Los Angeles CA (SPX) Feb 28, 2025
The Andromeda galaxy, situated 2.5 million light-years from Earth, appears to the unaided eye as a dim, spindle-shaped formation comparable in size to the full Moon. However, beyond this faint glow lies a dynamic environment teeming with nearly three dozen small satellite galaxies orbiting Andromeda like a hive of bees. NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has provided an unprecedented view of th

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Feb 28, 2025
BAE Systems (LON: BA) has been chosen to construct the spacecraft bus for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) forthcoming Space Weather Next L1 Series mission. Designed as the successor to the Space Weather Follow-On L1 (SWFO-L1) mission, which is set for launch this year, the new spacecraft will deliver critical data to NOAA's Space We

Tokyo, Japan (SPX) Feb 28, 2025
Astronomical research has identified nearly 6,000 exoplanets, some of which reside in habitable zones where liquid water may exist on their surfaces. The quest to detect life on these distant worlds remains one of the foremost scientific challenges of the 21st century, with ongoing development of direct imaging technologies aimed at detecting biosignatures. On Earth-like planets, one of th

Berlin, Germany (SPX) Feb 28, 2025
Planetary-mass objects (PMOs) are celestial wanderers, freely drifting through space without being bound to any star. Weighing less than 13 times the mass of Jupiter, these objects have been observed in abundance within young star clusters like the Trapezium Cluster in Orion. While their origins have long puzzled scientists, prevailing theories have suggested they might be either failed stars or

East Lansing MI (SPX) Feb 28, 2025
Astronomers have long grappled with the question, How do planets form? A new collaboration among Michigan State University, Arizona State University and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory will seek to answer this question with the help of a powerful telescope and high-performance computers. The team of researchers will use 154 hours on the James Webb Space Telescope, or JWST, to probe

Washington (AFP) Feb 27, 2025
Pop star Katy Perry is set to "shoot across the sky" this spring when she lifts off as part of a six-member, all-female crew on Blue Origin's next space flight, the company announced Thursday. As if answering the call of her hit song "E.T.," Perry will embark on a star-studded journey alongside journalist Lauren Sanchez, who is Blue Origin owner Jeff Bezos's fiancee, and CBS Mornings co-host

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Feb 28, 2025
Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) has signed its second multi-launch agreement with the Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc. (iQPS), significantly expanding their collaboration. This latest deal secures eight dedicated Electron launches for iQPS, reinforcing Rocket Lab's position as a leading provider of reliable satellite launch services. The agreement builds upon a previous mult

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Feb 28, 2025
Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB), a leading provider of launch services and space systems, has announced 'Return On Investment,' a specialized ocean platform designed for Neutron rocket landings at sea. The platform, a 400-foot (122-meter) repurposed barge, will be outfitted with autonomous ground support systems to capture and secure the returning Neutron rocket. Other enhancements wil

Moffett Field CA (SPX) Feb 28, 2025
NASA engineers have successfully installed a high-performance heat shield on the first private spacecraft set to explore Venus, marking a significant milestone in commercial space exploration. The mission, led by Rocket Lab in partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), represents the first privately funded venture to Venus.

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Feb 28, 2025
NASA has chosen eight scientists to participate in its Lucy mission, an initiative aimed at studying the Jupiter Trojan asteroids. These celestial bodies, considered remnants from the early solar system, follow stable orbits linked to Jupiter but remain at significant distances from the planet. The Lucy mission's Participating Scientist Program for the L4 Trojans enables researchers to con