As the European Space Agency prepares to begin operations of its next-generation Vega-C and Ariane 6 launch systems complemented by the reusable Space Rider orbital transportation system, work is underway to define the future of European space transportation capabilities for the coming decade and beyond.
Space News & Blog Articles
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China’s Lunar Lander Finds Water Under its Feet
Earlier this year, scientists from China’s Chang’E-5 lunar lander revealed they had found evidence of water in the form of hydroxyl from in-situ measurements taken while lander was on the Moon. Now, they have confirmed the finding with laboratory analysis of the lunar samples from Chang’E-5 that were returned to Earth. The amount of water detected varied across the randomly chosen samples taken from around the base of the lander, from 0 to 180 parts per million (ppm), mean value of 28.5?ppm, which is on the weak end of lunar hydration.
Japan’s Upcoming Mission Will Use a Vacuum to Get its Sample From Phobos
JAXA, the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency, is carving out a niche for itself in sample-return missions. Their Hayabusa mission was the first mission to sample an asteroid when it brought dust from the asteroid Itokawa to Earth in 2010. Then its successor, Hayabusa 2, brought back a sample from asteroid Ryugu in 2020.
Life and Death in Nearby Galaxies
New images of nearby galaxies and their surroundings reveal details in galactic formation and evolution — and puzzles that remain to be solved.
There Could Be Four Hostile Civilizations in the Milky Way
In 1977, the Big Ear Radio Telescope at Ohio State University picked up a strong narrowband signal from space. The signal was a continuous radio wave that was very strong in intensity and frequency and had many expected characteristics of an extraterrestrial transmission. This event would come to be known as the Wow! Signal, and it remains the strongest candidate for a message sent by an extraterrestrial civilization. Unfortunately, all attempts to pinpoint the source of the signal (or detect it again) have failed.
Mars rover Perseverance spots shiny silver litter on the Red Planet (photo)
NASA's Perseverance rover just snapped a photo of a shiny silver object wedged between two Martian rocks. It's part of a thermal blanket that the robot carried with it to the Red Planet.
Fastest-growing black hole ever seen is devouring the equivalent of 1 Earth per second
A newly discovered black hole with a mass 3 billion times that of the sun is growing by rapidly consuming matter and has powered the most luminous quasar for 9 billion years.
Did China just detect signals from an alien civilization?
The internet is abuzz with rumors that China may have picked up signals from an alien civilization. But the pings are probably just Earthly interference, experts say.
Exclusive: Director Emily Dean creates a trippy Moebius tribute for Netflix's 'Love, Death + Robots Vol. 3'
Director Emily Dean discusses making "The Very Pulse of the Machine" for "Love, Death + Robots Vol. 3"
How Do Hot Jupiters Get So Close to Their Stars?
In this age of exoplanet discovery, we’ve discovered thousands of exoplanets of different types. The hot Jupiter is one of the most unusual types. There’s nothing like it in our Solar System.
NASA agrees to provide launcher for UK-built lunar communications satellite
Artist’s concept of the Lunar Pathfinder spacecraft. Credit: SSTL
NASA and the European Space Agency have agreed that a pathfinder data relay satellite to support missions on the polar regions and the far side of the moon will be launched on a commercial U.S. rocket, deepening trans-Atlantic ties on the Artemis lunar program, officials said Wednesday.
Amazing photos of the Strawberry supermoon of 2022 from around the world
Mesmerizing views of the Strawberry Supermoon thrilled stargazers all over the world yesterday night (June 14) with stunning images arriving from all over the world.
See Mercury as it reaches 'greatest elongation' before dawn on Thursday
Mercury will reveal itself at pre-dawn tomorrow (June 16) when the planet reaches greatest western elongation. Here's how to see it.
Boeing reveals new Starliner spacesuit with replica made by Adam Savage
A never-before-seen spacesuit is making its debut with the public opening of a new NASA exhibit, but its reveal is not the only surprise: it was also made by Adam Savage of "Mythbusters" fame.
Nikon D780 review
This full-frame DSLR is a low-light master, perfect for astrophotography, and has comfortable controls to match.
Missing microbial poop in Venus' clouds suggests the planet has no life
The odd chemical composition of Venusian clouds cannot be explained by extraterrestrial life, as the atmosphere bears no signs of alien pooping and eating, a new study found.
The Road to CM22 – Europe’s Space Ambition
Video: 00:02:03
ESA’s Council at Ministerial level will take place in November 2022, a crucial milestone as Europe sets out its ambitions and plans for space activities in the coming years and decades.
Have We Found the First Rogue Black Hole in the Milky Way?
Hubble observations have revealed a stellar-mass compact object — a black hole or possibly a neutron star — wandering our galaxy.
Fastest nova ever seen 'rings' like a bell thanks to feeding white dwarf
V1674 Hercules is the fastest nova ever discovered, but new research reveals strange new details about this explosive event driven by a feeding white dwarf.
Lego Marvel Spider-Man at the Sanctum Workshop review
This Lego Marvel playset might be on the simple side, but it’s packed full of fun details.
How baby stars blow bubbles as they are ejected from their nurseries
Astronomers have developed a new model for simulating how clusters of baby stars form and evolve, helping to explain how bubbles of ionized gas are created away from the heart of a galaxy.
