Results for: Space Exploration

A speedy asteroid orbiting in time with Earth is likely to be a wayward chunk of the Moon. Scientists speculate they know exactly from which lunar crater it came from. A new study published in the journal Nature Astronomy reveals that when a mile-wide (1.6 kilometers) space rock hit the Moon, the near-Earth asteroid 469219 Kamo’oalewa may have been flung into space, creating the Giordano Bruno crater. Kamo’oalewa’s size, age, and spin all match up with the 13.6-mile-wide (22 km) crater. Additionally, its light reflectance matches that of weathered lunar rock, and its crater sits on the far side of the Moon.

In a major breakthrough, NASA engineers have successfully reestablished communication with Voyager 1, the most distant spacecraft from Earth. This 46-year-old probe, currently over 15 billion miles away, has resumed transmitting intelligible data after experiencing issues with one of its onboard computers since December. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) team was able to remotely relocate the corrupted code, despite the outdated technology of the spacecraft. This successful repair highlights NASA’s ongoing relevance and expertise in space exploration, even as Elon Musk’s SpaceX emerges as a viable option for human spaceflight.

Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, has vehemently denied the existence of extraterrestrial life, stating that he has seen no evidence of their presence despite the extensive presence of SpaceX satellites in Earth’s orbit. This declaration comes in response to a question posed by Tucker Carlson, who expressed his belief in the existence of aliens and their presence on Earth. Musk’s denial is not the first time he has publicly dismissed the idea of extraterrestrial life, having previously stated that it is unknown whether humanity is the only civilization in the observable universe.

Australia has taken a significant leap forward in space exploration with the training of Katherine Bennell-Pegg, its first astronaut to be trained under the Australian flag. This milestone marks a pivotal moment for the nation’s space industry and inspires aspirations for the future generation of scientists and engineers.

NASA’s Voyager 1 probe, the most distant man-made object in space, has resumed sending usable data to ground control after a period of malfunction. Engineers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory identified a software issue and implemented a solution within the limited memory constraints of the spacecraft’s computer system. Voyager 1, launched in 1977, was the first spacecraft to enter the interstellar medium and currently lies over 15 billion miles from Earth. Its twin, Voyager 2, also left the solar system in 2018. Both spacecraft carry ‘Golden Records’ containing information about Earth and its life forms for potential extraterrestrial discovery.

After five months of communication difficulties, NASA engineers have successfully restored contact with Voyager 1, the most distant spacecraft in the cosmos. The probe experienced a communication glitch in November 2023, sending indecipherable data. Through a creative troubleshooting process, the team identified a faulty chip causing the problem and devised a solution to store the affected code elsewhere in the system’s memory. On April 20, Voyager 1 sent readable engineering data, indicating the success of the fix. The team will continue to relocate affected software parts and anticipates receiving science data in the coming weeks, despite Voyager 1’s advanced age and immense distance from Earth.

Katherine Bennell-Pegg, an Australian engineer and mother of two, has fulfilled her childhood dream of becoming an astronaut. She is the first person to graduate as an astronaut under the Australian flag, paving the way for future space exploration and inspiring young Australians to pursue their dreams.

After a year of rigorous training, five Europeans and an Australian have graduated from ESA’s astronaut training program, marking only the fourth astronaut class since 1978. The new astronauts will be eligible for missions to the International Space Station and potentially Artemis moon missions. They bring a wealth of experience in science, medicine, military service, and aviation.

“Deep Sky”, an awe-inspiring IMAX documentary, showcases the incredible imagery captured by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. This 39-minute film follows the telescope’s mission and presents breathtaking cosmic landscapes, exoplanets, and answers to age-old questions about the universe. Directed by Nathaniel Kahn and narrated by Michelle Williams, “Deep Sky” will return to over 300 IMAX screens for one week only in celebration of Earth Day on April 19, 2024.