Existence of lunar lava tube cave demonstrated
Monday, 15 July 2024 14:00
The presence of conduits below the lunar surface has been theorized and extensively debated for at least 50 years. Now, an analysis of NASA Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter radar data reveals what lies below the Mare Tranquillitatis.
For the first time, scientists have demonstrated the existence of a tunnel in the lunar subsurface. It seems to be an empty lava tube. The study, published in Nature Astronomy, is the result of an international collaboration.
"These caves have been theorized for over 50 years, but it is the first time ever that we have demonstrated their existence," explains Lorenzo Bruzzone, professor at the University of Trento.
Bruzzone explains, "In 2010, as part of the ongoing LRO NASA mission, the Miniature Radio-Frequency (Mini-RF) instrument acquired data that included a pit in Mare Tranquilitatis.
"Years later, we have reanalyzed these data with complex signal processing techniques we have recently developed, and have discovered radar reflections from the area of the pit that are best explained by an underground cave conduit. This discovery provides the first direct evidence of an accessible lava tube under the surface of the moon.
U.S. nuclear command satellites need hardening against attacks, report warns
Monday, 15 July 2024 13:21
NASA’s CAPSTONE is testing “Autopilot” software suite for cislunar operations
Monday, 15 July 2024 12:00
Juice’s lunar-Earth flyby: all you need to know LINK
Monday, 15 July 2024 09:15
Juice’s lunar-Earth flyby: all you need to know
Space Team Europe for Ariane 6: We did it!
Monday, 15 July 2024 09:00
Video:
00:02:44
After many long hours, working through the night, plenty of sacrifices, tense moments during countdown and hot-fire tests – as well as months spent in masks and keeping a safe distance during the COVID-19 pandemic – Space Team Europe has done it. Ariane 6 took flight on 9 July 2014 and restored Europe’s autonomous access to space.
Thousands of people from different backgrounds, with different nationalities and speaking different languages all united around a shared vision: taking Europe to space.
Thank you Space Team Europe for your commitment, incredible team spirit and expertise. Go Ariane 6!
Ariane 6 launched on
Juice’s lunar-Earth flyby: all you need to know
Monday, 15 July 2024 07:00
ESA’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) will return to Earth on 19–20 August, with flight controllers guiding the spacecraft first past the Moon and then past Earth itself. This ‘braking’ manoeuvre will take Juice on a shortcut to Jupiter via Venus.
Weather satellite passes bake and shake tests with flying colours
Monday, 15 July 2024 05:30
As climate change drives more frequent and severe weather events, the need for accurate and timely forecasting has never been more critical. And now, the next Meteosat Third Generation weather satellite has passed its environmental test campaign with flying colours, taking it a significant step closer to launch.
Canadian space junk incident shows growing risks as SpaceX launches thousands of Starlinks
Sunday, 14 July 2024 21:03
In late April, farmers in Saskatchewan stumbled upon spacecraft fragments while preparing their fields for seeding. It sounds like the beginning of a science fiction movie, but this really happened, sending a powerful warning: it is only a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt or killed by falling space junk.
The Axiom Space private astronaut mission (Ax-3) concluded safely on Fe NASA Introduces Low-Cost Hybrid Rocket Motor Testbed
Sunday, 14 July 2024 21:03
In June, engineers at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, revealed a new 11-inch hybrid rocket motor testbed.
The innovative testbed features variable flow capability and a 20-second continuous burn duration, offering a cost-effective and quick-turnaround solution for conducting hot-fire tests on advanced nozzles, rocket engine hardware, composite materials, and pro Real-life Spacesuit Innovation Recycles Urine into Drinking Water
Sunday, 14 July 2024 21:03
Astronauts on spacewalks face the uncomfortable and unhygienic task of relieving themselves inside their spacesuits, resulting in wasted resources as the urine is not recycled. Unlike wastewater on the International Space Station (ISS), urine produced during spacewalks isn't processed for reuse.
Inspired by the 'stillsuits' from the Dune series, researchers at Cornell University have devel Interacting Galaxies Captured by Webb in Stunning Detail
Sunday, 14 July 2024 21:03
To mark the second anniversary of the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope's scientific operations, a captivating image of two interacting galaxies known as Arp 142 has been released.
The interaction between the Penguin galaxy (NGC 2936) and the Egg galaxy (NGC 2937) began between 25 and 75 million years ago when they first approached each other. This cosmic dance will continue for hund Galactic 'Heart and Lungs' Mechanism Regulates Growth and Extends Lifespan
Sunday, 14 July 2024 21:03
A new study suggests that galaxies avoid early demise due to an internal "heart and lungs" system that regulates their "breathing," preventing uncontrolled growth.
Without this mechanism, the Universe would have aged faster, leaving us with enormous "zombie" galaxies filled with dead and dying stars.
Published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, the study addres BAE Systems to Advance Stable Optical Technology for NASA's HWO Mission
Sunday, 14 July 2024 21:03
BAE Systems, in collaboration with L3Harris Technologies and the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI), has been chosen as one of three teams to develop technologies for NASA's Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO). HWO is an innovative telescope designed to search for signs of life beyond our solar system and conduct detailed astronomical observations. Its primary objective is to identify and