Space Exploration news

China is set to launch its second moon orbiter next October, state media have reported

China to launch second lunar probe: state media

Nov 27, 2009 | 5 / 5 (6) | 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.

Astronauts surprised by holiday turkey dinners

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Nov 26, 2009 | 5 / 5 (2) | 0

(AP) -- Space shuttle Atlantis' astronauts thought they were going to give thanks with pantry leftovers Thursday as their mission drew to a close, but found turkey dinners awaiting them.

Gullies and Flow Features on Crater Wall

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Nov 26, 2009 | 4.5 / 5 (2) | 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- This image from the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera on NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter shows a sample of the variety and complexity of processes that may occur ...

Thanksgiving last full day in space for shuttle

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Nov 26, 2009 | not rated yet | 0

(AP) -- Space shuttle Atlantis' astronauts will spend Thanksgiving checking their ship for the ride home.

Russia: no space for space tourists

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Nov 26, 2009 | 2.7 / 5 (3) | 1

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

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

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Nov 25, 2009 | 4.4 / 5 (5) | 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.

Spirit Mars Rover: No Wheel Stall in Diagnostic Drive

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Nov 25, 2009 | 4.2 / 5 (5) | 1

(PhysOrg.com) -- On Sol 2095 (Tuesday, Nov. 24), Spirit performed a set of diagnostic actions related to a stall of the right-rear wheel on the previous drive, three days earlier.

Mars Reconnaissance Orbite Team Plans Uplink of Protective Files

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

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

(PhysOrg.com) -- The team operating NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter plans to uplink protective files to the spacecraft next week as one step toward resuming the orbiter's research and relay activities.

Shuttle Atlantis leaves space station, headed home

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Nov 25, 2009 | 4 / 5 (1) | 0

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

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

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Nov 24, 2009 | 3 / 5 (9) | 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.

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. ...

ET: Check your voicemail

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Nov 24, 2009 | 3.9 / 5 (7) | 7

(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 (10) | 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 | 5 / 5 (1) | 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.