Here’s why SpaceX plans to blow up a rocket this weekend
This week SpaceX is testing out its Crew Dragon capsule, which will eventually ferry astronauts to the International Space Station, in a particularly dramatic demonstration of the capsule's emergency systems: it will perform an "In-Flight Abort Test," which involves blowing up a Falcon 9 rocket.
Boeing’s first Starliner orbital test flight did not go as planned
Boeing's CST-100 Starliner didn't make it into the correct orbit after its launch early Friday morning, according to NASA. The ship was meant to rendezvous with the International Space Station, but will no longer be able to reach it, NASA said.
Ten years in space: Remembering a decade of achievements in the final frontier
As we approach the end of 2019, we can look back and celebrate a remarkable set of achievements in our understanding and exploration of the universe beyond our planet. Here are ten of the finest achievements in space of the last 10 years.
Meet the robotic pioneers that will help humanity colonize Mars
The race to populate Mars is on. But before humans can visit the red planet, we need to send out robot scouts to see the lay of the land. The next generation of Martian robotics will use sophisticated AI, novel propulsion methods, and flexible smallsats to meet the challenges of colonizing a new world.
Loose pin responsible for Boeing Starliner’s failure to deploy parachute in test
Boeing has identified the part which lead to a parachute failing to deploy during the testing earlier this week of its Starliner capsule, which is intended to eventually ferry astronauts to the International Space Station. The company has announced that a misplaced pin was the cause of the issue.
Watch NASA astronauts conduct the first-ever all-woman spacewalk
NASA astronauts and International Space Station residents Christina Koch and Jessica Meir are making history by performing the first-ever all-woman spacewalk. Starting at 7:50 a.m. ET, the pair ventured outside the International Space Station in order to perform repairs to the station's power system.
Google Doodle animation honors physicist Joseph Antoine Ferdinand Plateau
Google is celebrating the 218th birthday of Belgian physicist Joseph Plateau with a Google Doodle recalling the earliest animation device. Starting on Sunday, October 13 at 9 p.m. PT, Google will swap out its regular header for an animated Doodle inspired by his work inventing the phenakistiscope.
Biotech company 3D-prints a miniature human heart from stem cells
It's not science fiction anymore: 3D-printing a human heart is now a reality. A company called Biolife4D has developed the technology to print human cardiac tissue by collecting blood cells from a patient and converting these cells to a type of stem cell called Induced Pluripotent Stem (iPS) cells.
Mars was once an ocean-covered planet with a thick atmosphere like Earth’s
Today Mars is a cold, arid desert. But billions of years ago, it could have been a lush planet covered in surface water, not so different from Earth. The difference between then and now is the atmosphere, which is thin and spare but was once thick enough to retain heat and allow liquid water.
Acer introduces a (slightly) more affordable version of its epic gaming throne
Acer unveiled its utterly bonkers Predator Thronos gaming chair at IFA 2018, though calling this beast a chair is underselling it. At this year's IFA, Acer announced an updated version of the chair called the Predator Thronos Air which is (slightly) more affordable. At $14,000, it's practically a bargain.
What Bill Nye’s solar sail means for the future of space travel
The unique spaceship LightSail 2 was recently able to fly through space powered solely by sunlight. This is a remarkable achievement in its own right, but it could have even more profound effects on the future of space travel -- making it possible to visit other planets and even other solar systems.
The new trailer for Star Trek: Picard features a crew of familiar faces
If you're not excited for the return of Patrick Stewart as Jean-Luc Picard yet, you will be once you watch the new trailer for Star Trek: Picard. It shows an older, more pensive Picard who, despite his efforts, has never found his place living the comfortable retiree life on his chateau.
Watch SpaceX’s parachute tests for its soon-to-be-manned Crew Dragon capsule
SpaceX is developing its Crew Dragon capsule to ferry astronauts to the International Space Station, but there have been some challenges along the way, such as in April when a capsule exploded during testing due to a leaky valve. Now, a new video shows the parachute systems for the capsules being tested.
See how a life-sized astronaut was built from LEGO bricks
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, LEGO has unveiled this life-sized model of an astronaut, constructed entirely from LEGO bricks. The model of the Apollo 11 lunar module pilot is based on the suit which Neil Armstrong wore when he made his historic small step onto the moon.
Japanese spacecraft will collect a sample from asteroid Ryugu by shooting at it
The Japanese spacecraft Hayabusa 2 will soon be touching down on the asteroid Ryugu, where it will collect a sample from the surface by shooting a bullet into the soil. The sample will be returned to Earth in 2020, where it can be analyzed to learn about the formation of asteroids.
DJ Marshmello performs legendary concert set, leads epic dance party in Fortnite
EDM star DJ Marshmello performed at a different sort of concert today: one held live in-game in Fortnite. The concert was held in Pleasant Park, where the usual football field was transformed into a stage and for once everyone came together to dance instead of finding creative ways to see each other off.
Tesla’s Model 3 currently costs $38,000 to produce but will sell for $35,000
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has told employees that the current cost for producing a Model 3 is $3,000 over the ticket price of the car. Tesla hopes that with improvements in production efficiency, this number can be brought down so that the Model 3 can become profitable to produce or at the very least break even.
Hubble celebrates its 33rd birthday with stunning nebula image
Nebula NGC 1333 is a busy stellar nursery, with new stars forming among the cloud of dust and gas located 960 light-years away.
SpaceX Starship rocket launches in first test flight, but explodes in midair
SpaceX has launched its integrated Starship for the first time, with the spacecraft leaving the launch pad in a test flight. But not everything went to plan.
James Webb captures a stunning image of two galaxies merging
The James Webb Space Telescope has captured a gorgeous image of a dramatic cosmic event: two galaxies colliding.
JUICE mission to Jupiter sends back first images of Earth from space
The European Space Agency's Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer spacecraft has sent back its first images from space -- and they are some stunning views of the Earth.
SpaceX scrubs launch of world’s most powerful rocket due to valve issue
The planned first launch of the SpaceX Super Heavy rocket was called off due to a frozen valve, and the event turned into a wet dress rehearsal instead.
See highlights of the launch of the European JUICE spacecraft
See video of an Ariane 5 rocket launching the European Space agency's JUICE mission to Jupiter's icy moons from this morning.
Machine learning used to sharpen the first image of a black hole
A machine learning technique called PRIMO has sharpened the famous first-ever image of a black hole from 2019.
Launch of Europe’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer delayed by 24 hours
The launch of the European Space Agency's JUICE mission to the icy moons of Jupiter has been delayed by 24 hours due to weather conditions.
What the JUICE spacecraft is hoping to learn about Jupiter’s icy moons
Tomorrow sees the launch of the JUICE spacecraft, which will travel to the Jupiter system to investigate whether the moons there could be potentially habitable.
NASA’s IXPE mission gets an X-ray view of the famous Crab Nebula
A NASA X-ray instrument has provided a new view of one of astronomy's most beautiful objects, the Crab Nebula.
James Webb captures stunning image of supernova remnant Cassiopeia A
A stunning new image from the James Webb Space Telescope shows a famous supernova remnant called Cassiopeia A, or Cas A.
Unique black hole is trailed by 200,000 light-year-long tail of stars
A strange, lonely supermassive black hole is trailed by a tail of stars that's twice as long as the Milky Way is wide.
James Webb captures the rarely-seen rings around Uranus
Following up on its image of Neptune released last year, astronomers using Webb have just released a brand-new image of Uranus as you've never seen it before.
Hubble spots an ancient pair of supermassive black holes about to merge
Recently, astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope spotted two quasars burning brightly in the night sky -- and they're on a collision course.
Saturn’s rings are raining down particles on its atmosphere
New research using the Hubble Space Telescope shows that Saturn's icy rings actually heat up its upper atmosphere.
Here are the 4 astronauts who will travel to the moon for Artemis II
This crew of four will be the first people to leave low-Earth orbit in over 50 years.