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?

Nick Kanas, Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco • conversation
Feb. 21, 2024 • ~8 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

Lunar science is entering a new active phase, with commercial launches of landers that will study solar wind and peer into the universe’s dark ages

Projects under NASA’s CLPS program will probe unexplored questions about the universe’s formation.

Jack Burns, Professor of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder • conversation
Feb. 5, 2024 • ~8 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

Humans are going back to the Moon to stay, but when that will be is becoming less clear

The US might be facing international competition to be first to return to the Moon.

Simonetta Di Pippo, Director of the Space Economy Evolution Lab, Bocconi University • conversation
Jan. 26, 2024 • ~6 min

Japan is now the 5th country to land on the Moon – the technology used will lend itself to future lunar missions

Japan is one of several countries that weren’t part of the space race of the 1950s and 1960s looking toward the Moon. They’ve now become the 5th country to have landed on its surface.

Mariel Borowitz, Associate Professor of International Affairs, Georgia Institute of Technology • conversation
Jan. 21, 2024 • ~6 min

I’m an artist using scientific data as an artistic medium − here’s how I make meaning

Sarah Nance uses geologic data and a variety of artistic media to help people think about their place in the landscapes they use and occupy.

Sarah Nance, Assistant Professor of Integrated Practice in Art and Design, Binghamton University, State University of New York • conversation
Jan. 19, 2024 • ~8 min

Dark energy is one of the biggest puzzles in science and we're now a step closer to understanding it

The nature of dark energy remains one of the biggest puzzles in cosmology.

Robert Nichol, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean, University of Surrey • conversation
Jan. 8, 2024 • ~6 min

Privatised Moon landings: the two US missions set to open a new era of commercial lunar exploration

The Peregrine and Nova-C landers are due to carry out valuable science at two diverse lunar locations.

Ian Whittaker, Senior Lecturer in Physics, Nottingham Trent University • conversation
Jan. 2, 2024 • ~8 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

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