Paris, France (SPX) Nov 15, 2024
The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has captured a compelling view of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) after its interaction with the Milky Way's gaseous halo. Despite the impact stripping away most of its surrounding gas halo, the LMC has retained enough material to continue forming new stars - a testament to its substantial mass and resilience. The LMC, one of the Milky Way's closest nei

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Nov 15, 2024
Cornell University researchers are constructing a library of basalt-based spectral signatures, examining chemical processes from Earth's hot mantle. This compilation aims to shed light on the composition of planets outside our solar system and potentially reveal water's presence on those exoplanets. "When the Earth's mantle melts, it produces basalts," explained Esteban Gazel, professor of

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Nov 15, 2024
NASA is prioritizing astronaut safety in the harsh conditions of the Moon, with a focus on developing reliable systems for rescue operations during missions at the Lunar South Pole. With the Artemis III mission set to deploy two astronauts in this region, the agency is preparing for potential emergency scenarios that could incapacitate a crewmember due to medical issues, injuries, or accidents.

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Nov 15, 2024
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) concluded Fiscal Year 2024 with an unprecedented 148 licensed commercial space operations, marking a growth exceeding 30 percent compared to the previous year. Looking ahead, the FAA predicts this figure could more than double by FY 2028. In response to this rapid growth, the FAA is initiating an Aerospace Rulemaking Committee to revise its Part 450 laun

Washington DC (UPI) Nov 14, 2024
SpaceX launched 24 more Starlink satellites into orbit at 8:21 a.m. Thursday morning from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. SpaceX said in a statement, "On Thursday, November 14 at 8:21 a.m. ET, Falcon 9 launched 24 Starlink satellites, to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. This was the 18th flight for the

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Nov 15, 2024
Sierra Space has announced a significant advancement in thermal protection technology through its collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). This development, featuring spacecraft tiles that can endure the intense heat of atmospheric re-entry for numerous missions, aims to support the increasing pace of commercial space travel. The new Thermal Protec

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Nov 15, 2024
Impulse Space has entered into an agreement with SpaceX to conduct three launches using Falcon 9 rockets, aimed at advancing the deployment of its Helios and Mira spacecraft. The first mission, set for mid-2026, will mark the debut of the Helios vehicle. Helios will be loaded with up to 14 tons of liquid methane and liquid oxygen at SpaceX's Florida facilities before integration with Falco

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Nov 15, 2024
NASA and Peru's National Commission for Aerospace Research and Development (CONIDA) have taken steps toward initiating a possible long-term scientific rocket campaign in Peru. The two organizations formalized their collaboration with a non-binding memorandum of understanding signed on Thursday. This agreement encompasses safety training, a joint feasibility assessment for the proposed camp

Durham , UK (SPX) Nov 15, 2024
What can be expected of a second Trump administration on space policy? In short, a mixture of continuity and change. There will be much continuity across military, civil and industrial space policy as these rarely diverge between political parties. Changes usually involve minor or incremental bureaucratic shifts. Nevertheless, Trump's swooning speech embracing Elon Musk, along with the Spa