Space
A new animation depicting two SpaceX Starships meeting in orbit for propellant transfer has drawn approval from Elon Musk. The visual comes as SpaceX prepares for a NASA-funded demonstration of orbital refueling, a key step for deep-space missions.
Space
NASA has selected five U.S. companies, including Blue Origin, for contracts supporting the Artemis Moon program. Blue Origin will receive $25.6 million for studies and risk reduction, despite its ongoing lawsuit against the agency over the human landing system award. The funding is part of a broader effort to mature lunar lander concepts.
Space
NASA's Curiosity rover, using a wet chemistry experiment on a 2017 Martian soil sample, has detected benzoic acid and ammonia—molecules not previously found on the Red Planet. While not proof of past life, the results expand the known inventory of Martian organics and validate a technique for future searches.
Space
NASA's Parker Solar Probe is set to make its closest-ever pass by the Sun on Christmas Eve, plunging into the corona to study the origins of solar wind. The spacecraft will come within 3.8 million miles of the solar surface, enduring extreme heat to gather data that could explain why the corona is hotter than the Sun's surface.
Space
The SETI Post-Detection Hub at the University of St Andrews is developing protocols for humanity's response to alien contact. Coordinator John Elliott warns that without preparation, society could react chaotically, as seen during the COVID pandemic.
Space
NASA is deploying a software patch to Voyager 2 to address thruster fuel residue and a glitch that affected Voyager 1, aiming to extend the nearly 50-year mission. Engineers are running out of backup options, but the team hopes to reach the 50-year milestone and celebrate.
Space
A water leak forced NASA to cut short a spacewalk, highlighting the aging shuttle-era suits. Adding to the concern, contractor Collins Aerospace has abandoned its work on a replacement, leaving Axiom and SpaceX as potential alternatives.
Space
According to a New York Times report, Elon Musk has offered his own sperm to help establish a Martian settlement, underscoring his deep commitment to making humanity multi-planetary. The report also details Musk's concerns about global fertility rates and his company's ongoing plans for a city on the Red Planet.
Space
Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket suffered a structural failure during testing, jeopardizing its planned October launch for NASA's EscaPADE Mars mission. The mishap adds to years of delays and technical issues, raising doubts about meeting the tight deadline.
Space
A small asteroid, 2024 PT5, has completed its temporary gravitational interaction with Earth, ending a two-month sojourn. The 33-foot object, possibly a chip off the Moon, will return for a brief visit in January before a 30-year hiatus.
