Mars One 100

Mars One has cut its potential colonist base from 202,000 applicants down to 100-- 50 men and 50 women.

The project intends to land its first colonists on Mars in 2025.  There are no plans to bring any of them back to Earth.

Chelyabinsk Plus Two

Two years ago, a small asteroid exploded in the air over Chelyabinsk, Russia, injuring about 1,200 people.

Astronomers don't yet know the origin of the asteroid, but the event has sparked an international discussion about planetary defense.

Gravitational Waves

Scientists are working hard to find gravitational waves as a way to confirm the faster-than-light expansion of the extremely young universe.  A recent purported detection has since been proven erroneous.

Still, scientists expect to make the real discovery soon.

Mixed Results For SpaceX

SpaceX successfully launched the DISCOVR space weather satellite this week, but didn't attempt to land the booster on a platform due to bad weather.

The booster was brought down softly and upright into the ocean.

Life Around Red Dwarfs

New research indicates that red dwarf stars may not foster life bearing planets in their early years.  They are brighter and hotter in their youths, which could destroy likely planetary atmospheres.

That said, they are still potentially good places to look for life.

Moon Versus Mars

The debate still rages about the next logical goal for manned spaceflight-- the Moon or Mars.  Each side has its arguments and visions.

OPINION: The answer is to do both.  Go back to the Moon led by private and commercial groups, and give the early stages of manned Mars exploration to an international effort led by NASA, ESA, etc.  We can do two things at once.

Drilling Mars

Curiosity has now drilled into two rocks on the flanks of Mount Sharp, taking samples.  Both samples carried evidence of water.

The second sample suggested more acidic water.  Scientists are still working on explaining that.