Let’s Go to Mars. Let’s Not Live There
[ad_1] Some people would rather invest these resources in solving global problems, not launching astronauts to other worlds. People in the 1960s questioned the Apollo program for similar reasons—it was…
A New NASA Satellite Will Map Earth’s Rising Seas
[ad_1] SWOT could turn out to be a major improvement over measurements by previous satellites. “Instead of a ‘pencil beam’ moving along the Earth’s surface from a satellite, it’s a…
NASA’s Orion Moon Capsule Is Back. What Happens Next?
[ad_1] After circling the moon for the past three weeks, NASA’s Orion capsule splashed down under parachute yesterday morning off the coast of Mexico’s Baja California near Guadalupe Island, marking…
The Problem With Spinning Spacecraft
[ad_1] While it would be awesome for people to be able to live in space, a “weightless” environment poses some serious challenges. Humans function best on Earth’s surface, where they…
The Tiangong Space Station Makes China a Major Space Power
[ad_1] The space program may also attach a robotic telescope to it in the future, although the station itself is not likely to grow much bigger, says Osburg. Tiangong’s T…
These Sci-Fi Visions for Interstellar Travel Just Might Work
[ad_1] For very long interstellar trips—things that are farther than the closest star—continuous fusion, antimatter, and sails are the only thing that will let you get there. But the better…
Success! NASA Says DART Really Clocked That Asteroid
[ad_1] Two weeks ago, the asteroid Dimorphos was minding its own business, quietly orbiting around its partner Didymos, when suddenly NASA’s DART spacecraft plowed into it at 14,000 miles per…
NASA’s DART Spacecraft Smashes Into an Asteroid—on Purpose
[ad_1] Dimorphos is on the small side, spanning 525 feet—which is about the size of the Great Pyramid. While it was never a threat to Earth, plenty more asteroids (and…
Hurricane Ian Blows Back NASA’s Artemis Launch
[ad_1] NASA’s team leading the Artemis program of lunar missions really wants to get on with their inaugural spaceflight—which was slated for tomorrow morning. But with a strengthening Hurricane Ian…
The UK Is Rejoining the Space Race
[ad_1] Virgin Orbit’s flight is expected to be just the start of the country’s launch prowess. Two more spaceports are currently under development, one at the northernmost tip of mainland…
NASA’s Perseverance Rover Digs Up Organic Molecules on Mars
[ad_1] After trundling around the Jezero crater for 550 Martian days, NASA’s Perseverance rover has amassed nearly half its planned rock collection—including some containing organic molecules, a possible sign that…
The UN Wants to Curb Anti-Satellite Missile Tests
[ad_1] Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has also created challenges for space diplomacy. At the UN meeting, several diplomats expressed support for Ukrainians in their statements. Each time, the Russian delegate…
Voyager 1 and 2, Humanity’s Interstellar Envoys, Soldier On at 45
[ad_1] Today is the 45th anniversary of the launch of Voyager 1, one of humanity’s iconic twin emissaries to the cosmos. (Its sibling, Voyager 2, launched a couple of weeks…
NASA Orders a Second Delay for the Artemis Moon-bound Rocket
[ad_1] NASA engineers held the countdown at T-40 minutes while troubleshooting for more than an hour. Finally, launch director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson called the attempt a scrub. At a press conference…
NASA Delays the Launch of Its Giant Moon-Bound Rocket
[ad_1] NASA has pushed back the launch of its Artemis 1 mission to the moon due to an issue with one of the engines of the giant SLS rocket. With…
Humans Are Revisiting the Moon—and the Rules of Spacefaring
[ad_1] If astronauts need to grab some lunar ice on a future Artemis mission, that won’t be a problem from a legal perspective, says Rossana Deplano, a researcher at the…
The Mini Missions Aboard the Artemis Rocket Pack a Big Punch
[ad_1] All eyes will be on the moon as the Artemis mission’s inaugural launch blasts toward our lunar neighbor in a couple of weeks, but the rocket won’t be the…
Why NASA Wants to Go Back to the Moon
[ad_1] These include the development of the Gateway robotics and habitat modules for crews, as well as a lunar rover, all of which could be precursors for future technologies on…
Russia’s War in Ukraine Reveals More Problems in Space
[ad_1] There’s not much going for Roscosmos at this point other than the ISS—or a replacement to be called the Russian Orbital Service Station, which Borosiv claimed could be developed…
NASA Delayed the Psyche Launch. Here’s Why That’s a Big Deal
[ad_1] NASA and the Psyche team declined interview requests until an independent review of the mission delay has been completed. Agency officials will make a decision about next steps based…