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Space Exploration news
A new generation of telescopes will probe the 'unknown unknowns' that could transform our knowledge of the universe
In recent decades, we've learned huge amounts about the universe and its history. The rapidly developing technology of telescopes—both on Earth and in space—has been a key part of this process, and those that are due ...
Astronomy
Oct 17, 2024
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Moonlight may hamper views of the Orionid meteor shower, debris of Halley's comet
The Orionids—one of two annual meteor showers from Halley's comet—peak early Monday. A bright waning moon may make them difficult to spot.
Space Exploration
Oct 17, 2024
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Space Force's X-37B will perform 'never before-seen maneuvers' in orbit
The X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV) has been shrouded in mystery since its maiden flight in 2011. Designed by Boeing and operated by the U.S. Space Force (USSF), this remotely operated, reusable space plane is designed to ...
Space Exploration
Oct 16, 2024
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Instrument uses millimeter-wave radar to measure density of dust that kicks up from spacecraft thrusters
Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign developed an instrument to measure the density of the dust that kicks up when spacecraft thrusters interact with planetary surfaces as it lands. Because cameras and ...
Space Exploration
Oct 16, 2024
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Semiconductor expert: How radiation in space affects transistors
NASA's $5.2 billion Europa Clipper mission to study Jupiter's fourth-largest moon—Europa—and assess its potential for harboring life will see the spacecraft travel through the most powerful radiation belt in the solar ...
Space Exploration
Oct 16, 2024
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Researchers simulate moon dust collection with teleoperated robots
Teleoperated robots for gathering moon dust are a step closer, according to research by scientists at the University of Bristol. The researchers presented their paper "Demonstrating Trustworthiness in Open-Loop Model Mediated ...
Space Exploration
Oct 16, 2024
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The astronaut wears Prada as Axiom unveils new spacesuit
Astronauts walking on the moon as part of NASA's first human mission to the lunar South Pole will be wearing Prada, as part of a new venture unveiled on Wednesday.
Space Exploration
Oct 16, 2024
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'Biggest and brightest' supermoon to shine over California soon—along with comet, meteors
Less than a week after the northern lights dazzled observers across California, stargazers are in for another treat.
Space Exploration
Oct 16, 2024
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With FAA OK, SpaceX back to normal Falcon 9 launches
SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket early Tuesday with a full OK from the Federal Aviation Administration, its first since a second stage failure on the Crew-8 launch grounded the rocket.
Space Exploration
Oct 16, 2024
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Missed out on the northern lights? Scientists expect more solar storms to produce auroras
Expect to see more northern lights in unusual places as the sun continues to sizzle, space weather forecasters said Tuesday.
Space Exploration
Oct 15, 2024
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Lab tests heat shields for space
For decades, Sandia National Laboratories' National Solar Thermal Test Facility has harnessed the power of the sun to expose aerospace materials to intense heat, replicating the harsh conditions of faster-than-sound flight ...
Space Exploration
Oct 15, 2024
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Penetrating the ice sheet of an ocean moon: Four questions about the Clipper Mission to Europa
On Oct. 14 NASA's Europa Clipper Mission launched. It is the first detailed investigation of Jupiter's moon Europa—which is believed to harbor an ocean so vast that it contains more water than anywhere else in the known ...
Space Exploration
Oct 15, 2024
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China unveils its plans to turn its feats in space exploration into scientific advances
China has made great strides in exploring space in recent years, rocketing astronauts to its own space station and bringing back rocks from the moon. Now it wants to turn those feats into scientific advances.
Space Exploration
Oct 15, 2024
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A Southern California school plants a 'Moon Tree' grown with seeds flown in space
To cheers and applause from kids wearing spacesuits and star-studded T-shirts, a tree was planted in California that is out of this world.
Space Exploration
Oct 15, 2024
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NASA launches probe to study if life possible on icy Jupiter moon
NASA's Europa Clipper probe blasted off from Florida on Monday, bound for an icy moon of Jupiter to discover whether it has the ingredients to support life.
Space Exploration
Oct 14, 2024
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SpaceX wins earlier-than-expected approval to fly fifth Starship
SpaceX received approval from U.S. air safety regulators to launch the fifth major test flight of its massive Starship rocket—a pivotal mission that will see the booster portion return from space and attempt to land upright.
Space Exploration
Oct 14, 2024
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SOHO spies bright comet making debut in evening sky
The ESA (European Space Agency) and NASA Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) have captured images of the second-brightest comet to ever pass through its field of view during the spacecraft's nearly 29-year career.
Astronomy
Oct 14, 2024
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Is life possible on a Jupiter moon? NASA goes to investigate
Is there anywhere else in our solar system that could support life? An imposing NASA probe is due to lift off on Monday on a five-and-a-half-year journey to Europa, one of Jupiter's many moons, to take the first detailed ...
Space Exploration
Oct 14, 2024
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In a first, Starship megarocket booster caught by SpaceX's 'chopsticks'
SpaceX on Sunday successfully flew the first-stage booster of its Starship megarocket back to the launch pad after a test flight, a technical tour de force that furthers the company's quest for rapid reusability.
Space Exploration
Oct 13, 2024
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What's behind the northern lights that dazzled the sky farther south than normal
Another in a series of unusually strong solar storms hitting Earth produced stunning skies full of pinks, purples, greens and blues farther south than normal, including into parts of Germany, the United Kingdom, New England ...
Space Exploration
Oct 11, 2024
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