Nasa’s planned mission to retrieve rocks from Mars is in trouble – but it’s a vital step to sending humans to the red planet

New ideas will be key to making the mission happen after a report criticised its timescale and cost.

Yang Gao, Professor of Robotics, Head of Centre for Robotics Research, King's College London • conversation
April 30, 2024 • ~7 min

Nasa to overhaul mission returning samples from Mars – here’s why it must and will go ahead

There’s anxiety among space scientists following Nasa’s decision to rethink sample return mission from Mars.

John Bridges, Professor of Planetary Science, University of Leicester • conversation
April 22, 2024 • ~7 min

Eclipses aren’t just visual spectacles, they are at the heart of scientific efforts to understand distant planets

A type of eclipse is crucial for measuring what’s in the atmospheres of planets orbiting distant stars.

Oisin Creaner, Assistant Professor of Physical Sciences, Dublin City University • conversation
April 8, 2024 • ~6 min

A new generation of spaceplanes is taking advantage of the latest in technology

Spaceplanes seemed out of favour when the shuttle was retired in 2011; they now seem to be making a comeback.

James Campbell, Reader, Brunel University London • conversation
Feb. 8, 2024 • ~9 min

Nasa’s Mars helicopter Ingenuity has ended its mission – its success paves the way for more flying vehicles on other planets and moons

Among the missions being planned is a huge helicopter drone to explore Saturn’s moon Titan.

Kevin Olsen, UKSA Mars Science Fellow, Department of Physics, University of Oxford • conversation
Jan. 29, 2024 • ~7 min

From the Moon's south pole to an ice-covered ocean world, several exciting space missions are slated for launch in 2024

Expect lots of space missions to launch this coming year, with exciting new science to follow.

Ali M. Bramson, Assistant Professor of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Purdue University • conversation
Dec. 26, 2023 • ~9 min

A Nasa spacecraft is on course to deliver material from an asteroid to Earth – here's what we could learn

Missions to asteroids are opening up the secrets of the Solar System

Monica Grady, Professor of Planetary and Space Sciences, The Open University • conversation
Sept. 21, 2023 • ~8 min

Spending time in space can harm the human body − but scientists are working to mitigate these risks before sending people to Mars

Space can damage everything from your cardiovascular and nervous systems to your mental health – long voyages can feel isolating for many.

Rachael Seidler, Professor of Applied Physiology & Kinesiology, University of Florida • conversation
Sept. 19, 2023 • ~8 min

Possible hints of life found on distant planet – how excited should we be?

The results are intriguing, but analysing the atmospheres of exoplanets is no easy task.

Ian Whittaker, Senior Lecturer in Physics, Nottingham Trent University • conversation
Sept. 13, 2023 • ~7 min

Euclid space mission is set for launch – here's how it will test alternative theories of gravity

The Euclid mission is preparing to launch on July 1.

Tessa Baker, Royal Society University Research Fellow, Reader in Cosmology, Queen Mary University of London • conversation
June 27, 2023 • ~8 min

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