The final pair of NASA’s TROPICS (Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats) are in orbit after successfully launching at 11:46 p.m. EDT, May 25, (3:46 p.m. NZST Friday, May 26th), completing the constellation.
Read MoreMonth: May 2023
Hubble Captures a Drifting Galaxy
The jellyfish galaxy JW39 hangs serenely in this image from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope.
Read MoreNASA to Discuss Science on Next SpaceX Cargo Launch to Space Station
NASA will host a media teleconference at 2 p.m. EDT Tuesday, May 30, to discuss the next science investigations, technology demonstrations, crew supplies, and hardware bound for the International Space Station aboard SpaceX’s 28th commercial resupply services mission for the agency.
Read MoreMilky Way’s cosmic neighbors help bring ancient galaxies into focus
Astronomers are spying on the Milky Way’s neighbors, assessing the amount of light that escapes from them and how this is connected to each galaxy’s physical properties. This deep investigation of our local universe could help scientists better understand the early, distant galaxies currently being observed by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and the Hubble Space Telescope. Because galaxies in the early universe are incredibly faint and thus difficult to observe, a team of astronomers led by Jens Melinder of the University of Stockholm in Sweden set out to…
Read MoreToday is Towel Day! Salute the legacy of ‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’ author Douglas Adams
Today, May 25, is officially known as Towel Day. This day is meant to honor the beloved author of “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,” Douglas Adams, whose writings have inspired multitudes of writers, painters, scientists, filmmakers, astronomers, artists, engineers, space station astronauts and kindred souls of all stripes. It’s a special day for fans and friends to gather and celebrate Adams and the sublime insanity of “The Hitchhiker’s Guide.” To commemorate Adams on Towel Day, true fans of “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” will tote their towels around…
Read MoreVirgin Galactic aces final test spaceflight, eyes start of commercial service in June
Virgin Galactic aced its fifth test flight to suborbital space this morning (May 25), likely keeping the company on track to start commercial operations next month. Today’s mission, known as Unity 25, was Virgin Galactic’s first trip to the final frontier since July 2021, when it sent up billionaire Virgin Group founder Richard Branson and several other passengers. But don’t expect such a long gap between Unity 25 and the company’s next spaceflight. “We think if all this goes well, we’ll be ready to fly our first commercial flight in…
Read More‘Alien’ signal beamed to Earth from Mars in SETI test
An ambitious new SETI (search for extraterrestrial intelligence) test is underway. At 3 p.m. EDT (1600 GMT) today (May 24), Europe’s Trace Gas Orbiter Mars probe beamed a coded message toward Earth. Sixteen minutes later, it was received by three big radio telescopes on Earth, kicking off a global effort to decipher the cryptic signal. That effort is A Sign in Space, a multiweek project led by Daniela de Paulis, the current artist in residence at the SETI Institute in Mountain View, California and the Green Bank Observatory in West…
Read MoreNew Vulcan Centaur rocket may test-fire its engines on the launch pad for 1st time on May 25
United Launch Alliance (ULA) is gearing up for a critical test firing of its next-generation rocket after a recent fueling check, and it could happen as soon as this week. On Monday morning (May 22), Bruno stated on Twitter that the company’s new Vulcan Centaur rocket was returning to Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Now that the rocket is back at the pad, Vulcan’s static fire test (in which the rocket’s engines are ignited while it remains on the ground) could happen any day.…
Read MoreVirgin Galactic readies for final test flight to suborbital space on Thursday
Virgin Galactic is gearing up for a big mission on Thursday (May 25) — its final test flight to suborbital space before starting commercial service. Virgin Galactic will send six people toward suborbital space no earlier than 10 a.m. EDT (8 a.m. MDT or 1300 GMT) from Spaceport America in New Mexico. While the event will not be livestreamed, you will likely be able to follow along live on Virgin Galactic’s Twitter feed. The flight will include eight individuals, six of whom will fly on the space plane VSS Unity and two who…
Read MoreStrategic Partnerships Manager Anita Dey
“If I can advocate for all the groups that need equity, I’m glad to do it.” – Anita Dey, Strategic Partnerships Manager, Outreach and Engagement, NASA Headquarters
Read More