By looking at Earth as an exoplanet, astronomers hope to search for similar fingerprints coming from planets around other stars, which would be a potential sign of intelligent life.
Space News & Blog Articles
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SpaceX launching 22 Starlink satellites from Florida June 13
SpaceX is scheduled to launch 22 more of its Starlink broadband satellites to orbit from Florida's Space Coast on Thursday (June 13).
Webb Telescope Sees Evidence of Asteroid Collision Around Nearby Star
New data suggest the star Beta Pictoris has cleared away the remains of an asteroid pulverized as recently as two decades ago.
Stoke Space test-fires engine for upcoming fully reusable rocket (photos)
Stoke Space has announced the first successful hot-fire engine test for its Nova launch vehicle, which the company calls the "most robust, fully and rapidly reusable medium-lift rocket in the world."
Next Generation Satellites Might Skim the Atmosphere, Using Air as a Propellant
Satellites in orbit use rocket propulsion to maintain their altitude. These engines require fuel to power their chemical or ion engines but when the fuel runs out, the orbit slowly erodes with the satellite re-entering the atmosphere. A new type of electrical propulsion has been developed that has no need for onboard fuel. Instead it syphons air particles out of the atmosphere and accelerates them to provide thrust. Much like an ion engine but this time, the fuel source is air making it ideal for low Earth orbits.
Alaska's rivers are turning bright orange and as acidic as vinegar as toxic metal escapes from melting permafrost
Alaska's melting permafrost is dumping toxic metals into the state's rivers, turning them bright orange and making the water highly acidic. The contaminated rivers are so vibrant they can be seen from space, and the problem is likely to get much worse in the future.
Hubble Telescope shares stunning galactic view despite recent hardware malfunction (photo)
A gorgeous new photo from the Hubble Space Telescope, which is down to two functioning gyroscopes, captures the barred spiral galaxy NGC 3059.
Ed Stone, who led NASA's iconic Voyager project for 50 years, dies at 88
Ed Stone, who for 50 years served as the project scientist for NASA's iconic Voyager mission, died June 9 at the age of 88.
FAA, NASA seek public input on SpaceX Starship launches at the Kennedy Space Center
The Ship 29 upper stage of the fully integrated Starship rocket as seen before its fourth flight test on June 6, 2024. Image: Michael Cain/Spaceflight Now
The Federal Aviation Administration is preparing to gather public input on SpaceX Starship launch operations at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. The request for comments comes about a month after the conclusion of an environmental review of a 100-acre expansion for SpaceX at its Hangar X site.
'Needs more aliens': Lego designer on kids' view of space as an endless playground (exclusive)
In an exclusive interview with Space.com, Lego senior design manager Dan Meehan discusses the role 'space storytellers' have had on shaping the company's new space-themed sets.
A star that exploded like a nuclear bomb is still raising questions half a century later
The nova caused HM Sge to brighten in our night sky by 250 times.
Meet Shaula: The Scorpion’s Triple-Pronged Stinger
Meet Shaula, the bright star on the Scorpion's tail. It's a challenge for northern observers, but easy to find if it clears the horizon!
Ariane 6 launches RAMI: the interplanetary deployer
Europe’s newest rocket soon launches, taking with it many space missions each with a unique objective, destination and team at home, cheering them on. Whether launching new satellites to look back and study Earth, peer out to deep space or test important new technologies in orbit, Ariane 6’s first flight will showcase the versatility and flexibility of this impressive, heavy-lift launcher. Read on for all about the RAMI deployer, then see who else is flying first.
Drone test of planetary landing radar
Image: Drone test of planetary landing radar
Eclipse-making double-satellite Proba-3
Video: 00:02:54
Proba-3 is ESA’s – and the world’s – first precision formation flying mission. A pair of satellites will fly together relative to the Sun so that one casts a precisely-controlled shadow onto the other, to create a prolonged solar eclipse in orbit. In the process the mission will open up the Sun’s faint surrounding coronal atmosphere for sustained study. Normally this corona is rendered invisible by the brilliant face of the Sun, like a firefly next to a bonfire.
Space for a travel quiz!
A new collaboration between ESA and Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands has got passengers thinking about space. Digital screens throughout the airport featuring stunning satellite images of Earth have been stopping travellers in their tracks. That's because these pictures from space are part of a fun Where on Earth? travel quiz.
Green light for Galileo Second Generation satellite design
Production of Galileo Second Generation satellites advances at full speed after two independent Satellite Critical Design Review boards have confirmed that the satellite designs of the respective industries meet all mission and performance requirements. This achievement is another crucial milestone hit on time in the ambitious schedule to develop the first 12 satellites of the Galileo Second Generation fleet.
The Nearby Star Clusters Come from Only Three Places
Many astronomy-interested people know of the Hyades and the Pleiades. They’re star clusters in the Taurus constellation. They’re two out of a handful of star clusters that are visible to the unaided eye under dark sky conditions.
'Starfield' unveils 1st look at 'Shattered Space' expansion (video)
Starfield might have disappointed some at launch, but in typical Bethesda fashion, it's continuing to expand and giving more power to the players.
Chinese moon researchers gearing up for June 25 arrival of far side samples
More than 200 Chinese scientists gathered in Beijing recently for a seminar about the geology of the Chang'e 6 mission's landing area. Samples from the site are scheduled to arrive on Earth on June 25.
Frost Seen on Olympus Mons for the First Time
It’s been known for years that there are large quantities of water ice locked up in the Martian poles. Around the equator however it is a barren dry wasteland devoid of any surface ice. Recent observations of Mars have discovered frost on the giant shield volcanoes but it only appears briefly after sunrise and soon evaporates. Estimates suggest that 150,000 tons of water cycle between the surface and atmosphere on a daily basis.
