March 2021 – Page 12 – NeRDs Moonbase

Hubble Space Telescope is back online after software glitch

March 12, 2021 NeRD

The venerable Hubble Space Telescope is recovering from a glitch that halted its science operations over the weekend, according to NASA. The telescope entered “safe mode” unexpectedly on Sunday morning (March 7), stalling the observatory’s science observations due to an apparent software glitch. Science operations resumed late Thursday (March 11). While Hubble is partially back to work, NASA is still troubleshooting one instrument on the 30-year-old telescope, according to a statement released on Friday (Mar. 12). “The telescope has completed its first observation since returning to science mode, using the…

‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ has started principal photography

March 12, 2021 NeRD

Principal photography has begun on the much-anticipated premiere season of “Strange New Worlds,” according to Variety. This latest spin-off series will follow the adventures of Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount), Mr. Spock (Ethan Peck) and Number One (Rebecca Romijn) on the USS Enterprise and is set, in essence, as a prequel to “The Original Series” before James T. Kirk took command of the Constitution-class starship. You may recall, that while the crew of the USS Discovery defeated the evil A.I. called Control, saved the sphere data and used the tortuous…

Testing the Mars Helicopter

March 12, 2021 NeRD

In this image from Jan. 18, 2019, Teddy Tzanetos, MiMi Aung and Bob Balaram of NASA’s Mars Helicopter project observe a flight test of a model of the Mars Helicopter.

NASA Awards Rapid IV On-Ramp 1 Contract for Spacecraft Systems, Services

March 12, 2021 NeRD

NASA has awarded contracts to Thales Alenia Space France of Cannes, France, and Thales Alenia Space Italia S.p.A. of Rome, Italy, under the On-Ramp feature of the Rapid Spacecraft Acquisition IV (Rapid IV) contract.

Zodiacal Dust Seen from Earth Might Come from Mars

March 12, 2021 NeRD

Much of the solar system’s interplanetary dust — seen as zodiacal light from Earth — might come from Mars. The post Zodiacal Dust Seen from Earth Might Come from Mars appeared first on Sky & Telescope.

California Students to Hear from NASA Astronauts Aboard Space Station

March 12, 2021 NeRD

Students from across California will have an opportunity Thursday, March 18, to hear from NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station.

Space Station Science Highlights: Week of March 8, 2021

March 12, 2021 NeRD

Scientific experiments conducted aboard the International Space Station the week of March 8 included studies of how liquids behave in closed spaces, optimal conditions for producing high-quality protein crystals, and plant growth in space.

Space Station Crew to Relocate Soyuz to Make Room for New Crewmates

March 12, 2021 NeRD

Three residents of the International Space Station will take a spin around their orbital neighborhood in the Soyuz MS-17 on Friday, March 19, relocating the spacecraft to prepare for the arrival of the next set of crew members.

NASA Needs Pi!

March 12, 2021 NeRD

NASA uses pi every day!

This Week’s Sky at a Glance, March 12 – 20

March 12, 2021 NeRD

The waxing Moon passes between Mars and Aldebaran in the evening sky. Arcturus, the “Spring Star,” climbs up in the east, while wintry Orion tilts down in the southwest. The post This Week's Sky at a Glance, March 12 – 20 appeared first on Sky & Telescope.