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Ancient Martian rivers revealed in newest satellite images

Michael Irving February 21, 2019

The Red Planet is notoriously dry and dusty, but its scarred surface shows that that wasn’t always the case. A new set of photos from the ESA's Mars Express orbiter demonstrates some pretty clear evidence of an ancient river network that once wound across the Martian landscape.

ESA's Mars Express orbiter has captured some stunning images of dry riverbeds on Mars

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Earth's atmosphere extends much farther than previously thought

David Szondy February 20, 2019

Most people think that the Earth's atmosphere stops a bit above 62 miles, but a new study based on observations by the US-European SOHO satellite shows that it actually extends as far 391,000 mi (630,000 km) or 50 times the Earth's diameter. This makes the Moon a very high altitude aircraft.

New analysis of data captured in the mid 1990s by the SOHO observatory has shown that ...

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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

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ESA has officially named its Mars rover

Anthony Wood February 7, 2019

A panel of experts has chosen Rosalind Franklin as the name for the European Space Agency’s (ESA)’s upcoming Mars rover. The vehicle is currently expected to begin exploring the Red Planet in 2021.

The rover will travel up to 100 meters (328 ft) per Martian day using advanced navigational ...

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ESA studies the effects of lunar gravity on astronauts

David Szondy January 27, 2019

In anticipation of astronauts returning to the lunar surface, ESA's education coordinator David Green and science operations engineer Tobias Weber are leading a study at the space agency's astronaut center in Cologne to learn more about the long-term effects of lunar gravity on the human body.

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European astronauts practice moonwalks in anticipation of new lunar missions

David Szondy January 26, 2019

Fifty years after the first manned mission to the Moon, ESA is training a new generation of astronauts to work on the lunar surface. The new explorers are using simulated moonwalks in Spain to test a range of advanced electronic aids, new geological tools, and improved scientific protocols.

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Europe explores possibility of 2025 lunar mining mission

David Szondy January 23, 2019

ESA has indicated it's interested in mining the Moon by 2025. To help achieve this, the space agency has awarded a one-year contract to ArianeGroup to look into the feasibility of a mining mission to the lunar surface to support a manned outpost as well as producing fuel for deep space missions.

The lunar mining would support missions like the conceptual 3D-printed Moon base

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ExoMars autonomous navigation software proves itself in Mars-like conditions

David Szondy January 17, 2019

One of the software packages that will guide the ESA ExoMars 2020 rover on the Red Planet has passed a major test at the space agency's Planetary Utilisation Testbed. The exercise by the half-scale ExoMars Testing Rover will help the actual rover autonomously navigate Martian hazards.

ExoMars Testing Rover (ExoTeR), seen maneuvering itself carefully through the red rocks and sand of the ...

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New study suggests ancient stars form crystal cores

Anthony Wood January 9, 2019

An international team of astronomers has uncovered the first direct evidence for the theory that the dying husks of ancient stars, known as white dwarfs, solidify into crystals as they age.

Artist's impression of a white dwarf undergoing crystallization

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Blast offs and bubbly: The year in space, 2018

David Szondy December 27, 2018

When it comes to space travel, and space in general, 2018 has been a busy year. It was one marked by remarkable technological firsts, dramatic incidents, and new milestones set. Oh, and space champagne. So, let's look back on the highlights of the year in space, 2018.

2018 saw numerous firsts, including the first road car to head into space