Space Exploration

NASA’s Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) mission has made the first detection of the continuous presence of iron, magnesium, and sodium ions in the electrically charged upper atmosphere (ionosphere) of the Red Planet. MAVEN is exploring Mars’ upper atmosphere in detail to understand how Mars changed from a wet …

Planetary researchers have long thought that the dwarf planet Ceres may have a temporary, thin atmosphere (an exosphere), but mysteries lingered about its origin and why it’s not always present. Now, scientists from NASA’s Dawn mission suggest that the Cerean exosphere appears to be related to the behavior of the …

You’ve probably seen many images over the years that represent a black hole, but none of them are actually images of a real black hole (including the one above). They’re all artist’s renderings, or possibly a real image of the superheated gas around a black hole. Astronomers around the world …

If you’re looking for an Earth-like planet with an atmosphere, you need only go outside. Alternatively, you could travel some 39 light-years toward the constellation Vela. That’s where astronomers have discovered an exoplanet called GJ 1132b, which appears to have an atmosphere. While it might not be particularly hospitable to …

After 20 years in space and 13 years around Saturn, NASA’s Cassini spacecraft begins the final chapter of its remarkable story of exploration and discoveries: ‘Grand Finale.’ Between April and September 2017, the orbiter will dive 22 times through the unexplored space between Saturn and its innermost ring. On September …

We’ve enjoyed the benefits of having NASA’s Cassini spacecraft in orbit of Saturn for years. It’s almost like it’s always been there, looking down on one of the most awe-inspiring sights in the solar system. It only seems like forever because Cassini has sent back so much amazing stuff. Cassini began …

Continuing on its path through the outer regions of our Solar System, New Horizons has now traveled half the distance from the dwarf planet Pluto to its next target, the Kuiper Belt object 2014 MU69. Artist’s impression of New Horizons encountering a Kuiper Belt object. Image credit: NASA / Johns …

The Boeing Company this week unveiled concepts for the Deep Space Gateway and Transport systems that could help achieve NASA’s goal of having robust human space exploration from the Moon to Mars. Both of Boeing’s concepts leverage proven solar electric propulsion technology and hardware design from the 702 satellite family. …

The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) has sent back some incredible images and data from the Red Planet of the years, and it just hit an important milestone. It has now made 50,000 orbits of Mars since it arrived more than 11 years ago. Lockheed Martin really built this spacecraft to …

According to an analysis of new data from NASA’s MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution) spacecraft, solar wind and radiation are responsible for stripping the atmosphere of Mars. By measuring light and heavy isotopes of argon in the planet’s atmosphere, the authors have determined that the majority of the planet’s …