Space
A New York Times report reveals that in 2012, Google DeepMind cofounder Demis Hassabis pointed out a critical flaw in Elon Musk's Mars colonization plan: AI could follow humans to the Red Planet. Musk, reportedly speechless, later invested in DeepMind but eventually called the company his top AI concern.
Space
NASA's Perseverance rover has arrived at a new vantage point overlooking the Séítah region of Jezero Crater, marking the start of its dedicated science campaign. The rover will use its autonomous driving capability to explore layered rocks and dunes that may hold clues to ancient microbial life.
Space
A Falcon 9 rocket stage bound for the International Space Station was damaged when it struck a bridge during transport, forcing SpaceX to postpone the Crew-5 launch to late September. The incident adds to a series of hardware challenges for the company, while the mission's crew, including a Russian cosmonaut, remains confident in the vehicle's safety.
Space
A British planetary scientist challenges Harvard's Avi Loeb's claim that tiny spherules found on the Pacific Ocean floor are from an interstellar meteorite, suggesting they could be fallout from Cold War-era nuclear tests on the Marshall Islands. She calls for further analysis to settle the origin of the particles.
Space
Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, already years behind schedule and over budget, faces another delay after a helium leak was found in its service module. The launch, now targeted for May 21, marks the latest in a series of technical issues, including a recent valve problem on the Atlas V rocket. NASA and Boeing are conducting additional testing to ensure safety before the first crewed flight.
Space
Boeing recorded zero net sales of its 737 Max in April and May, with only three other planes sold in May. The slump follows the Alaska Airlines door plug incident and ongoing scrutiny, though the company's backlog remains strong at over 5,600 orders.
Space
Theoretical physicist Claudius Gros of Goethe University has outlined a concept for sending a 1.5-ton spacecraft with mini-labs to seed life on exoplanets like TRAPPIST-1. Using laser and magnetic sails, the journey would take 12,000 years. The proposal raises ethical questions about humanity's long-term role in the cosmos.
Space
Two NASA astronauts whose eight-day mission stretched to eight months due to Boeing Starliner issues plan to vote from the International Space Station. They requested absentee ballots, which NASA transmits electronically, continuing a practice that allows Americans in orbit to participate in elections.
Space
Astronomers confirmed a sub-Earth planet, Barnard b, orbiting Barnard's star, the closest single star to our Sun at six light-years. The discovery, made with the Very Large Telescope, marks the first known planet around this star and adds to the growing census of low-mass worlds in our cosmic neighborhood.
Space
The European Space Agency's Hera spacecraft and two cubesats launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket to investigate the asteroid Dimorphos, which NASA deliberately struck in 2022. The mission aims to assess the impact's effects and gather data on the binary asteroid system, with arrival expected in 2026.
Space
Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin predicts humans will reach Mars by 2040, emphasizing that the journey hinges on inspiring and educating the next generation in STEM fields. He points to current technological advances and the need for sustained investment in youth as critical to making the mission a reality.
Space
NASA, the Department of Energy, and Los Alamos National Laboratory are developing Kilopower, a compact nuclear reactor that could provide reliable electricity for future Mars and Moon missions. The reactor, tested in 2018, offers a scalable power solution for habitats, with plans for multiple units to meet mission needs.
Space
A UK-led experiment, RemoveDEBRIS, is aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule heading to the International Space Station to test net-based and harpoon-based methods for capturing orbital debris. The mission aims to prove that cleaning up space junk can be done affordably, addressing a growing threat to satellites.
Space
China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian on Tuesday accused the United States of militarizing outer space, citing espionage and the development of space weapons. The criticism follows the Pentagon's request for a 40% budget increase for the Space Force, raising concerns about a new arms race beyond Earth.
Space
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine outlines a bold new approach to lunar exploration, emphasizing a sustainable presence and collaboration with private companies. The plan involves the Lunar Gateway and aims to prepare for future Mars missions.
Space
An Israeli spacecraft is carrying a disc with 25,000 books, Wikipedia, and language guides to the Moon, part of a project to preserve human knowledge for billions of years. The archive, created by the Arch Mission Foundation, launched Thursday on a SpaceX Falcon 9. It is one of several planned backups across the solar system.
Space
A legal expert argues that current international treaties banning nuclear weapons in space could hinder humanity's ability to deflect a catastrophic asteroid. He proposes establishing a new global framework now to authorize nuclear strikes on threatening space rocks, avoiding political gridlock during an actual crisis.
Space
A NASA safety review panel revealed that Boeing's first uncrewed Starliner test in December nearly ended in a catastrophic failure due to a valve mapping software issue. The problem could have caused incorrect thruster firing during re-entry, risking the spacecraft's loss. NASA is now deciding whether to require another uncrewed test before allowing astronauts on board.
Space
SpaceX has positioned its latest Starship prototype, SN9, on the launch pad, following the explosive conclusion of the SN8 test flight. The company is preparing for another high-altitude attempt, though no official date has been set. Road closures hint at a possible test before year's end.
Space
NASA has released video footage documenting the Perseverance rover's landing on Mars, revealing the intricate sequence of parachute deployment, heat shield separation, and the skycrane maneuver that delivered the rover safely. The footage captures the tension at mission control, where cheers erupted upon confirmation of the successful touchdown.
