The science behind splashdown—aerospace engineer explains how NASA and SpaceX get spacecraft safely back
For about 15 minutes on July 21, 1961, American astronaut Gus Grissom felt at the top of the world—and indeed he was......»»
Extreme wildfires have doubled in just 20 years—here"s the science
It feels like we are getting used to the Earth being on fire. Recently, more than 70 wildfires burned simultaneously in Greece. In early 2024, Chile suffered its worst wildfire season in history, with more than 130 people killed. Last year, Canada's.....»»
NASA astronauts will stay at the space station longer for more troubleshooting of Boeing capsule
Two NASA astronauts will stay longer at the International Space Station as engineers troubleshoot problems on Boeing's new space capsule that cropped up on the trip there......»»
NASA and SpaceX misjudged the risks from reentering space junk
“Safety tends to not be on the front burner until it really needs to be on the front burner.” Enlarge / A European ATV cargo freighter reenters the atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean in 2013. Since the beginning of t.....»»
NASA orders more tests on Starliner, but says crew isn’t stranded in space
“I want to make it very clear that Butch and Suni are not stranded in space." Enlarge / Boeing's Starliner spacecraft is seen docked at the International Space Station on June 13. (credit: NASA) NASA and Boeing officia.....»»
Analysis of NASA InSight data suggests Mars hit by meteoroids more often than thought
NASA's Mars InSight Lander may be resting on the Red Planet in retirement, but data from the robotic explorer is still leading to seismic discoveries on Earth......»»
Mere days before its debut, the Ariane 6 rocket loses a key customer to SpaceX
"I am impatiently waiting to understand what reasons could have led Eumetsat to such a decision." Enlarge / The flight hardware core stage for Europe’s new rocket, Ariane 6, is moved onto the launch pad for the first time. A la.....»»
Image: Hubble examines elliptical galaxy Messier 105
It might appear featureless and unexciting at first glance, but NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope observations of this elliptical galaxy—known as Messier 105—show that the stars near the galaxy's center are moving very rapidly......»»
New study shows meaningful social interactions boost well-being, but context matters
Engaging in meaningful social interactions with peers is associated with lower loneliness and greater affective well-being, new research published in Social Psychological and Personality Science finds. Researchers followed three cohorts of university.....»»
Tiny bright objects discovered at dawn of universe baffle scientists
A recent discovery by NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) confirmed that luminous, very red objects previously detected in the early universe upend conventional thinking about the origins and evolution of galaxies and their supermassive black ho.....»»
Watch SpaceX achieve a record with a Falcon 9 booster
SpaceX has just launched one of its Falcon 9 record boosters on a record-breaking flight from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida......»»
Boeing’s Starliner Leaves Astronauts Stuck but Safe in Space
On its first crewed flight, troubling technical glitches with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft have left two astronauts in limbo onboard the International Space Station.....»»
SpaceX Wins $843-Million NASA Contract to Destroy the International Space Station
The world will be watching—literally—as SpaceX tackles possibly what might be its highest-stakes endeavor to date: safely destroying the beloved International Space Station.....»»
Family Files Claim against NASA after Space Junk Crashes into Florida Home
Florida family files claim against NASA to compensate them after space debris crashed through their home in March.....»»
NASA taps Elon Musk"s SpaceX to bring International Space Station out of orbit in a few more years
NASA taps Elon Musk"s SpaceX to bring International Space Station out of orbit in a few more years.....»»
Rocket Report: China flies reusable rocket hopper; Falcon Heavy dazzles
"I have a problem: Rockets are built and kept in stock but not finding customers." Enlarge / SpaceX's 10th Falcon Heavy rocket climbs into orbit with a new US government weather satellite. (credit: SpaceX) Welcome to Edi.....»»
Watch SpaceX achieve a new record with a Falcon 9 booster
SpaceX has just launched one of its Falcon 9 record boosters on a record-breaking flight from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida......»»
Community Shop Class: A Safe Place to Use Tools Safely
In this episode of Make:cast, I talk to Chad Orcutt, the creator of Community Shop Class in the Oak Park neighborhood of Sacramento, California. What started out as the ADHD Inventor’s Club in his garage grew into a new space, unlike any maker.....»»
Watch SpaceX test ‘chopsticks’ for upcoming catch of Super Heavy booster
SpaceX has been testing the mechanical arms that will try to catch the Super Heavy booster at the end of its next test flight, which could take place in July......»»
NASA"s Mars Odyssey orbiter captures huge volcano, nears 100,000 orbits
NASA's longest-lived Mars robot is about to mark a new milestone on June 30: 100,000 trips around the Red Planet since launching 23 years ago. During that time, the 2001 Mars Odyssey orbiter has been mapping minerals and ice across the Martian surfac.....»»
Researchers propose a new, holistic way to teach synthetic biology
The field of synthetic biology, the science of manipulating biology, has a lot of "cooks in the kitchen," which has both helped it flourish and made it unusually difficult to create a cohesive, consistent curriculum for students at every level of stu.....»»