Tokyo, Japan (SPX) Feb 10, 2025
One prominent theory regarding the emergence of life on Earth suggests that simple chemical molecules progressively evolved into complex structures, eventually giving rise to protocells-rudimentary, non-living structures that preceded modern cells. A leading candidate for these protocells is polyester microdroplets, which arise through the polymerization of alpha-hydroxy acids (aHAs), compounds

Merced,CA (SPX) Feb 10, 2025
Measurements and data collected from space can be used to better understand life on Earth. An ambitious, multinational research project funded by NASA and co-led by UC Merced civil and environmental engineering Professor Erin Hestir demonstrated that Earth's biodiversity can be monitored and measured from space, leading to a better understanding of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Hesti

Paris, France (SPX) Feb 10, 2025
Space presents significant hazards, particularly exposure to intense radiation. Without adequate shielding, space instruments may fail, and astronauts face serious health risks. Researchers at Ghent University in Belgium are investigating the effectiveness of 3D-printed hydrogels, highly absorbent materials that retain large amounts of water, as a novel approach to radiation shielding. Rad

Tucson AZ (SPX) Feb 12, 2025
This is a statement by Planetary Science Institute CEO Mark V. Sykes, and reflects the values and principles that guide the daily management of and planning for this Institute under his leadership. h4>Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Are Important for the Workplace and Science /h4> To the American Public and Government Officials: I would like to share a positive

Pasadena CA (SPX) Feb 10, 2025
NASA's Perseverance rover has successfully collected its first soil, airfall dust, and rock fragment samples, marking a historic step in Martian exploration. A new study highlights these early sample returns and their implications for understanding Mars' past. Until now, the only Martian materials accessible to scientists were meteorites that naturally landed on Earth. However, thanks to N

Today we mark the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Join us in a journey around Europe with EIROforum organisations to discover the brilliant talents who are shaping the future of science and technology, and dive deeper into the story of a European Space Agency young professional making her way in space. 

After years of meticulous development, ESA’s next Earth Explorer satellite, Biomass, is ready to be packed up for transport to Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, where it will launch aboard a Vega-C rocket this spring.

Before final preparations and shipment, media representatives had the exclusive opportunity today to see the satellite up close in the cleanroom at Airbus’ facilities in Toulouse, France.

Optical technology has the potential to revolutionise the field of positioning, navigation and timing. To drive the development of this technology, ESA has signed a contract with a consortium of European companies that will conduct a definition study (Phase A/B1) and associated critical technology predevelopment.

This is the first step toward a potential in-orbit demonstrator for optical time synchronisation and ranging (OpSTAR) that will be proposed at the ESA Council at Ministerial Level in November 2025, to validate intersatellite optical links before future use in operational satellite navigation systems.

Euclid, the European Space Agency’s dark Universe detective, has made an astonishing discovery – right in our cosmic backyard.

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Feb 06, 2025
A new study from the University of British Columbia (UBC) has found that there is a 26 percent chance each year that debris from space rockets will re-enter Earth's atmosphere and pass through an area of high air traffic density. Although the probability of such debris striking an aircraft remains low, the findings underscore the growing risk of space junk disrupting flights and imposing f