China is getting ready to launch three astronauts on a mission to visit the first module for the country’s new space station. The Shenzhou 12 spacecraft and the Long March 2F rocket for the launch have been delivered by rail to Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert, the China Manned Space Engineering Office announced April 15. The spacecraft and launcher are now undergoing final assembly and testing at the launch site, CMSEO said. The Shenzhou 12 mission will send three taikonauts, as China’s astronauts are known, into low…
Read MoreMonth: April 2021
In photos: Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins’ space missions
Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins lived an incredibly colorful and adventurous life; from his birth in Rome to his early work in NASA’s Gemini program and his pivotal, historic flight around the moon. Collins died at age 90 after a long battle with cancer, his family and NASA reported Wednesday (April 28). The astronaut began his career in the Air Force after graduating from West Point. He went on to serve as an experimental test flight officer with the Air Force, logging 5,000 hours of flying time. An accomplished pilot,…
Read MoreHow Does Spaceflight Change Food Appeal?
In space, lost appetites can have serious consequences. A NASA study investigates “menu fatigue” to help better design food systems for multi-year missions.
Read MoreStatements on Passing of Michael Collins
The following is a statement from acting NASA Administrator Steve Jurczyk on the passing of Michael Collins:
Read MoreDark Matter “Wake” in the Milky Way’s Outer Reaches
Astronomers have discovered that a satellite of the Milky Way has left a “wake” in the dark matter halo that surrounds our galaxy. The post Dark Matter "Wake" in the Milky Way's Outer Reaches appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Read MoreConstant Gardening on the Space Station
Astronauts on the space station recently enjoyed a fresh supply of leafy greens, thanks in large part to the efforts of astronaut Michael Hopkins.
Read MoreLego unveils its biggest and best R2-D2 set in time for May the 4th
Is there another droid in all of science fiction quite as well known as R2-D2? We think not. The famed “Star Wars” astromech carried the stolen plans for the Death Star across the deserts of Tatooine, avoided capture on said Death Star and delivered them to the Rebel Alliance on Yavin 4. R2 also suffered being swallowed and unceremoniously spat out by a Dragonsnake on Dagobah and discovered the Millennium Falcon’s hyperdrive had been deactivated on Cloud City not to mention served a mean Gamorrean ice tea on Jabba’s sail…
Read MoreBuild Darth Vader’s helmet, an Imperial Droid and more in these new Lego Star Wars sets
The Force is strong with Lego’s ever-growing “Star Wars” line of toys, which added several new building sets on Monday (April 26). An Imperial Probe Droid and two helmets — a Scout Trooper and Darth Vader — are available in stores starting Monday, while a new R2-D2 is coming out May 1 (a few days before “Star Wars Day” on May 4 because of the well-used pun, “May the Fourth be with you.”) Related: These Lego ‘Star Wars’ helmets are perfect for your Dark Side life Here are some details…
Read MoreNASA adds ULA’s Vulcan Centaur rocket to launch lineup for future missions
NASA has added a new rocket to its lineup of launch vehicles. The next-generation Vulcan Centaur rocket from the United Launch Alliance (ULA)will be added to NASA’s catalog of launchers, thanks to an agreement with the agency’s launch services program. The opportunity allows for new and existing launch providers to introduce new rockets that aren’t currently part of the NASA Launch Services-2 contract. In order to qualify, potential contractors must be able to successfully launch and deliver, at minimum, a 551-lb. (250 kilograms) payload into a 124 miles (200 kilometers)…
Read MoreNASA Astronaut Paints a Picture of Success Growing Plants in Space
Astronauts on the International Space Station recently enjoyed a fresh supply of leafy greens, thanks in large part to the efforts of Expedition 64 crew member Michael Hopkins.
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