The Space Report

Space News, updated every weekday

Universe Today

Stars Orbiting Close to Black Holes Flattened like Hot Pancakes

Playing with black holes is a risky business, especially for a star that is unlucky enough to be orbiting one. Assuming an unfortunate star hasn't already had all of its hydrogen fuel and other component elements stripped from its surface, the powerful tidal forces will have some fun with the doomed stellar body. First the [...]

Unknowns in Mercury’s Gravity Field Provides Challenges for MESSENGER Mission

Scientists from the MESSENGER mission continue to analyze the data from the spacecraft's first flyby of Mercury on January 14, 2008. Initial data about the planet's gravity field grabbed the science team's attention, as the actual gravity data differed from predictions based on the Mariner 10 flyby in 1975. Any unknowns in [...]

NASA Flips for Petaflops

NASA is collaborating with Intell and SGI to create one of the world's fastest supercomputers whose power will be measured in petaflops. By 2009 the US space agency wants to develop a computational system that will be able to do 1,000 trillion calculations per second. And by 2012 it hopes to have boosted the power [...]

Long-term Observations Reveal Patterns in Saturn's Atmosphere

Reading something like this makes me hopeful that we're no longer in the infant stage of our understanding of our solar system: we've been patient and observant while growing in our knowledge. Scientists have discovered a wave pattern, or oscillation, in Saturn's atmosphere only visible from Earth every 15 years. This discovery [...]

Carnival of Space #53

This week, the Carnival of Space is hosted by the Space Cynics. A big thanks to them for stepping in at the last minute to host this week's edition. Click here to read the Carnival of Space #53 And if you're interested in looking back, here's an archive to all the past carnivals of space. If you've [...]

Shuttle Launch Controllers Prepared to Press "Self Destruct" Button

This is something I can stomach when considering the launch of an unmanned robotic mission into space. It seems obvious that there should be a "flight termination" switch, especially when considering the damage a malfunctioning rocket could do to populated areas. If mission controllers see the rocket veer off course, they can make a quick [...]

Legendary Astronaut John Glenn Speaks Out On Shuttle Decommissioning

On Tuesday, to help out with the 50-year anniversary of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, clips from 100 hours of restored archive footage of NASA missions were made public. At the screening, John Glenn, America's first astronaut to orbit the Earth, watched the clips and had time to reminisce over the administration's "Glory Years". [...]

Astronomy Day - May 10, 2008

Are you ready for Astronomy Day? Astronomy Day is a grass roots movement designed to share the joy of astronomy with the general population - "Bringing Astronomy to the People." During this year's Astronomy Day on May 10, thousands of people who have never looked through a telescope will have an opportunity to [...]

Volunteers Sweat for NASA

For three weeks, 23 volunteers spent time helping NASA test a new life support system for the spacecraft that will replace the shuttle. Five volunteers at a time would squeeze into a special room the size of a walk-in closet for eight hours. Sweating and heavy breathing was encouraged, as scientists at [...]

The Space Traveler's Guide to Surviving Without a Spacesuit (Part 1)

In a few decades from now, when we've got interplanetary space travel perfected and all of us Average Joes can hop in our own personal spacecraft or grab the local express line of the Milky Way Transport Service, visiting other planets and moons is going to be a blast. Just imagine it: [...]

Spock's Astronomy Quiz

Have you ever wanted to test your astronomy knowledge against the best? Then take the warp speed jump to Spock's Astro Quiz. It's more than just astronomy trivia, it's a great way to test your astronomy knowledge, learn more about astronomy related topics and interact via live chat with others interested in [...]

Photos of the Earth and Moon - From Other Worlds

We're familiar with the close-up images of Earth captured by orbital satellites and astronauts on the International Space Station. But here are a few pictures of the Earth and Moon captured at a distance, while passing around the Moon, or orbiting distant Saturn. In the words of Carl Sagan, "Look again at that dot. That's [...]

Lightning Storm Generated by Chilean Volcano (Images)

It could be the scene from a movie: huge plumes of ash and gas rising during a ferocious volcanic eruption, sparking off a dazzling lightning storm; lightning bolts thundering to life inside and out of the hot cloud. However, this is the reality down on the ground for the people living near the Chaiten Volcano, [...]

Snow on Mercury?

No, not that kind of snow, but scientists say deep inside the planet Mercury, iron “snow” forms and falls toward the center of the planet, much like snowflakes form in Earth’s atmosphere and fall to the ground. The movement of this iron snow could be responsible for Mercury’s mysterious magnetic field, and Mercury may [...]

Where In The Universe? #4

Here's this week's "Where In The Universe?" mystery image. Your mission, should you choose to accept, is to guess what location in the universe is depicted here. No peeking below before you make a guess. Give yourself an extra point if you can name the feature shown here, and another point or two [...]

JAXA Releases Boomerang Experiment Video

During the STS-123 mission to the International Space Station in March 2008 Japanese astronaut Takeo Doi tested a special boomerang in space to see how it worked in the microgravity environment of the ISS. The boomerang used in the experiment was a “Roomerang,” a small, tri-blade boomerang intended for use indoors in a small [...]

NASA Considers Manned Asteroid Mission

What would happen if we spot a Near-Earth Asteroid (NEO) heading straight for us? Assuming we had enough time, we might be able to pull together a group of brave astronauts (or oil drillers) and send them to the asteroid just in the nick of time to destroy it… oh hold on, that sounds like [...]

Will Mars Astronauts be put in Suspended Animation for the Journey?

Could you handle six months in space with a tiny handful of crew? Keep in mind you'd be doing everything with them, eating, sleeping, chatting, working, waiting, more sleeping, the occasional emergency, more chatting… If you look around your office now, could you really see yourself spending 24/7 with any of those guys for 24 [...]

Did Earth Have More Than One Moon?

Scientists looking at the various Lagrangian Points in our solar system noticed a pattern. Lagrange points, (named after their discoverer Josef Lagrange) are five special locations in the vicinity of two orbiting masses where a third, smaller mass can orbit at a fixed distance from the larger masses. Essentially, the gravity from each [...]

Finally, Some Help

As you've probably noticed, Universe Today has gotten in influx of talented writers to pitch in around here. Tammy Plotner, of course, has been working with me for years, and so have Nancy Atkinson and Mark Mortimer. Ian O'Neill and Nick Wethington are newer contributors, but have definitely proven to be great additions to the [...]

How to Detect Watery Worlds Around Other Stars

If you want to know what a watery world might look like orbiting another star, just observe our own planet… from afar. The Blue Marble image of Earth, taken by the Apollo 17 astronauts on December 1972, shows how our planet is 70% water. Another world like ours, orbiting a distant star should be obvious [...]

Only 11 Space Shuttle Missions Remain

Space shuttle Discovery now sits majestically out on launch pad 39A, preparing for the upcoming STS-124 mission to the International Space Station. With the shuttle program slated to terminate in 2010, there's a limited amount of times we'll see that sight again: a space shuttle will crawl out to the pad only 10 [...]

Comet Strikes Increase as We Pass Through the Galactic Plane

There are just so many ways the Universe is out to get us. Astronomers have already considered the threat from our Sun's orbit around the center of the Milky Way. When our Sun rises up out of flat plane of the Milky Way, it appears we might be less protected from intergalactic radiation and cosmic [...]

Asteroid Impact Created a Worldwide Rain of Carbon Beads

When a large enough asteroid strikes the Earth, the devastation effects the entire globe. And the dinosaur-killing asteroid that smashed into the Yucatan peninsula 65 million years ago was no exception. According to researchers, just one outcome from the strike: carbon in the Earth's crust was liquified and formed tiny beads that rained back down [...]

SPACE.com

Scientists Revisit Mars Sample Return Plans

Planning is under way to reinvigorate a Mars sample return mission.

Doorstep Astronomy: See the Big Dipper

The Big Dipper and the Southern Cross are useful constellations to know.

The Best (And Worst) Mars Landings

Reaching Mars is an unforgiving endeavor, with little room for error.

First Space Lawyer Graduates

The first lawyer to earn a degree specifically in space law graduates Saturday.

Saturn's Atmosphere Does the Wave

Saturn's atmosphere does the wave, a new study shows

Space Shuttle Discovery in Good Shape for May Launch

The shuttle Discovery is on track for a May 31 launch.

Station Astronaut Laughs it up for 'Colbert Report'

U.S. astronaut Garrett Reisman trades quips on the 'Colbert Report.'

Alien Life-Searching Techniques Tested

Signs of life on Mars can be spotted using instruments on robotic probes.

Why Don't They Do SETI?

SETI isn't worldwide, and why it isn't is puzzling.

BLOG: NASA's Big Booster: Boon or Bust for Space Science?

NASA's New Science Chief Settles in for Long Haul

NASA's new science chief Ed Weiler is settling into the position for long-term.

New Radar Could Reveal Secrets of Earth's Ice Sheets

Space-based radar could gauge Earth's ice sheets, extraterrestrial oceans.

Shuttle Flights Should be Extended, Space Pioneer John Glenn Says

Space pioneer John Glenn called for a shuttle fleet extension while unveiling NASA archival video.

Black Hole Rips Apart Screaming Star

Star swallowed by black hole emits flare, illuminates galactic structures.

Jupiter's Rings Made in the Shade

A new study reveals how light and shadow sculpt the faint rings.

Space News From SpaceDaily.Com

NASA Awards Contract For Ares I Mobile Launcher

Cape Canaveral FL (SPX) May 09, 2008 - NASA's Kennedy Space Center has awarded a contract to Hensel Phelps of Orlando, Fla., for the construction of the Ares I mobile launcher for the Constellation Program. Ares I is the rocket that will transport the Orion crew exploration vehicle, its crew and cargo to low Earth orbit. The contract includes an option for an additional Ares I mobile launcher.

New NASA Tool Allows Amateurs To Explore The Ionosphere From The Inside

Boulder CO (SPX) May 09, 2008 - Last week at the Space Weather Workshop in Boulder, Colorado, NASA released a 4D live model of the Earth's ionosphere. Without leaving home, anyone can fly through the layer of ionized gas that encircles Earth at the edge of space itself. All that is required is an Internet connection and a free copy of Google Earth. NASA calls the ionosphere the "last wisp of Earth's atmosphere that astronauts leave behind when they enter space.

Turning 20th Century Fiction Into 21st Century Science And Technology

Washington DC (SPX) May 09, 2008 - The futuristic epic 2001: A Space Odyssey influenced many to fall in love with the limitless possibilities of space exploration. The movie sparked imaginations and provided a realistic preview of what our future in space might look like.

NASA Successfully Completes First Series Of Ares Engine Tests

Stennis MS (SPX) May 09, 2008 - NASA engineers Thursday successfully completed the first series of tests in the early development of the J-2X engine that will power the upper stages of the Ares I and Ares V rockets, key components of NASA's Constellation Program. Ares I will launch the Orion spacecraft that will take astronauts to the International Space Station and then to the moon by 2020.

Record-Setting Laser May Aid Searches For Earthlike Planets

Konstanz, Germany (SPX) May 09, 2008 - Scientists at the University of Konstanz in Germany and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have demonstrated an ultrafast laser that offers a record combination of high speed, short pulses and high average power.

Orbcomm Signs Next Generation Satellite Constellation Contract For 18 New Spacecraft

Fort Lee NJ (SPX) May 09, 2008 - Orbcomm Inc has signed a next generation satellite constellation contract with Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) to build 18 new Orbcomm Generation 2 (OG2) satellites with an option to purchase up to 30 additional OG2 satellites to augment and upgrade Orbcomm's existing satellite constellation.

Testing Times For Robotic Explorers On Mars

Moffett Field (SPX) May 09, 2008 - Many space missions use robots to explore. The rovers Spirit and Opportunity are still travelling around Mars, taking pictures and digging in the dirt. But could a robot identify alien life? How would a machine know the difference, for instance, between a rock and bacteria?

NASA And JAXA To Conduct Joint Research On Sonic Boom Modeling

Washington DC (SPX) May 09, 2008 - NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) intend to conduct joint research on sonic boom modeling.

An Analysis Of The Emerging Maritime VSAT Market

London UK (SPX) May 09, 2008 - COMSYS is pleased to announce the publication of its first Maritime VSAT Report. This comprehensive study provides market shares, growth rates, annual contract and sales bookings, business trends, industry and regional breakdowns together with five year forecasts. For current and potential suppliers of maritime VSAT products and services this report is an invaluable source on the status and future potential of the maritime stabilised VSAT market today.

Telescopes search for signals from space

Mountain View, Calif. (UPI) May 7, 2008 - U.S. scientists, searching for signs of life from faraway planets, are building hundreds of radio telescopes in Northern California, their leader says.

Students to call long distance to the ISS

Washington (UPI) May 8, 2008 - Students from New York and California will make a really long long-distance phone call next week to speak with an International Space Station's crew member.

NASA's WMAP Poses For ESA's Gaia

Paris (SPX) May 09, 2008 - Sebastien Bouquillon, Ricky Smart and Alexandre Andrei have used the 2.2m telescope of the European Southern Observatory at La Silla, Chile, to take several photographs of NASA's Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) satellite in its orbit, which is about 1.5 million kilometres from Earth.

Bill Flynn Joins Americom Government Services to Lead Navy Programs

McLean VA (SPX) May 09, 2008 - Bill Flynn, after more than 25 years of Navy experience, has joined Americom Government Services, Inc. (AGS) as Director of Navy Programs in their offices in McLean, VA.

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