The Polaris Dawn mission to Earth’s orbit will test SpaceX’s capabilities for a commercial space program

The Polaris Dawn mission will test communications, perform research and conduct a spacewalk with SpaceX extravehicular spacesuits.

Wendy Whitman Cobb, Professor of Strategy and Security Studies, Air University • conversation
Aug. 23, 2024 ~8 min

The Moon was once covered by an ocean of molten rock, data from India’s space mission suggests

The new study seems to confirm that molten magma covered the Moon’s surface shortly after its formation.

Joshua Snape, Royal Society University Research Fellow, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester • conversation
Aug. 21, 2024 ~8 min


Space missions are getting more complex − lessons from Amazon and FedEx can inform satellite and spacecraft management in orbit

The space missions of the future will need to coordinate multiple satellites and spacecraft − and figure out how to refuel, repair and even replace them in orbit.

Mariel Borowitz, Associate Professor of International Affairs, Georgia Institute of Technology • conversation
Aug. 21, 2024 ~8 min

Can brewing beer in outer space make it better?

A new study provides insights into how beer yeast might behave when fermented in outer space.

U. Florida • futurity
Aug. 20, 2024 ~4 min

Slingshot in space: the tricky manoeuvre that will use Earth and the Moon to send the Juice mission to Jupiter

The manoeuvres will set up an encounter with Jupiter in 2031.

Christopher Bridges, Reader in Onboard Data Handling, University of Surrey • conversation
Aug. 19, 2024 ~7 min

Astronomers have warned against colonial practices in the space industry − a philosopher of science explains how the industry could explore other planets without exploiting them

Space may be considered the final frontier, but the US was once a frontier, too. How can space industry leaders avoid repeating practices that led to colonialism in the 18th century and beyond?

Mary-Jane Rubenstein, Dean of Social Sciences, Professor of Religion and Science and Technology Studies, Wesleyan University • conversation
Aug. 19, 2024 ~9 min

Boeing Starliner astronauts: what six months stuck in space may do to their perception of time

Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams were supposed to stay around eight days on the space station.

Daniel Eduardo Vigo, Senior Researcher in Chronobiology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Argentina • conversation
Aug. 16, 2024 ~7 min

Study: Rocks from Mars’ Jezero Crater, which likely predate life on Earth, contain signs of water

The presence of organic matter is inconclusive, but the rocks could be scientists’ best chance at finding remnants of ancient Martian life.

Jennifer Chu | MIT News • mit
Aug. 14, 2024 ~8 min


Chinese Rocket Breaks Up in Space, Releasing Hundreds of Debris Pieces

VOA Learning English • voa
Aug. 13, 2024 ~4 min

SpaceX’s Elon Musk endorsed Donald Trump for president – what this could mean for US space policy

Elon Musk’s support of Donald Trump could earn him some influence over space policy if Trump wins the 2024 election.

Svetla Ben-Itzhak, Assistant Professor of Space and International Relations, Johns Hopkins University • conversation
Aug. 13, 2024 ~10 min

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