Space Exploration news

Space shuttle Atlantis, 7 astronauts back on Earth

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

15 hours ago | not rated yet | 0

(AP) -- Space shuttle Atlantis and its seven astronauts returned to Earth with a smooth touchdown Friday to end an 11-day flight that resupplied the International Space Station.

China to launch second lunar probe: state media

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

20 hours ago | 5 / 5 (4) | 0

China will launch its second moon orbiter next October, state media reported Friday, as it powers ahead with a space programme that has sparked concerns abroad.

Russia: no space for space tourists

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Nov 26, 2009 | 2.7 / 5 (3) | 2

(AP) -- A top Russian space official says there is no space for tourists wishing to fly to the International Space Station.

Shuttle Atlantis leaves space station, headed home

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Nov 25, 2009 | not rated yet | 0

(AP) -- Atlantis and its seven astronauts have left the International Space Station.

Image: Prometheus Plays Tug of War with One of Saturn's Rings

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Nov 25, 2009 | 4 / 5 (3) | 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- The diminutive moon Prometheus whips gossamer ice particles out of Saturn's F ring in this image taken by the Cassini spacecraft on Aug. 21, 2009.

U.S. losing its lead in space, experts warn Congress

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Nov 24, 2009 | 2.4 / 5 (5) | 6

America's once clear dominance in space is eroding as other nations, including China, Iran and North Korea, step up their activities, a panel of experts told the House subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics Thursday.

ET: Check your voicemail

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Nov 24, 2009 | 3.7 / 5 (6) | 5

(PhysOrg.com) -- Alien beings on faraway planets may not have noticed, but it’s been 35 years since human beings made the first deliberate effort to send them a message.

Cassini Captures Ghostly Dance of Saturn's Northern Lights (w/ Video)

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Nov 24, 2009 | 4.9 / 5 (9) | 1

(PhysOrg.com) -- In the first video showing the auroras above the northern latitudes of Saturn, Cassini has spotted the tallest known "northern lights" in the solar system, flickering in shape and brightness ...

Shuttle, station crews seal hatches for departure

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Nov 24, 2009 | not rated yet | 0

(AP) -- After nearly a week together, the crews of shuttle Atlantis and the International Space Station said goodbye Tuesday and closed the hatches between them.

Astronauts rest up after 3 spacewalks

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Nov 24, 2009 | not rated yet | 0

(AP) -- The astronauts aboard the orbiting shuttle-station complex are resting after their three successful spacewalks.

NASA Assessing New Roles for Ailing QuikScat Satellite

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Nov 24, 2009 | 4 / 5 (1) | 1

(PhysOrg.com) -- NASA mission managers are assessing options for future operations of the venerable QuikScat satellite following the age-related failure of a mechanism that spins the scatterometer antenna. ...

Kepler Mission Manager Update

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Nov 24, 2009 | not rated yet | 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- Kepler experienced a safe mode event on Nov. 18, 2009.

New computer-developed map shows more extensive valley network on Mars

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Nov 23, 2009 | 4.4 / 5 (9) | 1

(PhysOrg.com) -- New research adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting the Red Planet once had an ocean.

Free Spirit: Third Extrication Drive Ends With Wheel Stall

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Nov 23, 2009 | 4 / 5 (2) | 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- Spirit experienced a wheel stall with the right-rear wheel during the second step of a two-step drive on Sol 2092 (Saturday, Nov. 21). This is not the same wheel that stalled on Sol 1899 (May ...

Cassini Sends Back Images of Enceladus as Winter Nears

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Nov 23, 2009 | 4.4 / 5 (7) | 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- NASA's Cassini spacecraft has sailed seamlessly through the Nov. 21 flyby of Saturn's moon Enceladus and started transmitting uncalibrated temperature data and images of the rippling terrain. ...

Astronauts take spacewalk No. 3 after suit snag

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Nov 23, 2009 | 5 / 5 (1) | 0

(AP) -- A pair of astronauts stepped out on the third and final spacewalk of their shuttle mission Monday, helping to install an enormous oxygen tank at the International Space Station.

Astronaut's baby daughter born as he circles Earth

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Nov 22, 2009 | 5 / 5 (1) | 0

(AP) -- Astronaut Randolph Bresnik jubilantly welcomed his new daughter into the world Sunday as he floated 220 miles above it.

Baby can wait as expectant dad finishes spacewalk

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Nov 21, 2009 | 3.7 / 5 (3) | 0

(AP) -- A spacewalking astronaut put aside the impending birth of his daughter and blazed through his first-ever venture outside the International Space Station on Saturday.