Are we alone? This is arguably the biggest question that mankind has ever asked. Now, a newly published study suggests the answer to that question is no, but with one substantial caveat, the alien civilizations are out there; they’re just all dead.
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New Waterscope Weather app from Iconfactory is powered by NASA and NOAA data
Popular App Store developer Iconfactory has just released a new app called Waterscope Weather. However, this isn’t your typical weather app; as the developer puts it, it’s a “weather app designed for people who love being around water.”
Expand Expanding CloseThis Day In Space (December 22, 1964): The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird makes its first flight
In the early 60s, the Cold War was intensifying between the United States and the Soviet Union. Because of rising tensions between the two superpowers, the threat of a nuclear war was a genuine concern for both sides. So naturally, spying and reconnaissance became valuable tactics.
Expand Expanding CloseAu-Spot is a robotic dog designed to explore the harsh terrain of Mars
A large majority of the terrain on Mars is rather challenging to traverse, especially for our delicate and slow-moving rovers. Because of this fact, NASA/JPL-Caltech has been hard at work creating what may be the future of Mars exploration: an autonomous robot dog.
Expand Expanding CloseMysterious radio signal detected from nearby star likely isn’t aliens
A few days ago, word got out that researchers at Breakthrough Listen, a group hunting for alien civilizations, had detected a mysterious radio signal. The signal originated from Proxima Centauri, the closest star to our Sun, and it has been designated as a possible alien transmission.
Expand Expanding CloseNASA’s ‘Astronomy Picture of the Day’ is all about sunrises
NASA hosts a website where it can show an “Astronomy Picture of the Day” every single day. The photo for today, December 21, 2020, is a combination of 13 photographs taken of sunrises from the same location. The purpose of this series of photos is to demonstrate that the sun does not always rise in the same direction.
Expand Expanding CloseSunshield for NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope successfully unfolds in final test
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is a sizeable next-generation space telescope set to be launched sometime in 2021. As the launch window approaches, the telescope has gone through a series of tests to ensure its space readiness. The most recent of those tests involved unfolding the telescope’s sunshield.
Expand Expanding CloseAstronauts to begin testing using new Orion spacecraft simulator
A couple of weeks ago, NASA announced a cadre of astronauts selected to participate in the agency’s Artemis program. Those same astronauts will now get the opportunity to test out the Orion spacecraft hardware with a new simulator that recently arrived at the Johnson Space Center in Houston.
Expand Expanding CloseThis day in space (December 21, 1968): Launch of the Apollo 8 mission and first SpaceX booster landing
Launch of the Apollo 8 mission (December 21, 1968)
On the morning of December 21, 1968, a 36-story-tall Saturn V rocket towered over Cape Kennedy, now known as Cape Canaveral. Thousands of onlookers gathered to view the historic event on the nearby beaches. Sitting atop the lumbering Saturn V was the Apollo 8 spacecraft, ready to carry the first humans around the moon.
Expand Expanding CloseMeet the Guardians: U.S. Space Force officially names its members
The United States Space Force made a rather significant announcement today, stating that its members will officially be called Guardians. The naming consensus was reached after a year-long process involving hundreds of submissions.
Expand Expanding CloseULA Delta II rocket display coming to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
The United Launch Alliance (ULA) has announced that a Delta II rocket display will soon be coming to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. The rocket, which flew its last mission in 2018, will stand as a tribute to its almost 30 years of service.
Expand Expanding CloseWatch as first astronaut transfers to Space Force while aboard ISS
On November 15, at 7:27 p.m. EST, an international crew of astronauts launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mission was called Crew-1, and onboard was Michael Hopkins, Victor Glover, Shannon Walker, and Soichi Noguchi, all headed to the International Space Station.
Expand Expanding CloseNo, NASA did not claim there will be no sunlight for six days
Videos and stories have been making the rounds on the internet for the past month or so, claiming that NASA has announced the Earth will go dark for six days. These claims are absolutely false; every couple of years, these same stories pop up and get passed around on social media.
Expand Expanding CloseLockheed Martin awarded $40 million contract to provide structural components for NASA’s X-59 aircraft
Development for NASA’s X-59 aircraft has been in full swing for the last couple of months following a pause due to COVID. Now that things are ramping up again, NASA is awarding contracts to aerospace companies to assist in the development. The latest of these contracts has just been awarded to Lockheed Martin.
Expand Expanding CloseNASA is moving into the next phase of its Mars Sample Return mission
Today, NASA has announced that it will be moving into the next phase of its Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission. This move would bring the mission into “Phase A,” the phase in which many crucial decisions will be made.
Expand Expanding CloseSpace Force demotes member for being late due to buying a PS5
Every gamer knows that the hunt for next-gen consoles has been an extremely difficult one this year. It’s been so difficult, in fact, that some people are even willing to put their job at risk to get their hands on one, as a member of the Space Force was recently demoted for doing.
Expand Expanding CloseNASA announces support for America’s National Strategy for Space Nuclear Power and Propulsion
NASA has publicly announced that it will get behind a new Space Policy Directive that was recently issued by Donald Trump. Called Space Policy Directive-6 (SPD-6), it calls for nuclear systems to power future missions in space as well as future spacecraft.
Expand Expanding CloseRussia conducted an anti-satellite missile test, according to US Space Command
US Space Command put out a press release on Wednesday, December 16, claiming that Russia had conducted a direct-ascent anti-satellite (DA-ASAT) missile test. The act continues a dangerous set of events that showcase the country’s desire to militarize space.
Expand Expanding CloseBlue Origin’s New Glenn rocket selected to join NASA’s Launch Services Program
NASA’s Launch Services Program is designed to help launch uncrewed rockets that deliver spacecraft into orbit or farther out into the universe. The latest company to benefit from the program is Blue Origin, as NASA has announced that the company will be awarded a Launch Services II contract.
Expand Expanding CloseMeet the mission manager for the historic Crew-1 launch
Many of you have probably never heard the name Nicole Jordan despite her being instrumental in the recent Crew-1 mission. She was the mission manager for the launch, bringing together all the different departments to make sure that it went off without a hitch, which, thanks to her, it did.
Expand Expanding CloseESA and CNES sign contract agreeing to update and maintain Guiana Space Centre
The European Space Agency (ESA) held a council meeting today to discuss the maintenance and changes due to take place at Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana for 2020 through 2024. During this meeting, a contract was signed by the ESA and National Centre for Space Studies (CNES), agreeing to “maintain and modernize” the spaceport.
Expand Expanding CloseReview of Near Earth Object Surveyor spacecraft delayed until 2021
NASA’s Near Earth Object Surveyor spacecraft currently has its development on standby as it awaits a Key Decision Point (KDP) B review. The review has been postponed until the spring of 2021 due to future budget uncertainties.
Expand Expanding CloseA look at the costly and slow-moving development of the Orion spacecraft
NASA’s Orion spacecraft has been in the news quite a bit lately because of the essential role it will soon play in sending astronauts to the moon. However, most don’t realize that Orion is 15 years old and has gone through a complex and expensive development, even coming close to being canceled at one point.
Expand Expanding CloseW. Russ DeLoach named as NASA’s new chief of Safety and Mission Assurance
W. Russ DeLoach will replace Terrence W. Wilcutt after Wilcutt’s 30 years of service as NASA’s chief of Safety and Mission Assurance (SMA). DeLoach is set to begin the transition into the new role on Friday, January 1.
“Russ truly understands NASA’s safety environment and protocols. His leadership will ensure NASA continues its safety first ideology across the entire agency,” said NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine.
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