Boeing’s crew transport space capsule, the Starliner, faced a significant setback as it returned to Earth without its two-person crew following a fraught test flight to the International Space Station. This failure marks a disappointing outcome for Boeing as NASA deemed the capsule unsafe to pilot back, leaving two astronauts stranded on the station for
Space
The Advanced Composite Solar Sail System developed by NASA is creating waves in the world of space exploration. With its booms and sail successfully deployed, the spacecraft is now harnessing the power of sunlight to propel itself through the Solar System. This innovative propulsion technique employs pressure from sunlight to generate low levels of thrust,
In a rare moment of surprise for astronomers and space enthusiasts alike, a small asteroid, later named 2024 RW1, was detected only hours before it entered Earth’s atmosphere. The asteroid, measuring about one meter in diameter, posed no threat to the inhabitants of the Earth as it disintegrated upon entering the atmosphere. Despite initial reports
Lunar occultations are truly captivating astronomical events that offer a unique opportunity to witness the Moon passing in front of various celestial objects. In September, a series of intriguing lunar occultation events are set to take place across the globe, providing amateur and professional astronomers alike with a chance to witness these mesmerizing phenomena. Astronomical
In July 2020, China’s Tianwen-1 mission successfully arrived in orbit around Mars, marking a significant milestone in interplanetary exploration. This mission, led by the China National Space Administration (CNSA), is comprised of six key elements designed to investigate Mars’s geology, internal structure, atmosphere, and the presence of water on the red planet. Tianwen-1 aims to
As we delve deep into the vast expanse of the Milky Way, we are presented with a puzzle that dates back to the violent origins of our galaxy. Researchers have long been intrigued by the scars left behind by cosmic events that have shaped the galaxy as we know it today. These remnants of the
Located just outside the Milky Way Galaxy, approximately 210,000 light-years away from Earth, lies the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). This dwarf galaxy, along with its counterpart the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), orbits the Milky Way as satellite galaxies. Scientists are intrigued by these satellites as they offer valuable insights into star formation and galaxy evolution
In the vast expanse of the Solar System, there is a myriad of strange and unique moons that orbit different planets. Some moons are hot, some are cold, some have liquid surfaces, and others are covered in dust. Interestingly, there are even moons shaped like walnuts and potatoes. However, among the nearly 300 moons discovered
For years, amateur astronomers have been captivated by Betelgeuse, also known as Beetle-juice, a red supergiant star situated in the Orion constellation. This massive star has been a subject of interest due to its unexpected dimming, which has sparked widespread attention in the astronomy community. Betelgeuse’s variability is characterized by cycles, one of which occurs
The concept of warp drives has always been a fascinating element in science fiction, but its feasibility in reality remains a major challenge. The idea behind warp drives is to enable superliminal travel through hyperspace, allowing spaceships to travel faster than light speed. In theory, warp drives would create a bubble that could transport a
In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have finally detected and measured the ambipolar field enveloping our planet Earth. This electric field, first theorized over six decades ago, holds immense significance in revolutionizing our understanding of Earth’s behavior and evolution. According to Glyn Collinson, an astronomer at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, the presence of an ambipolar
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket has faced a rare failure as its first-stage booster tipped over and exploded while attempting to land after the latest launch of 21 Starlink internet satellites into orbit. The Federal Aviation Administration has grounded the rocket as it investigates the incident to determine the root cause and prevent it from happening
The upcoming Polaris Dawn mission is making headlines as it marks the first-ever spacewalk by commercial space travelers. This mission, supported by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, is a significant milestone in space exploration. Unlike traditional missions with professional astronauts, the Polaris Dawn crew comprises a businessman, a fighter pilot, and two SpaceX employees. This venture represents
SpaceX is set to embark on an unprecedented journey by launching an all-civilian crew on a daring orbital expedition known as the Polaris Dawn mission. Led by billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, this mission is scheduled to take off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 3:38 am (0738 GMT). This marks a significant milestone
After experiencing thruster malfunctions, NASA announced that two US astronauts, Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams, who arrived at the International Space Station aboard Boeing’s Starliner, will have to stay an additional six months. This decision comes as a result of the delay in the return of the Starliner spacecraft, causing a setback for
