Europe's "Jules Verne" freighter has demonstrated the ability to navigate itself to a point just 3,500m from the International Space Station. The cargo ship, which carries some five tonnes of supplies for the platform, was then instructed by ground control to "escape" to a safe distance.
Space elevators face wobble problem
(Mar 30, 2008)
If an elevator stretching from Earth into space could ever be built, it could slash the cost of space travel. But a controversial new study suggests that building and maintaining one would be an even bigger challenge than previously thought, because it would need to include built-in thrusters to stabilise itself against dangerous vibrations.
Particle smasher 'not a threat to the Earth'
(Mar 28, 2008)
Campaigners in the US are attempting to delay the start-up of the world's most powerful particle smasher with a lawsuit claiming it could spawn dangerous particles or mini black holes that will destroy the entire Earth. The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is nearing completion at CERN, the European centre for particle physics near Geneva, Switzerland. Scientists hope it will begin operations in mid-July.
New image may reveal embryonic world
(Mar 27, 2008)
An intriguing bright spot detected next to a star 470 light years from Earth may indicate the presence of a developing planet in the young star system. The discovery suggests astronomers could soon directly image planets around ordinary stars.
Cassini tastes organic material at Saturn's geyser moon
(Mar 27, 2008)
NASA's Cassini spacecraft tasted and sampled a surprising organic brew erupting in geyser-like fashion from Saturn's moon Enceladus during a close flyby on March 12. Scientists are amazed that this tiny moon is so active, "hot" and brimming with water vapor and organic chemicals.
The US space shuttle Endeavour has landed successfully in Florida after the longest mission of its kind to the International Space Station. Endeavour's descent was slightly delayed by poor weather at the Kennedy Space Center. During their 16-day mission, the space shuttle's crew installed the first part of a Japanese research laboratory and assembled a Canadian robot.
California-based company XCOR has released details of the rocket plane it hopes will capture a sizeable share of the future space tourism market. The Lynx vehicle will carry one pilot and a ticketed passenger above 60km. It will be competing with Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson and aerospace giant EADS Astrium – both of whom have designs on the emerging niche market.
NASA reverses budget cuts that threatened Mars rovers
(Mar 26, 2008)
NASA has reversed budget cuts that threatened to temporarily shut down one of its twin Mars rovers. On Wednesday, NASA sent a letter to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, ordering that $4 million be cut from the funds remaining in the rovers' $20 million budget for 2008 and that $8 million be cut in the 2009 budget. But after the rover team said late on Monday that this would mean temporarily shutting down the Spirit rover and curtailing the activities of the Opportunity rover, NASA signaled a change in the works.
The space shuttle Endeavour has undocked from the International Space Station at the end of the longest mission of its kind to the station. The 12-day rendezvous saw Endeavour's crew install the first part of a Japanese research laboratory and assemble a Canadian robot.
Astronauts from space shuttle Endeavour have stored a 50ft (15m) inspection pole at the International Space Station (ISS) for use by the next shuttle. The astronauts attached the pole during a fifth and final spacewalk before they return to earth on Wednesday. Discovery, which is due to fly to the space station in May, will not have space to carry its own pole alongside the Kibo laboratory.
