201–220 of 300 results
kilopower

Space Missions

NASA Unveils New Power Source for Space Exploration

The Kilopower fission reactor will offer a more efficient and more powerful portable power source for solar system exploration.

BepiColombo

Astronomy in Space with David Dickinson

Looking Ahead: Space Missions for 2018

The next year will see space missions headed for Mars, Mercury, the Sun, and more. Asteroid rendezvous, exoplanet discoveries, and a Mars landing await.

caesar-concept

Space Missions

Two Finalists for NASA's New Frontiers

NASA has selected two finalists for consideration as the next New Frontiers mission: a comet sample return and a flying drone for Titan.

Voyager 1

Astronomy in Space with David Dickinson

Voyager 1 Fires Dormant Thrusters

NASA engineers directed the historic spacecraft Voyager 1 to fire its backup thrusters for the first time in 37 years.

MMX mission

Space Missions

NASA Joins Japanese Mission to Martian Moons

NASA is developing a key instrument for a mission to the Martian moons, Phobos and Deimos.

aspire wallops

Space Missions

NASA Completes Parachute Test for Mars 2020 Rover

A suborbital launch from Wallops Flight Facility tested a critical piece of landing hardware for the Mars 2020 rover.

Tiangong-1

Astronomy in Space with David Dickinson

China's Tiangong 1 Space Station to Burn Up

Early next year, an international team will track the uncontrolled atmospheric reentry of Tiangong 1, China's first prototype space station.

Drilling Mars

Astronomy in Space with David Dickinson

Curiosity Tests Workaround for Balky Drill

Engineers are looking for a way to continue using Curiosity's drill after a 10-month hiatus, but restoring the drill will probably take several more months.

Full Easter Moon

Solar System

How Bright is the Moon . . . Exactly?

An upcoming study will take the old calibration standard of the Moon's brightness to a new level of precision.

2012 TC4 passing Earth

Astronomy in Space with David Dickinson

Asteroid 2012 TC4 To Zip Past Earth This Week

The close pass of near-Earth asteroid 2012 TC4 this week will give NASA a chance to test planetary-defense coordination.

Arecibo

Professional Telescopes

Some Damage to Arecibo Observatory; Stormy Times Ahead

Arecibo and its team rode out the largest storm in its history, but it's unclear what the moderate damage will mean for the radio observatory's future.

OSIRIS-REX's view of Earth

Astronomy in Space with David Dickinson

Osiris-REX Images Earth During Flyby

The asteroid-bound Osiris-REX mission took time during last Friday's gravity assist maneuver to look back at its homeworld.

osiris-rex

Astronomy in Space with David Dickinson

Osiris-REX to Fly by Earth on Friday

NASA's ambitious Osiris-REX asteroid sample return mission swings by Earth this Friday for a gravity assist en route to asteroid 101955 Bennu.

Venus clockwork rover

Space Missions

"Clockwork Rover" for Venus Exploration

Engineers have come up with an innovative "clockwork rover" concept designed to survive the hostile environment of Venus.

Eclipse from the air

Astronomy in Space with David Dickinson

Amazing Views of the Solar Eclipse From Earth . . . and Space

Satellites, aircraft, and the International Space Station provided great views of yesterday's solar eclipse, near and far.

Umbra from the ISS

Astronomy in Space with David Dickinson

Chasing the Total Solar Eclipse From Orbit

While millions will watch the August 21 total solar eclipse from the ground, International Space Station crew will have an amazing view high from overhead.

Saturn Cassini

Solar System

Saturn Surprises Right Up Until Cassini's End

Saturn keeps its secrets as NASA's Cassini spacecraft heads towards its September grand finale.

StarShot

Space Missions

Breakthrough Starshot Takes to Space

Six Sprites, "the world's smallest spacecraft" have entered low-Earth orbit, a small milestone for Breakthrough Starshot's plan for interstellar voyage.

Mars Trojan

Astronomy in Space with David Dickinson

Source of Mars Trojans Might Be Mars Itself

A new study proposes a possible source for the mysterious Mars Trojan asteroids: the Red Planet itself.

LSP in space

Astronomy in Space with David Dickinson

Goodbye, LISA Pathfinder

The European Space Agency switched off its groundbreaking LISA Pathfinder mission this week.