In the Search for E.T., Moon Size Matters
New research indicates that the size of Earth’s moon relative to the size of the planet may have been key to the development of life.
Space
NASA’s Updated Transition Plan for the International Space Station Includes Crashing it Into the Pacific
NASA has updated its transition plan for the international space station, as it nears the end of its operational lifespan.
Deep Space Travelers May Imitate Hibernating Squirrels
Deep space travelers and others suffering from muscle loss may be able to take advantage of a trick used by squirrels during hibernation.
Exoplanet Atmosphere Mapped by Researchers
Results Will Help Search for Extraterrestrial Life
Results Will Help Search for Extraterrestrial Life
Researchers have created a three-dimensional map of the atmosphere of an exoplanet 322 light-years from Earth. The resulting 3D map of the swirling gases surrounding the Jupiter-like exoplanet is not only an astronomical first, but it should also help inform...
“Ghosts” of the Early Universe Reveal Clues, and Controversies, About the Formation of Galaxies
Astronomers have learned surprising things from the oldest and most distant galaxies in our universe, a search that has also led to a few controversies.
Laser Beams to Power Satellites in Low Earth Orbit
A new project from researchers in the U.K is aiming to use laser beams to power satellites while they are out of sight of the sun.
The Skyrora Sees Success with Test of Its Third Stage “Space Tug” Maneuvering Platform
Scottish space company Skyrora has successfully test-fired its third stage “space tug” maneuvering vehicle at its engine development complex in Fife, Scotland.
Are Earthlike Planets Plentiful Throughout the Milky Way?
Earthlike planets, which might have features like continents and liquid water on their surface, may be plentiful across the Milky Way galaxy.
Are Squids and Octopuses Actually Space Aliens?
Squids, octopuses and other cephalopods may be organisms from outer space, according to a 2018 scientific paper.
“Death Star” Moon Mimas May Have a Subsurface Ocean
Saturn’s moon Mimas, sometimes called the Death Star moon, may have a subsurface ocean capable of supporting extraterrestrial life.
The James Webb Space Telescope Has Just Reached its New Home in Space
The James Webb Space Telescope will soon begin its long-anticipated mission of peering more deeply into the history of space than any telescope has ever done.
Russian Space Junk Nearly Downs Chinese Satellite
A Chinese science satellite narrowly avoided a potentially catastrophic collision with debris from an exploded Russian satellite earlier this week. Part of a Russian anti-satellite missile test last November that drew worldwide condemnation, the same field of space junk recently...
Mars May Have Had an Ocean Three Billion Years Ago
New research indicates Mars may have had a liquid ocean on its surface 3 billion years ago even if the surface temperature was freezing. Furthermore, the researchers behind the study say that such an ocean may have been able to...
World’s First Space Studio to Launch by 2024
Space Entertainment Enterprise (S.E.E.) has announced plans for the world’s first entertainment production studio in space. With the first launch planned for the end of 2024, the new project is designed to reside aboard the Axiom Space module that will...
How NATO is Preparing for War in Outer Space
The North Atlantic Treaties Organization (NATO) has issued a formal policy statement, which says that any attack on a member’s assets in space will be considered an attack on the entire alliance. This policy comes mere weeks after Russia put...
Air Force Designing Robotic Fleet to Service Satellites
Leading a consortium of researchers selected by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), a team from Carnegie-Mellon University (CMU) is laying the foundation for a fleet of AI-controlled robotic craft designed...
Mars Curiosity Rover Finds “Tantalizing” Signs of Life
NASA’s Mars Curiosity Rover has found signs of a type of carbon that is associated with biological processes when found on Earth. A recent announcement that organics found in a Martian meteorite are likely not from a biological process had...
Why Are Asteroids Sneaking Up on Earth?
NASA funded scientists have identified a celestial “danger zone” where asteroids approaching Earth can go undetected by the system designed to spot such objects until it is too late. In the past, such space rocks have caused significant damage, even...
China Creates Gravity Chamber for Moon Simulations
Chinese scientists have created a gravity manipulation chamber that simulates low gravity environments like those found on the moon. Inspired by previous research that involved levitating a frog, the “artificial moon” is expected to help the Chinese National Space Agency...
SETI to Begin Searching for Alien Lasers
The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) is adding a new set of laser detectors to its arsenal, upping its array of tools in the search for signs of life beyond Earth. Designed to detect laser pulses originating from space, including...
Are Super-Earths Actually the Best Places to Search for ET?
Super-Earths may be the best place to search for extraterrestrial life due to their long-lived magnetic shields, according to a recent study. Scientists had previously thought that Earth-sized rocky exoplanets, meaning planets located outside of our own solar system that...
Chinese Rover Finds Water on the Moon
China’s Chang’E-5 rover has found evidence of water molecules on the surface of the moon. Also, measurements taken by the rover indicate that the sun itself is the likely cause of the sparse yet detectable lunar water. BACKGROUND: WATER ON...
Astronomers Spot Second Ever Exomoon Candidate
Discovery May Mean Exomoons are Common, Increasing the Odds of Extraterrestrial Life.
Discovery May Mean Exomoons are Common, Increasing the Odds of Extraterrestrial Life.
Astronomers studying a huge, Jupiter-like exoplanet say they have successfully detected a moon in its orbit. Although this is only the second such “exomoon” spotted thus far, the location and overall circumstances of the find supports the idea that exomoons...
Organic Material in Martian Meteorite is NOT Biological
However, New Research Reconfirms Mars' Watery Past and Potential for Life
However, New Research Reconfirms Mars' Watery Past and Potential for Life
Organic material found in a Martian meteorite does not have a biological origin, new research has determined. Instead, the organics found in this particular chunk of Mars that fell to earth were formed by a natural process involving rocks and...
NASA to Include Custom Alexa on its ARTEMIS Missions
The National Aeronautics and Space Administrations (NASA) is planning to include an Amazon Alexa on its upcoming Artemis missions. With the first launch currently planned for 2025, Artemis is the North American space agency’s first attempt at a series of...
First Moon Landing in 50 Years Only Weeks Away
The first moon landing since the final Apollo missions of the early 1970’s is expected to touch down on Earth’s lone satellite sometime early this year. If everything goes according to plan, the same NASA contractor behind the lander hopes...
Extraordinary Evidence Requires Extraordinary Funding: The Search for Extraterrestrial Technology
Trying to catch extraterrestrial technology in our solar system requires a very expensive fishing rod.
Trying to catch extraterrestrial technology in our solar system requires a very expensive fishing rod.
Space is vast so sensitive telescopes and patience are needed for an interstellar fishing trip when catching extraterrestrial technology.
China’s Tianwen 1 Uses Second Spacecraft to Take Selfie
After hanging around the Martian orbit for nearly a full calendar year, China’s Tianwen 1 spacecraft launched a tiny secondary spacecraft to take some pictures. As a result, the Chinese National Space Agency (CNSA) released some of those pictures on...
Are Plumes on Enceladus from Underground Oceans?
Plumes of steam that erupt from the surface of Saturn’s icy moon Enceladus may not actually prove the existence of an underground ocean. Most theories indicate these oceans do exist, but a new study proposes an alternate cause for the...
The Expedition 66 Team Kicks Off 2022 on the ISS With Science and Spacewalks
The Expedition 66 crew aboard the International Space Station is conducting experiments and preparing for a spacewalk in early 2022.
Why Do Vision Problems Plague Astronauts in Zero Gravity?
Researchers hoping to understand how living in space negatively affects human vision have zeroed in on blood flow to the brain as its potential cause. Such issues have plagued the world’s first space travelers, who have overwhelmingly experienced diminished eyesight...
Is Terraforming Mars & Venus Actually Possible?
Terraforming Mars and even Venus may be possible, says a four-decade veteran of NASA. In fact, the former director of the agency’s planetary science division says he is working on just such a plan that would employ a giant magnetic...
DART Returns First Photos Readying for Asteroid Smash
NASA’s DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) spacecraft has returned its first photos, proving its onboard navigation camera survived launch. Known as DRACO, which is short for Didymos Reconnaissance and Asteroid Camera for Optical navigation, the lone camera carried by DART...
Tracking James Webb Telescope in Real Time
Curious viewers can track the progress of the James Webb telescope in real time, thanks to a new, dedicated YouTube channel. Launched a day after the telescope itself, the channel charts the current position of the groundbreaking space observatory, its...
Don’t Look Up: When Asteroids Attack
While it seems unlikely our world will end anytime soon with a giant asteroid collision, Netflix's "Don't Look Up" raises relevant questions about asteroids and their place in our galaxy.
Ramen Noodles Are The Perfect Space Food
Cristina Gomez shares her love of ramen noodles- and why they are basically the best.
Cristina Gomez shares her love of ramen noodles- and why they are basically the best.
Ramen Noodles for Astronauts are a yummy meal option to be enjoyed in orbit on the ISS or on the road to Mars.
These 6 Technologies from ‘The Expanse’ May Soon Become Reality
Here's a peek at six fascinating technologies in "The Expanse" universe that may one day become a reality.
Life on Venus: The Potential Habitability of Venusian Clouds
A chemical model of the atmosphere of Venus suggests some forms of life could potentially live in our neighbor planet's clouds.
The James Webb Space Telescope Lift Off A Success, A New Era Of Astronomy Is About to Begin
As of 7:20 EST, the Ariane 5 rocket successfully launched, taking the James Webb Space Telescope far into space.
NASA Releases James Webb “Official Mission Trailer” Video
NASA has released an “Official Mission Trailer” video to promote the planned Christmas Day launch of the James Webb Telescope. Presented like a trailer for a blockbuster film, the 87 second video offers an exciting glimpse into the mission many...
Going Where No Telescope Has Gone: The James Webb Space Telescope Launches Tomorrow
The James Webb Telescope is set to launch on Christmas day, and it will usher in a new dawn in astronomy and astrophysics.
Jingle Bells Was The First Song Ever Played in Outer Space
O'er the fields we go, laughing all the way...
O'er the fields we go, laughing all the way...
Christmas songs are annoying, so obviously, the first song ever played in outer space was "Jingle Bells," proving that humans are sadists.
70 New Rogue Exoplanets Spotted by Astronomers
70 rogue exoplanets, or planets not bound to a host star, have been discovered wandering through the Milky Way galaxy. Described as a “breakthrough discovery,” the newly identified rogue exoplanets could help researchers better understand how these space bodies develop...
Plasma Thruster New Option for Deep Space Exploration
Researchers have developed a new plasma thruster design that they say can open the door to longer range missions within our solar system as well as deep space. The new design improves on previous models by increasing thrust and efficiency,...
Why Did SpaceX Just Launch Muscle Cells into Space?
SpaceX just launched a fresh set of supplies to the International Space Station (ISS), including a batch of custom-made human muscle cells. Once aboard the ISS, the unusual package and the researchers behind its contents hope the accelerated effects of...
Interstellar Bussard Ramjet Undergoes New Analysis
The advanced propulsion concept known as the Bussard Ramjet has undergone a new analysis to determine its feasibility. And according to the team behind the second look, the concept is sound. But, they add, the physical dimensions of the innovative...
NASA Releases Eerie Audio from Jupiter’s Moon Ganymede
NASA has released a new audio recording of Ganymede, one of Jupiter’s moons, which was captured by the Juno mission as the spacecraft flew within 645 miles of the moon’s surface. Produced by the mission’s WAVES instrument, which typically tunes...
Could Black Holes Account for ‘Missing’ Dark Matter?
A new study proposes that black holes formed at the dawn of time may actually account for all dark matter. This theory, the authors note, builds on previous work from Stephen Hawking performed in the 1970s, and may finally answer...
New ESA Video Shows James Webb Nearing Launch
A new video from the European Space Agency (ESA) reveals the final steps currently being taken to prepare the James Webb Telescope for it planned December 24th launch. Although the launch has been delayed a number of times already, the...
Huge Water Deposit Found in Mars “Grand Canyon”
A massive water deposit almost twice the size of Vermont has been discovered just beneath the surface of Mars. Whether bound to other minerals or stored as water ice, the new discovery made by the European Space Administration (ESA) was...