April 15th, 2020
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The U.S. Space Command is aware and tracking Russia’s direct-ascent anti-satellite (DA-ASAT) missile test today. “Russia’s DA-ASAT test provides yet another example that the threats to U.S. and allied space systems are real, serious and growing,” said General John W. “Jay” Raymond, USSPACECOM commander and U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations. “The United States […]
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NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover is now performing Sol 2734 duties. Reports Mark Salvatore, a planetary geologist at the University of Michigan: “In our last bit of science from on top of the flat topographically raised region known as the “Pediment,” we wanted to chemically characterize some small nodular bedrock targets that we’ve been noticing […]
Establishing an international long-term sustainable lunar presence in partnership with the private sector remains the core global focus of space exploration. A new Euroconsult report — Prospects for Space Exploration – explains that global government investment in space exploration totaled nearly $20 billion in 2019, a 6% increase year-on-year. Thirty-one countries and space agencies […]
A power-beaming demonstration in orbit onboard the International Space Station is being highlighted by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL). The first NRL power-beaming demo took place in mid-February, facilitated by ISS astronaut Jessica Meir. A device converted electromagnetic waves into electric current on the orbiting outpost. Meir showed how NRL’s LEctenna™, a light-emitting rectifying […]
NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover has just started Sol 2733 operations. Following a drive away from the Edinburgh drill site last Wednesday, Curiosity has a brand-new parking spot for this weekend’s science activities, reports Rachel Kronyak, a planetary geologist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Sand ripples “The drive put us right in front […]
A new capsule/waverider concept could be useful in delivering cargo to Mars. This new waverider concept is part space capsule, part hypersonic glider that’s capable of surviving a fiery return from outer space before gliding like a surfer on its own shock wave. While the Red Planet’s atmosphere is thin, spacecraft need heat shields to […]
The Life and Science of Harold C. Urey by Matthew Shindell, The University of Chicago Press; December 2019; Hardback; 248 pages, $27.50. This impressive biography is a well-researched and enjoyable read – a wonderful account of Harold Urey’s pioneering work, including his contributions in cosmochemistry and lunar science. The author offers an intriguing look at […]
NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover is now carrying out Sol 2729 tasks. “Many of us on Earth are being especially diligent lately about washing our hands for at least 20 seconds after touching a new surface,” reports Scott Guzewich, an atmospheric scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. “On Mars, Curiosity is […]
The NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program has unleashed a new volley of creative concepts, selecting study efforts that receive Phase I, Phase II and Phase III funding. A number of the just announced NIAC-funded initiatives focus on Moon exploration objectives. NIAC’s role is to nurture visionary ideas that could transform future NASA missions with […]
NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover is now performing Sol 2728 tasks. Reports Kristen Bennett, a planetary geologist at USGS Astrogeology Science Center in Flagstaff, Arizona: In the last weekend plan the remainder of the “Edinburgh” drill sample was dumped, “which means that we are almost finished with activities in this drill location.” A recent two-sol plan […]
