Witnessing the return of a spacecraft to Earth is a thrilling experience, especially when it involves a small and cozy capsule like Varda Space Industries’ W-1 spacecraft. The successful landing of this spacecraft at the Utah Test and Training Range on February 21, 2024, provided a front row seat to the entire reentry sequence. A
Space
In a recent discovery made by a team of astronomers, a white dwarf star has been found guilty of consuming one of its own planets. The evidence? A scar of vaporized metal marring the surface of the star – a clear indication of the planet that met its demise by being swallowed by the star.
Following the off-kilter touchdown of Intuitive Machines’ Odysseus lander on the Moon, the mission team is facing challenges with communication due to the lander’s awkward angle. The images released confirm that the antennas are limited in transmitting data efficiently. Despite this setback, the lander continues to communicate with flight controllers, showcasing resiliency in the face
While Jupiter and Saturn often steal the spotlight with their extensive collections of moons, recent discoveries have shed light on the moon populations of Uranus and Neptune. Ground-based telescopes have unveiled three previously undiscovered moons; one orbiting Uranus and two around Neptune. These findings bring Uranus’ moon count to 28 and Neptune’s to 16. The
In a groundbreaking achievement, the capsule from Varda Space Industries’ W-1 mission has successfully returned to Earth with a payload of antiviral drugs grown in the unique microgravity environment of Low Earth Orbit (LEO). This mission marks a significant milestone in the company’s efforts to revolutionize pharmaceutical manufacturing by leveraging the capabilities of space. The
Hopes of discovering extraterrestrial life within our own Solar System have been dampened by a recent study that suggests Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, may be barren. The scientific community’s excitement about finding life in the icy worlds of the outer Solar System has been met with a realization that it may be less likely than
Intuitive Machines, a US company, achieved a major milestone in space exploration by successfully landing its Odysseus lunar lander on the Moon’s surface. This groundbreaking achievement in the private sector involved navigating through a vast expanse of space, slowing down from a velocity of 1.8 kilometers per second, and coming to a precise stop on
Space exploration has always been an exciting and challenging field, with various countries and agencies striving to make history by landing on the Moon. However, a Texas-based company, Intuitive Machines, is now in a position to achieve what only a few national space agencies have accomplished in the past. The company is set to land
The latest data from the New Horizons probe has revealed intriguing information about the Kuiper Belt, the ring of icy debris that encircles the outer Solar System. Contrary to previous estimates, the probe has detected higher levels of particles than expected in this region, suggesting that the Kuiper Belt extends much farther from the Sun
Black holes, once considered hypothetical monsters arising from Einstein’s general theory of relativity, have now been acknowledged as tangible celestial entities. Physicists Daniel Jampolski and Luciano Rezzolla from Goethe University Frankfurt have delved back into the fundamental equations that govern black holes and have emerged with a fresh perspective. Their new solution presents a gravitationally-confined
NASA is currently in search of four individuals who are willing to embark on a year-long simulated mission to Mars. This mission, known as the Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog (CHAPEA), involves living in a confined space within a habitat called Mars Dune Alpha, facing numerous challenges and stressors. The purpose of this mission
Recent research has shed light on a potential connection between the passing of a star and changes in Earth’s orbit that could have significant consequences on the planet’s climate. The study conducted by planetary scientist Nathan Kaib and astrophysicist Sean Raymond suggests that a star passing near the Solar System around 56 million years ago
Mars, once a violent and explosive planet, holds valuable insights into the geological history of our own planet. Recent research conducted by Joseph Michalski and his team at the University of Hong Kong suggests that Mars was once filled with massive volcanoes, resembling Earth before the formation of tectonic plates. By studying the Martian surface,
Our Solar System is a vast collection of celestial objects, ranging from planets and moons to comets and asteroids. While it was previously believed that water could not exist on asteroids due to their proximity to the Sun, a recent study conducted using data from the SOFIA infrared telescope has challenged this assumption. The study
The vastness of space never fails to surprise astronomers, as it reveals new wonders and mysteries that continue to baffle scientists. Among these cosmic wonders, a recent discovery of an object in the Milky Way by a team led by Ciprian Berghea has garnered attention. Dubbed “Dracula’s Chivito,” this object resembles the famous meat-laden sandwich