There’s a problem with the Perseverance rover. One of its instruments, the laser-shooting SHERLOC, which is mounted on the end of the robotic arm, has a dust cover that is supposed to protect the instrument when it’s not in use. Unfortunately, the cover has been stuck open, and that can allow dust to collect on the sensitive optics. The cover is partially open, so the rover can’t use its laser on rock targets or collect mineral spectroscopy data. NASA engineers are investigating the problem and are hoping to devise a solution.
Space News & Blog Articles
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Get to Know the Carina Constellation
The southern constellation Carina contains arguably the best nebula in the sky, along with a host of other fascinating stars and clusters.
Intuitive Machines’ Odysseus Lander Begins Its Moon Odyssey
Now it’s Intuitive Machines’ turn to try making history with a robotic moon landing.
SpaceX launches private 'Odysseus' lander on pioneering moon mission (video)
SpaceX launched Intuitive Machines' Odysseus spacecraft on Thursday morning (Feb. 15), kicking off the probe's quest to pull off an epic moon landing.
SpaceX scrubs Falcon 9 launch of Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stands ready to launch the Starlink 7-14 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base. Image: SpaceX
Update: 8:15 p.m. EST: SpaceX scrubbed the launch Wednesday evening.
Engineers Design Habitats for the Moon Inspired by Terminite Mounds
Through the Artemis Program, NASA intends to send astronauts back to the Moon for the first time since the Apollo Era. But this time, they intend to stay and establish a lunar base and other infrastructure by the end of the decade that will allow for a “sustained program of lunar exploration and development.” To accomplish this, NASA is enlisting the help of fellow space agencies, commercial partners, and academic institutions to create the necessary mission elements – these range from the launch systems, spacecraft, and human landing systems to the delivery of payloads.
Water found on the surface of an asteroid for the 1st time ever
Water molecules have been detected on the surface of an asteroid for the first time, revealing new clues about the distribution of water in our solar system.
SETI searches for alien signals synchronized with supernova 1987A
Astronomers revitalize an old concept called the SETI Ellipsoid that incorporates supernovas in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence.
Radio Telescope Confirms Free-Floating Binary Planets in the Orion Nebula
Planets orbit stars. That’s axiomatic. Or at least it was until astronomers started finding rogue planets, also called free-floating planets (FFPs). Some of these planets were torn from their stars’ gravitational grip and now drift through the cosmos, untethered to any star. Others formed in isolation.
Watch NASA unfurl basketball-court-sized solar sail for deep space propulsion (video)
NASA and Redwire Space successfully deployed a massive solar sail in a test, potentially paving the way for this revolutionary propulsion technology to be used for deep space transportation.
Passing Stars Changed the Orbits of Planets in the Solar System
The orbit of Earth around the Sun is always changing. It doesn’t change significantly from year to year, but over time the gravitational tugs of the Moon and other planets cause Earth’s orbit to vary. This migration affects Earth’s climate. For example, the gradual shift of Earth’s orbit and the changing tilt of Earth’s axis leads to the Milankovitch climate cycles. So if you want to understand paleoclimate or the shift of Earth’s climate across geologic time, it helps to know what Earth’s orbit was in the distant past.
Live coverage: SpaceX to launch Falcon 9 rocket with national security satellites from Cape Canaveral
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, carrying the U.S. Space Force (USSF)-124 payload of missile warning satellites for the Missile Defense Agency and Space Development Agency, completes being raised into its vertical launch position at Space Launch Complex (SLC)-40 on Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida ahead of today’s scheduled 5:30 p.m. EST liftoff. Image: SpaceX
SpaceX is aiming to launch its eighth Falcon 9 rocket on a National Security Space Launch (NSSL) mission on Wednesday evening. The launch, named United States Space Force 124 (USSF-124) is targeting liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at the start of a four-hour launch window that opens at 5:30 p.m. EST (2230 UTC).
Winter's Finest Triple Stars
Double stars are wonderful, but triples are terrific! Here are 16 trios to enjoy the next clear night.
Neil deGrasse Tyson's new StarTalk TV streaming channel launches on Pluto TV
Neil deGrasse Tyson brings his popular astronomy podcast StarTalk to a new streaming channel devoted entirely to bringing space down to Earth.
'Odd couple' kissing stars created by unromantic cannibalistic feeding dance
Valentine's Day won't be all hearts and flowers for some "kissing stars." These "odd couples" were created by a close-quarters feeding dance.
How to watch 'The Shuttle That Fell to Earth' online – from anywhere
How to watch "The Shuttle That Fell to Earth" online on BBC iPlayer in the UK and from anywhere. New documentary goes inside the Columbia disaster.
Watch Russia launch a Valentine's Day Progress supply ship to the ISS tonight with this free livestream
Russia will launch the robotic Progress 87 cargo ship toward the International Space Station tonight (Feb. 14), and you can watch the action live.
This astronaut took 5 spacewalks. Now, he's helping make spacesuits for future ISS crews (exclusive)
Retired NASA astronaut John "Danny" Olivas says he wants to give back in what he thinks is his final career move: developing spacesuits with Collins Aerospace for ISS and moon missions.
Fire but no brimstone: Where is the universe's missing sulfur?
Astronomers may finally know why some death shrouds created by the deaths of sun-like stars lack the element sulfur.
SpaceX launching 22 Starlink satellites from California tonight
SpaceX plans to launch 22 more of its Starlink internet satellites tonight (Feb. 14), on what could be a very busy day in spaceflight.
Ready, set, go! Euclid begins its dark Universe survey
Today, ESA’s space telescope Euclid begins its survey of the dark Universe. Over the next six years, Euclid will observe billions of galaxies across 10 billion years of cosmic history. Learn how the team prepared Euclid in the months after launch for this gigantic cosmic quest.
