Space Tourism, Space Transport and Space Exploration News
February 12, 2019
MARSDAILY
NASA's MAVEN spacecraft shrinking its Mars orbit to prepare for Mars 2020 Rover



Greenbelt MD (SPX) Feb 12, 2019
NASA's 4-year-old atmosphere-sniffing Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) mission is embarking on a new campaign to tighten its orbit around Mars. The operation will reduce the highest point of the MAVEN spacecraft's elliptical orbit from 3,850 to 2,800 miles (6,200 to 4,500 kilometers) above the surface and prepare it to take on additional responsibility as a data-relay satellite for NASA's Mars 2020 rover, which launches next year. "The MAVEN spacecraft has done a phenomenal job teach ... read more

MARSDAILY
Developing a flight strategy to land heavier vehicles on Mars
Urbana IL (SPX) Feb 12, 2019
The heaviest vehicle to successfully land on Mars is the Curiosity Rover at 1 metric ton, about 2,200 pounds. Sending more ambitious robotic missions to the surface of Mars, and eventually humans, w ... more
MOON DAILY
Spaceflight to launch first privately funded lunar lander
Cape Canaveral FL (SPX) Feb 12, 2019
Spaceflight Inc has announced it will launch two payloads on its first rideshare mission to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). The mission is scheduled for no earlier than mid-February 2019 aboard ... more
MOON DAILY
Russia pencils in first manned lunar mission for 2031
Moscow (Sputnik) Feb 11, 2019
Russia's first ever manned lunar mission is expected to land on the Moon in 2031, according to a document prepared by the Russian Central Research Institute of Machine Building (TsNIIMash) and obtai ... more
MARSDAILY
Curiosity Mars Rover Departs Vera Rubin Ridge
Pasadena CA (JPL) Feb 11, 2019
After exploring Mars' Vera Rubin Ridge for more than a year, NASA's Curiosity rover (https://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl) recently moved on. But a new 360-video lets the public visit Curiosity's final dri ... more
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MOON DAILY
NASA Administrator says Agency plans to 'go to the Moon and stay'
Washington DC (Sputnik) Feb 11, 2019
Jim Bridenstine, the space agency's administrator, said that NASA plans to return people to the Moon and have astronauts explore more of the surface for longer periods. The NASA administrator ... more
MARSDAILY
More than 835 recovery commands have been sent to Opportunity
Pasadena CA (JPL) Feb 11, 2019
Mars atmospheric opacity (tau) over the rover site is estimated to be somewhere in the range of 0.9 to 1.3. No signal from Opportunity has been heard since Sol 5111 (June 10, 2018) during the ... more
OUTER PLANETS
New Horizons' evocative farewell glance at Ultima Thule
Washington DC (SPX) Feb 11, 2019
An evocative new image sequence from NASA's New Horizons spacecraft offers a departing view of the Kuiper Belt object (KBO) nicknamed Ultima Thule - the target of its New Year's 2019 flyby and the m ... more
OUTER PLANETS
Ultima Thule is more pancake than snowman, NASA scientists discover
Washington (UPI) Feb 11, 2019
Ultima Thule is flatter than scientists originally thought. ... more
DRAGON SPACE
China improves Long March-6 rocket for growing commercial launches
Beijing (XNA) Feb 12, 2019
China announced Monday that it is developing the modified version of the Long March-6 rocket to add four solid boosters to increase its carrying capacity. The improved medium-left carrier rock ... more
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EXO WORLDS
Better to dry a rocky planet before use
Bern, Switzerland (SPX) Feb 12, 2019
Earth's solid surface and clement climate may be in part due to a massive star in the birth environment of the Sun. Without its radioactive elements injected into the early solar system, our home pl ... more
MOON DAILY
NASA seeks US partners to develop reusable systems for lunar missions
Washington DC (SPX) Feb 08, 2019
As the next major step to return astronauts to the Moon under Space Policy Directive-1, NASA announced plans on Dec. 13 to work with American companies to design and develop new reusable systems for ... more
EXO WORLDS
Study shows unusual microbes hold clues to early life
East Boothbay ME (SPX) Feb 08, 2019
A new study has revealed how a group of deep-sea microbes provides clues to the evolution of life on Earth, according to a recent paper in The ISME Journal. Researchers used cutting-edge molecular m ... more
IRON AND ICE
Asteroid from 'Rare Species' Sighted in the Cosmic Wild
Pasadena CA (SPX) Feb 08, 2019
Astronomers have discovered an asteroid looping through the inner solar system on an exotic orbit. The unusual object is among the first asteroids ever found whose orbit is confined almost entirely ... more
MARSDAILY
ESA's Mars rover has a name - Rosalind Franklin
Paris (ESA) Feb 08, 2019
The ExoMars rover that will search for the building blocks of life on the Red Planet has a name: Rosalind Franklin. The prominent scientist behind the discovery of the structure of DNA will have her ... more


Northrop Grumman awarded $17.4M for space tracking system

ROBO SPACE
Programming autonomous machines ahead of time promotes selfless decision-making
Aberdeen Proving Ground MD (SPX) Feb 12, 2019
A new study suggests the use of autonomous machines increases cooperation among individuals. Researchers from the U.S. Combat Capabilities Development Command's Army Research Laboratory, the A ... more
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EXO WORLDS
Scientists discover oldest evidence of mobility on Earth
Cardiff UK (SPX) Feb 12, 2019
Ancient fossils of the first ever organisms to exhibit movement have been discovered by an international team of scientists. Discovered in rocks in Gabon and dating back approximately 2.1 bill ... more
ROBO SPACE
Trumps orders government to prioritize artificial intelligence
Washington (AFP) Feb 11, 2019
President Donald Trump on Monday ordered the US administration to give greater priority to artificial intelligence, a move seen as firing up a battle for leadership with China. ... more
ROBO SPACE
Psychology: Robot saved, people take the hit
Munich, Germany (SPX) Feb 11, 2019
Robots are now being employed not just for hazardous tasks, such as detecting and disarming mines. They are also finding application as household helps and as nursing assistants. As increasing numbe ... more
MOON DAILY
NASA-Industry Partnerships Can Support Lunar Exploration, Reports Say
Washington DC (SPX) Feb 08, 2019
Renewed interest in exploration of the Moon has the potential to benefit lunar science greatly and could evolve into a program facilitated by partnerships between commercial companies and NASA's Sci ... more
TECH SPACE
Momentus Announces Orders are Open for the Vigoride Orbit Transfer Service
Santa Clara CA (SPX) Feb 07, 2019
Momentus, provider of in-space transportation services, has announced that they are taking orders for their Vigoride and Vigoride Extended services (orbital repositioning for satellites with masses ... more
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Curiosity Mars Rover Departs Vera Rubin Ridge
Pasadena CA (JPL) Feb 11, 2019
After exploring Mars' Vera Rubin Ridge for more than a year, NASA's Curiosity rover (https://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl) recently moved on. But a new 360-video lets the public visit Curiosity's final drill site on the ridge, an area nicknamed "Rock Hall." The video was created from a panorama taken by the rover on Dec. 19. It includes images of its next destination - an area the team has been calling ... more
+ More than 835 recovery commands have been sent to Opportunity
+ Developing a flight strategy to land heavier vehicles on Mars
+ NASA's MAVEN spacecraft shrinking its Mars orbit to prepare for Mars 2020 Rover
+ ESA's Mars rover has a name - Rosalind Franklin
+ Beyond Mars, the Mini MarCO Spacecraft Fall Silent
+ InSight's Seismometer Now Has a Cozy Shelter on Mars
+ What Can Curiosity Tell Us About How a Martian Mountain Formed


NASA seeks US partners to develop reusable systems for lunar missions
Washington DC (SPX) Feb 08, 2019
As the next major step to return astronauts to the Moon under Space Policy Directive-1, NASA announced plans on Dec. 13 to work with American companies to design and develop new reusable systems for astronauts to land on the lunar surface. The agency is planning to test new human-class landers on the Moon beginning in 2024, with the goal of sending crew to the surface in 2028. Through mult ... more
+ NASA Administrator says Agency plans to 'go to the Moon and stay'
+ Russia pencils in first manned lunar mission for 2031
+ Spaceflight to launch first privately funded lunar lander
+ NASA-Industry Partnerships Can Support Lunar Exploration, Reports Say
+ Roscosmos, Academy of Sciences: Necessary to Prepare Lawyers for Moon Disputes
+ First look: Chang'e lunar landing site
+ First private spacecraft shoots for the moon
New Horizons' evocative farewell glance at Ultima Thule
Washington DC (SPX) Feb 11, 2019
An evocative new image sequence from NASA's New Horizons spacecraft offers a departing view of the Kuiper Belt object (KBO) nicknamed Ultima Thule - the target of its New Year's 2019 flyby and the most distant world ever explored. These aren't the last Ultima Thule images New Horizons will send back to Earth - in fact, many more are to come - but they are the final views New Horizons captu ... more
+ Ultima Thule is more pancake than snowman, NASA scientists discover
+ Sodium, Not Heat, Reveals Volcanic Activity on Jupiter's Moon Io
+ New Horizons' Newest and Best-Yet View of Ultima Thule
+ Missing link in planet evolution found
+ Juno's Latest Flyby of Jupiter Captures Two Massive Storms
+ Outer Solar System Orbits Not Likely Caused by "Planet Nine"
+ Scientist Anticipated "Snowman" Asteroid Appearance
Study shows unusual microbes hold clues to early life
East Boothbay ME (SPX) Feb 08, 2019
A new study has revealed how a group of deep-sea microbes provides clues to the evolution of life on Earth, according to a recent paper in The ISME Journal. Researchers used cutting-edge molecular methods to study these microbes, which thrive in the hot, oxygen-free fluids that flow through Earth's crust. Called Hydrothermarchaeota, this group of microbes lives in such an extreme environme ... more
+ Better to dry a rocky planet before use
+ Scientists discover oldest evidence of mobility on Earth
+ Massive collision in the planetary system Kepler 107
+ ASU scientists study organization of life on a planetary scale
+ Magnifying glass reveals unexpected intermediate mass exoplanets
+ Where Is Earth's Submoon?
+ Planetary collision that formed the Moon made life possible on Earth
Raptor engine beats Russian RD-180 record in combustion chamber pressure says Musk
Moscow (Sputnik) Feb 12, 2019
The new methane-fueled Raptor engine developed by US SpaceX aerospace company for its Starship interplanetary craft has outperformed the Russian RD-180 rocket engine in terms of pressure level in the combustion chamber, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said on Monday. "Raptor reached 268.9 bar [approximately 274.2 kilograms of power per square centimeter], exceeding prior record held by the awesome Ru ... more
+ Arianespace orbits two telecommunications satellites on first Ariane 5 launch of 2019
+ SpaceX no-load test delayed
+ Launch of Unmanned US Dragon 2 Spacecraft to ISS Set for March 2
+ Learning on the Job: Student Rocket Launches From Norway
+ New photos show russia's first hypersonic space drone
+ Arianespace Rejects Russia Offer to Fix Seam Rupture in Fregat Booster
+ India enlists France's Arianespace to replace dying satellite


China improves Long March-6 rocket for growing commercial launches
Beijing (XNA) Feb 12, 2019
China announced Monday that it is developing the modified version of the Long March-6 rocket to add four solid boosters to increase its carrying capacity. The improved medium-left carrier rocket will be sent into space by 2020, according to the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, which designed the rocket. The Long ... more
+ Seed of moon's first sprout: Chinese scientists' endeavor
+ China to send over 50 spacecraft into space via over 30 launches in 2019
+ China to deepen lunar exploration: space expert
+ China launches Zhongxing-2D satellite
+ China welcomes world's scientists to collaborate in lunar exploration
+ In space, the US sees a rival in China
+ China launches telecommunication technology test satellite
Asteroid from 'Rare Species' Sighted in the Cosmic Wild
Pasadena CA (SPX) Feb 08, 2019
Astronomers have discovered an asteroid looping through the inner solar system on an exotic orbit. The unusual object is among the first asteroids ever found whose orbit is confined almost entirely within the orbit of Venus. The asteroid's existence hints at potentially significant numbers of space rocks arcing unseen in uncharted regions nearer to the sun. A state-of-the-art sky-surveying ... more
+ Possible second impact crater found under Greenland ice
+ Frequent Visitor: Asteroid Larger Than Statue of Liberty Approaches Earth
+ Japan's Hayabusa2 probe to land on asteroid on Feb 22
+ Simulating meteorite impacts in the lab
+ ESA plans mission to smallest asteroid ever visited
+ Ancient asteroid impacts played a role in creation of Earth's future continents
+ Locations on the surface of Ryugu have been named


U.S. Air Force tests microwave, laser weapon systems
Washington (UPI) Jan 23, 2019
The U.S. Air Force announced it is planning future experiments involving laser and microwave energy weapons after recent successes in testing sessions. Future experiments in the Directed Energy Experimentation Campaign are planned at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, the Air Force said Tuesday in a statement. The tests by the 704th Test Group, essentially the use of mi ... more
+ Radiance Technologies tapped for U.S. Army laser research
+ Lockheed Martin's missile defense laser concept continues toward development
+ Lockheed Martin, General Atomics, Boeing compete for laser-armed drone
+ Microwave weapon suspected in mystery attacks on US diplomats: report
U.S. Army to purchase Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system
Washington (UPI) Feb 6, 2019
The U.S. Army will purchase Israeli-made and battle-tested Iron Dome missile defense system, it announced on Wednesday. The system is meant to protect soldiers from indirect-fire battlefield threats by intercepting and destroying incoming missiles, rockets and other artillery. Developed by Israel's state-owned Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries, the s ... more
+ Poland to buy US rocket system for $414 million
+ US Army to buy two Israeli Iron Dome air defense systems
+ Raytheon, Lockheed contracted for Patriot systems for foreign customers
+ Japan approved for $2.15B buy of Aegis Ashore missile defense systems
+ Moscow urges US to abandon plans to resurrect 'Star Wars'
+ Swedish army orders Rheinmetall trucks for Patriot missile systems
+ Israel Successfully Tests Arrow 3 Air Defence System


Scientist sheds light on Titan's mysterious nitrogen atmosphere
San Antonio TX (SPX) Jan 24, 2019
A new Southwest Research Institute study tackles one of the greatest mysteries about Titan, one of Saturn's moons: the origin of its thick, nitrogen-rich atmosphere. The study posits that one key to Titan's mysterious atmosphere is the "cooking" of organic material in the moon's interior. "Titan is a very interesting moon because it has this very thick atmosphere, which makes it unique amo ... more
+ Cassini data show Saturn's Rings relatively new
+ Scientists Finally Know What Time It Is on Saturn
+ Waves in Saturn's rings give precise measurement of planet's rotation rate
+ Saturn hasn't always had rings
+ Evidence of Changing Seasons, Rain on Titan's North Pole
+ NASA Research Reveals Saturn is Losing Its Rings at "Worst-Case-Scenario" Rate
+ Water on Saturn's Moon Phoebe Is Out of This World
Research details sticky situations at the nanoscale
Providence RI (SPX) Feb 08, 2019
Brown University researchers have made a discovery about the way things stick together at tiny scales that could be helpful in engineering micro- and nanoscale devices. In a series of papers, the latest of which is published in Scientific Reports, the researchers show that miniscule differences in the roughness of a surface can cause surprising changes in the way two surfaces adhere to eac ... more
+ Rice lab adds porous envelope to aluminum plasmonics
+ Nano-infused ceramic could report on its own health
+ Aerosol-assisted biosynthesis strategy enables functional bulk nanocomposites
+ Platinum forms nano-bubbles
+ New applications for encapsulated nanoparticles with promising properties
+ Chemical synthesis of nanotubes
+ Carrying and releasing nanoscale cargo with 'nanowrappers'


New squeezing record at GEO600 gravitational-wave detector
Hannover, Germany (SPX) Dec 17, 2018
The detection of Einstein's gravitational waves relies on highly precise laser measurements of small length changes. The kilometer-size detectors of the international network (GEO600, LIGO, Virgo) are so sensitive that they are fundamentally limited by tiny quantum mechanical effects. These cause a background noise which overlaps with gravitational-wave signals. This noise is always presen ... more
+ Mini-detectors for the gigantic
+ Portsmouth researchers make vital contribution to new gravitational wave discoveries
+ Four New Gravitational Wave Detections Announced
+ Universal laws in impact dynamics of dust agglomerates under microgravity conditions
+ Griffith precision measurement takes it to the limit
+ Gravitational waves could shed light on dark matter
+ In five -10 years, gravitational waves could accurately measure universe's expansion
Lightning's electromagnetic fields may have protective properties
Tel Aviv, Israel (SPX) Feb 11, 2019
Lightning was the main electromagnetic presence in the Earth's atmosphere long before the invention of electricity. There are some 2,000 thunderstorms active at any given time, so humans and other organisms have been bathed in extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields for billions of years. These electromagnetic fields - the result of global lightning activity known as Schumann ... more
+ New physical effect demonstrated by University of Bath scientists after 40 year search
+ Scientists simulate a black hole in a water tank
+ How does a quantum particle see the world
+ Why are you and I and everything else here?
+ Superinsulators to become scientists' quark playgrounds
+ NASA's NICER Mission Maps 'Light Echoes' of New Black Hole
+ How black holes power plasma jets


Programming autonomous machines ahead of time promotes selfless decision-making
Aberdeen Proving Ground MD (SPX) Feb 12, 2019
A new study suggests the use of autonomous machines increases cooperation among individuals. Researchers from the U.S. Combat Capabilities Development Command's Army Research Laboratory, the Army's Institute for Creative Technologies and Northeastern University collaborated on a paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The research team, led by Dr. Cels ... more
+ Psychology: Robot saved, people take the hit
+ Trumps orders government to prioritize artificial intelligence
+ A reconfigurable soft actuator
+ Engineers build a soft robotics perception system inspired by humans
+ A step closer to self-aware machines
+ Most people overlook artificial intelligence despite flawless advice
+ Engineers program marine robots to take calculated risks
Hughes satellite modems power beyond-line-of-sight comms for UAVs
Germantown MD (SPX) Feb 11, 2019
Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), the global leader in broadband satellite networks and services, has announced the first shipments of its specialized, multiband HM400 SATCOM modems to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), powering beyond-line-of-sight communications for their next-generation Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) known as the MQ-9B SkyGuardian. Customized to m ... more
+ UK plans drone 'swarm squadrons' after Brexit
+ German Forces Begin Training Courses on Armed Israeli Surveillance Drones
+ Airborne Response supports fire and rescue exercise with drones and aerostats
+ ZX Lidars achieves world-first wind Lidar measurements from a drone
+ Ecuador eradicates Galapagos rats using drones
+ Taiwan unveils new drone as China tensions mount
+ Staff fraud may cost China's DJI drone maker $150 million
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