As the US and China race to the Moon, these loopholes in space law could cause conflict

Nations will need to tread carefully on the Moon in order to avoid conflict.

Gbenga Oduntan, Professor of Law, University of Bradford • conversation
Jan. 3, 2025 ~8 min

NASA’s micro-mission Lunar Trailblazer will make macro-measurements of the lunar surface in 2025

Lunar Trailblazer is planned to launch on the first Commercial Lunar Payload Services mission of 2025.

César León Jr., Ph.D. Student of Planetary Geology, Washington University in St. Louis • conversation
Dec. 29, 2024 ~8 min


From new commercial Moon landers to asteroid investigations, expect a slate of exciting space missions in 2025

From exploring the Moon to revealing mysteries of the solar system, space agencies around the world are gearing up for an exciting year of launches and flybys.

Zhenbo Wang, Associate Professor of Mechanical, Aerospace and Biomedical Engineering, University of Tennessee • conversation
Dec. 26, 2024 ~11 min

2 populations of dark comets in the solar system could tell researchers where the Earth got its oceans

Comets without tails, called dark comets, are a newly discovered space object. Now, astronomers know they come in 2 classes.

Darryl Z. Seligman, Postdoctoral Fellow in Physics and Astronomy, Michigan State University • conversation
Dec. 20, 2024 ~8 min

In Disney’s ‘Moana,’ the characters navigate using the stars, just like real Polynesian explorers − an astronomer explains how these methods work

Disney’s ‘Moana’ movies have brought a new level of excitement for astronomy and wayfinding, says an astronomer who regularly hosts planetarium shows.

Christopher Palma, Teaching Professor, Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics, Penn State • conversation
Dec. 20, 2024 ~7 min

The Moon might be older than scientists previously thought − a new study shines light on its history

An extreme heating event may have interfered with scientists’ attempts to figure out the Moon’s age by dating lunar rock samples.

Francis Nimmo, Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz • conversation
Dec. 18, 2024 ~7 min

How does the International Space Station orbit Earth without burning up?

The International Space Station is an engineering feat that has led to countless scientific discoveries. Like the thousands of satellites in orbit, it manages to stay up in the atmosphere.

Kelly Griendling, Lecturer of Aerospace Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology • conversation
Dec. 16, 2024 ~8 min

NASA’s crew capsule had heat shield issues during Artemis I − an aerospace expert on these critical spacecraft components

It’s a good idea to make sure your spacecraft can take the heat that comes with reentering Earth’s atmosphere before you put people in it.

Marcos Fernandez Tous, Assistant Professor of Space Studies, University of North Dakota • conversation
Dec. 12, 2024 ~8 min


Pearl Young, the first woman to work in a technical role at NASA, overcame barriers and ‘raised hell’ − her legacy continues today

Many of her male colleagues believed Pearl Young had an attitude problem based on her efforts to advocate for herself and her team.

Caitlin Milera, Research Assistant Professor of Aerospace, University of North Dakota • conversation
Dec. 10, 2024 ~8 min

What is the universe expanding into if it’s already infinite?

The universe is constantly expanding, but how do scientists think about what it’s expanding into?

Nicole Granucci, Instructor of Physics, Quinnipiac University • conversation
Dec. 9, 2024 ~8 min

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