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Study Suggests Venus-like Planets May Be More Common Than Earth-like Ones

Study Suggests Venus-like Planets May Be More Common Than Earth-like Ones

Preliminary findings presented at the European Geosciences Union General Assembly suggest that Venus-like planets, characterized by dense carbon dioxide atmospheres, may be more common in the galaxy than Earth-like planets with liquid water oceans. The study, led by Sean Jordan and colleagues from ETH Zurich, is based on geochemical models of atmospheric formation. These models indicate that as rocky planets cool from their molten state, they are more likely to develop thick CO2 atmospheres. The research highlights the potential prevalence of Venus-like conditions in the galaxy, though these findings are based on modeling rather than direct observation.

NASA's Voyager Golden Record Utilizes Uranium for Timekeeping in Space

NASA's Voyager Golden Record Utilizes Uranium for Timekeeping in Space

NASA's Voyager spacecraft, launched in 1977, each carry a phonograph record known as the Voyager Golden Record. These records contain sounds and images representing Earth, curated by a committee led by Carl Sagan. A unique feature of these records is the inclusion of a small sample of uranium-238 on their covers. This uranium serves as a timekeeping device, allowing any potential finder to measure the decay of the uranium to determine how long the record has been in space. The uranium-238 has a half-life of about 4.5 billion years, making it an ideal choice for long-term time measurement. Additionally, the record covers include a pulsar map, which provides another method for dating the records by comparing the current pulsar rotation periods with those recorded on the cover.

NASA to Broadcast Roscosmos Spacewalk for International Space Station Maintenance

NASA to Broadcast Roscosmos Spacewalk for International Space Station Maintenance

NASA will provide live coverage of a spacewalk conducted by two Roscosmos cosmonauts outside the International Space Station on May 27. The spacewalk, scheduled to last approximately five hours, will involve the installation of a solar radiation experiment and the removal of science hardware from the station's Roscosmos segment. This event marks the second spacewalk for Expedition 74 commander Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and the first for flight engineer Sergei Mikaev. The spacewalk is part of ongoing efforts to maintain and upgrade the space station's capabilities.

NASA Monitors Bus-Sized Asteroid Approaching Earth, Highlighting Space Threats

NASA Monitors Bus-Sized Asteroid Approaching Earth, Highlighting Space Threats

NASA is tracking a bus-sized asteroid, designated 2026 KC1, as it approaches Earth at a speed of 45,522 mph. The asteroid, approximately 27 feet across, will make its closest approach at a distance of 304,000 miles. This event is part of a series of asteroid flybys, including other space rocks like 2026 KF and 2026 JE1, which are also passing near Earth. While these asteroids pose no immediate threat, they highlight the ongoing need for monitoring near-Earth objects to assess potential risks.

NASA's Psyche Spacecraft Utilizes Mars Flyby for Gravity Assist Toward Asteroid Mission

NASA's Psyche Spacecraft Utilizes Mars Flyby for Gravity Assist Toward Asteroid Mission

NASA's Psyche spacecraft executed a close flyby of Mars on May 15, passing within 2,864 miles of the planet's surface. This maneuver was part of its journey to the metal-rich asteroid Psyche. During the flyby, the spacecraft captured detailed images of Mars, including the double-ring Huygens crater. The primary purpose of this flyby was to use Mars' gravity to increase the spacecraft's speed and adjust its trajectory without consuming additional fuel, a technique known as a gravity assist. This strategic move is crucial for conserving propellant for later stages of the mission. The Psyche spacecraft is expected to reach its asteroid target in August 2029, where it will begin mapping the surface and collecting scientific data.

NASA's Artemis II Crew Captures Stunning Images During Lunar Flyby

NASA's Artemis II Crew Captures Stunning Images During Lunar Flyby

NASA's Artemis II mission, a significant step in the Artemis program, involved a crewed lunar flyby that resulted in the capture of over 12,000 photographs. The mission, which took place in April 2026, marked the first time astronauts traveled beyond low Earth orbit since the Apollo era. The crew aboard the Orion spacecraft documented their journey, capturing images of Earth, the Moon, and the unique perspectives of space. These photographs provide both scientific data and a visual record of the mission, showcasing the Moon's surface, Earth from afar, and the conditions inside the spacecraft.

NASA's Artemis II Crew Documents Historic Lunar Flyby with Thousands of Photos

NASA's Artemis II Crew Documents Historic Lunar Flyby with Thousands of Photos

NASA's Artemis II mission marked a significant milestone in space exploration as the first crewed mission in the Artemis program and the first time astronauts traveled beyond low Earth orbit since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972. The four-person crew aboard the Orion spacecraft, launched by NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, embarked on a deep-space test flight. This mission was designed to evaluate navigation systems, communication, life-support technology, and the spacecraft's performance with humans onboard. During their journey, the crew traveled thousands of miles beyond the far side of the Moon before returning to Earth. Throughout the mission, the astronauts captured over 12,000 photographs, documenting their experiences and the breathtaking views of Earth and the Moon from space.

SpaceX Launches Upgraded Starship on Test Flight, Aiming for Moon Missions

SpaceX Launches Upgraded Starship on Test Flight, Aiming for Moon Missions

SpaceX has successfully launched its most advanced Starship yet on a test flight, marking a significant step forward in its space exploration efforts. The launch took place from the southern tip of Texas, with the Starship carrying 20 mock Starlink satellites. Despite some engine issues, the spacecraft completed its journey to the Indian Ocean, where it ended in flames upon impact, a result that was anticipated by SpaceX. This launch is part of SpaceX's ongoing efforts to develop a reusable spacecraft capable of carrying humans to Mars, with the immediate goal of supporting NASA's Artemis program for lunar missions. The latest version of the Starship, known as V3, features enhanced capabilities, including more powerful engines and improved navigation systems.

NASA Highlights 2025 Science Achievements on International Space Station

NASA Highlights 2025 Science Achievements on International Space Station

NASA has released its 2025 Annual Highlights of Results, showcasing significant scientific achievements conducted aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Over 750 investigations were carried out, advancing knowledge in areas such as life in space, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine. Notable projects include a robotic surgery demonstration in microgravity, which tested the feasibility of performing precise surgical tasks in space. Additionally, a study on synthetic bone graft materials showed promising results for bone growth, potentially aiding astronauts in long-duration missions. The research also explored the durability of materials exposed to space conditions, with findings that could enhance radiation shielding for future missions.

Neptune's mysterious moon Nereid may be an original, study shows

Neptune's mysterious moon Nereid may be an original, study shows

Neptune's mysterious, far-flung moon Nereid may be the last of the planet's original companions

NASA Appoints Matt Anderson as 16th Deputy Administrator to Enhance Space Policy Execution

NASA Appoints Matt Anderson as 16th Deputy Administrator to Enhance Space Policy Execution

NASA has officially appointed Matt Anderson as its 16th deputy administrator. The swearing-in ceremony was conducted by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington on May 21. Anderson, who was nominated by President Trump on January 13 and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on May 18, brings extensive experience from the U.S. Air Force, Space Command, and the aerospace industry. His role will involve supporting NASA's efforts in exploration, science, and aeronautics, as well as executing the President's national space policy. Anderson emphasized his commitment to disciplined execution, technical excellence, and fostering a culture of accountability.

NASA's Webb Telescope Reveals Neptune's Moon Nereid as a Potential Original Companion

NASA's Webb Telescope Reveals Neptune's Moon Nereid as a Potential Original Companion

A recent study led by the California Institute of Technology, utilizing NASA's Webb Space Telescope, suggests that Neptune's moon Nereid may be one of the planet's original moons. Unlike Triton, Neptune's largest moon, which is believed to have originated from the solar system's outer regions, Nereid appears to have been part of Neptune's system from the beginning. The study indicates that Nereid survived the cosmic upheaval caused by Triton's arrival by settling into an extreme elliptical orbit around Neptune. This discovery challenges previous assumptions that Nereid might have migrated from the Kuiper Belt, as its composition shows an abundance of ice inconsistent with Kuiper Belt objects.