NASA Launches Shoebox-sized Satellite 'BurstCube' To Detect Gamma Ray Bursts

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posted on 7 months ago — updated on 1 second ago

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Gamma-ray bursts are the most powerful explosions that happen in the universe, occurring in distant galaxies. They are known to be gold factories, as the explosions lead to the development of gold.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is an independent space organisation in the USA that is responsible for conducting research, space operations and various other programmes related to outer space. Recently, NASA launched a shoebox-sized satellite named BurstCube to conduct scientific research.

The satellite has been sent to the International Space Station through SpaceX’s 30th commercial resupply service mission. The satellite was launched on March 21 from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, USA. The main aim of this mission is to detect and find gamma-ray bursts (GRBs).

According to reports, the main purpose of this satellite is to search for and identify gamma-ray bursts, or GRBs. GRBs are the most powerful explosions that happen in the universe, occurring in distant galaxies. They are known to be gold factories, as the explosions lead to the development of gold.

The shoebox-sized satellite, BurstCube, will study the mysteries of the origin of GRBs and their characteristics. After reaching the space station, it will open and install itself in orbit. Despite being small in size, it has been designed in such a way that it will be able to study extreme events. It has also been found that this satellite will help astronomers understand various space mysteries.

GRBs are said to have formed after the merger of two neutron stars. After merging in a spiral direction, these stars emit huge amounts of energy as well as gravitational waves. Whenever GRBs are formed, they emit very powerful and intense energy, leading to increased temperatures and density. This creates ideal conditions for the formation of substances like gold and iodine. As per reports, these elements cannot be created anywhere else in the universe. The positioning of the BurstCube will help in detecting the eruption in large areas.

The NASA satellite will be able to detect such waves, which are usually not detected on Earth due to the atmosphere. It will be able to capture gamma rays within the energy range of 50,000 to 1 million electron volts.