New class of habitable exoplanets are 'a big step forward' in the search for life
Friday, 27 August 2021 07:56A new class of exoplanet very different to our own, but which could support life, has been identified by astronomers, which could greatly accelerate the search for life outside our Solar System. In the search for life elsewhere, astronomers have mostly looked for planets of a similar size, mass, temperature and atmospheric composition to Earth. However, astronomers from the University of C
James Webb Space Telescope has completed testing
Friday, 27 August 2021 07:56After successful completion of its final tests, NASA's James Webb Space Telescope is being prepped for shipment to its launch site. Engineering teams have completed Webb's long-spanning comprehensive testing regimen at Northrop Grumman's facilities. Webb's many tests and checkpoints were designed to ensure that the world's most complex space science observatory will operate as designed onc
Space science project funding available for UK space projects
Friday, 27 August 2021 07:56The joint funding call, which opens today from the UK Space Agency and Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), will facilitate and encourage collaboration between industry and academia, and support new entrants to the space sector. The 375,000 pounds Technology for Space Science fund will boost technology that will support the exploration of our universe through space-based astro
Satellite built by UMass Lowell students headed to the International Space Station
Friday, 27 August 2021 07:56It's all systems go for SPACE HAUC, a miniature satellite designed and built by UMass Lowell students for NASA, which plans to send it to the International Space Station on Saturday for launch into the Earth's orbit this fall. Funded by a $200,000 grant from the space agency, the satellite was designed, built and managed by more than 100 students from UMass Lowell's Francis College of Engi
Kendall, Raymond stress importance of space and Space Force's success
Friday, 27 August 2021 07:56Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall offered unambiguous support Aug. 24 for the still evolving U.S. Space Force, noting the critical role space plays in the nation's security, the essential functions space enables in everyday life, and why access must be assured as space becomes more congested and contested. "It is impossible to overstate the importance of space-based systems to natio
Maine museum to host large chunk of Mars rock
Friday, 27 August 2021 06:52A Maine museum will play host to a chunk of rock it said is the largest intact Mars rock on Earth.
The Maine Mineral & Gem Museum said the specimen weighs 32 pounds (15 kilograms) and is about 10 inches (25 centimeters) at its longest point. The museum said the rock was the result of an asteroid impact on the surface of Mars that ejected material into an Earth-crossing orbit in space.
There are less than 500 pounds (227 kilograms) of Mars rock known to exist on Earth, the museum said.
The rock is known as "Taoudenni 002." The Bethel, Maine, museum said it will include the rock when it opens to the public on Sept. 1.
The museum said it is planning a reception with limited capacity on Aug. 31 to celebrate the acquisition of the rock. Two scientists from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration are expected to attend, the museum said.
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Friday, 27 August 2021 05:40Amazon calls on FCC to reject SpaceX’s revised second-gen Starlink plan
Thursday, 26 August 2021 20:01Amazon is urging the Federal Communications Commission to dismiss SpaceX’s revised plans for its second-generation Starlink constellation, saying they are too broad and speculative.
Amazon calls on FCC to reject SpaceX’s amended second-gen Starlink plan
Thursday, 26 August 2021 20:01Amazon is urging the Federal Communications Commission to dismiss SpaceX’s amended plans for its second-generation Starlink constellation, saying they are too broad and speculative.
Global microelectronic shortages trickle down to military satellite programs
Thursday, 26 August 2021 19:45Defense Department satellite programs are feeling the effects of the widespread microchip shortage that has stymied carmakers and consumer electronic manufacturers.
ESA pursuing European space summit to discuss new flagship space programs
Thursday, 26 August 2021 19:40The head of the European Space Agency says plans are moving forward to host a European space summit early next year to discuss proposals for new major space initiatives.
SLS cubesats arrive for Artemis 1 launch
Thursday, 26 August 2021 18:34While most of the cubesats manifested to launch as secondary payloads on the first Space Launch System mission have arrived, at least one of them will miss its flight.
Engineers test liquid acquisition device aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket
Thursday, 26 August 2021 18:28A Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) experiment was performed aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard suborbital rocket today, which launched from Van Horn, Texas. Five variations of the tapered liquid acquisition device (LAD), which is designed to safely deliver liquid propellant to a rocket engine from fuel tanks, were aboard the rocket to evaluate their performance in microgravity.
White House to revise charter and membership of space council advisory group
Thursday, 26 August 2021 18:17The Biden administration plans to revise both the charter and the membership of the National Space Council’s advisory group to better reflect its priorities.
Blue Origin launches artwork, moon-landing test into space
Thursday, 26 August 2021 16:44Blue Origin launched artwork painted on a capsule and a moon-landing navigation experiment into space Thursday, a month after sending founder Jeff Bezos on the company's first passenger flight.
No one was aboard for Thursday's 10-minute flight, which included other experiments from NASA and others.
The paintings by Ghana artist Amoako Boafo were on three parachute panels on the outside of the capsule at the very top. Boafo painted a self-portrait as well as portraits of his mother and a friend's mother, explaining "a mother's love comes from a place that is out of this world," said Blue Origin launch commentator Kiah Erlich, a company official.