Chinese Astronauts Hope to Come aboard International Space Station, and End US Ban

Medicine & Technology May 31, 2015

In the fifteen years since the International Space Station has been in operation, this multi-nation venture has steadily advanced our understanding of science, from astronomy, to human physiology, to materials science. It represents a global effort in scientific research and includes five participating space agencies, from the U.S., Russia, Japan, Europe and Canada. Noticeably absent is China. The Chinese would like to see that change.

Giant Telescope Construction Continues atop Hawaiian Volcano, Despite Protests

May 27, 2015

The best place to view space is from a locale far from the glaring lights of human habitation. And what better spot than the isolated Hawaiian islands, in the middle of the northern Pacific? Unfortunately, the residents of Hawaii abhor the idea of another telescope marring their sacred mountain. So they have banned together to bid the giant scope a hearty "Aloha!"

See What Tools Made the Cut Aboard the Upcoming Europa Clipper Mission

May 27, 2015

What would you pack for the 390 million mile trip to Jupiter's icy moon, Europa? Last year, NASA posed that question to a bevy of scientists and after whittling down the final 33 proposals, they have decided on nine items that will rocket aboard the Europa Clipper, which is set to blast off sometime after 2020.

Astronomers Capture the Most Detailed Images Yet of the Beautiful Medusa Nebula

May 22, 2015

Astronomers at the European Southern Observatory (ESO) are proudly displaying what is the most detailed image ever captured of the vast planetary nebula, Medusa. And what their powerful telescopes have revealed are the beautiful death throes of a dying star.

NASA Hopes to Rely on Algae and Bacteria for Oxygen Production on Mars

May 16, 2015

As scientists around the world work feverishly to meet the 2030 deadline for sending humans to Mars, one of their most critical issues - oxygen production - may be solved by two very basic organisms: bacteria and algae.

Antares Rocket Launches on East Coast Tonight: Viewing and Live Stream Info

Oct 28, 2014

The launch of the Antares rocket carrying supplies and scientific equipment to the International Space Station was rescheduled from Monday evening to Tuesday evening due to a wayward sailboat entered the restricted zone underneath the rocket's flight path. The launch is now scheduled to 6:22 p.m. ET on Tuesday night.

Dragon Spacecraft Completes Mission, Splashes Down in Pacific Ocean

Oct 27, 2014

Elon Musk's SpaceX keeps on completing milestones on its way to building that city on Mars ASAP, but first it must prove it can handle reliably traveling to somewhere much closer: the International Space Station, currently orbiting Earth.

Future Mars Missions Threatened by Cosmic Radiation

Oct 22, 2014

Young would-be space explorers received some bad news this week. Due to the Sun entering in to a phase of relatively low solar activity, cosmic radiation is projected to increase to such levels that any prolonged manned space expedition would prove harmful and even deadly to the astronauts involved.