Amsterdam, Netherlands (SPX) May 12, 2023
An international team of astronomers including several Dutch researchers has observed the benzene molecule (C6H6) in a planet-forming disk around a young star for the first time. Besides benzene, they saw many other, smaller carbon compounds and few oxygen-rich molecules. The observations suggest that, like our own Earth, the rocky planets forming in this disc contain relatively little carbon. T

Pasadena CA (JPL) May 11, 2023
Coming in for sol 3825 planning today, the team was very excited to see that we successfully drilled a new hole on the Ubajara target. The image shows the drill contacting the rock, just before beginning the drilling activity. On the first sol of the plan, we begin with some imaging. We take a stereo mosaic of the target "Kukenan" to document the bedding of the local bedrock. We also take

San Antonio TX (SPX) May 12, 2023
Southwest Research Institute has entered into a five-year, $7.5-million cooperative agreement with NASA to lead the Center for Lunar Origin and Evolution (CLOE), which will conduct basic research to support science enabled by human exploration of the Moon and the Endurance-A mission concept, a far side lunar rover mission prioritized by the 2022 Planetary Science and Astrobiology Decadal Survey

Chicago IL (SPX) May 12, 2023
You may know how other planets look, like the rust orange, dusty surface of Mars or the vibrant teal of Uranus. But what do those planets sound like? Timothy G. Leighton from the University of Southampton in the U.K. designed a software program that produces extraterrestrial environmental sounds and predicts how human voices might change in distant worlds. He will demonstrate his work at t

Pasadena CA (JPL) May 12, 2023
Evidence left in rocks is leading scientists to rethink what watery environments looked like on ancient Mars. New images taken by NASA's Perseverance rover may show signs of what was once a rollicking river on Mars, one that was deeper and faster-moving than scientists have ever seen evidence for in the past. The river was part of a network of waterways that flowed into Jezero Crater, the

Washington DC (SPX) May 12, 2023
NASA has selected five new research teams to collaborate on lunar science and lunar sample analysis research to support future exploration of the Moon as part of the agency's Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI). "These new teams will collaborate with the existing SSERVI teams to maintain NASA's leadership in lunar science in this new era of lunar exploration," said

Wenchang, China (XNA) May 12, 2023
The Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in south China's Hainan Province is already capable of high-density launch of new-generation large and medium-sized carrier rockets. Since the launch site was established, it has conducted many major space launch missions, including the maiden flight of China's new-generation high-thrust carrier rockets, China's first planetary exploration, and the const

Las Cruces NM (SPX) May 12, 2023
The New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA) has awarded the Spaceport America Master Plan Project to the RS&H team, with Populous and Zia Engineering and Environmental Consultants respectively leading key aspects of the future visioning and environmental stewardship critical to the project. Spaceport America and NMSA will partner with the team to identify the current and future market opportunitie

Dalian, China (SPX) May 12, 2023
The first satellite designed and built in China's northeastern province of Liaoning has been carried into space by the Tianzhou 6 cargo spacecraft, which was launched on Wednesday night, according to the Dalian University of Technology. Developed by the university in the coastal city of Dalian, the Dalian 1-Lianli is a 17-kilogram mini Earth-observation satellite and is tasked with demonst

Kennedy Space Center FL (SPX) May 12, 2023
As 3D printed rockets, car parts, and even homes begin to hit the market on Earth, L3Harris Technologies aims to leverage the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory in its search for durable materials to 3D print satellite components. Before 3D printed materials can be used to build more sustainable and efficient parts for spacecraft, they must be tested to ensure they can withsta