Space Exploration news

Japan launches 5th spy satellite

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Nov 28, 2009 | 3.6 / 5 (9) | 3

(AP) -- Japan launched its fifth spy satellite into orbit Saturday in a bid to boost its ability to independently gather intelligence, the government said.

NASA: Floating 'junk' no threat to space station

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Nov 28, 2009 | 4.7 / 5 (3) | 0

(AP) -- NASA says a piece of old space junk that it's been tracking for a few days is no threat to the International Space Station.

Further Tests Designed for Rover's Right-Rear Wheel

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Dec 08, 2009 | not rated yet | 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- A series of diagnostic tests on Spirit's right-rear wheel on sols 2104 and 2105 (Dec. 3 and 4) investigated stalls that occurred on Sol 2099 (Nov. 28) and earlier. The rover team cannot draw ...

China to launch second lunar probe: state media

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

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.

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.

Missile defense test aborted when target fails

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Dec 12, 2009 | 5 / 5 (1) | 0

(AP) -- The Missile Defense Agency says a planned test of a ground-based missile defense system in Hawaii was aborted because the target missile failed.

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.

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.

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.

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.

NASA Uses Twin Processes to Develop New Tank Dome Technology

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Dec 02, 2009 | 4 / 5 (3) | 2

(PhysOrg.com) -- NASA has partnered with Lockheed Martin Space Systems in Denver, Colo., and MT Aerospace in Augsburg, Germany, to successfully manufacture the first full-scale friction stir welded and spun ...

Steering the Ares Rockets on a Straight Path

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Dec 04, 2009 | 5 / 5 (1) | 1

(PhysOrg.com) -- The Ares I-X rocket stood more than 325 feet tall on the launch pad at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla. Spectators watched in awe as its massive solid rocket motor blazed to life with a thunderous ...

Spitzer Unveils Biggest Milky Way View at Adler Planetarium

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Dec 04, 2009 | 5 / 5 (2) | 3

(PhysOrg.com) -- The world's largest image of our Milky Way galaxy, taken by NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope, went on display this week at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago.

WISE Launch Scheduled for Dec. 11

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Dec 04, 2009 | 4 / 5 (1) | 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- Launch of NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California is scheduled for Dec. 11.

Astronauts to taste 'space sushi'

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Dec 03, 2009 | 5 / 5 (1) | 0

US astronaut Timothy Creamer said on Thursday he was impatient to taste "space sushi" courtesy of his Japanese crewmate after they arrive on the International Space Station (ISS) later this month.