Scientists observe supernova explosion in unprecedented detail
In a world-first, astronomers have recorded the earliest moments of a supernova — the powerful explosion of a massive star — in unprecedented detail. The observation is a celebratory moment in the world of astronomy that could help improve our knowledge about what happens to stars the moment Read More...
Solar sail technologies to make future space missions more fuel-efficient
We’ve previously written about emerging sail technologies that hold the potential to make the maritime industry more sustainable and efficient. But a type of sail technology may soon also help humanity’s efforts to study outer space. NASA has recently announced that it plans to test new solar Read More...
NASA to launch 128 baby bobtail squid into space
Over 100 baby squid along with 5,000 microscopic animals are about to set off on the journey of a lifetime. To help scientists at NASA further their understanding of the effects of spaceflight, these tiny animals were launched towards the International Space Station last Thursday aboard Space X’s Read More...
Astronauts arrive on the ISS on board a reused SpaceX capsule
On what was a historic day for spaceflight last Saturday, four astronauts arrived at the International Space Station in SpaceX’s Crew Dragon “Endeavour” spacecraft — marking the first time a rocket booster has been reused for a space mission with a crew on board. Dubbed Crew-2, the mission Read More...
New radar in Costa Rica can track tiny space debris
Space debris flying around Earth’s orbit is a major threat to the International Space Station (ISS) and future manned space missions. That’s why LeoLabs, a company that provides commercial radar tracking services for objects in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), just built the “most advanced commercial Read More...
Scientists test new technology to clean up space junk from Earth’s orbit
From large rocket parts to tiny shards of metal from accidental collisions and explosions, space junk is becoming increasingly problematic. As these pieces of debris fly around at about 18,000 mph, they pose a real safety risk to the astronauts aboard the International Space Station and could cause Read More...
NASA uses Navajo language to name rocks and soil on Mars
After successfully landing on the neighboring planet last month, NASA’s Perseverance rover is now ready to explore its ground. Its first scientific focus is a rock named “Máaz” — the Navajo word for “Mars.” That’s just one nickname among many others that have been given to landmarks Read More...
29-year-old cancer survivor to become youngest American to go to space
SpaceX is getting ready to send four civilians into orbit aboard its Crew Dragon capsule, and not a single professional astronaut will be on board (say what!?). The trip will happen courtesy of billionaire Jared Isaacman, who purchased the debut commercial astronaut rocket launch from Space X. Read More...
NASA’s Perseverance rover lands on Mars to search for extraterrestrial life
In an incredible interplanetary feat, NASA’s Perseverance rover has successfully landed on Mars on Thursday. The touchdown, which took place on the red planet’s Jezero crater, marks the beginning of the agency’s most ambitious effort to directly investigate whether there was once life on our Read More...
Experiment: Blue-green algae could help make life sustainable on Mars
As astronauts are preparing for the upcoming space missions to Mars, scientists are now hard at work to find ways to make the red planet as hospitable as possible for human settlement. A recent experiment has found that the good old blue-green algae may play a key role in achieving that Read More...