Washington (AFP) June 4, 2024
The venerable Hubble Space Telescope, which has revolutionized astronomical discovery since its launch in 1990, will ease into retirement with a scaled-back observing schedule, NASA officials said Tuesday. One of the three gyroscopes that control the direction in which the telescope points has become unstable in recent months, leading to intermittent "safe mode" episodes - most recently on

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jun 05, 2024
"Follow the water!" The solar system contains water in various forms, from the Sun's water vapor to Pluto's ice. Water is essential not only for life but also for its geological properties and potential uses. For instance, lunar and Martian ice could support human exploration, and comets may have brought water to Earth. The icy comets and rings of Saturn illustrate solar system evolution.

Space Coast FL (SPX) Jun 05, 2024
NASA officials want a new Mars sample return mission plan that is faster, costs less and isn't as complex than one scrapped in April. The space agency doesn't want to wait until 2040 and spend $11 billion to return core samples being collected on Mars, which the recently scrapped plan would have required. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson in April canceled the lengthy mission plan, saying he

Sydney, Australia (SPX) Jun 05, 2024
China's Chang'e 6 mission achieved a critical milestone as its sample-loaded ascender launched from the moon's far side on Tuesday morning. "According to the China National Space Administration, the ascender, one of the four major components of the Chang'e 6 robotic probe, started its ascent engine at 7:38 am and flew nearly 6 minutes before reaching a lunar orbit." The mission gathe

Washington DC (UPI) Jun 4, 2024
After several scrubbed liftoffs, Boeing's first Starliner crewed mission will try again Wednesday to launch NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams on a critical, week-long test flight to the International Space Station. NASA and Boeing confirmed Monday that the Starliner capsule, United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket and ground support equipment are in good shape and ready for

Paris, France (SPX) Jun 05, 2024
ESA has launched a Request for Information (RFI) aimed at European launch service providers in preparation for the European Launcher Challenge. This initiative, unveiled in Seville, Spain, in November 2023, aims to enhance Europe's space access by promoting a variety of launch options and boosting the competitiveness of European launch services. The European Launcher Challenge, to be funde

Washington DC (UPI) Jun 4, 2024
SpaceX launched its Falcon 9 rocket into orbit Tuesday night with 20 Starlink satellites, including some with Direct to Cell capabilities that will improve access to text and voice data here on Earth. "Ignition and liftoff. Go Falcon. Go Starlink," mission control said as the rocket blasted off at 10:16 p.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex 40 at Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Statio

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jun 05, 2024
Terran Orbital has expanded its offerings under NASA's multi-participant Rapid Spacecraft Acquisition IV (Rapid IV) Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract. NASA has added two additional space vehicle platforms, positioning Terran Orbital as a key partner for the space agency with a broader range of solutions for various missions. Terran Orbital has been part of this contra

Cape Canaveral (AFP) June 5, 2024
Boeing will be hoping the third time's a charm on Wednesday as they try once more to launch astronauts aboard a Starliner capsule bound for the International Space Station. Liftoff is targeted for 10:52 am (1452 GMT) from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, for a roughly one-week stay at the orbital laboratory. The last attempt, on Saturday, was dramatically aborted with l

Paris (AFP) June 5, 2024
The next-generation Ariane 6 rocket, a crucial programme for Europe's space ambitions, is due to lift off on July 9 following years of delays, the European Space Agency said Wednesday. The launch will take place in Europe's spacesport in Kourou, French Guiana, which borders Brazil. The inaugural flight was originally planned for 2020, but the Covid-19 pandemic and repeated technical issu