NASA plans to send astronauts to Mars in the coming decade. This presents many challenges, not the least of which is the distance involved and the resulting health risks. To this end, they are investigating and investing in many technologies, ranging from life support and radiation protection to nuclear power and propulsion elements. A particularly promising technology is Nuclear-Thermal Propulsion (NTP), which has the potential to reduce transit times to Mars significantly. Instead of the usual one-way transit period of six to nine months, a working NTP system could reduce the travel time to between 100 and 45 days!
Space News & Blog Articles
Life on 'Mars:' Commander of NASA's 1st yearlong analog comments on 1st month, food and stars
It's been a full month since Kelly Haston moved to 'Mars.' As commander of NASA's CHAPEA mission, Haston and her three crewmates volunteered to live for more than a year inside 'Mars Dune Alpha.'
Event Horizon
The event horizon is a critical concept in astrophysics, particularly in the study of black holes. It refers to the boundary around a black hole beyond which nothing, not even light, can escape its gravitational pull. Once an object or light crosses the event horizon, it is said to be inside the black hole and can never return to the outside universe.
SpaceX to try again for a record-breaking double-launch
Falcon Heavy (left) and Falcon 9 missions could launch within 44 minutes of each other. Images: SpaceX/Spaceflight Now
SpaceX could break the record for the shortest time between Cape Canaveral launches Thursday night if it can launch a Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy in quick succession. But achieving that assumes the weather cooperates and any technical issues with the Falcon Heavy can be resolved.
SpaceX Falcon Heavy seen from space waiting on launch pad (photos)
SpaceX's Falcon Heavy was photographed from space by Maxar Technologies before the rocket launches their largest satellite ever.
China begins trial operations with world’s largest solar telescope array
The world’s largest array of sun-monitoring radio telescopes has begun trial operations in southwest China.
SpaceX aiming for record-breaking launch doubleheader tonight
SpaceX could launch two rockets just 44 minutes apart tonight (July 27), if all goes according to plan.
Saturn may have 'failed' as a gas giant
One astrophysicist is suggesting we remove Saturn's status as a gas giant, saying the planet tried but didn't quite make the cut.
Senseless Vandalism Damages Canadian Observatory
The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada’s observatory in Hamilton, Ontario was vandalized earlier this month, with at least $100,000 in damage to equipment and facilities.
NASA eyeing SpaceX's Starship as possible space station
SpaceX and NASA are working to include Starship in an architecture of low Earth orbit opportunities by considering the massive spacecraft for use as a space station.
Watch Ben Kingsley befriend an alien who crashed to Earth in new UFO comedy 'Jules' (exclusive)
Check out this exclusive clip of Ben Kingsley in "Jules," a new sci-fi comedy about an elderly man befriending an extraterrestrial who crashed to Earth.
Denmark's Crew-7 astronaut plans to snap aurora photos on the ISS
Denmark's Andreas Mogensen will fly to the International Space Station on SpaceX's Crew-7 mission while the sun is active, and hopes to catch auroras on camera.
Listen to the sound of three stars playing 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star'
Scientists measured the innate "twinkling" of three stars as waves of energy traveled from their cores to their surfaces. Then, the team set their findings to a familiar and apt tune.
Sony A7R V review
Can it fill the boots of the powerful A7R IV? We tested Sony's newest full-frame mirrorless camera to see whether the upgrades are worth it.
NASA's Juno probe finds giant swirling waves in Jupiter's magnetosphere
Data from NASA's Juno mission shows that the spacecraft routinely encounters giant swirling waves, or vortices, at the boundary between the planet's magnetic field and the solar wind.
Ocean current system could shut down as early as 2025, leading to climate disaster
This major system, which transport heat from the tropics to the north Atlantic, are now at high risk of collapse due to human-induced climate change.
Better SAFER than sorry
Image: Astronaut Andreas Mogensen undergoing VR training for EVA emergencies
Keeping your underwear clean on the Moon
When astronauts return to the Moon they will be bringing along a new generation of spacesuits, designed to withstand the harsh conditions of the lunar surface. But in keeping their human occupants safe and comfortable, these suits might also become a fertile environment for harmful microbial life – especially as astronauts will potentially be sharing suits with one another.
Hubble telescope spots a bright spiral galaxy with a violent past (photo)
The Hubble Space Telescope captured a new view of a spiral galaxy called UGC 12295, which is believed to have recently hosted a supernova, allowing astronomers to study the debris of the stellar explosion.
Combine October’s “Ring of Fire” Eclipse with Stargazing
Stargazers will be interested not only in the annular eclipse this October but also in the dark skies in parks along the eclipse path!
Wow! Rare rainbow contrails caught on camera (photos)
A series of stunning rainbow contrails were captured by amateur photographer Soumyadeep Mukherjee over Kolkata, India.