Tech & Engineering
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 3-Apr-2026 13:15 ET (3-Apr-2026 17:15 GMT/UTC)
AI enabled launch vehicles: Next potential disruptive technology after reusability
SciOpenPeer-Reviewed Publication
In the era of global space industry's rapid expansion, reusable launch technology addresses cost reduction, but achieving high launch cadence and flight reliability remains critical. This study published in the Chinese Journal of Aeronautics (Volume 38, Issue 10, October 2025, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cja.2025.103756), proposes that artificial intelligence (AI) would be the potential disruptive technology to solve these challenges. AI enables transformative capabilities for launch vehicles are pointed out in four domains: Agile launch operations enabling automate testing, fault diagnosis, and decision-making for targeting hour-level launch cycles and minute-level fault resolution; High-reliability flight enabling real-time autonomous fault diagnosis, mission replanning, and fault-tolerant control within seconds during anomalies, potentially improving reliability by 1-2 orders of magnitude; Rapid maintenance enabling real-time health monitoring and lifespan prediction for swift re-launch decisions; and Efficient space traffic management enabling predict/resolve orbital conflicts amid growing congestion from satellites and debris. The key challenges for AI applications are analyzed as well, including multi-system coupling, uncertain failure modes and narrow flight corridors, limited sensor data, and massive heterogeneous data processing. Finally, the study also proposes that AI promises substantial efficiency gains in launch vehicle design, manufacturing, and testing through multidisciplinary optimization and reduced reliance on physical testing.
- Journal
- Chinese Journal of Aeronautics
Single-hole study decodes micro-blowing drag-reduction mechanism in supersonic turbulent flows
SciOpenPore-scale mechanisms of drag reduction by micro-blowing have rarely been explored. A direct numerical simulation (DNS) study, published in the Chinese Journal of Aeronautics, is performed to uncover the fundamental physics of single-hole micro-blowing in a supersonic turbulent boundary layer. Results reveal a dual-regime drag-reduction mechanism: upstream reduction driven by adverse pressure gradients and downstream reduction dominated by the formation of a low-speed air film. A detailed vortex-interaction analysis further explains how micro-blowing sustains stable drag-reduction performance under turbulent vortex interference.
- Journal
- Chinese Journal of Aeronautics
Heterointerface engineering of n-heterocyclic carbene-derived n/metal dual-doped carbon materials for superior electromagnetic wave absorption
Tsinghua University PressN-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) polymers, characterized by abundant nitrogen sources, tunable metal centers and excellent chemical stability, serve as ideal precursors for metal-incorporated N-doped carbon materials. Therefore, NHC-derived N/metal dual-doped carbon materials (CN-X-700, X=Cu, Cu/Co and Co) are considered to be promising electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorbers. The Cu/Co bimetallic nanoparticles are anchored on two-dimensional carbon nanoribbon, thereby generating abundant heterointerfaces, which is conductive to EMW absorption. This study reveals the intrinsic relationship between heterointerfaces, multi-loss mechanisms and EMW dissipation, providing a novel structural regulation strategy for designing high-performance carbon-based microwave absorbers.
- Journal
- Nano Research
ACA-SIM: A robust way to decode satellite signals over complex waters
Journal of Remote SensingPeer-Reviewed Publication
A new study introduces ACA-SIM (atmospheric correction based on satellite–in situ matchup data), a neural-network-based atmospheric correction algorithm that uses real satellite–Aerosol Robotic Network-Ocean Color (AERONET-OC) matchups to improve the accuracy of atmospheric correction over coastal waters.
- Journal
- Journal of Remote Sensing
When satellites fall short: How 5G and GNSS team up for reliable urban positioning
Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of SciencesPeer-Reviewed Publication
- Journal
- Satellite Navigation
The UJI's Hort4Health project promotes sustainable learning and mental health among the university community
Universitat Jaume IFollowing the path towards innovation in education and health, the Department of Education and Specific Didactics of the Universitat Jaume I is developing Hort4Health. Under the direction of Mireia Adelantado Renau, lecturer in the Department of Didactics of Experimental Sciences, this leading project seeks to analyse and investigate in an interdisciplinary way the impact of integrating an eco-educational garden in the classrooms where students learn about health, sustainability and emotional well-being, thus offering a solid scientific basis on the benefits of these practices.
The Hort4Health project emerges in response to the growing need to promote healthy habits among young people, especially in an era where technology and sedentary lifestyles predominate and generate worrying figures. Through practical activities in the garden, students not only study about agriculture and ecology, but also experience the benefits of physical activity and contact with nature for their mental and physical health. Researcher Mireia Adelantado points out that in this way "scientific results will be obtained on the current healthy habits of the university community, completing the scarce previous literature on this subject in this population". This initiative has already involved more than a hundred pupils from the Early Childhood and Primary School Teacher degrees, who have participated in sessions designed to improve their emotional wellbeing, their connection with the environment and their understanding of the importance of an active and healthy life. Early results indicate a significant positive impact on the physical health of the participants and underline the potential of the garden as an innovative space for learning and wellbeing.
- Journal
- Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education
- Funder
- Universitat Jaume I