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.
April 22, 2024 • ~7 min
NASA’s search for life on Mars: a rocky road for its rovers, a long slog for scientists – and back on Earth, a battle of the budget
Determining whether or not life exists on another planet is an extraordinarily complicated – and expensive – scientific endeavor.
March 12, 2024 • ~7 min
Spacesuits need a major upgrade for the next phase of exploration
The next generation of spacesuit needs to do more than simply protect an astronaut from the vacuum of space.
March 6, 2024 • ~7 min
I’ve been studying astronaut psychology since Apollo − a long voyage to Mars in a confined space could raise stress levels and make the journey more challenging
Can astronauts spend prolonged time in close quarters millions of miles from Earth without killing each other?
Feb. 21, 2024 • ~8 min
Studying lake deposits in Idaho could give scientists insight into ancient traces of life on Mars
While NASA rovers on the surface of Mars look for hints of life, researchers back on Earth are studying ‘echoes of life’ from ancient basins – hoping that the two sites might be similar.
Feb. 5, 2024 • ~7 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.
Jan. 29, 2024 • ~7 min
Earth isn't the only planet with seasons, but they can look wildly different on other worlds
You might hate winter, but at least you know what to expect every year. Other planets have wobbly axes that lead to wild, unpredictable seasons.
Jan. 10, 2024 • ~8 min
The longstanding mystery of Mars' moons – and the mission that could solve it
A Japanese spacecraft is expected to reach Martian orbit in 2025 to collect material from the surface of the moon Phobos before returning to Earth by 2029.
Dec. 7, 2023 • ~6 min
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