Cosmic Radiation Reveals Devastating Affects on the Brain—What Plans Will This Change for NASA?

Medicine & Technology May 02, 2015

When it comes to life on Earth, we’re one of the most fragile species there is. But thanks to the rather perfect confluence of circumstances and cosmic events, we’re mostly shielded from the dangers of space. Strong ultraviolet rays are kept out, our vital oxygen and water are kept in, and life continues blissfully. But what happens when we leave our own little planet in search of others? What protection do we have then?

House Science Committee Slashes NASA’s Earth Science Budget

May 01, 2015

In a vote on party lines, Republicans in the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology approved a budget authorization for NASA that would see funding for the Orion and the Space Launch System continue but would slash the agency’s budget for its Earth science division.

NASA’s Messenger Mission Comes to an End As Probe Crashes into Mercury’s Surface

May 01, 2015

The only spacecraft ever to have orbited Mercury has ended its mission by crashing into the surface, leaving behind a new crater as a monument of its landmark achievement.

NASA May Have Just Accidentally Discovered Faster than Light Travel

Apr 30, 2015

Long home to science fiction, traveling faster than the speed of light is quite commonplace as heroes and villains alike zip around their galaxy in an effort to engage each other. It has become so popular, in fact, that you would be hard pressed to find anyone on Earth that didn't know about the concept. Now it seems that scientists could have accidentally brought the notion of faster than light travel out of the realm of science fiction and into real science.

Messenger Prepares to Dive Bomb Mercury

Apr 30, 2015

NASA's Mercury orbiter, Messenger, is going out with a bang as it prepares to dive bomb the planet in glorious fashion, leaving behind a new crater on the planet closest to the sun that will measure approximately 16 meters wide once the dust has settled.

NASA’s Best Photos Yes of Pluto Show Possible Ice Cap

Apr 30, 2015

NASA's New Horizons probe has snapped some of the best photos yet of Pluto and its large moon Charon. The new photos are now beginning to reveal distinct surface features of the distant dwarf planet, including one bright area that could be a snowy polar cap, mission managers said.

Russia Tries to Contact Craft Bound for ISS

Apr 30, 2015

Russia is trying to determine what it is going to do after losing contact with the unmanned cargo craft on route to the International Space Station for a resupply mission. Currently the craft is spinning out of control, NASA said.

What If Astronauts “Lose It” in Space?

Apr 30, 2015

We all know that being an astronaut is no easy task, that is why NASA has one of the most elaborate and difficult psychological tests of any organization on the planet. Despite all the astronauts currently zooming through space have passed these tests, there is always a risk that one might suffer a psychological breakdown while orbiting high above the Earth. If this happens, what are the fellow astronauts supposed to do about it?

Eleven Galaxies on the Run

Apr 25, 2015

A team of Russian astronomers has announced the discovery of eleven galaxies that are on the run, after being pushed away from their original clusters, and are now floating adrift in what scientists describe as intercluster space.

Scientists Catch Light Bouncing Off Exoplanet

Apr 24, 2015

An international team of astronomers says they have managed to take the first visible light spectrum from an exoplanet, giving them yet another new tool to probe the nature of the exoplanet known as 51 Pegasi b, otherwise known as “hot Jupiter.”

NASA’s NExSS Initiative Seeks Out New Life

Apr 23, 2015

NASA’s NExSS Initiative, or Nexus for Exoplanet System Science initiative plans to bring together top research groups and will provide a synthesized approach in the search for habitable exoplanets while also looking for signs of extraterrestrial life.

Celebrate Earth Day with NASA

Apr 22, 2015

Today is the 45th anniversary of Earth Day, and to celebrate NASA has planned a series of activities to celebrate the beauty of our little corner of the galaxy.

NASA and Airforce Rocker Maker Begin Using 3D-Printed Parts

Apr 21, 2015

United Launch Alliance, the company responsible for making many of the rockets for both NASA and the U.S. Air Force, plans to begin using 3D-printed parts in more than 100 flight-ready components for its next generation model of a rocket.

Dawn Delivers Images of Ceres' Bright Spots

Apr 21, 2015

The two bright spots on Ceres that have fascinated scientists and amateur astronomers around the world for months now are back in view in the latest images of the dwarf planet.

Curiosity Observing While On the Move

Apr 20, 2015

NASA's Curiosity Mars rover is on the move this month, but it continues to make observations as it traverses the Red Planet's terrain. On April 16, the mission passed 10 kilometers (6.214 miles) of total driving including 310 meters (one-fifth of a mile) so far this month.