Oumuamua

New research suggests Oumuamua, our first known interstellar visitor, may have been rich in hydrogen ice before irs approach to the Sun boiled the ice away.

That, in turn, suggests Oumuamua-like objects could teach us about the early stages of planetary formation.

Tunguska

New research suggests the Tunguska event of 1908 occurred when a giant meteor barely grazed Earth's  atmosphere, creating a massive shock wave.

Tunguska remains the best argument for planetary defense.

Delay

The first private manned space launch was delayed yesterday by weather.

The next attempt will be Saturday.

SpaceX

According to reports, SpaceX is worth $36 billion.

That could increase later today.

Virgin

Virgin Orbit's first test flight of LauncherOne, the air-launched rocket meant to carry satellites into orbit, failed yesterday.

Virgin Galactic, meanwhile, is looking for its first commercial manned flight soon.

Discovery

The Discovery Channel will have extensive coverage of the scheduled first private launch of humans into space Wednesday afternoon.

The launch, whenever it happens, will mark the beginning of a new era of the Space Agr.

Trump

President Trump says he might attend the first SpaceX launch of two astronauts to ISS.

The launch is scheduled for May 27.

Mars

Researchers studying seismic activity on Mars are trying to determine how the planet was formed.

They think the key is the composition of Mars' core.

SETI

China is considering using its FAST radio telescope-- the largest single dish in the world-- for SETI searches.

That could re-sculpt the field.

Annie Glenn

Annie Glenn, widow of John Glenn, died yesterday of COVID complications at the age of 100.

Annie and John were married for 73 years.

Genetic Engineering

Scientists are seriously considering genetic engineering as a way to protect humans in deep space.

Adapting plants and animals to conditions on Mars, for example, may help colonize that world.

X-37b

The U. S. Space Force launched an X-37b spaceplane yesterday morning.

Details of the mission are classified.

STAR TREK

CBS All Access is buying two new series in the legendary STAR TREK franchise.

One of them will feature Captain Pike, who commanded the Enterprise before Captain Kirk.

Gordon Cooper

On this date in 1963, Gordon Cooper launched on the last flight of the Mercury program.

It'd also be the last time a NASA astronaut flew into space alone.

Pluto

New research suggests Pluto's atmosphere may be a permanent feature.

Up to now, scientists had thought Pluto's atmosphere froze out when Pluto was farthest from the Sun.

Good News, Bad News

Air pollution. including nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter, has dropped worldwide as a result of shutdowns to control COVID.

However, as travel and industrial activity resume, scientists say pollution will return.  It already has in China.

Saturn's Hexagon

The bizarre hexagonal atmospheric tower above Saturn's north pole has layers of hazy mists, a new study finds.

Scientists think the layers are associated with different temperature regimes.

Kepler 88

Astronomers in Hawaii have found a world in the Kepler 88 system that is three times as massive as Jupiter.

Kepler 88 is 1200 light years away.

China Space

China's next generation space capsule successfully completed a major test flight this past week.

The capsule will be able to carry humans to the Moon.

WASP-79b

WASP-79b is a strange world.  A hot Jupiter, the average temperature is roughly 3,000 degrees F.  Its skies are yellowish, and there, rain is not water, but iron.

It's about 780 light years away.

Moscow Moon

Russia, in partnership with ESA, is planning three lunar robotic missions by 2025.

They would be the first Russian lunar missions since 1976.

Yevgeny Mikrin

Yevgeny Mikrin, the chief of the Russian human spaceflight program, died yesterday.

The cause of death has yet to be announced, but he had been diagnosed with COVID-19.

Space Movie

A news report says Tom Cruise, NASA, and SpaceX are working on a feature film set and shot in space.

The project is still early days.

New Ridges, Active Moon

A new study of lunar ridges suggests the Moon might still be internally active.

The ridges seem young, and they are aligned atop tectonic cracks.

Virgin Galactic

Virgin Galactic is wrapping up test flights in New Mexico prior to beginning commercial operations.

More than 600 people have already bought tickets.

Mars Money

NASA's suite of exploratory missions currently functioning at Mars is in danger due to proposed budget cuts.

Congress can still restore the funding.