NASA"s new solar sail extends its booms and sets sail
Solar sails are an exciting way to travel through the solar system because they get their propulsion from the sun. NASA has developed several solar sails, and their newest, the Advanced Composite Solar Sail System (or ACS3), launched a few months ago.....»»
Former flight director who reviewed Orion heat shield data says there was no dissent
"If this isn’t raising red flags out there, I don’t know what will." Within hours of NASA announcing its decision to fly the Artemis II mission aboard an Orion spacecraft with.....»»
Pioneering survey methodology sets new standards for gauging global scientific consensus
An international study led by Professor Peter Vickers of Durham University introduces a novel methodology for rapidly assessing scientific consensus on a global scale......»»
NASA flights map critical minerals from skies above western US
On a crystal-clear afternoon above a desert ghost town, a NASA aircraft scoured the ground for minerals. The plane, a high-altitude ER-2 research aircraft, had taken off early that morning from NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, Cali.....»»
MAUVE: An ultraviolet astrophysics probe mission concept
For the past 30 years, NASA's Great Observatories—the Hubble, Spitzer, Compton, and Chandra space telescopes—have revealed some amazing things about the universe. In addition to some of the deepest views of the universe provided by the Hubble Dee.....»»
Rocket Report: NASA delays Artemis again; SpinLaunch spins a little cash
A report in which we read some tea leaves. Welcome to Edition 7.22 of the Rocket Report! The big news is the Trump administration's announcement that commercial astronaut Jared Is.....»»
Speaking crystal: AI learns language of atom arrangements in solids
A new artificial intelligence model that can predict how atoms arrange themselves in crystal structures could lead to faster discovery of new materials for everything from solar panels to computer chips......»»
NASA says Orion’s heat shield is good to go for Artemis II—but does it matter?
The Artemis II mission, as NASA currently envisions it, won't launch until April 2026. Two years ago next week, NASA's Orion spacecraft splashed down in the Pacific Ocean to wrap.....»»
NASA pushes back its Artemis moon missions due to heat shield issues
NASA is delaying its Artemis II and Artemis III missions to 2026 and 2027 respectively due to issues with the Orion capsule's heat shield......»»
How did the CEO of an online payments firm become the nominee to lead NASA?
Expect significant changes for America's space agency. President-elect Donald Trump announced Wednesday his intent to nominate entrepreneur and commercial astronaut Jared Isaacman.....»»
Hubble takes closest-ever look at a quasar
Astronomers have used the unique capabilities of NASA's Hubble Space Telescope to peer closer than ever into the throat of an energetic monster black hole powering a quasar. A quasar is a galactic center that glows brightly as the black hole consumes.....»»
NASA delays crewed lunar landing to 2027
The United States is pushing back its planned return to the moon from 2026 to "mid-2027" as it deals with heat shield issues and other troubles plaguing its Orion crew capsule, NASA officials said Thursday......»»
Here"s how interstellar objects and rogue planets can be trapped in the solar system
When 'Oumuamua traversed our solar system in 2017 it was the first confirmed Interstellar Object (ISO) to do so. Then in 2019, Comet 2l/Borisov did the same thing. These are the only two confirmed ISOs to visit our solar system. Many more ISOs must h.....»»
European satellites launched to create artificial solar eclipses in a tech demo
A pair of European satellites rocketed into orbit Thursday on the first mission to create artificial solar eclipses through fancy formation flying in space......»»
NASA"s stuck astronauts hit 6 months in space. Just 2 more to go
Known across the globe as the stuck astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams hit the six-month mark in space Thursday with two more to go......»»
A rare Venus solar transit helps unravel exoplanet atmospheres
In the next decade, researchers will start probing the atmosphere of planets as small as Earth and Venus orbiting nearby stars. But although these two solar system planets are similar in size and bulk density—so that some call them "twins"—their.....»»
Could we use an asteroid to shield astronauts on their way to Mars?
Radiation is a primary concern for long-duration human spaceflight, such as the planned trips to Mars, which are the stated goal of organizations such as NASA and SpaceX. Shielding is the standard way to protect astronauts from radiation during those.....»»
NASA to offer major update on Artemis moon plan. Here’s how to watch
NASA’s top team is about to offer its first major update on its ambitious Artemis program in almost a year......»»
33 best Lego gifts for master builders of all ages
Finding the can be challenging, but when it comes to creativity, timeless fun, and display-worthy craftsmanship, Lego sets are a universal favorite. This guide to the best Lego gifts has been —from young kids just starting their building adventures.....»»
Trump nominates Jared Isaacman to become the next NASA administrator
"We will never again lose our ability to journey to the stars and never settle for second place." President-elect Donald Trump announced Wednesday he has selected Jared Isaacman,.....»»
Webb finds new galaxies in Spiderweb protocluster field
Using the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope, an international team of astronomers have found new galaxies in the Spiderweb protocluster. Their characteristics shed light on the growth of galaxies in these large cosmic cities, with the finding t.....»»