Copernical Team
Still lots to do at the Zechstein drill locale
We are in the midst of the Zechstein drilling campaign. The SAM team are eagerly waiting for the results of their weekend EGA analysis on the drilled sample. Depending on the results, we might move onto characterizing the dumped sample with our contact science instruments and ChemCam in the next plan.
Anticipating the return to contact science within the nex Curiosity helping make Mars safer for astronauts
A radiation sensor aboard the spacecraft is providing new data on the health risks humans would face on the surface. Could lava tubes, caves, or subsurface habitats offer safe refuge for future astronauts on Mars? Scientists with NASA's Curiosity Mars rover team are helping explore questions like that with the Radiation Assessment Detector, or RAD.
Unlike Earth, Mars doesn't have a magneti CO2 cold traps offer potential Lunar resource
The existence of carbon dioxide (CO2) cold traps on the Moon has been confirmed, offering a potential resource for future exploration of the lunar surface, according to a new paper by Planetary Science Institute Senior Scientist Norbert Schorghofer.
"After water, carbon is probably the most important resource on the Moon. It can be used for the production of rocket fuel, but also for bioma NASA may not land people on moon again until 2027, new audit says
Despite U.S. goals to land people on the moon again by 2024, delays of several years are likely, according to a NASA watchdog audit released Monday.
Former Vice President Mike Pence set that 2024 goal in a 2019 speech, giving NASA just five years to accomplish the feat.
While NASA reinforced the practicality of that goal for a long time, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said Tuesda Astroscale launches Docking Plate to capture defunct satellites
Bremen, Germany (SPX) Nov 16, 2021
Astroscale today revealed a universal docking device the company hopes will become standard fitment on all future low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. Following on from the COP26 climate conference, Paris Peace Forum Net Zero Space Declaration, and the G7 statement on space sustainability, Astroscale calls on operators to prepare their spacecraft with a Docking P NASA receives 11th consecutive clean financial audit opinion
For the 11th straight year, NASA has received an unmodified, or "clean," opinion from an external auditor on its fiscal year 2021 financial statements.
The rating is the best possible audit opinion, certifying that NASA's financial statements conform with accepted accounting principles for federal agencies and accurately present the agency's financial position.
"NASA is committed to Rocket Lab to acquire space hardware company Planetary Systems Corporation
Rocket Lab USA, a global leader in launch services and space systems, reports it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Planetary Systems Corporation (PSC), a Maryland-based spacecraft separation systems company, for $42 million in cash and 1,720,841 shares of the Company's common stock, plus the potential for an additional 956,023 shares of common stock for a performance earnout based on Russian test blamed for space junk threatening space station
A Russian weapons test created more than 1,500 pieces of space junk that is now threatening the seven astronauts aboard the International Space Station, U.S. officials said Monday.
The State Department confirmed that the debris was from an old Russian satellite destroyed in Monday's anti-satellite weapons test.
"It was dangerous. It was reckless. It was irresponsible," said State Department spokesman Ned Price.
Earlier Monday, the four Americans, one German and two Russians on board were forced to seek shelter in their docked capsules because of the debris.
At least 1,500 pieces of the destroyed satellite were sizable enough to show up on radar, Price said.
US slams Russia for 'irresponsible' space missile test
The United States denounced Russia on Monday for conducting a "dangerous and irresponsible" missile strike that blew up one of its own satellites, creating a debris cloud that forced the International Space Station's crew to take evasive action.
Washington wasn't informed in advance about the test, only the fourth to ever strike a satellite from the ground, and will talk to allies about ho Space debris 'event' forces ISS crew to take evasive action (Update)
The United States said Monday it was investigating a "debris-generating event in outer space" after astronauts on the International Space Station were forced to prepare for a possible evacuation.
The incident came amid unconfirmed reports that Russia had carried out an anti-satellite weapon (ASAT) test—rare show-of-force demonstrations criticized by the space community because of the risk they create for crews in low Earth orbit.
"US Space Command is aware of a debris-generating event in outer space. We are actively working to characterize the debris field and will continue to ensure all space-faring nations have the information necessary to maneuver satellites if impacted," the military branch said.
"We are also in the process of working with... the State Department and NASA, concerning these reports and will provide an update in the near future.