Category: Solar System

  • Week in Space 12/31-1/5

    As we start 2019 we are launching a new weekly summary of the activities that happened or relate to space. New Horizons flies by Ultima Thule On New Years eve the New Horizons spacecraft flew past the asteroid 2014-MU69 which is being referred to as Ultima Thule. The asteroid which is 4+ billion miles away…

  • ULA launches NASA’s Solar Parker Probe

    United Launch Alliance (ULA) successfully launched NASA’s Solar Parker Probe on their Delta IV Heavy rocket.  Today was the second attempt to liftoff proceeded smoothly for an on-time lifted off at 3:31 am EDT. The first attempt yesterday was delayed twice before a scrub was called when a new issue occurred at T-1:55m and counting with…

  • ULA launches Mars InSight

    United Launch Alliance (ULA) successfully launched NASA’s Mars InSight lander today aboard their Atlas V rocket in the 401 configuration from Space Launch Complex-3 at Vandenberg Air Force Base. Following a smooth countdown, the rocket lifted off at 7:05 AM EDT and approximately 94 minutes later the spacecraft separated from the upper stage to begin its six-month…

  • Buzz Aldrin

    Today I had the opportunity to meet with Astronaut Buzz Aldrin as part of my role with The Mars Foundation. Buzz is truly a unique character during out time together he had to do a phone interview with a South Dakota radio station which was interesting to listen to.  He discussed many of his ideas…

  • The Little Rover that Could continues to impress

    Eleven years ago the Mars Opportunity Rover landed on the surface of the planet for a planned 90 sol (Mars day) mission, nearly 4000 sols later the rover is still operating.  This week it achieved a another significant milestone becoming the first rover to complete the equivalent of a marathon driving across the surface of…

  • NASA’s New Horizons within One AU of Pluto

    NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft is now less than one AU from Pluto and moving closer by 873,000 miles per day. This week it made a slight course correction to ensure it is able to complete the scientific objectives as it flies past the planet in July. Launched in Jan 2006 the spacecraft has traveled past Jupiter on…

  • NASA’s Dawn Arrives at Dwarf Planet Ceres

    In the first of two NASA missions to arrive at a Dwarf Planet this year NASA’s Dawn Spacecraft, which previously visited the asteroid Vesta, successfully inserted itself into orbit. First launched in 2007, the spacecraft uses three Xenon Ion Thrusters for propulsion.  After launch it traveled to the asteroid Vesta where is spent 14 months…

  • Is NASA out of the Space Business?

    It is now 2015 and in July it would have been four years since an American Spacecraft launched a crew into space. I have heard many people say that NASA is no longer in the space business because of this. In this article we will explore not only the missions that are currently operating in…

  • 2015 The Year of the Dwarf Planets

    It is hard to believe that 2015 is already here, we would like to wish all of you a Happy New Year and look forward to continuing to serve you with fantastic Space News throughout the year. This year promises to be an exciting year as NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft races towards Pluto, Dawn moves…

  • Humans vs Robots for Space Exploration

    Last week the European Space Agency achieved an important milestone in the history of Space Exploration with the first landing on a Comet. The lander named Philae was released from it’s parent spacecraft Rosetta and seven hours later touched down in the surface. Due to some complications the spaecraft ended up bouncing and landed two…