Articles
Skating on Ice: A Physics Mystery
Sometimes physics struggles to provide clear answers to questions that seem simple. One of these questions is why ice is slippery. Although humans have been slipping on ice for many years, scientists still haven’t agreed on a single theory that fully explains why. A new study offers a potential answer.
A Launch Stand-Down and a Million-Satellite Plan: This Week in Space
Falcon 9 launches were suspended after a rare anomaly; SpaceX is merging and seeking approval to deploy one million satellites; an Israeli partnership with the International Space University, and a small victory for darkness. This Week in Space
Heading Back to the Moon: Inside Artemis II
For the first time in more than half a century, humans will leave low Earth orbit and fly close to the Moon—without landing. Artemis II is meant to be the next step toward returning astronauts to the lunar surface, but major – and costly – challenges still lie ahead.
Retirement, a Landing, and a Solar Eruption: Space News Roundup
A veteran astronaut retires from NASA, a cracked spacecraft landed safely, a major military space-debris removal effort takes shape—and what’s the connection between solar eruptions and avalanches? Space News Roundup
Medical Evacuation From Space Completed Successfully
In a first for the ISS era, NASA cut short Crew 11’s mission after a medical issue onboard. The four astronauts rode SpaceX’s Dragon back to Earth, splashing down safely off the California coast more than a month ahead of schedule.
Moon Promises and Planet Births: Space News Roundup
NASA’s new chief promises to land humans on the Moon within three years; mice that returned from space have produced healthy offspring; European Space Agency’s computer systems have been breached; and rare documentation of planet formation. Space Highlights.
Did a Drying Climate Doom the Hobbits?
The small-bodied ancient humans nicknamed “hobbits” lived on the island of Flores until they disappeared around 50,000 years ago. A new study points to a possible cause of their extinction: climate change that reduced rainfall and dried up freshwater sources
New NASA Administrator and an Enigmatic Cosmic Blast: This Week in Space
A private astronaut has been appointed to lead the U.S. space agency, an interstellar comet is making a close pass, a Mars orbiter is in trouble, and astronomers may have spotted a new kind of cosmic event. This Week in Space
David Baltimore – The Scientist Who Caught Viruses Running in Reverse
David Baltimore, who discovered that certain viruses produce DNA from RNA – reversing the usual direction of genetic information flow – a finding that reshaped the study of genes and viruses and revolutionized molecular biology, has recently passed away