Technology

NPR Topics: Space

NPR coverage of space exploration, space shuttle missions, news from NASA, private space exploration, satellite technology, and new discoveries in astronomy and astrophysics.

Europe Considers Joining Space-Faring Nations Europe's space agency reached two milestones earlier this year. A European-built lab was installed at the International Space Station, and Europe launched a robotic cargo vehicle that successfully docked with the station. The European Space Agency is thinking about converting the vehicle so it could take astronauts into orbit. Tensions With Russia May Hurt NASA Program The conflict with Russia over Georgia might affect NASA's ability to get astronauts to the international space station after the space shuttle gets retired in 2010. Congress must pass a special waiver by Sept. 30 so NASA can buy Soyuz capsule flights. What Makes Our Solar System Special? Researchers say that if the conditions had been slightly different for our solar system, planets could have careened into the sun or been expelled into deep space. Also: A volunteer astronomer spots a strange gaseous object some are calling a "cosmic ghost." Phoenix Finds A Salt Compound On Mars NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander has detected a salt found on Earth on the surface of Mars. The salt, called perchlorate, is used in fireworks and rocket fuel. The news follows the recent confirmation of the presence of water on the Red Planet. Space Company Hopes To Cut Cost Of Launches A private company called SpaceX has failed three times to reach orbit with one of its rockets. But the company says it's learning from its failures and still hopes to radically decrease the cost of putting objects in space. Mars Lander Finds Perchlorate On Mars NASA's Phoenix spacecraft has detected the presence of perchlorate, a chemically reactive salt in the Martian soil. Though the finding could mean Mars is less friendly to potential life than previously believed, scientists are optimistic. NASA's Phoenix Lander Confirms Ice Exists On Mars In the ongoing search to see whether conditions on the Red Planet could once have supported life, NASA scientists extend the Phoenix Mars Lander's mission through September. Scientist Looks To Stars For Answer On Caesar Back in 55 B.C., Julius Caesar invaded Britain. He kept a detailed record of his journey, straightforward enough for Latin students to read today. But in that record, Caesar failed to mention the actual date of his landing. It's a puzzle that's had scientists and historians duking it out for centuries. Now, Texas scientist Donald Olson thinks he's got the answer. He explains how the stars aligned to shed light on this ancient mystery. Russian Satellite Debris Poses Hazard NASA is tracking some 500 pieces of debris from a Russian spy satellite that mysteriously exploded in March. Since then, it has broken up twice, including last month. Some of the pieces have come close to the international space station. How Mars And Mercury Are Shaping Up Scientists on both the Mars Phoenix and Mercury Messenger space missions talk about the latest news from the Milky Way and what it means for those of us on Earth. Glass Beads From Moon Hint Of Watery Past New analysis of tiny beads of volcanic glass collected by Apollo astronauts suggest the moon once contained enough water to fill the Caribbean Sea. The finding raises new questions about how the moon was born. NASA Moon Missions Could Lead to Mars Travel The next lunar rocket, Ares V, will be 38 stories tall and ready for passengers in 2020. Scheduled for completion in 2020, the lunar program may be a first step in getting to Mars. Mars May Have Been Struck by Massive Object There are competing reasons for why Mars' northern hemisphere is much lower in altitude than the southern hemisphere. Three papers in the journal Nature present new evidence that a massive object struck Mars, giving one of the theories a major boost. NASA Helps Astronauts Cast Ballots from Space Astronauts aboard the International Space Station are far away from the action in the presidential race. Luckily for them, NASA and Texas understand the unique needs of space-traveling citizens, who want their votes counted. NASA Lander Touches Ice on Mars For the first time, a NASA lander has touched Martian ice. Scientists say they are convinced white chunks dug up by the Phoenix craft are in fact frozen water on the Red Planet.