There's water on the moon, probe reveals Nov 14, 2009
LCROSS crashed into the moon on Oct. 9, marking the first time a spacecraft has been sent to the polar region ... A spacecraft the size of a Volkswagen Beetle followed a few minutes later, flying through the debris and recording and transmitting data before smashing into the moon as well. (AZCentral -- News)
NASA Moon Crash Found 'Significant Amount' of... Nov 14, 2009
The $79 million spacecraft, preceded by its Centaur rocket stage, hit the lunar surface in an effort to create a debris plume that could be analyzed by scientists for signs of water ice ... Water has on the moon by a NASA-built instrument on board India's now defunct Chandrayaan-1 probe and other spacecraft, though it was in very small amounts and bound to the dirt and dust of the lunar surface ... The impact was observed by LCROSS's sister spacecraft, the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, as well... (Fox News)
The 50 Best Inventions of 2009 Nov 14, 2009
And when you fly a spacecraft repeatedly as opposed to chucking it after a single use, there's a lot of wear to repair ... The Ares 1 will launch an Apollo-like spacecraft with four crew members perhaps by 2015 ... They could also travel to what is known as the Lagrange points a scattering of spots between Earth and the moon and Earth and the sun where the gravitational forces on the bodies are precisely balanced and spacecraft simply. (Time.com)
Click to read:NASA: Spacecraft Confirms Water on Moon Nov 14, 2009
NASA: Spacecraft Confirms Water on Moon - CBS News ... NASA: Spacecraft Confirms Water on Moon ... The discovery announced Friday comes from an analysis of data from a spacecraft NASA last month. (CBS News)
Water Found In Moon Crater Nov 14, 2009
(AP)-- NASA says a spacecraft that purposely slammed into the moon has turned up evidence of water. Scientists have been analyzing a mile-high plume of debris kicked up by the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite last month after it crashed into a crater near the moon's south pole. (W-USA News, DC)
Emcore to supply solar panels for Cygnus spacecraft Nov 14, 2009
Albuquerque s (NASDAQ: EMKR) has received a contract from to make, test and deliver solar panels to power the Cygnus spacecraft ... EMCORE, Dutch Space and Orbital Sciences previously worked together on NASA s Dawn mission, which is powering a spacecraft on its way to the Asteroid Belt. (New Mexico Business Weekly, NM)
Hopes to colonize the moon rise Nov 14, 2009
13: NASA say the experiment to slam a spacecraft into the moon has found a substantial amount of water ... The water discovery firms up previous detections of the by three independent spacecraft ... That would mean spacecraft ferrying future colonists to the moon would not have to take fuel for the return trip, or the fuel could be used to launch trips beyond the moon. (MSNBC -- Technology)
Moon has plenty of water: NASA Nov 14, 2009
The new US Lcross mission consisted of two pieces - an empty rocket stage to carve into the lunar surface and a small spacecraft to measure what was kicked up, but it too slammed into the surface. The twin impacts in the Cabeus crater October 9 created a plume of material from the bottom of a crater that has not seen sunlight in billions of years, NASA said. (India Times)
NASA confirms water on moon Nov 14, 2009
Since the impacts, NASA scientists have been analyzing large amount of data collected by the spacecraft. NASA said researchers concentrated on data from the satellite's spectrometers, which are said to provide the most definitive information about the presence of water. (EETimes)
Moon Water Found Nov 14, 2009
Water, essential for human survival, would be heavy and expensive for spacecraft to bring from earth ... The ice could be melted for drinking and cooling of spacecraft systems -- and beyond that, it can also be broken down into its components -- hydrogen and oxygen. (ABC News)
Space fan has key role in launches Nov 13, 2009
Nestled in the rocket's nosecone: the Intelsat-14 spacecraft, which will join the world's largest constellation of commercial communications satellites ... The spacecraft being launched Saturday is equipped with 66 channels that will beam signals to customers in North America, Central America, South America, Europe and Africa ... Now Jonas and his crew make sure Atlas V rockets can be assembled, tested and mated with spacecraft at the Vertical Integration Facility at Launch Complex 41. (Florida Today)
HDNet to Provide Live Coverage of the Launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis Nov 13, 2009
The unit allows for communication between the International Space Station, other spacecraft, and ground-based mission control. The system also allows the ISS crew to monitor an approaching or departing capsule. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
CafePress Launches Online T-Shirt and Gift Shop with Smithsonian Merchandise From Vast Art and Photo Collections Now Available Nov 13, 2009
Products include spacecraft, historic photographs, and aviation from Smithsonians National Air and Space Museum, Giant Pandas and other animals from the National Zoo; stamps from the National Postal Museum; from Smithsonians Libraries; and much more are available from the Smithsonians online store at ... Among the vast collections are irreplaceable national icons, examples of everyday life, and scientific material vital to the study of the world's scientific and cultural heritage... (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Space Station Gets New Russian Module Nov 13, 2009
Astronauts on the International Space Station welcomed the arrival of a brand-new Russian module Thursday, an orbital room adds more research space and an extra parking spot for visiting spacecraft ... Because the space station's full crew increased to six people this year, two Soyuz spacecraft are required to be docked at all times to serve as ferries to Earth and emergency lifeboats ... It will take some time before Poisk is ready to host visiting spacecraft or spacewalks. (Fox News)
Strong signal Nov 13, 2009
"Even with just a few Galileo spacecraft in orbit - if you had a GPS and Galileo-compatible receiver, you would begin to see a difference, simply by virtue of having more satellites in the sky," explained Dr Mike Healy from EADS Astrium ... The box will be sent to Thales Alenia Space in Rome, Italy, where it will be attached to the main spacecraft bus, incorporating a propulsion system, avionics and solar panels, etc, before being shipped to Europe's spaceport in French Guiana ... "But when we... (BBC News -- Technology)
Mars rover stuck in sand to receive aid from NASA Nov 13, 2009
But it might be the end of the road for the plucky little spacecraft, which has already exceeded all expectations for survival during its five years of roaming the Red Planet. NASA's Mars rover became mired in sand near the planet's equator in April. (AZCentral -- News)
Plans by U.S. to Dominate Space Raising Concerns Nov 13, 2009
9 million for an experimental XXS spacecraft whose "microsatellite payloads" could attack enemy satellites. Another $68 million is earmarked for a Near Field Infrared Experiment that would use infrared technology to disable enemy satellite transmissions. (Yahoo News -- Missile Defense System)
Efforts underway to extend satellites' lifespan Nov 12, 2009
Spacecraft have used ion drives to explore the moon and deep space, but a new study aims to boost the electric propulsion idea to keep satellites around Earth alive longer ... Europe's SMART-1 lunar orbiter used them to maneuver up until it slammed into the moon in 2006, while other spacecraft use them today, including NASA's Dawn probe heading out to two asteroids and , which is limping home from its own asteroid rendezvous ... 5 million grant by the United States Defense Advanced Research... (MSNBC -- Technology)
International Launch Services and SIRIUS XM Radio Announce Contract for Launch of the XM-5 Satellite in 2010 Nov 11, 2009
Khrunichev includes among its branches, a number of key manufacturers of launch vehicle and spacecraft components in Moscow and in other cities of the Russian Federation. For more information, visit. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Flipping A Photonic Shock Wave Nov 11, 2009
The four spacecraft encountered a shock wave that kept breaking and reforming -- predicted only in. (Mar. (Science Daily)
Soyuz launches to space station Nov 11, 2009
The eight-tonne Mini Research Module-2 (MIM-2) will act as an additional docking port for spacecraft and an airlock for spacewalks. The module launched on a modified Progress spacecraft from Baikonur Cosmodrome at 1422 GMT.. (BBC News -- Science)
Setting sail into space, propelled by sunshine Nov 11, 2009
Over the next three years, the society will build and fly a series of solar-sail spacecraft dubbed LightSails, first in orbit around the Earth and eventually into deeper space. The voyages are an outgrowth of a long collaboration between the society and Cosmos Studios of Ithaca, New York, headed by Ann Druyan, a film producer and widow of the late astronomer and author Carl Sagan. (India Times, India)
Rapid Star Formation In Infant Galaxies Nov 11, 2009
The spacecraft has, for the first time, identified dwarf galaxies forming out of. (Feb. (Science Daily)
New Solar-Sail Mission Planned After 2005 Failure Nov 11, 2009
LOS ANGELES - Backers of a failed mission to launch the world's first solar-sail spacecraft unveiled plans on Monday to try again five years later with a smaller, swifter satellite to test the limits of sunlight propulsion ... Organizers have since redesigned the spacecraft ... Ultimately, for voyages deep into space away from the sun, the spacecraft would need additional propulsion supplied by a laser beam directed at its sail from Earth to supplement fading sunlight reaching the vehicle, Betts... (Newsmax)
Harvesting Energy From Nature's Motions Nov 10, 2009
On a larger scale, sensors in the environment or spacecraft could be powered by the everyday natural vibrations around them, Mann said. Mann's research is supported by the Office of Naval Research. (Science Daily)
> read more Nov 10, 2009
Ground stations will send a wake-up call to the spacecraft as the Mars Odyssey orbiter is overhead and listening for a response. "The solar-cell panels must revive the battery and bring the computer system up to working order," explains project scientist Peter Smith (University of Arizona). (SkyAndTelescope.com)
It's All Semantics: Searching for an Intuitive Internet That Knows What Is Said--And Meant Nov 10, 2009
If he needs to study images of the sun over a specific time period, Narock needs to first find out which spacecraft are taking the images, whether they were in position to take the photos he needs, and whether they were operational during a specific time period, for example. Although many research institutes espouse the idea of open access to their work, finding the right information takes quite a bit of trial and error, he adds. (Scientific American)
After letdown, solar-sail project rises again Nov 10, 2009
LOS ANGELES - Four years after its first solar sail ended up in the ocean instead of orbit, the Planetary Society announced Monday that by the end of 2010 it will try again to launch a spacecraft that will be propelled by the subtle pressure of sunlight ... The spacecraft would accelerate very slowly but eventually reach tremendous speeds because of the constant pressure ... The spacecraft will launch with its four triangular Mylar sails packaged in a volume equal to about three quarts and... (MSNBC -- Technology)
Probe Sees More Hidden Territory On Mercury Nov 9, 2009
MESSENGER Spacecraft Reveals More Hidden Territory On Mercury ... MESSENGER Spacecraft Reveals More Hidden Territory On Mercury ... 8, 2009) A NASA spacecraft gliding over the battered surface of Mercury for the second time this year has revealed more previously unseen real estate on the innermost planet. (Science Daily)
Frontiers of the future: Is there anybody out there? Nov 7, 2009
Spacecraft and telescopes have contributed to accumulating the observations that have led to these estimates. In 2014, the latest of the powerful space observatories, the James Webb Space Telescope, will be launched. (India Times, India -- Health/Science)
Lightning's 'NOx-ious' Impact On Pollution, Climate Nov 7, 2009
This global map of lightning flash density was created with data from the Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) aboard the Tropical Measuring Mission (TRMM) and the Optical Transient Detector (OTD) aboard the Microlab-1 spacecraft. (Credit: Jeff De La Beaujardiere, Scientific Visualization Studio). (Science Daily)
Space Tourism a Reality by 2012 Nov 7, 2009
The Dragon spacecraft (capsule and cargo trunk) with solar panels deployed. The Dragon spacecraft (capsule and cargo trunk) with solar panels deployed ... Routine commercial travel to outer space may be the norm as soon as 2012, as the next generation of spacecraft designed by private sector firms like Virgin Galactic, Orbital Sciences Corp., Space Exploration Technologies Corp. and others transport adventure-seeking civilians into low-Earth orbit. (Fox News)
* World News Quick Take Nov 6, 2009
The X-ray was named the most important modern scientific achievement on Wednesday in a poll conducted for the Science Museum, beating the Apollo spacecraft and DNA. Nearly 50,000 members of the public voted in the museum or online on 10 of the greatest achievements in science, technology and engineering selected by the museum curators. The X-ray machine topped the poll, which marks the London museums centenary. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
X-ray named top achievement by British museum Nov 5, 2009
The X-ray was named the most important modern scientific achievement Wednesday in a poll conducted for Britain's Science Museum, beating Apollo spacecraft and DNA.. LONDON (AFP) - The X-ray was named the most important modern scientific achievement Wednesday in a poll conducted for Britain's Science Museum, beating Apollo spacecraft and DNA. ... Britain's Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw said: "Any competition that pits the Apollo 10 spacecraft against Stephenson's Rocket and the DNA double helix... (Yahoo! Asia News)
Space junk storm will be costly, experts predict Nov 5, 2009
"For things to be on orbit, typically they are moving at speeds of around 7.5 km per second that's relative speed of 15 km per second for things heading toward each other. So you only need something the size of a marble to completely destroy a spacecraft.". Copyright 2009 Reuters. (MSNBC -- Technology)
Kepler's Twitchy Detectors Nov 5, 2009
NASA's Kepler spacecraft is designed to find Earth-size planets around other stars ... NASA / Any time a planet passes in front of one of the estimated 100,000 stars within the target area, the spacecraft records the temporary dip in the star's light ... The spacecraft was working just as planned. (SkyAndTelescope.com)
BEN THERE, DONE THAT: Haven't we already done this? Nov 5, 2009
And as our sucker-punch streak against this planet continues, our slack grip on exploration loosens, as almost 40 years later NASA tests yet another solid-rocket-boosted spacecraft into not even orbit. You may have heard the buzz. (Allston Brighton TAB, MA)
Camera spots Phoenix Mars Lander Nov 5, 2009
A high-powered camera orbiting Mars has spotted the Phoenix Mars Lander spacecraft peeking out from beneath a sheet of frost. The HiRise camera, operated by the University of Arizona, captured two grainy images that show the kitchen-table-size spacecraft sitting on the Red Planet's surface ... The unmanned spacecraft was last heard from in November 2008 when its communication link went dead during a fierce dust storm. (AZCentral -- News)
Rosetta's Final Earth Boost Nov 5, 2009
The spacecraft is scheduled for a close encounter with asteroid 21 Lutetia in July next year, before it goes into hibernation early in 2011, only to wake up in early 2014 for approach to 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko ... The spacecraft is operated from ESOC, ESA's European Space Operations Centre, Darmstadt, Germany. (NASA Watch)
Science's greatest modern achievement named Nov 5, 2009
LONDON - The X-ray was named the most important modern scientific achievement on Wednesday in a poll conducted for Britain's Science Museum, beating Apollo spacecraft and DNA. ... Britain's Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw said: "Any competition that pits the Apollo 10 spacecraft against Stephenson's Rocket and the DNA double helix against the Model T Ford is bound to provide talking points aplenty. "The public's choice of the X-ray machine as the winner is testament to our insatiable curiosity to... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Technology)
Indias space ambitions take off Nov 5, 2009
China, the only country besides the United States and Russia to have launched a manned spacecraft, did so six years ago ... After NASA's aging space shuttle retires in 2010, it will be five years before the United States will have another spacecraft that can reach the international space station. (MSNBC -- International)
Infotainment Nov 5, 2009
The X-ray was named the most important modern scientific achievement in a poll conducted for Britains Science Museum, beating Apollo spacecraft and DNA. Nearly 50,000 members of the public voted in the museum or online on 10 of the greatest achievements in science, technology and engineering selected. Spitbank, a historic sea fort off the south coast of England, was bought for more than 1 million - just 24 hours before it was due to go under the auction hammer. (Daily Times, Pakistan)
Space Junk Storm Will Up Mission Costs Nov 5, 2009
"For things to be on orbit, typically they are moving at speeds of around 7.5 km per second -- that's relative speed of 15 km per second for things heading toward each other. So you only need something the size of a marble to completely destroy a spacecraft.". 2009 Reuters. (Newsmax)
Deep space objects guide Earths GPS system Nov 4, 2009
This quasar map not only helps to guide navigation on Earth, but is also used to help navigate spacecraft on interplanetary missions. Astronomers also use them to guide telescopes and trace the motion of stars and other celestial objects to look for clues to their origin and evolution. (MSNBC -- Technology)
X-rays 'top scientific invention' Nov 4, 2009
Ben Bradshaw MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport, said: "Any competition that pits the Apollo 10 spacecraft against Stephenson's rocket, and the DNA double helix against the Model T Ford, is bound to provide talking points a-plenty. "The public's choice of the x-ray machine as the winner is testament to our insatiable curiosity to find out how things work. " The poll was conducted as part of the Science Museum's events to mark its Centenary. The ten iconic objects form a special... (BBC News -- Technology)
'V' returns with a darker edge Nov 4, 2009
What everyone will finally see this weekend is how two astronauts (Dennis Quaid, Ben Foster) wake up in a hyper-sleep chamber aboard a seemingly abandoned spacecraft ... Based on a 1980s miniseries, "V" (for "Visitors") tells of a close encounter with an alien race, which arrives via massive spacecraft that hover ominously over every major city on Earth. (Fresno Bee)
Discovery offers clearer picture of Mercury Nov 4, 2009
New data captured by a tiny spacecraft that flew by Mercury is forcing scientists to rewrite the planet's history ... The Messenger spacecraft, which has researchers from Arizona on its science team, has discovered an abundance of iron on Mercury's surface ... But unmanned missions are possible, and in September, the $466 million Messenger spacecraft, which is orbiting the sun, completed its third pass by the planet. (AZCentral -- News)
EXCLUSIVE: Secrets of Google's 3-D Mars, Moon Nov 4, 2009
We worked closely with NASA, most of the imagery comes from NASA. There's also some European Space Agency data, all of this from orbiting spacecraft, and then there's of course, imagery close to the ground from the rovers and from the astronauts themselves. They actually took, stood in place and rotated around and took photos, and we reconstructed those into panoramas. (National Geographic)
Aluminum fuel could power future space trips Nov 4, 2009
Creating rocket fuel at either location means spacecraft wouldn't have to carry all the fuel for the return trip to Earth; they could simple create it when they arrived. ALICE is also environmentally friendly. (MSNBC -- Technology)
Skywatch: Leonid meteor shower Nov 3, 2009
Gemini XII, the final flight of America's two-man spacecraft, soared into orbit on Nov. 11, 1966. During its four-day mission, Jim Lovell (who later commanded the ill-fated Apollo 13 flight) and Buzz Aldrin (who served as lunar module pilot on Apollo 11 and became the second man to walk on the moon) proved that astronauts could work effectively during spacewalks, a skill vital for the success of the Apollo missions to the moon. (AZCentral -- Travel)
MediaScape Launches Cignal HD on SES WORLD SKIES' NSS-11 Satellite Nov 3, 2009
The spacecraft enables a full range of media and data applications, from direct-to-home television broadcasting to government communications and VSAT networks ... SES WORLD SKIES is the new global division of SES, created through the combination of the former SES NEW SKIES and SES AMERICOM. The company operates a fleet of 25 satellites - part of the 40 spacecraft of the SES group - delivering services as diverse as television distribution and broadcast, internet access, data transmission and... (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Russia hopes nuclear ship will fly humans to Mars Nov 2, 2009
The ambitious plans contrast with Russia's slow progress on building a replacement to its mainstay spacecraft the Soyuz ... NASA's plan to retire its shuttle fleet next year will force the United States and other nations to rely on the Russian spacecraft to ferry their astronauts to and from the International Space Station until NASA's new manned ship becomes available. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- World)
European water mission lifts off Nov 2, 2009
The Smos spacecraft takes off from Russia's Plesetsk Cosmodrome ... The Smos spacecraft will make the first global maps of the amount of moisture held in soils and of the quantity of salts dissolved in the oceans ... Some 70 minutes later, the upper-stage of the Rockot released the spacecraft, and telemetry confirming all was well with the mission was acquired by the Hartebeesthoek ground station, near Johannesburg, South Africa. (BBC News -- Europe)
Expat boost for business leaders Nov 2, 2009
Page last updated at 00:36 GMT, Monday, 2 November 2009. The GlobalScot conference is a chance for business leaders to network. (BBC News -- Business)
Parachute malfunction causes dent in Ares as it slams into ocean Nov 1, 2009
By the time NASA launches a crew of Ares it will be a pretty good spacecraft for LEO ... NASA would have gone with a smaller spacecraft ... Florida Today's includes every documented launch of a missile, rocket or manned spacecraft from the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral area. (Florida Today)
Test Yourself: Which Tabloid Headlines Are Actually True? Nov 1, 2009
A new discovery was announced recently in Roswell, N.M., an area believed by many to have been the site where an alien spacecraft crashed in 1947. A strange piece of metal found there has been subjected to exactingly precise measurements and has been found to have a quite amazing property. (ABC News)
Ariz. companies vying for slice of $50 million in NASA funds Nov 1, 2009
9 billion contract from NASA in late 2008 to build spacecraft for hauling 20 metric tons of cargo to the International Space Station from 2011 to 2015. Paragon, a growing technology developer founded in 1993, submitted a proposal to develop a life-support system that operates like a high-tech HVAC system for spacecraft ... The company already is developing a thermal-control system and space suit for the Orion spacecraft, which NASA is developing for missions to the moon. (AZCentral -- Business)
NASA probe hits moon's south pole looking for water Nov 1, 2009
NASA smacked two spacecraft into the lunar south pole Friday morning in a search for hidden ice. Instruments confirm that a large empty rocket hull barreled into the moon at 7:31 a.m., followed four minutes later by a probe with cameras taking pictures of the first crash. (Salon)
Nigerian Space Agency Probes Outer Limits Oct 31, 2009
Earth is seen behind the International Space Station from Space Shuttle Discovery as the two spacecraft begin their relative separation in this photo taken Sept. 8, 2009 ... We are sitting in the canteen of the spacecraft-mad company, from whose ceilings dangle silver starburst lights and whose rubbish bins are shaped like shiny rockets. (Newsmax)
Disclosure And First Contanct Oct 31, 2009
There could be the ubiquitous display of benevolent ET spacecrafts. These spacecrafts are beautiful with gorgeous scintillating lights ... One can definitely tell the difference between the benevolent ET spacecraft and those of the dark beings and their minions, as one would feel some love and comfort associated with the benevolent ET spacecrafts. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
First Japanese Cargo Ship Leaves Space Station Oct 31, 2009
Astronauts aboard the station used the outpost's robotic arm to pluck the spacecraft, called the H-2 Transfer Vehicle 1 (HTV-1), free from an Earth-facing mooring and let it go at about 1:30 p.m. EDT. ... NASA delayed the departure of HTV-1 from the station by one orbit - about 90 minutes - in order to be sure a piece of Russian space junk would not pose a risk to the spacecraft ... Both spacecraft functioned perfectly during the spaceflight debut. (Fox News)
New Celestial Map Gives Directions For GPS Oct 31, 2009
The ICRF maps are not only useful for navigation on Earth; they also help us find our way in space -- the ICRF grid and some of the objects themselves are used to assist spacecraft navigation for interplanetary missions, according to Ma. Despite its usefulness for things like GPS, the primary application for the ICRF maps is astronomy. (Science Daily)
Plans by U.S. to Dominate Space Raising Concerns Oct 31, 2009
9 million for an experimental XXS spacecraft whose "microsatellite payloads" could attack enemy satellites. Another $68 million is earmarked for a Near Field Infrared Experiment that would use infrared technology to disable enemy satellite transmissions. (Yahoo News -- Missile Defense System)
Exploring the final frontier: Disease proposed as major barrier to Mars and beyond Oct 30, 2009
"Unfortunately, because spacecraft technology is way ahead of our understanding of how to maintain human health, disease-free survival after reaching Mars or establishing a colony on the Moon may be problematic.". . (EurekAlert!)
SES WORLD SKIES' NSS-12 Satellite Successfully Launched on-board Ariane 5 Oct 30, 2009
Approximately 27 minutes after lift-off the spacecraft separated from the Ariane 5 upper stage and was placed into geostationary transfer orbit ... The spacecraft, procured by SES Satellite Leasing Limited in the Isle of Man, is poised to be the 41th satellite in SES global fleet ... The spacecraft replaces NSS-703 at 57 degrees East and covers virtually the entire Eastern Hemisphere, bringing increased capacity and transmission power to a key orbital location at the crossroads of Europe, the... (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
