NASA's Asteroid Bennu Sample Reveals Mix of Life's Ingredients
Thursday, 30 January 2025 09:36
Studies of rock and dust from asteroid Bennu delivered to Earth by NASA's OSIRIS-REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification and Security - Regolith Explorer) spacecraft have revealed molecules that, on our planet, are key to life, as well as a history of saltwater that could have served as the "broth" for these compounds to interact and combine.
The findings do not show Vast and SpaceX Call for Research Proposals to Advance Space Habitation
Thursday, 30 January 2025 09:36
Vast and SpaceX have issued a joint request for research proposals from the global space science community to drive progress in long-term human space habitation and exploration. The two companies, building upon their partnership, aim to support high-impact scientific research that benefits both life on Earth and humanity's expansion into space. Proposals will be reviewed based on scientific and Sierra Space Dream Chaser Spaceplane Passes Key NASA Test in Preparation for ISS Resupply Mission
Thursday, 30 January 2025 09:36
Sierra Space, a leading innovator in commercial space exploration and defense technology, has announced a significant achievement in its partnership with NASA. The company successfully completed and passed its Joint Test 10B milestone for the Dream Chaser spaceplane. This test is a crucial step in Dream Chaser's mission to deliver supplies to the International Space Station (ISS).
The test Sidus Space Receives FCC Approval for Direct-to-Device Capability
Thursday, 30 January 2025 09:36
Sidus Space (NASDAQ: SIDU), a dynamic leader in space mission technology, has received approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to integrate direct-to-device modules into its LizzieSat satellite constellation. This regulatory milestone enhances the operational scope of LizzieSat, paving the way for advanced global connectivity and data services. Adding bridges to stabilize quantum networks
Thursday, 30 January 2025 09:36
Entangled photons, a cornerstone of quantum computing and communications, face a significant challenge: they vanish after a single use. To address this, researchers at Northwestern University have proposed a strategy to stabilize quantum networks, ensuring functionality even in dynamic and unpredictable environments. By methodically rebuilding lost connections, the network eventually reaches a s BlackSky secures $100 million contract for next-generation space monitoring capabilities
Thursday, 30 January 2025 09:36
BlackSky Technology Inc. (NYSE: BKSY) has signed a seven-year contract exceeding $100 million with a long-standing strategic partner in the international defense sector. The agreement ensures annual capacity minimums for high-resolution, real-time monitoring services using BlackSky's current Gen-2 and upcoming Gen-3 space-based technologies, extending through 2032.
"Dawn-to-dusk, high-cade ESA and European Commission to build quantum-secure space communications network
Thursday, 30 January 2025 08:23
Today in Brussels, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Commission consolidated their cooperation on the European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI), marking the successful conclusion of negotiations and clearing the way for development to begin. EuroQCI is an advanced network that aims to protect everything from personal data to Europe's critical infrastructure, using proven principles of quantum physics.
Using AI for more reliable space missions
Thursday, 30 January 2025 07:39
As we prepare to go deeper into space, the demand for autonomous systems capable of operating independently from ground control and crew interactions is increasing. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is shaping up to be an essential tool for reaching this goal. With support from ESA's Discovery programme, a team of researchers from Airbus explored how AI can collect and analyse data onboard the Columbus module of the International Space Station (ISS) in order to improve its prognosis and fault detection capabilities.
Argonaut: a first European lunar lander
Thursday, 30 January 2025 06:15
The European Space Agency (ESA) has signed a contract with Thales Alenia Space in Italy to lead European aerospace companies in building the Argonaut Lunar Descent Element, ESA’s first lunar lander.
ESA actively monitoring near-Earth asteroid 2024 YR4
Wednesday, 29 January 2025 14:45
The European Space Agency (ESA) Planetary Defence Office is closely monitoring the recently discovered asteroid 2024 YR4, which has a very small chance of impacting Earth in 2032.
This page was last updated on 29 January 2025.
ESA at the 17th European Space Conference - Day 2
Wednesday, 29 January 2025 11:58
The second day of the European Space Conference saw European Space Agency astronaut Luca Parmitano join ESA Directors and the Director General on a range of panels and interactions with media.
A super-Earth laboratory for finding life beyond our solar system
Wednesday, 29 January 2025 09:18
Three decades after the first exoplanet was discovered, astronomers have identified over 7,000 exoplanets in our galaxy. Yet, countless more await discovery. Researchers are now delving into the characteristics of these planets to uncover the possibility of extraterrestrial life. This pursuit has led to the discovery of super-Earth HD 20794 d, thanks to a collaboration involving the University o Approaching the Red Planet from the Kitchen
Wednesday, 29 January 2025 09:18
Rootless cones, small volcanic landforms typically ranging from several meters to a few hundred meters in diameter, form through explosive interactions between surface lava and water bodies such as lakes and rivers. Unlike conventional volcanoes that arise from deep magma sources, rootless cones emerge when lava covers a water-containing layer, triggering bursts of steam and gas.
These fea EdgeCortix SAKURA-I AI Accelerator Validated for Radiation Resilience in Space Missions
Wednesday, 29 January 2025 09:18
EdgeCortix Inc., a prominent fabless semiconductor company specializing in energy-efficient artificial intelligence (AI) processing at the edge, has announced that its SAKURA-I AI Accelerator has been proven suitable for space missions, including Earth orbit and lunar operations, due to its strong radiation resilience.
The AI accelerator underwent rigorous testing by NASA's Electronic Part Explaining persistent hydrogen in Mars atmosphere
Wednesday, 29 January 2025 09:18
The arid and cold landscape of modern Mars contrasts sharply with its past, when flowing rivers and lakes carved its surface billions of years ago. Researchers from Harvard have now proposed a compelling explanation for this ancient warmth and moisture, offering new insights into the planet's climate history.
Scientists at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Scien