Graphic depiction of Swarming Proxima Centauri: Coherent Picospacecraft Swarms Over Interstellar DistancesThomas Eubanks Thomas Eubanks Space Initiatives, Inc. Tiny gram-scale interstellar probes pushed by laser light are likely to be the only technology capable of reaching another star this century.
[11 Jan 2024] NASA’s Troubled Mars Sample Mission Has Scientists Seeing Red
NASA’s Mars Sample Return program is the agency’s highest priority in planetary science, but projected multibillion-dollar overruns have some calling the plan a “dumpster fire” BY LEONARD DAVID An artist’s impression of NASA’s Perseverance rover exploring Mars. As part of
[11 Jan 2024] PEREGRINE MISSION ONE: Updates 6-12
UPDATE #6 FOR PEREGRINE MISSION ONE: An ongoing propellant leak is causing the spacecraft’s Attitude Control System (ACS) thrusters to operate well beyond their expected service life cycles to keep the lander from an uncontrollable tumble. If the thrusters can
[09 Jan 2024] NASA delays Artemis 2 and 3 missions
Jeff Foust January 9, 2024 The Artemis 2 astronauts inspect their Orion spacecraft. Issues with the spacecraft have delayed the mission to September 2025. Credit: NASA NEW ORLEANS — NASA is postponing the next two Artemis missions, including the first
[09 Jan 2024] America’s first lunar lander in a half-century won’t reach the Moon
Astrobotic’s Peregrine lunar lander appears to be stricken by a propellant leak. STEPHEN CLARK – 1/8/2024, 1:29 PM Astrobotic’s Peregrine lander carries 20 payloads, including five NASA-funded science instruments. A few hours after a successful liftoff on United Launch Alliance’s
[08 Jan 2024] MAGGIE: NASA plans massive solar-powered electric plane for Mars mission
MAGGIE is a compact fixed-wing aircraft with ultra-high productivity efficiency powered by solar energy to fly in the Martian atmosphere with vertical take-off/landing (VTOL) capability,” says NASA. Graphic depiction of Mars Aerial and Ground Global Intelligent Explorer (MAGGIE). After successfully
[08 Jan 2024] UPDATE #5 FOR PEREGRINE MISSION ONE
We’ve received the first image from Peregrine in space! The camera utilized is mounted atop a payload deck and shows Multi-Layer Insulation (MLI) in the foreground. The disturbance of the MLI is the first visual clue that aligns with our
[08 Jan 2024] Updated: Astrobotic’s Peregrine Launches to the Moon
Cape Canaveral, Florida – Astrobotic’s Peregrine Mission One has successfully launched to the Moon. Peregrine is now flying solo on its way to the Moon, where it will attempt a lunar landing on February 23, 2024. Peregrine could become the
[05 Jan 2024] Titan’s ‘magic islands’ are likely to be honeycombed hydrocarbon icebergs, finds study
by Liza Lester, American Geophysical Union Radar pierces Titan’s thick veil of smog, revealing lakes and a large sea in the moon’s north pole region, captured by the Cassini spacecraft. Transient bright spots, “magic islands,” have been seen appearing and
[05 Jan 2024] Space Force on the verge of finalizing long-awaited commercial space strategy
Lt. Gen. DeAnna Burt: ‘We are just days away from signing off’ Sandra Erwin January 5, 2024 Lt. Gen. DeAnna Burt has served as the deputy chief of space operations for operations, cyber, and nuclear since 2022. Credit: U.S. Space