Blog Archive
Two possible futures for Akatsuki
Posted by Emily Lakdawalla on 2011/01/05 12:02 CST
There are two intriguing possibilities being discussed in the Japanese media for what to do with Akatsuki, a space probe in orbit near Venus with a fully functional, highly capable suite of cameras but a damaged main engine.
Posted by A.J.S. Rayl on 2010/12/31 11:00 CST
The Mars Exploration Rovers are wrapping up another year of exploring their seventh -- having experienced both the best of times and the worst of times: Spirit continued a 10-month struggle to endure its coldest, harshest Martian winter yet; Opportunity set a new record for driving despite an arthritic front wheel and a broken shoulder, putting more miles on her rocker bogie in 2010 than in any other single year.
What's up in the solar system in January 2011 - and the rest of the year in preview
Posted by Emily Lakdawalla on 2010/12/30 02:53 CST
What's up in the solar system in January 2011 - and the rest of the year in preview
Dawn Journal: Attitude Adjustment
Posted by Marc Rayman on 2010/12/07 11:29 CST
Dawn Journal: Attitude Adjustment
What's up in the solar system in December 2010
Posted by Emily Lakdawalla on 2010/11/30 05:11 CST
What's up in the solar system in December 2010
Posted by A.J.S. Rayl on 2010/11/30 11:00 CST
The Mars Exploration Rovers (MER) forged on in November, their 83rd month of an expedition originally planned for three months: Spirit remained silent at Gusev Crater presumably still re-charging her batteries, as Opportunity roved through a field of craters pressing on toward Endeavour Crater, quietly claiming title along the way to being the first roving robot to drive 25 kilometers on Mars.
Discovery Launch Scrubbed, Again
Posted by Mat Kaplan on 2010/11/05 02:54 CDT
The launch has been scrubbed once again due to a critical hydrogen leak detected once fueling had been underway for a while.
Posted by Mat Kaplan on 2010/11/04 10:47 CDT
Discovery has suffered an electrical problem related to one of the main engines. Thanks to delays related to that, and to weather concerns, the launch was scrubbed until Friday at 3:04pm.
Dawn Journal: Approaching conjunction
Posted by Marc Rayman on 2010/11/03 03:12 CDT
Dawn Journal: Approaching conjunction
Discovery Launch at T-22 Hours: A Study in Contrasts and Enthusiasm
Posted by Mat Kaplan on 2010/11/02 07:51 CDT
Mat Kaplan is at the Kennedy Space Center, 22 hours before shuttle Discovery is due to launch. Parts of the KSC are old and uncared for, while others are at the bleeding edge of space-flight technology.
There is something about the space shuttle...
Posted by Mat Kaplan on 2010/11/01 06:48 CDT
Mat Kaplan relays his experiences and thoughts as he makes his way to the Kennedy Space Center to witness the launch of the shuttle Discovery.
Mars Exploration Rovers Update: Spirit Remains Silent, Opportunity Pushes on to Endeavour
Posted by A.J.S. Rayl on 2010/10/31 12:00 CDT
For the Mars Exploration Rovers, October was a lot like September, which was a lot like August: Spirit continued hibernating at Gusev Crater or so it appears since the rover didn't phone home; and Opportunity picked up the pace to Endeavour Crater again, setting new driving records and marking more milestones along the way.
What's up in the solar system in November 2010
Posted by Emily Lakdawalla on 2010/10/27 02:37 CDT
What's up in the solar system in November 2010
Posted by A.J.S. Rayl on 2010/09/30 12:00 CDT
As Opportunity picked up the pace to Endeavour Crater this month and crossed the halfway point on the long journey from Victoria Crater and Spirit continued sleeping in hibernation mode, the Mars Exploration Rovers chalked up their 81st month of what was supposed to have been just a three-month tour of the Red Planet.
What's up in the solar system in October 2010
Posted by Emily Lakdawalla on 2010/09/29 01:34 CDT
What's up in the solar system in October 2010
Dawn Journal: Third anniversary in space, and how to map Vesta
Posted by Marc Rayman on 2010/09/28 11:48 CDT
Dawn Journal: Third anniversary in space, and how to map Vesta
Dawn Journal: Getting warmer, farther from the Sun?
Posted by Marc Rayman on 2010/09/02 02:34 CDT
Dawn Journal: Getting warmer, farther from the Sun?
Mars Exploration Rovers Update: Spirit Hibernates Still, Opportunity Pulls into Cambridge Bay
Posted by A.J.S. Rayl on 2010/08/31 12:00 CDT
With the Sun beginning to warm the landscape in the southern hemisphere of the Red Planet and winds whipping up here and there forming dust devils that kick the powdery, rust-colored topsoil into the atmosphere, the Mars Exploration Rovers have been experiencing sure signs of a Martian spring this month.
What's up in the solar system in September 2010
Posted by Emily Lakdawalla on 2010/08/30 05:24 CDT
What's up in the solar system in September 2010











