Moon Buggy

Forty-six years ago today, Apollo 15 astronauts Dave Scott and Jim Irwin drove the moon buggy for the first time.

Over three days they covered 17 miles.

Vinyl Cyanide

Researchers have found large amounts of vinyl cyanide on Saturn's huge moon, Titan.

That's important because vinyl cyanide could form cell membranes in Titan's methane seas, the same role lipids play on Earth.

North Korea

U. S. intelligence is now saying North Korea could have an ICBM capable of hitting America as early as next year.

Previous estimates were two years or more.

Astrobotics

Astrobotics is set to send its first lunar lander on its way in 2019.

It will be launched atop an Atlas V.

Big Comets

A new study suggests comets at least a kilometer wide are much more numerous than previously thought.

It's another argument for a planetary defense system.

Lunar Water

A new study suggests there may be substantial amounts of water in the Moon's interior.

That would have a major impact on future lunar operations.

Ross 128 Explained?

Astronomers are now saying the radio signals associated with Ross 128 likely did come from advanced civilization-- ours.

Geostationary satellites seem to be the source.

Hawaii Civil Defense

A report says that Hawaii is activating its civil defense program in response to the North Korean missile threat.

North Korea is testing an ICBM that could potentially reach Alaska, Hawaii, and the western part of the Lower 48.

Last Shurrle

Six years ago today, the last space shuttle mission landed.

NASA still has no internal way to put astronauts in space.

Apollo 11

Today is the 48th anniversary of the first manned landing on the Moon.

Hundreds of years from now, that will be remembered as the defining event of the twentieth century.

Perspective

IBM's revenue has dropped for 21 straight quarters.  Current estimates put the company's revenues for the most recent quarter at roughly $19.2 billion.

That's about the size of the current proposed NASA annual budget.

Ross 128

Researchers have picked up strange radio signals from Ross 128, a red dwarf 11 light years away.

They haven't found the cause yet, but they don't believe aliens are involved.

Teleportation

Chinese scientists have set a new record for the long-distance teleportation of a packet of information at 870 miles.

The experiment is a big step towards quantum communications, which, in theory, would be totally secure.

Mars Together

Private firms are telling Congress that a public-private partnership could get humans to Mars quicker and cheaper than a strictly NASA effort will.

They also argue a commercially oriented space station needs to be in place before ISS is deorbited.

Killing Cancer

Research on ISS is yielding more insight into curing cancer by giving us a new perspective on cell growth.

In microgravity, tumors grow more like they do within the body than they do in Earthly labs, giving researchers a better idea of what's going on.

Great Red Spot

NASA's Juno spacecraft passed directly over Jupiter's Great Red Spot on July 10.

It was only 5,600 miles from the legendary storm.

Moon Express

Moon Express plans to open lunar exploration to the general public by drastically lowering the cost of flying missions.

It plans to do the same for other worlds.

Skylab

Skylab fell to Earth 38 years ago today.

NASA had wanted to visit the station with the space shuttle, but Skylab was gone before the shuttles began flying.

Titan's Tiny Waves

A new study of Titan's liquid hydrocarbon lake suggests waves in the lakes are only about a centimeter high, implying calm surface winds.

That's good news for future missions exploring the lakes.

Brown Dwarfs

New research suggests there may be a minimum 25 to 100 billion brown dwarfs in our galaxy.

In fact, the researchers say, the number could be much higher.

Pence On Space

Vice President Pence, in a speech at Cape Kennedy, said Americans would return to the Moon and go on to Mars.

He also said partnership with the commercial sector will be key.

Lysithea

On this date in 1938, Lysithea, at about 11 miles across, became the 10th moon of Jupiter to be discovered.

So far, the Jupiter moon count stands at 69.

ICBN

North Korea test flew an ICBM yesterday with the range to reach Alaska.

North Korea said the rocket can deliver a nuclear warhead.

NASA Budget

Congress is debating increasing NASA's proposed budget.

Increases currently being discussed are as much as $800 million.

National Space Council

President Trump re-established the National Space Council last Friday.

He still has not nominated a NASA administrator, however.

Kilopower

NASA is testing small nuclear fission reactors that could power the human exploration of Mars.

The program is called Kilopower.