Berlin, Germany (SPX) Dec 13, 2023
Scientists at the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam (AIP) have discovered a new plasma instability that could dramatically reshape our understanding of cosmic rays and their influence on galaxy dynamics. This novel finding builds upon the foundational work of Victor Hess, who, in the early 20th century, first identified cosmic rays as extraterrestrial in origin, challenging the then-pre

Boulder CO (SPX) Dec 13, 2023
A spacecraft the size of a cereal box has collected precise measurements of the atmospheres of large and puffy planets called "hot Jupiters." The findings, led by a team from the University of Colorado Boulder, could help reveal how the atmospheres around these and a host of other worlds are escaping into space. The observations are the first results to come from a hard-working NASA spacec

Greenbelt MD (SPX) Dec 13, 2023
First there was a gloriously dusty disk. Then the traceable tracks of "exocomets." But 15 years ago this fall, the star system Beta Pictoris yielded one of the most iconic pictures in astrophysics: a direct image of a planet orbiting another star. The young, bright star, some 63 light-years distant and visible to the naked eye, all but overwhelmed the faint light of the planet. When astron

Sydney, Australia (SPX) Dec 13, 2023
In a groundbreaking development, scientists from the China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, in collaboration with researchers from Brown University and the University of Hawaii, have successfully measured the maturity index of lunar soil brought back by China's Chang'e-5 mission. This achievement marks a significant milestone in lunar research, shedding light on the space weathering processes o

Pasadena CA (JPL) Dec 13, 2023
Now at 1,000 days on Mars, the mission has traversed an ancient river and lake system, collecting valuable samples along the way. Marking its 1,000th Martian day on the Red Planet, NASA's Perseverance rover recently completed its exploration of the ancient river delta that holds evidence of a lake that filled Jezero Crater billions of years ago. The six-wheeled scientist has to date collec

Pasadena CA (JPL) Dec 13, 2023
Earth planning date: Monday, December 11, 2023: Today's 2-sol plan was a "Touch and Go" plan, where we do some short science activities (ChemCam and/or MAHLI and APXS) in our workspace early in the morning and then drive to a new workspace. Unfortunately, due to a minor issue with the arm, the weekend plan only partially executed. As Susane reported on Friday, we had planned to DRT the dark tone

Paris, France (SPX) Dec 13, 2023
HyPrSpace, in collaboration with Telespazio France and CT Ingenierie, has recently secured a significant funding boost of euro 35 million for the Agile Space Access Development Project #1 (PADA1). This project, part of the France 2030 initiative, focuses on the development of innovative space access solutions, marking a significant step in the nation's space industry. The PADA1 consortium,

Washington DC (SPX) Dec 13, 2023
Three NASA-funded commercial space station partners are on track for the design and development of their orbital destinations and the transition of agency's low Earth orbit needs from the International Space Station. "We are ending the year on a high note with multiple important milestones being completed by our partners," said Angela Hart, manager of the Commercial Low Earth Orbit Develop

Pasadena CA (JPL) Dec 13, 2023
Engineers are working to resolve an issue with one of Voyager 1's three onboard computers, called the flight data system (FDS). The spacecraft is receiving and executing commands sent from Earth; however, the FDS is not communicating properly with one of the probe's subsystems, called the telecommunications unit (TMU). As a result, no science or engineering data is being sent back to Earth.

ESA Highlights: the best of ESA in 2023

ESA Highlights is a visual showcase of some of ESA’s key achievements over a 12-month period.