SCIENCE

Nov 03 2024SCIENCE

Voyager 1 Switches to an Old Signal, Leaving NASA Puzzled

NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft, currently about 15 billion miles from Earth, has given scientists a bit of a scare. On October 17, it switched its main radio transmitter to a different frequency, leaving NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory team scratching their heads. The spacecraft's Fault Protection Sys

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Nov 02 2024SCIENCE

SpaceX and NASA: Staying Safe While Moving Fast

SpaceX has faced some bumps in the road recently. A NASA safety panel reminded the company to focus on safety for crewed flights. Former astronaut Kent Rominger pointed out issues with SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft. He mentioned problems like the July launch failure and engine anoma

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Nov 02 2024SCIENCE

Exploring Jupiter's Icy Moon Europa Before NASA's Probe Arrives

Ever wondered what it's like to fly over Europa, one of Jupiter's moons? Well, you don't have to wait until NASA's Europa Clipper probe gets there in six years. NASA's Europa Trek portal lets us explore Europa's surface now. This moon is special because it has an icy crust hiding a huge ocean. Scien

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Nov 02 2024SCIENCE

Space Station Leaks: Cause for Concern?

The International Space Station (ISS) has been facing some air leak issues since 2019. A recent report labeled these leaks as a major safety risk, raising questions about the safety of the astronauts on board. One of the first leaks was detected in the Russian section of the station, specifically in

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Nov 02 2024SCIENCE

Wally Schirra: The Triple Space Mission Hero

Wally Schirra was a pioneering astronaut who made history by flying on three different NASA space missions: Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo. Born into a family with a love for aviation, Schirra's journey began in 1945 when he graduated from the US Naval Academy. After serving in the military, he became

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Nov 02 2024SCIENCE

Hush, Hush: How to Talk to Aliens

If we ever meet extraterrestrials, scientists say we should keep our mouths shut. A recent study used game theory to figure out the best way to communicate with alien life. They found that saying less is better because it increases the chances that aliens will think we're similar to them and coopera

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Nov 01 2024SCIENCE

Comet Atlas's Halloween Show: A Cosmic Disappearing Act

You know that feeling when you're expecting a special visitor, and they just don't show up? Well, Comet Atlas, also known as C/2024 S1, pulled a real trick-or-treat stunt. astronomers had been keeping an eye on this comet, hoping it would put on a spooky show for Halloween. But alas, it had other pl

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Nov 01 2024SCIENCE

Mars' Moon Phobos: A Closer Look at an Odd Orbit

Did you know that Mars has a moon named Phobos? This little guy has a pretty weird orbit and shape, but that's not all. Scientists have found out that Phobos is getting closer to Mars over time. They think this might be because of the planet's gravity pulling it in. Isn't that cool? This discovery h

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Nov 01 2024SCIENCE

A Star Comes Back to Life: Halloween's Zombie Star Show

You know how some stars die but then come back to life? Well, one of those stars, called T Coronae Borealis, is expected to do just that this Halloween. NASA scientists call it a "zombie star" because it's not really alive, but it acts like it is every 80 years or so. This star has a friend nearby t

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Oct 31 2024SCIENCE

Ladies in Tech: New Program Inspired by 'Hidden Figures'

Ever heard of the film "Hidden Figures"? Well, it's not just a movie anymore! Women leaders in science, tech, engineering, and math (STEM) from around the world are kicking off a special program this week. Run by the U. S. State Department, this initiative is all about empowering women in STEM field

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