Space news, missions and science facts - page 3

Scientists Take Thermal Spectrum Pictures of Uranus Rings 

Scientists Take Thermal Spectrum Pictures of Uranus Rings 

The photos were made from Chile's Atacama Desert. Scientists managed not only to obtain the rings’ image, but also to measure their temperature.
Why is the European Space Agency melting satellites?

Why is the European Space Agency melting satellites?

Near-Earth satellites are created in a way to ensure all their elements are burned upon entry into the atmosphere. But this does not always happen. A new experiment by the ESA aims to demonstrate what happens to space vehicles near our planet.
NASA ‘starshade’ will cover celestial bodies

NASA ‘starshade’ will cover celestial bodies

Starlight sometimes has a negative effect on telescopes, which is why experts at NASA are currently working on two projects geared towards blocking unnecessary radiation. One of them is operating under the working title ‘Starshade’.

Reusable Space Rider Shuttle

The European Space Agency (ESA) has presented the concept of its new space vehicle to deliver equipment into orbit. Upon completion of its mission, the capsule will return to Earth ready to be used again.

Scientists Have Spotted One of the Rarest Objects in the Entire Space

Space is vast and it has many objects that we know to exist, but have never seen yet. Now, there is one such object less, as astronomers have recently spotted one of the rarest neutron stars in the Universe.

Luna-29 mission may be led by robot

According to recently leaked information, the moon rover for the Luna-29 mission might be piloted by an anthropomorphic robot - presumably, FEDOR - currently being developed by NPO ‘Androidnaya Technika’ and the Russian Foundation for Advanced Research Projects.

Starliner successfully tests parachutes

According to official sources, the unmanned test flight of the Starliner spacecraft will take place in August at the earliest, with the manned launch set for the end of the year. Boeing is currently actively testing the spacecraft. Its parachutes, intended for the crew’s safe landing on Earth inside a capsule, were recently tested in terms of functionality.

ISS Specialists Find a Way to Maintain Astronauts’ Health

Space flights adversely affect astronauts’ health. Particularly affected are their muscles and bones, therefore astronauts have to undergo long courses of rehabilitation after space expeditions. However, ISS specialists have developed a method to make them considerably shorter.

Russian scientists record pulsar ‘voices’

Pulsars are dead stars characterized by their constant rotation and emission of strong impulses. Scientists love them for this, as pulsars are perfect beacons that can be used for navigation in space by calculating the distance between objects.

NASA shows boulders on Asteroid Bennu

At present, Asteroid Bennu is being rigorously studied by interstellar station OSIRIS-REx. Its approach will happen next year, which is why NASA is currently creating a detailed map of the object. The agency has made several photos of the asteroid and posted them online.

China to build a base on the Moon in the next 10 years

The Chinese media have announced Beijing's plans to build a research base on the Earth’s satellite within the next decade, according to spokespersons for the Chinese National Space Agency.

‘Air bubble’ will make satellite launches cheaper

The space industry could be developing at a faster pace, but unprecedented costs related to spacecraft construction are preventing its growth. The most costly vehicles can reach high altitudes, serving as platforms for satellites. A newly discovered method might make these vehicles much cheaper to build.

Roscosmos Details the Rockets to Fly to the Moon

Roscosmos Director Dmitry Rogozin met up with representatives of other countries’ space agencies, they visited the Russian Mission Control Center together and discussed the details of Moon exploration.

NASA to send a new space drone to Psyche

NASA has approved the design of a new space device, which will explore Psyche - a small volcanic asteroid, located in 2,841 au from the Earth.

Scientists discover the first molecules of the universe

Many scientists believe that the first molecule in history was helium hydride. It was formed approximately 100,000 years after the Big Bang as a result of interaction between hydrogen and helium.