ScientistPankaj: NASA faces tough decisions on Orion capsule's heat shield for Artemis moon missions

Wednesday, October 30, 2024

NASA faces tough decisions on Orion capsule's heat shield for Artemis moon missions

NASA faces tough decisions on Orion's heat shield | China launches crew of 3 to Tiangong space station (video) | Black Friday space gifts 2024: Telescope deals and more

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October 30, 2024

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The Launchpad

NASA faces tough decisions on Orion's heat shield

(NASA)

NASA remains in an ongoing test mode to determine what's behind the ablative thermal protective material that chipped away unexpectedly from the Artemis 1 Orion heat shield during its reentry into Earth's atmosphere back on Dec. 11, 2022.

Full Story: Space (10/29)

China launches crew of 3 to Tiangong space station (video)

(CCTV)

China's next human spaceflight mission is on its way into orbit. A Long March 2F rocket topped with the Shenzhou 19 crew spacecraft lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center today (Oct. 19) at 4:27 p.m. EDT (2027 GMT; 4:27 a.m. Oct. 30 Beijing time), rising into a night sky above the spaceport.

Full Story: Space (10/29)

Space Deal of the Day

Black Friday space gifts 2024: Telescope deals and more

(Unistellar, Vaonis, Meta)

Black Friday is just weeks away and with Prime Day in October ending we've already found some decent early telescope deals, binocular deals, discounts on star projectors, camera price drops, Lego, drones and more. So for space fans looking for a good deal for Christmas gifts now might be the right time to start shopping, ahead of the holiday season.

Full Story: Space (11/14)

Spaceflight

NASA's solar-sailing spacecraft has a bent boom (photo)

(NASA)

NASA's technology-demonstrating Advanced Composite Solar Sail System (ACS3) has a bent boom in Earth orbit, a newly released photo shows. The ACS3 spacecraft launched April 23 to test key aspects of solar sailing, a next-gen propulsion strategy NASA thinks could greatly advance our exploration of the solar system. Solar sails harness the momentum of photons, using their subtle but constant push to cruise through the heavens like a boat through the ocean, without the need for propellant.

Full Story: Space (10/25)

Science & Astronomy

NASA delays budget-cut decision about Hubble and Chandra

(NASA)

NASA is delaying making a final decision about potential cost cuts that will determine the fate of the Chandra X-ray Observatory and affect the Hubble Space Telescope's science program. Although no official word has been given for the reason behind this delay, it seems NASA is keeping its options open until confirming its budget for the new fiscal year.

Full Story: Space (10/29)

Search for Life

Perseverance rover gets stunning view of big Mars crater

(NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/MSSS)

Perseverance has finished its work in Jezero's flats and is now scaling the crater's western rim, on its way to explore new and disparate Mars landscapes. Late last month, however, the rover paused to take in the grand Jezero view -- and to share that vista with its handlers on Earth. Mission team members stitched together 44 photos that Perseverance snapped on Sept. 27, creating a mosaic that features many of the landmarks the rover has explored.

Full Story: Space (10/29)

Entertainment

7 horror films for Halloween - and their cosmic counterparts

(Getty Images/Milamai)

Halloween is approaching quickly, meaning many of us have turned our minds to the more ghoulish and macabre elements of life. So, settle in. It's time to revel in tales of horror and suspense - both on Earth, and beyond. Astronomers and scientists have occasionally satiated their fascination with the uncanny by comparing celestial objects with creatures of mythology and folklore. The most obvious example of this is with the constellations, but it certainly doesn't stop there! Here, we list some of these cosmic monsters - but that's not all. If exploring the eerie universe has you craving a horror-filled evening at home, Space.com has you covered. For each frightening object listed, we've curated a lovely horror film pairing.

Full Story: Space (10/29)