NASA"s MAVEN observes the disappearing solar wind
In December 2022, NASA's MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN) mission observed the dramatic and unexpected "disappearance" of a stream of charged particles constantly emanating off the sun, known as the solar wind. This was caused by a spec.....»»
Voyager 1 team accomplishes tricky thruster swap
Engineers working on NASA's Voyager 1 probe have successfully mitigated an issue with the spacecraft's thrusters, which keep the distant explorer pointed at Earth so that it can receive commands, send engineering data, and provide the unique science.....»»
How to watch NASA’s oldest active astronaut launch to the ISS on Wednesday
Don Pettit isn't your average senior citizen. Instead of enjoying life in the slow lane, he's getting ready for a rocket ride to the ISS......»»
Steering molecular twisting for hydrogen generation
Researchers from the Faculty of S&T at the University of Twente have developed a novel approach for the design of efficient solar fuel devices. Research performed by graduated Ph.D. student Kaijian Zhu shows that reducing the light-induced twisting o.....»»
SpaceX launches billionaire to conduct the first private spacewalk
A daredevil billionaire rocketed back into orbit Tuesday, aiming to perform the first private spacewalk and venture farther than anyone since NASA's Apollo moonshots......»»
NASA spacecraft to study Jupiter moon"s underground ocean cleared for October launch
NASA on Monday approved next month's launch to Jupiter's moon Europa after reviewing the spacecraft's ability to withstand the intense radiation there......»»
NASA will proceed with final preps to launch Europa Clipper next month
After a four-month review, NASA says suspect transistors on Europa Clipper are good to go. Enlarge / The main body of NASA's Europa Clipper spacecraft is reflected in one of the mission's deployable solar array wings during testi.....»»
SpaceX’s delayed Polaris Dawn mission to launch tonight
The historic SpaceX Polaris Dawn mission, which includes the first ever commercial spacewalk, will launch tonight from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida......»»
New research sinks old theory for the doldrums, a low-wind equatorial region that stranded sailors for centuries
During the Age of Sail, sailors riding the trade winds past the equator dreaded becoming stranded in the doldrums, a meteorologically distinct region in the deep tropics. For at least a century, scientists have thought that the doldrums' lack of wind.....»»
Like a diamond in the sky: How to spot NASA"s solar sail demo in orbit
Now that its reflective sail has deployed fully open in orbit, the Advanced Composite Solar Sail System can be seen in the night sky from many locations across the world!.....»»
NASA scientific balloon takes flight with student-built payloads
NASA's Scientific Balloon Program's fifth balloon mission of the 2024 fall campaign took flight Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024, from the agency's Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. The HASP 1.0 (High-Altitude Student Platform).....»»
Hubble and Chandra find supermassive black hole duo
Like two Sumo wrestlers squaring off, the closest confirmed pair of supermassive black holes have been observed in tight proximity. These are located approximately 300 light-years apart and were detected using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and the Ch.....»»
Parker Solar Probe lines up for final Venus flyby
NASA's Parker Solar Probe executed a short maneuver on Aug. 26 that kept the spacecraft on course for the mission's seventh and final planned Venus flyby on Nov. 6......»»
Hidden, compact galaxies in the distant universe—searching for the secrets behind the little red dots
Astronomers exploring the faraway universe with the James Webb Space Telescope, NASA's most powerful telescope, have found a class of galaxies that challenges even the most skillful creatures in mimicry—like the mimic octopus. This creature can imp.....»»
Two astronauts are left behind in space as Boeing"s troubled capsule returns to Earth empty
Boeing's first astronaut mission ended Friday night with an empty capsule landing and two test pilots still in space, left behind until next year because NASA judged their return too risky......»»
Two NASA astronauts stuck in space have flown long missions before
The two NASA astronauts left behind at the International Space Station following the return of Boeing's troubled capsule are Navy test pilots who have ridden out long missions before......»»
Boeing Starliner Returns Home to an Uncertain Future
NASA has three more operational Starliner missions on the books. It hasn't decided whether it will commit to any more than that......»»
The maiden voyage of Blue Origin"s massive new rocket won"t be for NASA
The maiden voyage of Blue Origin"s massive new rocket won"t be for NASA.....»»
With NASA’s plan faltering, China knows it can be first with Mars sample return
"China is likely to become the first country to return samples from Mars." Enlarge / A "selfie" photo of China's Zhurong rover and the Tianwen-1 landing platform on Mars in 2021. (credit: China National Space Administration).....»»
Faced with a tight deadline, NASA and Blue Origin agree to delay New Glenn debut
"We can’t take our foot off the pedal here." Enlarge / The second stage of the New Glenn rocket rolled to the launch site this week. (credit: Blue Origin) NASA and Blue Origin announced Friday that they have agreed to.....»»
NASA wants Starliner to make a quick getaway from the space station
Starliner is set to land at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico shortly after midnight. Enlarge / Boeing's Starliner spacecraft is set to undock from the International Space Station on Friday evening. (credit: NASA) B.....»»