• Podcast: Discussing the XPrize and More

    A recent episode of the StarTalk podcast, “Incentivizing the Future with Peter Diamandis,” provides an interesting tale about Mr. Diamanis’s early efforts to spur space inventions through the XPRIZE Foundation as well as his current efforts to spur innovation in other areas, such as healthcare. It was a good reminder about the start of Virgin…

  • Another Crew Departing for the ISS

    Later today, a SpaceX rocket with carry another crew to the International Space Station (ISS) after a few delays. The crew, shown above, consists of Alexander Grebenkin (Roscosmos), Michael Barratt (NASA), Matthew Dominick (NASA), Jeanette Epps (NASA). The new crew will be approaching a space station already containing seven crew members as well as a…

  • Space Quote: The End of NASA’s OSAM-1 Project

    “Following an in-depth, independent project review, NASA has decided to discontinue the On-orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing 1 (OSAM-1) project due to continued technical, cost, and schedule challenges, and a broader community evolution away from refueling unprepared spacecraft, which has led to a lack of a committed partner. Following Congressional notification processes, project management plans…

  • Another Interesting Astronomy Site: Centauri Dreams

    If you looking for some deep probes into astronomy studies and discussions, then you may want to visit the Centauri Dreams site. The site’s focus is about the possibility of interstellar travel at some point in the future. Tech writer Paul Gilster has this to say about his website: Alpha Centauri and other nearby stars…

  • Pic of the Week: A Rough Moon Landing

    This week’s image shows the Odysseus lunar lander as it is about to touch the Moon’s surface. It tipped over upon landing. Here is the statement about the image from Initiative Machines: This image retrieved from the lander on February 27 captures Odysseus’ landing strut during landing on February 22nd performing its primary task, absorbing…

  • Space Stories: DART Damage, India Plans for Orbiting Crew, and SLIM Awakes on the Moon

    Here are some recent stories of interest. —NDTV: “NASA’s Mission Not Only Altered Asteroid’s Path, But Its Shape Too, Says New Study“ A recent study suggests NASA’s DART mission, designed to test asteroid deflection methods, may have revealed more than planned. While successfully altering the target asteroid’s trajectory, scientists now believe the impact also significantly changed…

  • Second US Moon Mission Expected to End Today

    Well, that was quick. Odysseus may run out of power today given its rough landing, prematurely ending the second US mission to the Moon this year, both of which had problems. It is really amazing that we landed humans on the Moon multiple times for days at a time when you consider the wreckage added…

  • Television: Spaceman Premiering on Netflix

    When I hear the name Adam Sandler, I do not think of a serious movie, particularly one about a space. And yet that is what Netflix is throwing our way, or at least it might have been a serious movie until they threw in a giant talking spider. That’s right, Adam and a spider are…

  • A Day in Astronomy: The Mariner 6 Heads to Mars

    On this day in 1969, NASA’s Mariner 6 was launched from Cape Canaveral using the Atlas-Centaur AC-20 rocket. The mission of Mariner 6 was to conduct a flyby of Mars and analyze the Martian atmosphere and surface with remote sensors. This mission, as well as the Mariner 7 launch the following month, provided solid evidence…

  • Look Up: Is That Magnolia Wood?

    The satellite industry may never be the same again. While we hear so much about new metals in our rockets, how often do you hear of simply putting wood into orbit? I guess we should not have been too surprised now that wood is being used to build office towers. And the best part is…