Los Angeles CA (SPX) Apr 02, 2024
In a major stride for astronomy, scientists utilizing the Webb Telescope, equipped with advanced infrared technology partly developed by the University of Arizona, have captured the first direct views of the materials shaping a young planetary system. This research is directly helping our understanding of how planets emerge from the dense interstellar dust and gas. At the UArizona Steward

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Apr 03, 2024
Scientists at Brown University, in collaboration with the SETI Institute, have unveiled findings from a new study that may rewrite the narrative on the behavior and composition of distant solar system objects, particularly a Kuiper Belt Object known as 486958 Arrokoth, affectionately dubbed the "space snowman." The research highlights Arrokoth's ability to retain ancient ices within its co

Pasadena CA (JPL) Apr 02, 2024
Earth planning date: Friday, March 29, 2024: Curiosity is approaching an intriguing pile of rocks called "Hinman Col" - a poorly sorted collection of clasts located along the margin of Gediz Vallis ridge. We're hoping to get closer to this deposit over the weekend, to set up for contact science on the different rock types next week. In doing so, we hope to investigate where the different clasts

Washington (AFP) April 3, 2024
The White House announced Tuesday it is directing NASA to create a unified time standard for the Moon and other celestial bodies, as governments and private companies increasingly compete in space. With the United States keen to set international norms beyond Earth's orbit, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) instructed the US space agency to formulate a plan by th

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Apr 02, 2024
In a significant advancement for space research, NASA's OSIRIS-REx team has made the asteroid Bennu samples accessible for global scientific investigation, a mere six months following their Earth arrival. Managed by NASA's Johnson Space Center, the unveiling of the OSIRIS-REx sample catalog marks a key moment, offering researchers worldwide the opportunity to delve into the composition of these

Pasadena CA (JPL) Apr 02, 2024
Earth planning date: Wednesday, March 27, 2024: As someone who studies planetary atmospheres, the geology of Curiosity's mission often flies straight over my head. I like to think that I've picked up some of the basics just through exposure, but sitting in with the geology team at the start of planning each day can sometimes still leave me feeling like I've forgotten how to swim seconds before b

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Apr 02, 2024
The NASA Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover, better known as VIPER, now boasts enhanced capabilities and a taller stature, courtesy of its newly raised mast. This mast, acting as the rover's "neck" and "head," is equipped with a comprehensive suite of instruments. These tools will aid the rover team, consisting of drivers and scientists operating in real-time, in navigating the luna

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Apr 03, 2024
Helicity Space, a trailblazer in fusion power for in-space propulsion and power technology, has garnered investment from Lockheed Martin Ventures, signaling a significant endorsement from the aerospace titan's venture capital wing. Following a $5 million seed investment round in December, featuring contributions from Airbus Ventures, TRE Ventures, Voyager Space Holdings, E2MC Space, Urania

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Apr 03, 2024
In light of a recent review of the International Space Station's (ISS) busy schedule, the first manned flight of the CST-100 Starliner, a part of NASA's Boeing Crew Flight Test, is now slated for no earlier than May 6. This rescheduling is aimed at better aligning with the ISS's end-of-April activities, which include the departure of a cargo spacecraft and the repositioning of a crew space

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Apr 03, 2024
The International Space Station (ISS) was a hive of activity on Tuesday, with its ten-member crew - consisting of five NASA astronauts, four Roscosmos cosmonauts, and one spaceflight participant from Belarus - dedicating their time to cargo operations, spacesuit upkeep, and a variety of scientific investigations. This day exemplified the collaborative spirit and scientific curiosity that propels