Space and astronomy news
It looks like the InSight Lander’s Mole instrument is making some progress. After months of perseverance, the team operating the instrument has succeeded in getting the Mole at least some distance into the ground. That’s a victory in itself, considering all the setbacks there’ve been. But it’s too soon to celebrate: there’s quite a ways …
Continue reading “Finally! Mars InSight’s Mole is Now Underground”
What would be the best method for exploring planetary atmospheres, such as at Mars, Venus or even Earth? One group of researchers are developing tiny, levitating “nanocardboard” aircraft that could hover in alien skies. They would fly like dust floating in beams of sunlight – but intelligently, and with a purpose. “It’s exciting because it’s …
Continue reading “Tiny Cardboard Aircraft Could Fly in the Skies of Mars”
The US Space Force, in conjunction with the USAF and the ULA, just launched the X-37B spaceplane for the sixth time!
New research says life from Earth isn’t likely to ever survive on Mars, which is good news as far as planetary protection concerns are involved.
The HiRISE (High-Resolution Imaging Science Experiment) instrument on NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) has given us a steady stream of images of the Martian surface. It’s been in orbit around Mars since March 2006, and has greatly outlived its intended mission length. One of the latest Hi-PODs, or HiRISE Pictures of the Day, is this …
Continue reading “Sediments on Mars, Created By Blowing Wind or Flowing Water”
A future rover on Mars may include shape-shifting capabilities. This innovative tech won’t quite be like the liquid-metal polymorphing robot from “Terminator 2,” but will solve a problem that have plagued previous rovers: wheel wear and tear. NASA’s Glenn Research Center is now using shape memory alloys (SMA) to build better wheels for driving on …
New research using data from MAVEN shows that Mars had a magnetic field earlier and later in its history than previously thought.
Flying low over the surface of Mars. Don’t tell me you haven’t dreamed about it, especially with some of the ‘Mars flyover’ videos that have been produced over the years using data from the orbital missions. And if all goes well – global pandemic not withstanding — a helicopter will be on its way to …
The ESA has entered into a lucrative collaboration to help NASA get its Martian rock samples back to Earth.
After a lot of hard work spanning many years, a team of scientists have discovered something surprising. They’ve found abundant bacterial life in tiny cracks in undersea volcanic rock in the Earth’s crust. The bacteria are thriving in clay deposits inside these tiny cracks. This discovery is generating new excitement around the hope of finding …