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NASA's Psyche probe nears Mars for gravity boost en route to metal-rich asteroid

NASA's Psyche probe nears Mars for gravity boost en route to metal-rich asteroid

By Steve Gorman LOS ANGELES, May 14 (Reuters) - NASA's Psyche probe was headed for a close encounter with Mars on Friday and a planned gravity boost to set the spacecraft on its final course to the solar system's largest known metallic asteroid, thought to be the remnant core of an ancient
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SpaceX Confirms Launch Window for Starship V3, Aiming for Late 2026

SpaceX Confirms Launch Window for Starship V3, Aiming for Late 2026

SpaceX Confirms Launch Window for Starship V3, Aiming for Late 2026
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NASA's Psyche Spacecraft to Perform Mars Flyby En Route to Metal Asteroid

NASA's Psyche Spacecraft to Perform Mars Flyby En Route to Metal Asteroid

NASA's Psyche spacecraft is set to perform a close flyby of Mars this week, utilizing the planet's gravity to gain momentum for its journey to a rare metal asteroid. The spacecraft, named after its target, will pass within 2,800 miles of Mars, equivalent to the distance between the U.S. east and west coasts. This maneuver is part of its six-year mission, which began with its launch in 2023. The spacecraft is equipped with science instruments that will be active during the Mars pass, capturing thousands of images for both scientific and operational purposes. The mission aims to study the asteroid Psyche, believed to be the exposed nickel and iron core of a protoplanet, offering insights into the early solar system and planetary formation.
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Artemis 2 Mission Releases Stunning Earth Views from Deep Space

Artemis 2 Mission Releases Stunning Earth Views from Deep Space

NASA has released a collection of approximately 12,000 photographs from the Artemis 2 mission, offering breathtaking views of Earth from deep space. The mission, which took place from April 1 to April 10, involved a crewed lunar flyby without landing, marking the first time astronauts traveled beyond low Earth orbit since 1972. The images, captured by astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen, highlight Earth's changing appearance from space, including iconic moments like the 'Earthset' image. The mission's primary goal was to test the Orion spacecraft's systems for future expeditions, but the photographs have become a significant point of interest, showcasing Earth's beauty and the mission's success.
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SpaceX Confirms Launch Window for Starship V3, Aiming for Moon and Mars Missions

SpaceX Confirms Launch Window for Starship V3, Aiming for Moon and Mars Missions

SpaceX Confirms Launch Window for Starship V3, Aiming for Moon and Mars Missions
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NASA's Psyche Mission Utilizes Mars Flyby for Trajectory Adjustment and Instrument Testing

NASA's Psyche Mission Utilizes Mars Flyby for Trajectory Adjustment and Instrument Testing

NASA's Psyche mission, launched in 2023, is on a 2.2-billion-mile journey to the metal-rich asteroid Psyche, expected to arrive in August 2029. As part of its trajectory, the spacecraft is performing a gravity assist flyby of Mars, which will increase its speed and align it with the asteroid's orbit. During this maneuver, the mission team is also testing the spacecraft's instruments and collecting scientific data. The Psyche spacecraft will pass approximately 2,800 miles above Mars, capturing images and data that will help refine its instruments for the asteroid encounter. The mission aims to study the asteroid's surface and composition, potentially revealing insights into the early solar system.
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NASA's Psyche Spacecraft Utilizes Mars Flyby for Gravity Boost on Journey to Metal Asteroid

NASA's Psyche Spacecraft Utilizes Mars Flyby for Gravity Boost on Journey to Metal Asteroid

NASA's Psyche spacecraft is currently executing a flyby of Mars to gain a gravity boost as it continues its journey to a rare metal asteroid named Psyche. This maneuver is part of a six-year mission that began in 2023, with the spacecraft expected to reach its destination in 2029. The flyby will bring the spacecraft within 2,800 miles of Mars, allowing it to capture thousands of images for both scientific and navigational purposes. The mission aims to study the asteroid, which is believed to be the exposed nickel and iron core of a protoplanet, providing insights into the early solar system and the formation of Earth. The spacecraft is equipped with solar electric propulsion and will use xenon gas thrusters to navigate through space.
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NASA's Next-Gen Space Processor Undergoes Testing to Enhance Space Missions

NASA's Next-Gen Space Processor Undergoes Testing to Enhance Space Missions

NASA, in collaboration with Microchip Technology Inc., is testing a new High Performance Spaceflight Computing processor designed to significantly boost the computational power of spacecraft. This next-generation processor, developed through a partnership with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), aims to withstand the harsh conditions of space while providing up to 100 times the computational capacity of current spaceflight computers. The processor is being subjected to rigorous tests, including radiation, thermal, and shock evaluations, to ensure its durability in space environments. The technology is expected to enable autonomous spacecraft to use artificial intelligence for real-time responses to complex situations, thereby accelerating scientific discoveries and supporting future human missions to the Moon and Mars.
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NASA Investigates Bacterial Behavior in Space to Enhance Future Missions

NASA Investigates Bacterial Behavior in Space to Enhance Future Missions

NASA's ODYSSEY project is examining how bacteria behave in microgravity environments, with experiments conducted both aboard the International Space Station and in Earth-based microgravity simulators. The research focuses on two bacterial species to understand their growth, biofilm formation, and genetic material exchange in space. This study aims to improve the success of future space missions and develop strategies to control infections in hospitals on Earth. The project is led by Camilla Urbaniak from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
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Kathleen Harmon Plays Key Role in NASA's Artemis Program

Kathleen Harmon Plays Key Role in NASA's Artemis Program

Kathleen Harmon, captivated by Apollo launches as a child, now serves as the Artemis II mission interface manager for NASA’s Deep Space Network. This network, managed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, is the largest scientific telecommunications system globally, supporting over 40 missions exploring deep space. Harmon’s role involves preparing missions for launch and operations, requiring coordination across international partners. The Deep Space Network is crucial for NASA’s Moon-bound Artemis missions, providing a communication lifeline to spacecraft across the solar system. Harmon ensures the network is ready to support Artemis II, maintaining connectivity with spacecraft and facilitating the return of scientific data to Earth.
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NASA's ODYSSEY Project Studies Bacteria in Space and Simulated Microgravity

NASA's ODYSSEY Project Studies Bacteria in Space and Simulated Microgravity

NASA's ODYSSEY project, led by Camilla Urbaniak at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, is investigating how bacteria behave in microgravity. The study focuses on two bacterial species to understand their growth, biofilm formation, and genetic material exchange in space. Experiments are conducted both on the International Space Station and in Earth-based microgravity simulators to compare results. This research aims to enhance the success of future space missions and develop strategies to control infections in hospitals on Earth.
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NASA's Psyche spacecraft buzzing Mars on its way to a rare metal asteroid

NASA's Psyche spacecraft buzzing Mars on its way to a rare metal asteroid

A NASA spacecraft chasing a rare metal asteroid is swinging past Mars for a gravity boost