University Park PA (SPX) Sep 26, 2023
The Earth's crust continued a slow process of reworking for billions of years, rather than rapidly slowing its growth some 3 billion years ago, according to a Penn State-led research team. The new finding contradicts existing theories that suggest the rapid formation of tectonic plates earlier in Earth's history, researchers said. The work may help answer a fundamental question about our p

Syracuse NY (SPX) Sep 26, 2023
There are an estimated 8.7 million eukaryotic species on the planet. These are organisms whose cells contain a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles. Although eukaryotes include the familiar animals and plants, these only represent two of the more than six major groups of eukaryotes. The bulk of eukaryotic diversity comprises single-cell eukaryotic microorganisms, known as protists.

Fitchburg WI (SPX) Sep 26, 2023
Phoenix LLC, an industry leader in neutron imaging, recently played a vital role in ensuring the safety of the successful launch of United Launch Alliance's Delta IV Heavy rocket, which was carrying a high-priority, multi-billion-dollar national security payload for the National Reconnaissance Office. The rocket and its payload, launched to deliver critical intelligence information from space in

Washington DC (SPX) Sep 28, 2023
A new air taxi from the manufacturer Joby Aviation will allow NASA to evaluate how this kind of vehicle could be integrated into our skies for everyday use, while the Air Force researches its potential military use. On Sept. 25, Joby announced the delivery of one of their air taxis - an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft - through a funded contract with their customer,

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Sep 27, 2023
Space Systems Command (SSC) awarded a $10M University-Affiliated Research Center laboratory contract to the Johns Hopkins University (JHU) Applied Physics Lab (APL) to ensure software and cyber best practices are adhered to in the newly awarded Evolved Strategic SATCOM (ESS) ground segment, known as Ground Resilient Integration and Framework for Operational Nuclear Command, Control, and Communic

Berlin, Germany (SPX) Sep 28, 2023
The Moon and Mars are stated targets of European and international space exploration. However, before humans embark on these journeys, robots will explore inhospitable areas, develop local resources and prepare for the landing of astronauts as comprehensively as possible. Exploration missions with autonomous mobile robots will therefore increase significantly in the coming years. To facili

Louisville CO (SPX) Sep 28, 2023
Sierra Space, a leading pureplay commercial space company building the first end-to-end business and technology platform in space with $3.4 billion in customer contracts, announced today it has closed a $290 million Series B funding round. The round brings the company's total capital raised to $1.7 billion, the largest ever capital raise by a commercial space company over the combined Series A a

McLean VA (SPX) Sep 28, 2023
Intelsat, operator of one of the world's largest integrated satellite and terrestrial networks and leading provider of inflight connectivity (IFC), has launched new services in Brazil that combine local support, new teleport facilities, and broader satellite coverage to deliver connectivity services to more users across the region. All of the assets, technology and infrastructure in Brazil

Shanghai, China (SPX) Sep 28, 2023
The nearby radio galaxy M87, located 55 million light-years from the Earth and harboring a black hole 6.5 billion times more massive than the Sun, exhibits an oscillating jet that swings up and down with an amplitude of about 10 degrees, confirming the black hole's spin. The study, which was headed by Chinese researcher Dr. CUI Yuzhu and published in Nature on Sept. 27, was conducted by an

Moffett Field CA (SPX) Sep 28, 2023
On a clear night, with a decent amateur telescope, Saturn and its series of remarkable rings can be seen from Earth's surface. But how did those rings come to be? And what can they tell us about Saturn and its moons, one of the potential locations NASA hopes to search for life? A new series of supercomputer simulations has offered an answer to the mystery of the rings' origins - one that involve