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Poor weather delays launch of US shuttle Endeavour

Cape Canaveral, Florida (AFP) Feb 7, 2010 - The launch of the US space shuttle Endeavour was delayed by 24 hours early Sunday due to bad weather over the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA officials said.

Soyuz 100 Times More Reliable Than Shuttle

Moscow, Russia (Pravda) Feb 08, 2010 - Richard Garriott, a videogame developer, who once boarded Russia's Soyuz rocket for a space flight said that the Russian-made ship was much more reliable than its foreign analogues.

Quasar Pair Captured In Galaxy Collision

Pasadena CA (SPX) Feb 08, 2010 - This composite image shows the effects of two galaxies caught in the act of merging. A Chandra X-ray Observatory image shows a pair of quasars in blue, located about 4.6 billion light years away, but separated on the sky by only about 70 thousand light years.

Solar Dynamics Observatory: The 'Variable Sun' Mission

Huntsville AL (SPX) Feb 08, 2010 - For some years now, an unorthodox idea has been gaining favor among astronomers. It contradicts old teachings and unsettles thoughtful observers, especially climatologists.

Progress Docks With ISS

Moscow, Russia (SPX) Feb 08, 2010 - Approach to the space station, its fly-around, stationkeeping and docking were performed in automatic mode. The initial contact with the docking port on the instrumentation and propulsion compartment of the Zvezda Service Module of the ISS Russian Segment (RS) occurred at 07:26 Moscow Time.

First Journey For Alphabus

Toulouse, France (SPX) Feb 08, 2010 - The service module of the new Alphabus generation of telecommunication satellites has completed its first journey - from Cannes to Toulouse, in France. The three-day trip was completed last Friday.

Renewable Oil Companies

St Paul MN (SPX) Feb 08, 2010 - The entry of oil companies into the realm of renewable energy could present major obstacles for the development of a sustainable economy that is not based on carbon resources, according to a report in the International Journal of Green Economics.

US book publishers smiling again as Kindle rivals emerge

New York (AFP) Feb 7, 2010 - US book publishers are smiling again, after years of watching digital versions of their titles sell for below what they thought they were worth.

ISS Primed For New Era Of Scientific Discoveries

Cape Canaveral FL (SPX) Feb 08, 2010 - NASA and its international partners are looking forward to unprecedented scientific opportunities aboard the International Space Station, or ISS. With station assembly nearing completion, the ISS Partnership is looking forward to using the station to its fullest capacity.

US shuttle to bring Tranquility to space station

Washington (AFP) Feb 6, 2010 - The US space shuttle Endeavour and its crew of six astronauts are preparing for a weekend mission to deliver a space module dubbed Tranquility to the International Space Station (ISS).

An Answer To Another Of Life's Big Questions

Monash, Australia (SPX) Feb 08, 2010 - Monash University biochemists have found a critical piece in the evolutionary puzzle that explains how life on Earth evolved millions of centuries ago.

No Soup For You

London UK (SPX) Feb 08, 2010 - For 80 years it has been accepted that early life began in a 'primordial soup' of organic molecules before evolving out of the oceans millions of years later. Today the 'soup' theory has been over turned in a pioneering paper in BioEssays which claims it was the Earth's chemical energy, from hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor, which kick-started early life.

'NASA, ESA Want To Be Part Of Chandrayaan-II Mission'

Bangalore, India (PTI) Feb 08, 2010 - NASA and European Space Agency (ESA) want to be part of Chandrayaan-II, the next Indian mission to Moon, by sending their instruments, ISRO Chairman K Radhakrishnan said here today.

SPACE.com

LIVE COVERAGE: NASA's STS-130 Mission to ISS

Nimble Space Companies: Fixed-Price vs. Cost-Plus

Are small private firms better suited to reducing the cost of space? Maybe, if we're willing to trade uncertainty for opportunity. Commercial Spaceflight Federation's Brett Alexander and Astronaut Leroy Chiao explore the issues.

Go Cosmic Sightseeing with Orion, the Hunter

Orion is the richest constellation of the winter sky, a perfect place to begin exploring the night sky.

LIVE COVERAGE: Endeavour Astronauts Strapped-in for Launch

NASA Aims for Monday Space Shuttle Launch After Delay

NASA will try again Monday to launch the space shuttle Endeavour after a one-day delay due to thick clouds.

This Week in Space: NASA Launching in a New Direction

NASA Deputy Director Lori Garver discusses President Obama's marching orders for a wholly changed space program based procurement of commercial launches. But Senator Bill Nelson isn't yet sold.

New Sunspots Could Produce Space Storms

A new group of sunspots has produced moderate (M-class) solar flares, but forecasters say it could unleash a large (X-class) flare.

On LiveScience: Snowpocalypse Seen from Space

Space Shuttle Launch Delayed by Thick Clouds

Thick clouds thwarted the attempted predawn launch of NASA's space shuttle Endeavour on Sunday, forcing the orbiter's six-astronaut crew to wait at least one more day before rocketing into orbit.

NASA Chief Takes Blame for Budget Backlash

NASA chief Charles Bolden said Saturday that he takes full responsibility for the shock and surprise from employees and lawmakers after hearing of the agency's new direction.

World's Largest Space Window Headed to Orbit

The largest space window ever will launch aboard NASA's shuttle Endeavour Sunday, part of a new seven-pane observation deck for the International Space Station.

Super Bowl's Start Hinges on Space Coin Flip

The coin that will decide if the Indianapolis Colts or New Orleans Saints possess the ball at the start of Sunday's Super Bowl game has had one cosmic journey.

Last Ever Night Shuttle Launch Visible From Eastern United States

When space shuttle Endeavour launches early on Sunday morning, Feb. 7, it will also likely be the last opportunity to see a space shuttle blast off at night.

As Shuttle Launch Looms, NASA Workers in 'Shock' Over Future

With the launch of space shuttle Endeavour just two days away, NASA workers are staying focused despite being in shock from the cancellation of the agency's moon program earlier this week.

NASA Airs 'Reality Show' From Space

NASA has begun streaming video online from cameras inside the International Space Station.

Universe Today

Satellite View of "Snowmageddon"

Did you live through what has been called “snowmageddon” or “snowpocalypse?” Here's a satellite's-eye view of the exceptionally severe winter storm in the Eastern US that dropped several feet of snow on Feb. 6 and 7. Reports of crashed and abandoned cars and hundreds of cancelled flights were interspersed with stories of [...]

Astronomy For Kids: Orion – The Star Hunter

If you've been peeking out the windows at night, or maybe looked up while walking the dog before bedtime or taking out the trash after dinner, perhaps you've seen three fairly bright stars in a row. Depending on how early or late you look, you may see them lined up side-by-side above the horizon, [...]

Launch Scrub for STS-130

The launch of space shuttle Endeavour was scrubbed about 9 minutes before the scheduled 4:39 am EST (9:49 GMT) liftoff due to low clouds that moved into the area. Mission managers have scheduled space shuttle Endeavour's next launch attempt for Monday, Feb. 8 at 4:14 a.m. EST (9:14 GMT) The Mission Management Team will meet [...]

Tough Times Could Be Ahead for Kennedy Space Center

The cancellation of the Constellation program compounds an already bleak picture for the Kennedy Space Center and those who work there. 7,000 shuttle workers are expected to lose their jobs by the time the shuttle program comes to an end by late 2010 or early 2011. So far, NASA has not provided an [...]

Mars, Messier 44 and the Ecliptic Plane…

Have you been watching the sweet movements of Mars as it cruises across the starry nights? Perhaps, like many of us, you're snowed in right now and could use a little mental and visual inspiration. If so, then step inside and let's take a look at what it's like to enjoy clear, dark [...]

Orion can Launch Safely in 2013 says Lockheed

(Editor's Note: Ken Kremer is in Florida for Universe Today covering the upcoming Endeavour launch attempt.) “We can fly Orion in 2013”, says John Karas, the VP and General Manager of Human Space Flight for Lockheed Martin. Lockheed is the prime contractor for NASA’s Orion capsule. “There is no doubt in my mind we can [...]

RSS Rollback: Watch Endeavour Appear Before Your Eyes

This morning I had the opportunity to see up close the rollback of the Rotating Service Structure for space shuttle Endeavour on the launchpad for the STS-130 mission. The RSS protects the shuttle from any inclement weather while it is being readied for launch out on the pad. The rollback is the first big [...]

Astronomy Without A Telescope – Let’s Go Around The Room

My dog keeps me in touch with the universe. There are important reasons why he has to go out into the backyard about 9pm and then again around 5.00am – and at both times there are stars out. He has this very particular sound, the canine equivalent of ahem, to let me know it’s time.(...)Read [...]

Bolden: Heavy Lift Will Be International Effort and Not Until 2020-2030

NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden spoke with reporters Saturday at Kennedy Space Center on the eve of the launch of the STS-130 mission, answering questions that focused mainly on the new 2011 NASA budget and the cancellation of the Constellation program. The big question in many people's minds is, with no Ares rockets, how will [...]

Movies of Spirit's Last Moves Before Winter

Even though the Spirit rover is stuck in a Martian sandtrap, the rover drivers were actually able to move her quite a bit, and therefore improving her chances of surviving the winter. This video shows recent drives by the Spirit rover from Jan. 14 to Feb. 4, 2010 (Sols 2145 to 2165), where the [...]

Russian Cargo Freighter Docks at ISS; 1 Day to Endeavour launch

(Editor's Note: Ken Kremer is in Florida for Universe Today covering the upcoming Endeavour launch attempt.) A Russian cargo robot carrying 2 tons of food, fuel and essential supplies carried out an automated docking at the International Space Station (ISS) late Thursday at 11:26 PM EST following a 2 day orbital chase. The unmanned [...]

Where In The Universe #90

Oh, heavens! I've been so busy at Kennedy Space Center with pre-launch activities this week for the STS-130 that I totally forgot about this week's Where In The Universe Challenge! Thanks to UT reader William928 for reminding me. Since this week is completely different for me, I decided to make the WITU [...]

Will NASA Send Robots to the Moon with "Project M?"

This video surfaced today on NASA Watch, but there's not a lot of details about Project M. According to the America Space website, Project M is a program being developed out of the Johnson Space Center Engineering Directorate to put a lander on the moon with a robot. Supposedly, the mission could [...]

Glowing Plants Helps Biological Studies on ISS

Glowing plants from space? Sounds like science fiction or the next B-horror movie. But glowing plants, willow trees, potential biofuels and more are being studied on the International Space Station and are part of key research in biotechnology, physiology, life sciences, and physical sciences going on in space. "This is not your grandfather's [...]

Video, Images of Ireland Fireball?

So far, no images or video have surfaced of the huge fireball that was reported in the skies over Ireland on February 3, 2010. The Daily Mail posted a video, but it appears to be one from a year ago, maybe earlier. They write that meteorite hunters are on the look-out for fallen [...]

Weekend SkyWatcher's Forecast: February 5-7, 2010

Greetings, fellow SkyWatchers! If you're not about to get buried under a blanket of snow, then why not spend some time out under blanket of stars with this weekend's stellar project? This four star adventure is sure to warm you up. Need more? Then I'll show you were to look for [...]

R2 the Space Robot Does Detroit

Not sure if it speaks Bocce or understands the binary language of moisture evaporators, but the next generation of NASA's Robonaut is about to move into the workforce in the automotive and aerospace industries. Engineers and scientists from NASA, General Motors and Oceaneering Space Systems of Houston have worked together to build a new [...]

New Hubble Images Show Pluto is Changing

Pluto-philes (and astronomers, too) have always bemoaned the fact that the best image of the principal dwarf planet wase just a fuzzy, pixelized haze. Bemoan no more. The most detailed look to date of the entire surface of Pluto has been constructed from hundreds of images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope. The images [...]

Countdown is on for Last Night Launch of Space Shuttle

Note: Nancy Atkinson is at Kennedy Space Center covering the launch of STS-130 The official countdown clock is ticking for the STS-130 mission of space shuttle Endeavour to the International Space Station. This is the last planned night launch for the shuttle program, with a scheduled liftoff time of 9:39:47 GMT (4:39:47 a.m. EST) [...]

GRB Central Engines Observed in Nearby Supernovae?

Are the relativistic jets of long gamma ray bursts (GRBs) produced by brand new black holes? Do some core-collapse supernovae result in black holes and relativistic jets? The answer to both questions is 'very likely, yes'! And what recent research points to those answers? Study of an Ic supernova (SN 2007gr), and an Ibc one (SN [...]

Double Hubble Sequence Shows Galaxies Go Spiral

Galaxies come in all sorts of shapes. But in the past, the various galaxy shapes used to be more diverse and "peculiar" than they are now. Over time, according to a new study, galaxies tend to become spirals. "Six billion years ago, there were many more peculiar galaxies than now — a [...]

Pretty Picture of the Week: NGC 3603

This magnificent image of the giant stellar nursery surrounding NGC 3603 was taken by the Very Large Telescope at Cerro Paranal, Chile. This nebula is a starburst region, a huge star-making factory where stars form frantically from the nebula’s billowing clouds of gas and dust. It is located 22,000 light-years away from the Sun, [...]

Special Edition of This Week in Space: NASA's New Budget

Miles O'Brien talks with several of the names in the news this week regarding the controversial NASA budget decisions: NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver, Senator Bill Nelson, Bret Alexander, Buzz Aldrin and more. © nancy for Universe Today, 2010. | Permalink | 5 comments | Add to del.icio.us Post tags: NASA Budget Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

Journey Around A Black Hole – Epsilon Aurigae

Now that the Moon is absent from the early evening picture, are you ready to journey around a black hole? It's not an easy observation, but it is one that doesn't require highly specialized equipment and its not difficult to find. Can you identify Capella? Then let's rock… (...)Read the rest [...]

Huge Fireball Reported Over Ireland

We're seeing reports popping up on the internet of a huge fireball spotted over Ireland at around 6pm local time on Feb. 3, 2010. There was a video posted to You Tube which claimed to be footage of the event, but it now seems that was old footage, so we have removed the embedded [...]