June 4th, 2018
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On Wednesday, May 30th, NASA held the “Transformative Lunar Science” talks in the James Webb auditorium at NASA Headquarters. Hosted by Dr. James Green, NASA Chief Scientist, the talks discussed cutting-edge science that is transforming our understanding of the Moon, and what we can still learn from our nearest neighbor. The talks included a panel […]
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Just in time for “Asteroid Day” on June 29th! A small asteroid discovered on Saturday disintegrates hours later over Southern Africa As noted in a JPL release: “A boulder-sized asteroid designated 2018 LA was discovered Saturday morning, June 2, and was determined to be on a collision course with Earth, with impact just hours away. […]
A candidate landing site for NASA’s Mars 2020 rover is being flagged as a prime spot for finding fossils on Mars. A duty of that robotic mission is to collect rock samples to be returned to Earth for analysis by a future mission. A team led by a University of Edinburgh researcher has […]
The French space agency, CNES, is exploring reusable rockets. Jean-Marc Astorg, the head of CNES’ launch vehicles directorate recently gave a technical talk on Europe’s response to U.S. reusable launchers and its plans for the future. Also detailed: the pros and cons of reuse; Callisto, a reusable first stage demonstrator; an overview of worldwide development […]
A critical part of planetary protection is keeping contaminants from humans from riding aboard spacecraft. That’s a challenge. Spacecraft assembly facilities harbor a low but persistent amount of biological contamination despite the use of clean rooms. In the clean room facilities, NASA implements a variety of planetary protection measures to minimize biological contamination of spacecraft. […]
NASA’s Curiosity rover is now carrying out Sol 2068 duties. Reports Claire Newman, an atmospheric scientist at Aeolis Research in Pasadena, California: “We’re looking forward to analyzing some great drill samples from the ‘Duluth’ rock target in Curiosity’s Chemistry and Mineralogy instrument, CheMin. However, previous tests on Mars and the first delivery attempt to CheMin […]
Progress is being made in fabricating building elements on the Moon. In one effort, 3D printing technologies and methodologies for lunar buildings makes use of the Sun as a source of energy to “sinter” and “shape” lunar regolith, the loose layer of dust, soil and broken rocks on the Moon’s surface. Architects, engineers, systems designers, […]
Now in Sol 2067, the Curiosity Mars rover faces “tis the season to be dusty,” explains Claire Newman, an environmental science theme lead from Ashima Research in Pasadena, California. The previous rover plan included some tests of the sample delivery system, including delivery of a single portion to the closed cover of the Sample Analysis […]
Space Exploration: Past, Present, Future by Carolyn Collins Petersen, Amberley Publishing/UK, December 2017; Hardcover: 360 pages, List price is $26.95. Carolyn Collins Petersen has written a superb book, taking the reader on a step by step journey into deep space, reminding us of the historical roots of early visionary pioneers. As the author notes in […]
Are you considering an “exotic” destination to visit this summer? How about a virtual voyage to an Earth-size planet beyond our solar system with NASA’s interactive Exoplanet Travel Bureau? Best yet…no off-planet passports required! Data archives The Exoplanet Travel Bureau was developed by NASA’s Exoplanet Exploration Program communications team and program chief scientists. Based at […]
