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Copernical Team
Lucy spacecraft set to encounter new asteroid target
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![As NASA's Lucy spacecraft travels through the inner edge of the main asteroid belt in the fall of 2023, the spacecraft will fly by the small, as-of-yet unnamed, asteroid (152830) 1999 VD57. This graphic shows a top-down view of the solar system indicating the spacecraft's trajectory shortly before the November 1 encounter. Credit: NASA/Goddard SwRI-led Lucy team announces new asteroid target](https://scx1.b-cdn.net/csz/news/800a/2023/swri-led-lucy-team-ann.jpg)
NASA's Lucy spacecraft will add another asteroid encounter to its 4-billion-mile journey. On Nov. 1, 2023, the Southwest Research Institute-led Lucy mission will get a close-up view of a small main belt asteroid to conduct an engineering test of the spacecraft's innovative asteroid-tracking navigation system.
New NASA safety system enables Rocket Lab launch from Wallops
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![Rocket Lab's Electron rocket lifts off from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility Jan. 24, 2023, at 6 p.m. EST. The mission, titled "Virginia is the Launch Lovers," is the first commercial U.S. Electron launch for Rocket Lab. Credit: NASA/Danielle Johnson New NASA safety system enables rocket lab launch from Wallops](https://scx1.b-cdn.net/csz/news/800a/2023/new-nasa-safety-system-1.jpg)
A revolutionary NASA flight safety system has enabled a new era of space transportation with the successful flight of Rocket Lab U.S.'s Electron rocket Jan. 24, from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.
This mission, the first Electron launch from the United States, was enabled by NASA's work in developing the NASA Autonomous Flight Termination Unit (NAFTU), a critical piece of flight safety technology required for this mission.
ESA chief vows to restore Europe's access to space
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![The European Space Agency Director General Josef Aschbacher speaks during a panel discussion at the 15th European Space Conference 2023 in Brussels, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023. Aschbacher says he wants to rebuild Europe's access to space following the botched launch of a European rocket carrying two Earth observation satellites last year and the delayed introduction of the Ariane 6 launcher. Credit: AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert ESA chief vows to restore Europe's access to space](https://scx1.b-cdn.net/csz/news/800a/2023/esa-chief-vows-to-rest.jpg)
ESA’s digital Historical Archives open online
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![ESA Historical Archives](https://www.esa.int/var/esa/storage/images/esa_multimedia/images/2023/01/esa_historical_archives/24675100-1-eng-GB/ESA_Historical_Archives_card_full.png)
We’re marking 20 years of the European Centre for Space Records in ESA ESRIN, Frascati, one of the physical homes of the ESA Archives, by giving access to our digital holdings in a new web portal.
Giant iceberg breaks away from Antarctic ice shelf
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![Sentinel-2 captures Antarctica’s new iceberg](https://www.esa.int/var/esa/storage/images/esa_multimedia/images/2023/01/sentinel-2_captures_antarctica_s_new_iceberg/24689913-3-eng-GB/Sentinel-2_captures_Antarctica_s_new_iceberg_card_full.jpg)
Satellite imagery confirms an enormous iceberg, around five times the size of Malta, has finally calved from Antarctica’s Brunt Ice Shelf. The new berg, estimated to be around 1550 sq km and around 150 m thick, calved when the crack known as Chasm-1 fully extended northwards severing the west part of the ice shelf.
This crack was first revealed to be extending in early 2012 after having been dormant for some decades. After several years of desperately clinging on, image data from the Copernicus Sentinel missions visually confirm the calving event.
Printed nerves for a satellite
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![Printed nerves for a satellite](https://www.esa.int/var/esa/storage/images/esa_multimedia/images/2023/01/printed_nerves_for_a_satellite/24689206-1-eng-GB/Printed_nerves_for_a_satellite_card_full.gif)
Rocket Lab launches first Electron mission from US
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Astronomers confirm age of most distant galaxy with oxygen
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Rocket Lab launches first Electron mission from US soil
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Spacecraft design expert discusses the viability of interstellar travel
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![Dr. Hank Pernicka, a Curators’ Distinguished Teaching Professor of aerospace engineering and spacecraft design expert at Missouri S&T, says humans will likely not have the ability to visit planet TOI 700 e anytime soon. Credit: Michael Pierce/Missouri S&T. Spacecraft design expert discusses the viability of interstellar travel](https://scx1.b-cdn.net/csz/news/800a/2023/spacecraft-design-expe.jpg)
Researchers at NASA recently announced the discovery of another planet about 95% the size of Earth that is 100 light-years away and could potentially sustain life.
Could this new discovery lead to humans one day traveling to planet TOI 700 e and enjoying its resources, such as the potential for liquid water? This is a question people may naturally ask, but they may not like the current answer.
"That is not going to happen in our lifetimes, but it is fascinating to discuss," says Dr.