Category: Science

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP): SpaceX and NASA are investigating a parachute issue that occurred on the last two capsule flights. One of the four main parachutes was slow to inflate during the return of four astronauts to Earth last November. The same thing happened last week as a Dragon cargo capsule was bringing back science… Continue reading SpaceX, NASA looking into sluggish chutes on last 2 flights

(AP): Get ready to learn more Greek letters. Scientists warn that omicron’s whirlwind advance practically ensures it won’t be the last version of the coronavirus to worry the world. Every infection provides a chance for the virus to mutate, and omicron has an edge over its predecessors: It spreads way faster despite emerging on a… Continue reading Expect more worrisome variants after omicron, scientists say

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP): NASA’s new space telescope opened its huge, gold-plated, flower-shaped mirror Saturday, the final step in the observatory’s dramatic unfurling. The last portion of the 21-foot (6.5-meter) mirror swung into place at flight controllers’ command, completing the unfolding of the James Webb Space Telescope. “I’m emotional about it. What an amazing milestone.… Continue reading Space telescope’s ‘golden eye’ opens, last major hurdle

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP): NASA’s new space telescope is on the verge of completing the riskiest part of its mission — unfolding and tightening a huge sunshade — after ground controllers fixed a pair of problems, officials said Monday. The tennis court-size sunshield on the James Webb Space Telescope is now fully open and in… Continue reading NASA’s new space telescope ‘hunky-dory’ after problems fixed

BERLIN (AP): Germany on Friday is shutting down half of the six nuclear plants it still has in operation, a year before the country draws the final curtain on its decades-long use of atomic power. The decision to phase out nuclear power and shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy was first taken by the… Continue reading Germany shuts down half of its 6 remaining nuclear plants

(BBC): Elon Musk is facing a social media backlash after China complained that its space station was forced to avoid collisions with satellites launched by his Starlink Internet Services project. The country’s space station had two “close encounters” with Starlink satellites this year, Beijing claimed. The incidents behind the complaints, lodged with the UN’s space… Continue reading Elon Musk criticised after China space complaint to UN

(AP): The world’s largest and most powerful space telescope rocketed away Saturday on a high-stakes quest to behold light from the first stars and galaxies and scour the universe for hints of life. NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope soared from French Guiana on South America’s northeastern coast, riding a European Ariane rocket into the Christmas… Continue reading Space telescope launched on daring quest to behold 1st stars

(AFP): Scientists have announced the discovery of a perfectly preserved dinosaur embryo that was preparing to hatch from its egg, just like a chicken. The embryo was discovered in Ganzhou in southern China and researchers estimate it is at least 66 million years old. It is believed to be a toothless theropod dinosaur, or oviraptorosaur,… Continue reading Perfectly preserved dinosaur embryo found in China

(AP): A SpaceX rocket carried 52 Starlink internet satellites into orbit from California early Saturday. The two-stage Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from coastal Vandenberg Space Force Base at 4:41 a.m. and arced over the Pacific. The Falcon’s first stage returned and landed on a SpaceX droneship in the ocean. It was the 11th launch… Continue reading SpaceX launches 52 Starlink satellites from California base

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP): SpaceX is taming some toilet troubles in its Dragon capsules before launching four more astronauts. The company and NASA want to make sure any toilet leaks won’t compromise the capsule launching early Sunday from Kennedy Space Center or another one that’s been parked at the International Space Station since April. During… Continue reading SpaceX needs to tame toilet trouble before weekend launch