Space

Space missions have long exemplified humankind's indomitable spirit and boundless ambition. Once the reserve of nations, space is fact opening up to commercial enterprises and could soon be the must-go destination for tourists – provided the accumulation of debris doesn't turn Earth's orbit into a no-go zone. All this comes as missions beyond the Moon provide greater insights into our solar system and more powerful telescopes give us a glimpse at exoplanets light years away. New Atlas keeps you up to date with the latest space news and fantastic images from all corners of the Universe.

Space

Say hello to Hippocamp, Neptune's newest moon

Michael Irving February 20, 2019

Neptune's collection of moons has officially grown to 14. Originally discovered in 2013 and designated S/2004 N 1, this tiny world is described more accurately in a new paper, which also gives it an origin story and, finally, a catchier name. Say hello to Hippocamp.

Astronomers have named and described a tiny new moon orbiting Neptune

Space

Ancient white dwarf with rings calls star system evolution into question

Michael Irving February 19, 2019

A NASA-led citizen scientist project has discovered an ancient white dwarf that’s surrounded by large rings, which is shaking up our understanding of how these systems form.

An illustration of the newly discovered white dwarf and its ring system

Space

InSight begins posting daily weather reports from Mars

David Szondy February 19, 2019

If you've ever wondered what the weather is on Mars, wonder no more. Today, NASA published an online tool that will allow the public to get daily Martian weather reports based on data gathered by the space agency's unmanned InSight lander.

NASA InSight's first full selfie on Mars

Space

Gateway Foundation proposes Von Braun Rotating Space Station

Loz Blain February 18, 2019

The idea of using centrifugal force to create a sensation of gravity in space originated as early as 1903 - but a group of space enthusiasts believes its time has come. Check out Gateway's vision for the Von Braun Rotating Space Station.

Space

Simulated space journeys to help keep the peace on manned trips to Mars

David Szondy February 18, 2019

The first manned, round-trip to Mars could involve up to three years of travel time, so researchers from Northwestern University will be monitoring the crew of two simulated flights to the Red Planet to learn how to help astronauts work and live together in the equivalent to one small room.

The HERA module will be used to test both physiological and psychological effects

Space

Hayabusa 2 prepares to fire projectiles at asteroid Ryugu to kick up dust for collection

Nick Lavars February 18, 2019

Mission scientists in Japan are preparing to lower their Hayabusa 2 probe to the surface of the asteroid Ryugu. As part of this objective, the team will fire metal bullets into the asteroid’s gravely surface, but not without having conducted a dress rehearsal first.

Ryugu, imaged from an altitude of around 6 km

Space Audio available

Experimental satellite successfully uses harpoon to skewer space junk

David Szondy February 17, 2019

Space has the prospect of one day getting a bit cleaner as a satellite harpooned a piece of simulated debris in low Earth orbit. The RemoveDEBRIS technology demonstrator deployed a target panel at the end of a boom, then skewered it with a metal harpoon traveling at 20 m/s (44.7 mph, 72 km/h).

The harpoon test was conducted by the RemoveDEBRIS satellite

Space

InSight deploys deep-digging drill on Mars

David Szondy February 13, 2019

NASA's InSight lander continues to ramp up for the science phase of its mission, having now dropped its the second instrument pack on the Martian surface. Images confirm that the Heat Flow and Physical Properties Package had been placed within a meter of the previously deployed seismometer.

NASA's InSight lander set its Heat and Physical Properties Package (HP3) on the Martian surface

Space Audio available

NASA's newest mission to look for life's ingredients and probe the universe's deep past

Michael Irving February 13, 2019

NASA has selected the newest space mission for its Explorer program: the Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer (SPHEREx). The spacecraft will search for the ingredients of life in the Milky Way, and peer as far as 10 billion years back in time.

An artist's impression of SPHEREx, the mission NASA has just selected for its Explorers program

Space Audio available

Opportunity Mars rover mission ends as NASA abandons rescue effort

David Szondy February 13, 2019

After nearly 15 years, NASA's Opportunity Mars rover mission has come to an end as the space agency announced today that is has discontinued the eight-month recovery effort to revive the silent unmanned explorer and officially declared the Mars Exploration Rover's mission completed.

The Opportunity rover operated for nearly 15 years and covered 28 miles (45 km)