Scientists knew the asteroid Bennu was likely a rubble pile rather than solid rock, but OSIRIS-REX’s recent visit surprised them in showing just how loosely the asteroid really is. The post Asteroid Bennu Almost Swallowed Spacecraft Whole appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Read MoreTag: Spacecraft and Space Missions
Successful Launch of Capstone, the Lunar Gateway Pathfinder
Capstone, a small pathfinder spacecraft with a big mission, launched today to pave the way for crewed return to the Moon. The post Successful Launch of Capstone, the Lunar Gateway Pathfinder appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Read MoreThe Gaia Revolution: New Data and Strange Stars
Astronomers will use the newest data release from the Gaia mission to explore stellar tsunamis, Milky Way history, and more. The post The Gaia Revolution: New Data and Strange Stars appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Read MoreNewest Starlink Satellites Have Gotten Brighter Again
Changes to the design of Starlink satellite spacecraft have made them brighter again, though still dimmer than the original design. The post Newest Starlink Satellites Have Gotten Brighter Again appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Read MoreNASA’s Insight Lander Detects Monster ‘Marsquake’
NASA’s Mars Insight lander witnessed the largest quake detected on another world at just the right time — as the lander begins to run low on power. The post NASA's Insight Lander Detects Monster 'Marsquake' appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Read MoreNew Target for Asteroid Probe: “Potentially Hazardous” Apophis
Once the primary mission of NASA’s OSIRIS-REx is complete, the spacecraft will head toward a new destination: near-Earth asteroid Apophis. The post New Target for Asteroid Probe: “Potentially Hazardous” Apophis appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Read MoreHappy Birthday, Hubble!
The Hubble Space Telescope turns 32 on April 24th, and the team behind the telescope is marking the occasion with the release of a galactic family picture. The post Happy Birthday, Hubble! appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Read MoreApollo 16 in Pictures: “The Most Dazzling Place”
We celebrate Apollo 16 with a look back at photos from the mission that took two astronauts to the lunar surface for three days of exploration. The post Apollo 16 in Pictures: “The Most Dazzling Place” appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Read MoreMission Update: Mars and the Moon
Mission teams presenting at this week’s Lunar and Planetary Science Conference provided updates on the Perseverance and Zhurong rovers at Mars, Chang’e 5’s lunar sample return, and more. The post Mission Update: Mars and the Moon appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Read MoreHow Apollo 17 Is Preparing Artemis for a Return to the Moon
Researchers gear up for Artemis and a new generation of lunar exploration, with a look at samples from the final crewed mission to the Moon. The post How Apollo 17 Is Preparing Artemis for a Return to the Moon appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
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