In a report accompanying the recent spending bill, Congress directs NASA to speed up development of a deep space habitat module.
Such a module is key for missions to Mars, for example.
Thursday, December 31, 2015
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
Europe To The Moon
Europe is building international momentum and relationships to support establishing a manned base on the Moon.
The plan calls for human missions in the early 2020s and a base in the 2030s.
The plan calls for human missions in the early 2020s and a base in the 2030s.
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
Skylon
The British Skylon spaceplane, designed to take off and land like a conventional aircraft while still reaching low Earth orbit, is on track for unmanned test flights starting in 2025.
The project could revolutionize both space travel and long-distance air travel.
The project could revolutionize both space travel and long-distance air travel.
Monday, December 28, 2015
Billion Dollae Success
The new STAR WARS movie has taken in a billion dollars faster than any other film.
There's probably plenty more in the pot, too. It opens in China January 6.
There's probably plenty more in the pot, too. It opens in China January 6.
Saturday, December 26, 2015
Finding More Earths
Astronomers have found a rocky world a few times more massive than Earth orbiting a low-mass star that has a low metals content-- a bit of a surprise.
It suggests Earth-like worlds may be more common than thought.
It suggests Earth-like worlds may be more common than thought.
Thursday, December 24, 2015
Star of Bethlehem
It's a Christmas tradition that some astronomer tries to explain what the Star of Bethlehem actually might have been. That sort of misses the point.
The point of the story is that the Star heralded a special birth. It was a supernatural, not a natural, object. As such, it is outside the realm of astronomy.
The point of the story is that the Star heralded a special birth. It was a supernatural, not a natural, object. As such, it is outside the realm of astronomy.
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Iffy InSight
The InSight mission to Mars, scheduled to launch next year, has been delayed and may be cancelled due to equipment failure.
NASA says the problem won't affect its overall Mars plans.
NASA says the problem won't affect its overall Mars plans.
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
SpaceX Success
SpaceX successfully soft-landed a rocket booster on land after it launched six small satellites into orbit yesterday. Blue Origins recently accomplished the same feat on a suborbital flight.
The era of reusable rockets is dawning.
The era of reusable rockets is dawning.
Monday, December 21, 2015
The Force Awakens
The new STAR WARS movie took in over half a billion dollars in box office worldwide it first weekend, a record, making Mickey a very happy mouse.
Disney plans to release a new movie in the franchise annually through 2020.
Disney plans to release a new movie in the franchise annually through 2020.
Saturday, December 19, 2015
Martian Methane
Two years ago, the Curiosity rover rolled into an outburst of methane on Mars. Methane can have either nonbiological or biological origins, so its discovery caused a real stir.
Studies since tend to support a nonbiological explanation, but life has not been ruled out.
Studies since tend to support a nonbiological explanation, but life has not been ruled out.
Friday, December 18, 2015
Wolf 1061
Wolf 1061 is a red dwarf only 14 light years away. Orbiting it, in its habitable zone, is a world only four times more massive than Earth.
Because of its proximity, NASA plans to study that world closely for possible signs of life.;
Because of its proximity, NASA plans to study that world closely for possible signs of life.;
Thursday, December 17, 2015
NASA Money
NASA stands to get $19.2 billion in the federal budget currently going through Congress.
It's an increase over recent years.
It's an increase over recent years.
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Weakening Plumes
The geysers on Saturn's moon Enceladus are less active than they were when discovered in 2005-- down 30 to 50 percent.
Scientists don't know why.
Scientists don't know why.
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
Water On Hot Jupiters
Hot Jupiters have been seen as oddly dry, but a new study suggests water on those worlds exists as vapor in clouds rather than as liquid.
Such worlds are far too hot to support life.
Such worlds are far too hot to support life.
Monday, December 14, 2015
Dwarf Flares
Astronomers have found a red dwarf star 35 light years away emits flares 10,000 times more powerful than the Sin does.
If red dwarfs generally do that, it will limit their ability to support life.
If red dwarfs generally do that, it will limit their ability to support life.
Saturday, December 12, 2015
Star Storm
Astronomers using the Kepler spacecraft and the Spitzer Space Telescope have found a huge storm in the upper atmosphere of a brown dwarf.
The storm looks to be similar to Jupiter's Great Red Spot.
The storm looks to be similar to Jupiter's Great Red Spot.
Friday, December 11, 2015
Checking Kepler
A new study suggests that over half of the bigger exoplanet candidates found by NASA's Kepler probe are in fact stars or brown dwarfs.
Scientists are confident, however, that a much higher percentage of the smaller, Earth-like candidates will be confirmed.
Scientists are confident, however, that a much higher percentage of the smaller, Earth-like candidates will be confirmed.
Thursday, December 10, 2015
No Laser Signal
No laser signal from the "alien megastructire" star pointed this way has been detected so far.
Of course, there's no obvious reason such a signal would be aimed at Earth. but the case for a civilization around that star is weakening.
Of course, there's no obvious reason such a signal would be aimed at Earth. but the case for a civilization around that star is weakening.
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Ceres' Bright Spots
The best current explanation of the mysterious bright spots on the dwarf planet Ceres, according to a new study, seems to be that they are deposits of salt-- Epsom salt, to be precise.
Ceres also seems to have huge reserves of water underground.
Ceres also seems to have huge reserves of water underground.
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
Tayna
Astronomers have found the earliest galaxy yet, one that existed 13 billion years ago. They've christened it Tayna.
Tayna existed only about 400 million years after the Big Bang, further evidence that the universe organized under current physical laws fairly quickly.
Tayna existed only about 400 million years after the Big Bang, further evidence that the universe organized under current physical laws fairly quickly.
Monday, December 7, 2015
Cygnus Success
Orbital Science's Cygnus cargo vehicle successfully launched on a resupply mission to ISS atop atop an Atlas rocket yesterday.
The company is still working to get its Antares launcher operational again.
The company is still working to get its Antares launcher operational again.
Saturday, December 5, 2015
Hawaii Delay
The Hawaii Supreme Court has intervened in the struggle to build the Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea, further delaying the project.
Native Hawaiian groups are opposing the construction on religious grounds, saying the volcano is sacred to them.
Native Hawaiian groups are opposing the construction on religious grounds, saying the volcano is sacred to them.
Friday, December 4, 2015
Cygnus Return
The private Cygnus cargo vessel is set to return to flight for the first time since October 2014 when its Antares rocket blew up.
Until Antares is operational again, Cygnus will be riding an Atlas 4.
Until Antares is operational again, Cygnus will be riding an Atlas 4.
Thursday, December 3, 2015
Landing On Land
A NASA official says SpaceX will try to soft-land its booster back at Cape Canaveral after its next launch. Previously, the company has tried to land boosters on barges in the ocean, with limited success.
Blue Origin successfully soft-landed a booster on land just recently.
Blue Origin successfully soft-landed a booster on land just recently.
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
China In Space
A new American study suggests China will rival the U. S. in space in the years ahead.
According to the study, China sees space as critical both economically and militarily.
According to the study, China sees space as critical both economically and militarily.
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Supersonic Flight
NASA is looking at ways to quiet sonic booms of supersonic aircraft to allow the resumption of supersonic commercial flights over land.
Initial results are encouraging.
Initial results are encouraging.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)