Copernical Team
Life from Earth could temporarily survive on Mars
Some microbes on Earth could temporarily survive on the surface of Mars, finds a new study by NASA and German Aerospace Center scientists. The researchers tested the endurance of microorganisms to Martian conditions by launching them into the Earth's stratosphere, as it closely represents key conditions on the Red Planet. Published in Frontiers in Microbiology, this work paves the way for unders
NASA delays new test-firing of moon rocket
NASA has delayed the test-firing of its SLS moon rocket that had been planned for Thursday to check out a faulty valve in the liquid propulsion system. When it happens, the test will ignite four powerful engines on the 212-foot-tall core stage of the Space Launch System rocket for four to eight minutes at the John C. Stennis Space Center in southern Mississippi. NASA is preparing the rocke
Cygnus resupply ship bolted to ISS Unity Module
The Northrop Grumman Cygnus cargo spacecraft was berthed to the International Space Station's Earth-facing port of the Unity module at 7:16 a.m. EST Monday morning and subsequently bolted into place. Cygnus will remain at the space station until May, when the spacecraft will depart the station. Following departure, the Cygnus will dispose of several tons of trash during a fiery reentry into Eart
Israel launches research nanosatellite to measure radiation in space
TAU-SAT1, Tel Aviv University's first nanosatellite, was launched into orbit on Saturday Feb. 20 at 07:36 p.m. (Israel time), from the NASA launch facility in Virginia, USA. TAU-SAT1 will conduct several experiments while in orbit, including the measurement of cosmic radiation around earth. TAU scientists are excited with the remarkable scientific and technological achievement, noting that
Nanoracks launches two cubesats on NG-15 Cygnus
Earlier The NG-15 Cygnus spacecraft has berthed at the International Space Station (ISS), carrying two CubeSats in the Nanoracks External Cygnus Deployer (E-NRCSD). The Cygnus arrived at the ISS after launching from Wallops Flight Facility Pad 0A on February 20, 2021 at 17:36 UTC. In celebration of Black History Month, the NG-15 Cygnus has been named in honor of Katherine Johnson, a NASA mathema
China begins assembly of Long March 5B heavy-lift to launch core space station capsule
The Long March 5B heavy-lift carrier rocket tasked with launching the core capsule of China's Space station arrived at the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan province on Monday, the China Manned Space Agency said. The rocket will now be assembled and then undergo ground tests with the capsule at the coastal launch complex, the agency said in a brief statement, without elaborating.
NASA releases first audio from Mars, video of landing
NASA releases first video of Perseverance rover landing on Mars
NASA's Mars Perseverance Rover Provides Front-Row Seat to Landing, First Audio Recording of Red Planet
New video from NASA's Mars 2020 Perseverance rover chronicles major milestones during the final minutes of its entry, descent, and landing (EDL) on the Red Planet on Feb. 18 as the spacecraft plummeted, parachuted, and rocketed toward the surface of Mars. A microphone on the rover also has provided the first audio recording of sounds from Mars. From the moment of parachute inflation, the c
Big ideas in small packages: The seeds and worms making their way to the ISS
On Feb. 20, 2021, Northrop Grumman will launch its Cygnus cargo spacecraft aboard an Antares rocket to deliver several tons of cargo and supplies to the International Space Station for its 15th resupply mission (CRS-15). Included in these bulky supplies will be a handful of items that weigh no more than a few grams—a sampling of seeds, some microscopic proteins, and a few small worms. Yet it is these tiny organisms that may yield the biggest impact to this mission, affecting the future of space travel while delivering life altering benefits to those of us still on Earth.
Three experiments, sponsored by NASA's Biological and Physical Sciences Division, focus on the diversity of space biology and physical sciences: