Australia Is Finally Getting Its Very Own Space Agency
In an effort to stimulate job growth and innovation, the federal government of Australia has announced that it will establish the country’s very first space agency.
NASA's Curiosity Rover Captures Spectacular Images as It Climbs Toward a Mysterious Outcrop
Over the past few days, NASA’s Curiosity rover has been making a steady climb towards a strange Martian ridge that’s captivated scientists since before the mission even started. Known as Vera Ridge after the pioneering astrophysicist Vera Rubin, the durable outcrop could shed new light on the environment and potential…
New Horizons Will Get Incredibly Close to Its Next Target
On New Year’s Day 2019, NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft will zoom past MU69—a mysterious Kuiper Belt object located four billion miles from Earth. In anticipation of the upcoming flyby, NASA has just revealed the probe’s flight plan, and there’s some exciting news: New Horizons is expected to come three times closer to…
This Is One of the Coolest Shots of the Mars Curiosity Rover We've Ever Seen
See that faint, blue dot in the middle of this NASA image? That’s the Curiosity rover making its way up the rocky slopes of Mount Sharp. The robotic lander, now approaching its fifth year of operation, has never looked so lonely.
Extended Space Travel Causes an Inevitable Drop in Physical Fitness
Another day, another study showing how awful microgravity is to the human body. In the latest research, scientists have found that long term exposure to space inhibits the movement of oxygen through the body, reducing an astronaut’s ability to perform strenuous tasks.
Remarkable Image Shows a Martian Crater With NASA's Garbage Still Inside
When NASA’s Opportunity rover landed on Mars in 2004, it settled at the bottom of a crater in an interplanetary hole-in-one shot that would make even a golf champion jealous. When the rover trundled out of its unexpected hole, it left behind its landing platform. Now, 13 years later, we’ve caught our best glimpse yet…
Most Relatable Spacecraft in the Solar System Is Taking a Nap
Naps are empirically great. Sadly, our gig economy world frowns upon R&R; as an adult, it’s not socially acceptable to curl up and take a nap at work, no matter how tired or hungover or burdened with ennui you are. Instead, we reward children, who do little besides breathe and create turmoil, with the gift of “nap…
These Are the Wildly Advanced Space Exploration Concepts Being Considered by NASA
Earlier today, NASA announced funding for 22 projects as part of its Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program. From a planet hopping laser-driven sail and a solar powered Venusian weather balloon to an autonomous rover on Pluto, the future of space exploration looks incredibly bright.
The Curiosity Rover's Wheels Aren't Looking So Good
A routine check performed by NASA has uncovered two tears on the treads of the Mars Curiosity Rover’s left middle wheel. The damage isn’t unexpected, nor is it catastrophic, but it’s a reminder that this intrepid little explorer won’t last forever.
Europe's First Spacecraft to Jupiter Will Be Taking a Crazy Route
They say the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, but for JUICE—a European Space Agency-led, Jupiter-bound probe scheduled to launch in 2022—the quickest route will involve a rather convoluted journey requiring four gravitational assists with three different planets.
Canada is Finally Getting Its First Spaceport
Halifax-based Maritime Launch Services has confirmed its plans to build a $148-million rocket spaceport near Canso, Nova Scotia. Scheduled for completion in 2020, it’ll be Canada’s first and only site where rockets can be launched into orbit.
Japan Forced to Shut Down Two Cameras on Venus Probe
Following an unexpected energy surge, Japan’s space agency has hit the pause button on two of the five cameras aboard its Venus-orbiting Akatsuki spacecraft. It’s a bad sign for the troubled orbiter, which has been exposed to more radiation than anticipated.
An Enormous Exoplanet Is Having a Strange Influence on Its Star
There’s a star about 370 light-years from here that’s pulsating in response to its unusually heavy planetary companion. It’s the first time that astronomers have seen this sort of interaction between a planet and its host star.
India Is Poised to Set a New Space Record Tomorrow
Tomorrow, a four-stage Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle will blast off from India’s southern spaceport with 104 satellites on board. Should all go well, the Indian Space Research Organization will establish a new satellite delivery record for a single mission—and by a long shot.
Mars' Northern Ice Cap Looks Like a Gigantic Cinnamon Bun
Using satellite data, the European Space Agency has produced a glorious new image of the swirling spirals at the north pole of Mars. The Red Planet has never looked more delicious.
How an Interstellar Starship Could Actually Explore Alpha Centauri
Last year, Stephen Hawking and Russian billionaire Yuri Milner hatched an ambitious plan to send a tiny probe to the Alpha Centauri star system. Travelling at 20 percent the speed of light, the researchers weren’t entirely sure how the probe was supposed to stop once it arrived at its destination, or whether it would…
Glorious New NASA Video Imagines a Landing on Pluto
Using 100 images taken by the New Horizons spacecraft over the course of six weeks, NASA has produced a colorized video showing what it would be like to approach and land on Pluto. Prepare yourself for a marvelous trip.
Hubble Shows What’s in Store for the Incredible Voyager Probes
Launched in 1977, the Voyager space probes are further from Earth than any human-made object ever built. Using the Hubble Space Telescope, astronomers have charted a roadmap for the probes, revealing surprising details about their ongoing journey through interstellar space.
NASA Is Sending a Probe to Explore Jupiter’s Mysterious Trojan Asteroids
In addition to its 67 moons, Jupiter is accompanied by two giant clusters of asteroids that orbit the sun along the same path, and is packed with as many large objects as the Asteroid Belt. Yesterday, NASA announced a new mission to investigate these “trojan” asteroids. Here’s what you need to know about this exciting…
Hi-Def Video of Earth From Space Is So Beautiful You'll Want to Punch Yourself in the Face
Earlier this year, NASA astronaut Jeff Williams captured ultra high definition video of our pale blue dot from the vantage point of the International Space Station. It’s easily the most uplifting thing you’re going to see all day.
