SpaceX's Starship test flight ends in failure after spacecraft is destroyed
(theguardian.com)
SpaceX launched its Starship rocket on its latest test flight on Thursday, but the spacecraft was destroyed following a thrilling booster catch back at the pad.
SpaceX launched its Starship rocket on its latest test flight on Thursday, but the spacecraft was destroyed following a thrilling booster catch back at the pad.
Largest ever photomosaic of Andromeda galaxy from NASA's Hubble
(nasa.gov)
In the years following the launch of NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, astronomers have tallied over 1 trillion galaxies in the universe. But only one galaxy stands out as the most important nearby stellar island to our Milky Way — the magnificent Andromeda galaxy (Messier 31).
In the years following the launch of NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, astronomers have tallied over 1 trillion galaxies in the universe. But only one galaxy stands out as the most important nearby stellar island to our Milky Way — the magnificent Andromeda galaxy (Messier 31).
Recalibrating 'Hot Jupiter' Migration
(centauri-dreams.org)
What catches your eye in this description of an exoplanetary system? Start with a ‘hot Jupiter,’ with a radius 0.87 times that of our Jupiter and an orbit of 7.1 days. This is WASP-132b, confirmed in 2016, and first discovered through the labors of the Wide-Angle Search for Planets program.
What catches your eye in this description of an exoplanetary system? Start with a ‘hot Jupiter,’ with a radius 0.87 times that of our Jupiter and an orbit of 7.1 days. This is WASP-132b, confirmed in 2016, and first discovered through the labors of the Wide-Angle Search for Planets program.
Blue Origin reaches orbit on first flight of its titanic New Glenn rocket
(arstechnica.com)
Early on Thursday morning, a Saturn V-sized rocket ignited its seven main engines, a prelude to lifting off from Earth.
Early on Thursday morning, a Saturn V-sized rocket ignited its seven main engines, a prelude to lifting off from Earth.
Sky-scanning complete for Gaia
(esa.int)
ESA’s Milky Way-mapper Gaia has completed the sky-scanning phase of its mission, racking up more than three trillion observations of about two billion stars and other objects over the last decade to revolutionise our view of our home galaxy and cosmic neighbourhood.
ESA’s Milky Way-mapper Gaia has completed the sky-scanning phase of its mission, racking up more than three trillion observations of about two billion stars and other objects over the last decade to revolutionise our view of our home galaxy and cosmic neighbourhood.
NASA's Metallic Orbs: The Surprising Briefing Everyone Missed
(medium.com)
On July 1, 2023, a Pentagon official at NASA headquarters calmly stated, ‘We see these metallic spheres all over the world, making maneuvers we can’t explain…moving at Mach 2 against the wind, with no apparent propulsion.”
On July 1, 2023, a Pentagon official at NASA headquarters calmly stated, ‘We see these metallic spheres all over the world, making maneuvers we can’t explain…moving at Mach 2 against the wind, with no apparent propulsion.”
Leaving a permanent record of humanity on the moon – in 100B pixels
(aljazeera.com)
‘Sanctuary on the Moon’ is a lunar time capsule that provides a detailed guide to life on Earth for our future selves.
‘Sanctuary on the Moon’ is a lunar time capsule that provides a detailed guide to life on Earth for our future selves.
New Glenn to make another launch attempt early Thursday
(arstechnica.com)
Blue Origin announced late on Monday afternoon that it planned to make a second attempt to launch the New Glenn rocket at 1 am ET (06:00 UTC) on Tuesday. But then, a couple of hours later, the company said it would move the launch to Thursday.
Blue Origin announced late on Monday afternoon that it planned to make a second attempt to launch the New Glenn rocket at 1 am ET (06:00 UTC) on Tuesday. But then, a couple of hours later, the company said it would move the launch to Thursday.
Carnarvon's NASA satellite dish receives first signal in almost 40 years
(abc.net.au)
A 29-metre-wide satellite dish that once aided NASA missions has received its first signal since being mothballed in 1987.
A 29-metre-wide satellite dish that once aided NASA missions has received its first signal since being mothballed in 1987.
Wrist watch modelled on Apollo DSKY computer
(apollo-instruments.com)
Introducing the highly coveted Apollo Instruments DSKY Moonwatch, a four-year endeavour that captures the essence of adventure and the spirit of space exploration. With its authentic design and immersive functionality, this watch is a must-have for any avid collector or space enthusiast.
Introducing the highly coveted Apollo Instruments DSKY Moonwatch, a four-year endeavour that captures the essence of adventure and the spirit of space exploration. With its authentic design and immersive functionality, this watch is a must-have for any avid collector or space enthusiast.
NASA to explore two landing options for returning samples from Mars
(nasa.gov)
To maximize chances of successfully bringing the first Martian rock and sediment samples to Earth for the benefit of humanity, NASA announced Tuesday a new approach to its Mars Sample Return Program.
To maximize chances of successfully bringing the first Martian rock and sediment samples to Earth for the benefit of humanity, NASA announced Tuesday a new approach to its Mars Sample Return Program.
Top three images from BepiColombo's sixth Mercury flyby
(esa.int)
On 8 January 2025, the ESA/JAXA BepiColombo mission flew past Mercury for the sixth time, successfully completing the final ‘gravity assist manoeuvre’ needed to steer it into orbit around the planet in late 2026. The spacecraft flew just a few hundred kilometres above the planet's north pole.
On 8 January 2025, the ESA/JAXA BepiColombo mission flew past Mercury for the sixth time, successfully completing the final ‘gravity assist manoeuvre’ needed to steer it into orbit around the planet in late 2026. The spacecraft flew just a few hundred kilometres above the planet's north pole.
Apollo Landing Keypad Shrunken into Coolest Calculator Watch
(gizmodo.com)
A British startup managed to shrink the Apollo Guidance Computer down to the size of an Apple Watch.
A British startup managed to shrink the Apollo Guidance Computer down to the size of an Apple Watch.
Review: Reentry, by Eric Berger
(thepsmiths.com)
Reentry: SpaceX, Elon Musk, and the Reusable Rockets that Launched a Second Space Age, Eric Berger (BenBella Books, 2024).
Reentry: SpaceX, Elon Musk, and the Reusable Rockets that Launched a Second Space Age, Eric Berger (BenBella Books, 2024).
China plans to build 'Three Gorges dam in space' to harness solar power
(scmp.com)
A senior Chinese scientist has revealed an ambitious plan to use super heavy rockets to build solar power stations in space, calling it “another Three Gorges Dam project above the Earth”.
A senior Chinese scientist has revealed an ambitious plan to use super heavy rockets to build solar power stations in space, calling it “another Three Gorges Dam project above the Earth”.
The Great Filter Comes for Us All
(codinghorror.com)
With a 13 billion year head start on evolution, why haven't any other forms of life in the universe contacted us by now?
With a 13 billion year head start on evolution, why haven't any other forms of life in the universe contacted us by now?
Outgoing NASA administrator urges incoming leaders to stick with Artemis plan
(arstechnica.com)
The answer is no, this is not true. But let me tell you why the speculation is there. I was sworn in on the third of May. I believe that decision was made the previous week.
The answer is no, this is not true. But let me tell you why the speculation is there. I was sworn in on the third of May. I believe that decision was made the previous week.
SpaceX to test vehicle upgrades and payload deployment on next Starship flight
(spacenews.com)
WASHINGTON — SpaceX plans to test several upgrades to its Starship vehicle on its next test flight, scheduled for as soon as Jan. 10, as well as conduct the first payload deployments from it.
WASHINGTON — SpaceX plans to test several upgrades to its Starship vehicle on its next test flight, scheduled for as soon as Jan. 10, as well as conduct the first payload deployments from it.
High schoolers capture Earth from balloon in stratosphere
(asahi.com)
NAGOYA—A balloon launched by high school students soared into the stratosphere and captured our blue, round planet on cameras from an altitude of about 28 kilometers.
NAGOYA—A balloon launched by high school students soared into the stratosphere and captured our blue, round planet on cameras from an altitude of about 28 kilometers.
Review: Reentry, by Eric Berger
(thepsmiths.com)
Reentry: SpaceX, Elon Musk, and the Reusable Rockets that Launched a Second Space Age, Eric Berger (BenBella Books, 2024).
Reentry: SpaceX, Elon Musk, and the Reusable Rockets that Launched a Second Space Age, Eric Berger (BenBella Books, 2024).
Rival to SpaceX's Starlink Goes Dark After Failing to Account for Leap Year
(gizmodo.com)
French satellite operator Eutelsat failed to account for last year’s leap year, leading to an embarrassing service outage that lasted for 48 hours.
French satellite operator Eutelsat failed to account for last year’s leap year, leading to an embarrassing service outage that lasted for 48 hours.
Life Without Stars: Stanets and Ploons
(theeggandtherock.com)
Last year, the James Webb Space Telescope made a startling new discovery about how, and where, planets can form.
Last year, the James Webb Space Telescope made a startling new discovery about how, and where, planets can form.