wind is a stream of particles released from the outermost levels of the atmosphere of a star. The effect occurs due to the outward pressure being strong enough to overwhelm the gravitational force.

Detailed Definition
Stellar winds are composed of atoms, ions, and subatomic particles that are ejected by stellar magnetic fields or radiation pressure of a star’s inner nuclear reactions. Stellar winds of lower mass stars are thought to be the result of their magnetic field activity. Winds generated in this process cause subtle depletion of star’s mass over the stable lifetime, up until its transformation into a red giant. Red giants emit slow (10km/s) and voluminous (M > 10^-3 solar masses per year) stellar winds driven by the outward radiation pressure. On the contrary, stars of greater mass tend to jettison up to a half of their initial mass over lifetime, substantially affecting their further evolution.

Etymology

Stellar: from Latin stella"star"
Wind: of Germanic origin, from Proto-Indo-European h₂wéh₁n̥tos (“wind”)

Sample Sentences

Bright bow shocks form around stars when their stellar winds interact with the
interstellar medium.

Translations of Terms/Concepts into Partner Languages

Additional Translations of Terms/Concepts into Other Languages

Russian
звездный ветер

Ukrainian
зоряний вiтер

Links to Videos/Articles:

Source: Midjourney (2023, May 25). AI illustration of a supernova. Midjourney. midjourney

Definition:

Brief, bright illumination of a supermassive star at the end of its lifetime by an explosion in which the original star itself is destroyed.

As it dies, a supermassive star goes through various stages of fusing different elements, forming a red supergiant. During this process, more and more heavy material is deposited onto the stellar core. Once the core’s mass tips past a certain threshold it collapses under its own gravity (meaning it cannot withstand its own gravitational force). The outer layers are blasted outwards in a supernova, the biggest explosion known to occur in the Universe. 

At its peak, a supernova can be brighter than an entire galaxy. Supernovae reach their peak luminosity in a matter of days, so their appearance and early decline can be observed in real time.

Etymology:

from Latin super “beyond”, “over and above” and stella nova “new star”

Translations:

Short Definition
A supernova remnant is a construction formed by the expanding debris left behind after a massive star undergoes a supernova explosion. It consists of a complex structure of shockwaves, gas, and dust, formed from the ejected material of the exploded star.

Detailed Definition
A supernova remnant undergoes a sequence of five distinct stages before reaching its final form.

First, the ejecta expands freely, gradually shedding their mass into the circumstellar or interstellar medium. Subsequently, the remnant begins to gather and compress surrounding gas, forming a prominent shell. In the ensuing phase, the shell undergoes cooling, resulting in the formation of a thinner, more delicate outer layer enveloping the still-hot interior. As the interior continues to cool, the shell expands further under its own momentum. Finally, the remnant merges with the surrounding interstellar medium, culminating in the formation of a fully-fledged supernova remnant.

Notable examples of supernova remnants include the Crab Nebula, the remnants of SN 1572, and Kepler, the remnants of SN 1604, named after Johannes Kepler. G1.9+0.3, discovered in the galactic centre, stands as the most recent known remnant within our galaxy.

Etymology
The word "supernova" originates from Latin, where "super" means "above" or "beyond," and "nova" translates to "new." The word "remnant" comes from the Latin term "remanens," which means "remaining" or "leftover."

Sample Sentence(s)

“Supernova remnants are very important to the structure of galaxies.” Mathis, J. S. (Invalid Date). supernova remnant. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/supernova-remnant

Translations of Terms/Concepts into Partner Languages

French
Rémanent de supernova

German
Supernovaüberrest

Italian
Resto di supernova

Polish
Pozostałość po supernowej

Swedish
Supernovarest

Additional Translations of Terms/Concepts into Other Lang...

Turkish
Süpernova kalıntısı

Dutch

Supernovarest

Spanish

resto de supernova

Portuguese

Remanescente de supernova

Links to Videos/Articles:

Astrum. (2016a, January 29). Supernova Remnants | Hubble Images 4K | Episode 2 [Video]. YouTube.

Source: Midjourney (2023, May 25). AI illustration of a planets surface. Midjourney. midjourney

Definition:

Etymology:

From Latin superficies.

Translations:

• German: Oberfläche (f) [ˈoːbɐˌflɛçə]
  
• French: surface (f) [syʁˈfas]
  
• Polish: powierzchnia
  
• Swedish:
  
• Russian: поверхность (f) [pɐˈvʲerxnəsʲtʲ]
  
• Portuguese: superfície (f) [supɨɾˈfisjɨ]
  

Links to videos/articles: