#NASA

Mars Sample Return Begins

Submitted by ionscifi on October 13, 2021 - 18:04

Today NASA announced initiation of the mission to return samples collected by the Perseverence rover to Earth.

When they say initation they mean they've packed some samples, the first of which was collected on September 1.

Read more about Mars Sample Return Begins
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Galactic Attraction

Submitted by ionscifi on October 10, 2021 - 14:35

In the categories of things which can you make feel small and something cool you don't see every day, we have this image from NASA's Hubble Telescope of two galaxies interacting with the collective designation of Arp 91.

Astronomers believe that such interactions will eventually result in the formation of an elliptical galaxy over a period of hundreds of millions of years.

NASA Podcast - Lucy

Submitted by ionscifi on October 8, 2021 - 18:08

NASA's latest Small Steps Giant Leaps podcast is available, along with a transcript.

In this one, Lucy Deputy Project Systems Engineer Mike Sekerak discusses the imminent 12 year mission to study Jupiter's Trojan asteroids.

They discuss a range of first and challenges, including the fact this solar powered mission is going out past Jupiter where sunlight is only about 3% as bright as it is in Earth orbit.

NASA Selects Sim Crew

Submitted by ionscifi on October 5, 2021 - 15:13

NASA recently selected four volunteers for participation in a simulated trip to the Mars moon Phobos.

Lauren Cornell, Monique Garcia, Christopher Roberts, and Madelyne Willis.

The simulation has already commenced (October 1) and will run for 45 days ending on November 15.

It is one of a series of 15 missions being conducted by NASA's Human Research Program to help prepare people for long duration space missions.

Precious Asteroids

Submitted by ionscifi on October 5, 2021 - 14:05

cnet reports that scientists have calculated the likely precious metal content of an asteroid in Earth's vicinity to be $11.65 trillion (US).

It may contain more metal than all of Earth's current reserves.

This puts the billions of dollars being poured into commercial space development into perspective.

The Future of the ISS

Submitted by ionscifi on September 29, 2021 - 18:00

LiveScience reports on a recent hearing of the US House Space and Technology Subcommittee about the future of the International Space Station. The full hearing can be viewed here.