Manchester UK (SPX) Mar 01, 2024
Researchers have found water vapour in the disc around a young star exactly where planets may be forming. Water is a key ingredient for life on Earth and is also thought to play a significant role in planet formation, yet, until now, astronomers have never been able to map how water is distributed in a stable, cool disc - the type of disc that offers the most favourable conditions for plan

Ithica NY (SPX) Mar 01, 2024
Decades before any probe dips a toe - and thermometer - into the waters of distant ocean worlds, Cornell astrobiologists have devised a novel way to determine ocean temperatures based on the thickness of their ice shells, effectively conducting oceanography from space. Available data showing ice thickness variation already allows a prediction for the upper ocean of Enceladus, a moon of Sat

Pasadena CA (JPL) Mar 01, 2024
Earth planning date: Wednesday, February 28, 2024: Over the weekend Curiosity successfully drilled into 'Mineral King!' The drilling stopped a little short of the target depth, however we think there was enough sample to be sent for analysis. 'Mineral King' has now been analyzed within the CheMin instrument, and we are awaiting the results. After we see those results tomorrow morning, we w

Pasadena CA (JPL) Mar 01, 2024
Perseverance has continued its traverse west through the Margin unit. As the rover drives, images and data are obtained using instruments such as Mastcam-Z, Navcam, and SuperCam to track any changes in the chemistry or appearance of the rocks. Along the way, the science team used these images to pick out an exciting rock named Bunsen Peak. This rock was intriguing because it stands tall am

Pasadena CA (JPL) Mar 01, 2024
There has been much discussion and interest regarding the origin of the Margin unit. The Margin unit has gained interest due to the presence of carbonates and its implications for the paleoenvironment and biosignature preservation of ancient Mars. There are several possible origins for the Margin unit, and further analysis of these rocks will shed light on what environment the Margin unit

Tehran (AFP) Feb 29, 2024
Russia on Thursday put into orbit an Iranian remote sensing and imaging satellite, state media said in Tehran, drawing condemnation from the United States. The launch of "Pars-I" with the Russian Soyuz-2.1b rocket was broadcast live by state television in Iran. The satellite was launched from Russia's Vostochny base, some 8,000 kilometres (5,000 miles) east of Moscow, according to the of

Kruibeke, Belgium (SPX) Mar 01, 2024
In a significant step toward realizing the European Space Agency's (ESA) ambitious Proba-3 mission, a crucial laser-based test campaign is currently underway at Redwire Space's facilities in Kruibeke, Belgium. This mission, poised to revolutionize our approach to observing the sun, involves two satellites, namely the 'Occulter' and the 'Coronagraph,' which will maintain a precise formation

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Mar 01, 2024
Sidus Space, Inc. (Nasdaq: SIDU), a company known for its innovations in the space sector, has officially announced its intention to conduct a public offering of its Class A common stock. The offering may also include pre-funded warrants as an alternative to the common stock, with all offered securities being sold directly by the company. ThinkEquity is playing a pivotal role in this offer

Paris, France (SPX) Mar 01, 2024
Recent observations from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have shed new light on the complex interplay between massive stars and the formation of planetary systems, offering groundbreaking insights into a long-standing astronomical puzzle. This revelation, stemming from an international collaboration involving CNRS scientists, focuses on a protoplanetary disc within the Orion Nebula, named

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Mar 01, 2024
This year marks a significant milestone for several college and university teams as they embark on a journey to explore, design, and demonstrate innovative inflatable systems tailored for future lunar missions. Sponsored by NASA, the Breakthrough, Innovative and Game-Changing (BIG) Idea Challenge has set the stage for student teams to contribute novel inflatable component and system concepts aim