Science Fiction Revisited: Ramjet Propulsion for Interstellar Space Travel
Since the 1960s, there has been speculation about a hypothetical propulsion method for interstellar space travel. Calculations at TU Wien (Vienna) show: it will remain…
Spacecraft
NASA Mission to Jupiter’s Icy Moon Confirmed
An icy ocean world in our solar system that could tell us more about the potential for life on other worlds is coming into focus…
European-Built Orion Spacecraft Service Module Arrives in the USA
The powerhouse that will help NASA’s Orion spacecraft venture beyond the Moon is stateside. The European-built service module that will propel, power and cool during…
NASA News Conference to Announce New Supersonic Test Aircraft
NASA will host a news conference at 11 a.m. EDT Tuesday, April 3, to announce the agency’s plans for its next experimental aircraft, or X-plane,…
Engineers Are Developing Robotic Spacecraft to Assist Satellite Repairs in Orbit
NASA engineers are developing robotic spacecraft to help service and repair satellites in distant orbits. NASA is developing and demonstrating technologies to service and repair…
NASA Thrusters Propelled by New Green Propellants Complete Milestones
NASA is testing thrusters propelled by green propellants that can provide better performance without the toxicity while helping to lower costs by eliminating infrastructure needed…
NASA’s Orion Spacecraft Begins Critical Design Review
NASA’s Orion Spacecraft began its critical design review last week, a major program milestone that will ensure the spacecraft’s design is ready for its deep…
Could The Prandtl-m Become the First Mars Airplane?
Later this year NASA researchers will test prototype aircraft aerodynamics that could lead to the first aircraft on Mars. When an aircraft makes its first…
“Trial By Fire” Video Details Orion Flight Test
As the flight test of NASA’s Orion spacecraft nears, a new video seven minute video details the spacecraft’s test and the critical systems. Orion: Trial…
NASA’s LDSD ‘Flying Saucer’ Readies for Test Flight
NASA’s flying saucer-shaped vehicle is ready for its first engineering test flight. The Low Density Supersonic Decelerator (LDSD) is designed to test landing technologies for…
Baseline Configuration of Ariane 6 Selected
The baseline configuration for Europe’s Ariane 6 launch vehicle has been selected. In November 2012, European Ministers responsible for space, meeting in Naples, Italy, approved…
NASA’s Juno Spacecraft Completes First Deep-Space Maneuver
NASA’s Juno spacecraft successfully performed its first deep-space maneuver, firing its main engine and changing its trajectory as it continues on its mission towards Jupiter….
Earth’s Van Allen Radiation Belt to be Probed by NASA Satellites
On August 23rd, NASA will launch the Radiation Belt Storm Probes, a pair of specially designed satellites to gather information about the Earth’s Van Allen…
GRAIL Completes Prime Mission, Now Preparing for Extended Operations
NASA’s GRAIL Mission, with twin probes named Ebb and Flow, has delivered over 99.99 percent of the data that was collected on the moon and…
NASA Confirms Extra Time for Dawn to Explore Vesta
The NASA Dawn mission is receiving 40 extra days to explore Vesta and scientists plan to make the most out of it. They hope to…
Dawn Images Shine New Light on Vesta
New images from NASA’s Dawn spacecraft have revealed previously unknown geological features about the asteroid Vesta. While Vesta is one of the brightest objects in…
Spacecraft to Explore Supermassive Black Holes at Center of Galaxies
By the standards of space-based astronomy, NASA’s new NuSTAR (Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array) telescope that will be launched later this month has a modest budget…
GRAIL Spacecraft Officially Begins Collecting Lunar Data
The GRAIL spacecraft has officially begun its science phase and will map the gravity field of the moon three times over the next 84 days,…