New Atlas

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Voyager 2 shows first signs of entering interstellar space

Michael Irving October 7, 2018

After 40 years of zipping through the solar system, Voyager 2 appears to be close to leaving the neighborhood. The probe’s instruments have begun picking up radiation signals that suggest it is breaking out of the Sun’s protective bubble, and will soon join its sibling in interstellar space.

Space

NASA launches ice laser satellite atop retiring US booster

David Szondy September 16, 2018

A revolutionary satellite entered space and a veteran rocket retired today as ICESat-2 lifted off from Space Launch Complex-2 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. At 6:02 am PDT atop the last Delta II booster as it headed into a polar orbit 2 to monitor the ice caps using a new laser system.

The United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta II rocket lifting off with the NASA Ice, Cloud and ...

Space Audio available

NASA's "game changing" foldable heat shield makes first flight

David Szondy September 12, 2018

At Spaceport America in New Mexico, a test version of an umbrella-like shield called Adaptable Deployable Entry and Placement Technology (ADEPT) was one of NASA three technology demonstrators sent on a suborbital trajectory by a sounding rocket as part of UP Aerospace’s SpaceLoft 12 mission.

The foldable heat shield will allow for larger planetary mission spacecraft

Space Audio available

World-first solar probe en route to "touch the Sun"

Nick Lavars August 12, 2018

The origin’s of NASA’s Parker Solar Probe mission can be traced back to a paper published 60 years ago by astrophysicist Eugene Parker, describing high speed matter emanating from the center of our solar system. Today the spacecraft carrying his name lifted off and is now en route to the Sun.

The Solar Parker Probe blasts off from Cape Canaveral

Space

New spin on heat shields could cut cost of spacecraft

Ben Coxworth August 10, 2018

If you're building a spacecraft that's going to be landing on a planet that has an atmosphere, then you'd better give it a heat shield. Although some approaches to such shields can be heavy or complex, a University of Manchester PhD student has developed one that's simple, cheap and lightweight.

3D Printing

Lockheed Martin's titanium domes are the largest 3D-printed spacecraft parts yet

Michael Irving July 15, 2018

Lockheed Martin is no stranger to 3D printing components, but now the company has created its largest piece to date – titanium domes to cap off satellite fuel tanks. Using additive manufacturing can help satellites be assembled faster and with less wasted materials.

Lockheed Martin has 3D printed its largest items ever: titanium domes designed to cap off fuel ...

Space

NASA fixes heat shield to Sun-skimming solar probe ahead of August launch

Nick Lavars July 9, 2018

Next month, NASA is set to launch a pioneering new mission. The Solar Parker Probe will will become the spacecraft to most closely orbit our Sun, all things going to plan. And a pretty important part of that plan is the advanced heat shield now installed by NASA engineers.

NASA engineers attach the heat shield to the Solar Parker Probe

Space

First Phantom Express spaceplane engine completed

David Szondy June 5, 2018

The first test engine that will power DARPA's next generation spaceplane has completed assembly. The updated AR-22 rocket engine for the Phantom Express project was completed by Aerojet Rocketdyne for use in ground tests to demonstrate its performance capabilities and fast turnaround design.

Aerojet Rocketdyne has completed assembly of its first AR-22 rocket engine, shown at its facility located ...

Physics

"Impossible" EMDrive thruster may stall after latest experiments

Michael Irving May 24, 2018

Several experiments have shown that the EMDrive can generate thrust from basically nothing – in apparent violation of Newton’s Laws of Motion. Unfortunately, a German team has now built and tested their own EMDrive, and found that environmental factors may have been responsible for false positives.

A prototype of the EMDrive, which can apparently produce thrust without fuel

Space

Tiangong-1 space station burns up over the Pacific

David Szondy April 1, 2018

The US Joint Force Space Command Component has confirmed that at about 5:16 pm PDT on April 1, the derelict Tiangong-1 space station burned up over the southern Pacific Ocean ending weeks of uncertainty as to when and where it would finish its career.

Artist's concept of Tiangong-1 hitting the Earth's atmosphere