Rocket Lab caught a returning booster with a helicopter during an orbital launch today (May 2), notching a huge milestone for the company and its quest to make its Electron rocket partially reusable.
Space News & Blog Articles
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This is it! On May 12th we’ll see the Event Horizon Telescope’s Image of the Milky Way’s Supermassive Black Hole
In April of 2019, the international astronomical consortium known as the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) made headlines worldwide when it announced the first-ever image of a black hole. Specifically, the image showed the glowing disk surrounding the supermassive black hole (SMBH) at the center of the M87 galaxy. In 2021, they followed up on this by acquiring an image of the core region of the Centaurus A galaxy and the radio jet emanating from it.
Now, We can Finally Compare Webb to Other Infrared Observatories
The images released by the James Webb Space Telescope team last week aren’t officially ‘first light’ images from the new telescope, but in a way, it feels like they are. These stunning views provide the initial indications of just how powerful JWST will be, and just how much infrared astronomy is about to improve.
Humanity Will Need to Survive About 400,000 Years if We Want any Chance of Hearing From an Alien Civilization
If there are so many galaxies, stars, and planets, where are all the aliens, and why haven’t we heard from them? Those are the simple questions at the heart of the Fermi Paradox. In a new paper, a pair of researchers ask the next obvious question: how long will we have to survive to hear from another alien civilization?
NASA wants your input on its Mars sample return project
NASA is asking the public to comment on an environmental assessment for its Mars sample return effort.
James Webb Space Telescope faces crucial test of thermal stability
NASA's new deep-space observatory will soon move between hot and cold in a crucial test of its infrared viewing capabilities.
May's lunar eclipse and a wild-card meteor shower may offer double spectacle
May offers an unusual skywatching bounty: the possibility of two major celestial highlights occurring within the span of a single month.
Live coverage: Rocket Lab will try to catch a booster in mid-air after launch today
Live coverage of the countdown and launch of a Rocket Lab Electron rocket from Launch Complex 1A on Mahia Peninsula in New Zealand carrying 34 small picosatellites and CubeSats. Text updates will appear automatically below. Follow us on Twitter.
4K Video: The launch of Crew 4 as seen from the press site
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Watch What Happens to Astronauts When the International Space Station Gets an Orbital Reboost
This is reminiscent of going down slide on the playground – and then immediately getting back in line to go down again. Except in space.
Where Did Earth’s Trojans Go? Ask the Moon
Why doesn't Earth have Trojan asteroids of its own? Large impacts in the early years of the solar system may be to blame.
Meet Elliott Tanner, the 13-year-old who just got his college degree in physics
13-year-old prodigy Elliott Tanner has graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in physics and mathematics.
Which Parts of Mars are the Safest From Cosmic Radiation?
In the coming decade, NASA and China plan to send the first crewed missions to Mars. This will consist of both agencies sending spacecraft in 2033, 2035, 2037, and every 26 months after that to coincide with Mars being in “Opposition” (i.e., when Earth and Mars are closest in their orbits). The long-term aim of these programs is to establish a base on Mars that will serve as a hub that accommodates future missions, though the Chinese have stated that they intend for their base to be a permanent one.
Venus and Jupiter shine together over Rome (photo)
A new image captures two planets with ancient significance meeting up over the famous old city of Rome on Sunday (May 1).
Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks this week! Here's how to watch the show.
The Eta Aquarid meteor shower may generate as many as 50 shooting stars an hour during its peak on Thursday (May 5), weather permitting.
Don't miss Mercury shine with the crescent moon in tonight's sky!
The moon will point the way to the usually elusive Mercury tonight (May 2).
These dry ice glaciers on Mars are moving at its south pole
A new study finds that dry ice flows closer to 100 times faster than water ice in the thin atmospheres on Mars, when on high slopes.
Watch how NASA astronauts communicate in space without speaking (video)
A new NASA STEM video explains how astronauts train to use nonverbal hand signals
Inflight call with Samantha and Matthias
Video: 00:21:27
ESA astronauts Samantha Cristoforetti and Matthias Maurer, currently on board the International Space Station, discuss their brief handover with Josef Aschbacher, Director General of ESA, Walther Pelzer, Head of the German Space Agency at DLR, and Giorgio Saccoccia, Head of the Italian Space Agency ASI.
Black Moon solar eclipse looks otherworldly in stunning images
The rare partial solar eclipse stunned skywatchers on Apirl 30. Here's a look at their images.
