NASA’s next asteroid-bound mission to explore the earliest days of our solar system is nearly ready to launch.
The Lucy spacecraft is targeting a launch window that opens on Saturday (Oct. 16). After blastoff, the spacecraft will make a 12-year journey to the outer solar system, where it will visit half a dozen ancient “Trojan” asteroids that orbit in the same path as the planet Jupiter.
Not all who wander are lost – but sometimes their cell phone reception is. That might change soon if a plan to project basic cell phone coverage to all parts of the globe comes to fruition. Lynk has already proven it can use a typical smartphone to bound a standard SMS text message off a low-earth-orbiting satellite, and they don’t plan to stop there.
Formerly known as Ubiquitilink, Lynk was founded a few years ago by Nanoracks founder Charles Miller and his partners but came out of “stealth mode” as a start-up in 2019. In 2020 they then used a satellite to send an SMS message from a typical smartphone, without requiring the fancy GPS locators and antennas needed by other, specially made satellite phones.
The company continued its success recently by demonstrating a “two-way” link this week using a newly launched satellite, its fifth, called “Shannon.” They’ve also proved it over multiple phones in numerous areas, including the UK, America, and the Bahamas.
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, or Neptune may have sent the Earth-sized planet barreling toward deep space.
Scientists believe that there could be a ninth planet in our solar system, lurking somewhere beyond Neptune—but don’t get too excited, because this isn’t about Pluto.
Rather, this is the story of a mysterious Earth-or Mars-sized planet that may have swirled beyond the asteroid belt, among the gas giants, before they ultimately swept this potential “Planet 9” toward the outer reaches of our solar system… or even into deep space. The theory makes sense on its face: Jupiter is kind of known as a bully, after all.
Going to the bathroom becomes more challenging when you are in space. Check here how the astronauts empty their bladders and stomachs in space.
Circa 2018
NASA is developing a spacesuit with a built-in toilet system, something the agency hasn’t used regularly since the Apollo era.
It’s the question we all want to know the answer to… what are the toilets like in space?
Well never fear the answer is here… NASA have just spent over $23 million dollars (£16 million) on a brand new toilet!
Going to the toilet is a basic human need but when you’re in space with a lack of gravity things can get a bit tricky, but it’s about to get easier.
A new meteor shower may be on the way.
The new Arid meteor shower may be making itself known in early October 2021. Here’s how to see the cosmic event.
On Oct. 16 2021, our Lucy spacecraft will begin its journey to visit a record-breaking number of asteroids. The 12-year mission starts from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center where it’ll launch aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V 401 rocket. From there, Lucy will be the first spacecraft to visit a record number of destinations in independent orbits around the sun – one main belt asteroid and seven of Jupiter’s Trojan Asteroids. Like the mission’s namesake – the fossilized human ancestor, “Lucy,” whose skeleton provided unique insight into humanity’s evolution – Lucy will revolutionize our knowledge of planetary origins and the formation of the solar system.
Lucy’s first launch attempt in its 21-day launch window is scheduled for 5:34 a.m. EDT on Oct. 16. Launch coverage starts at 5 a.m. EDT on NASA TV, the NASA app, and @NASA social media. Be a part of Lucy’s historic launch day by using the hashtag #LucyMission!
Producer/Editor: Lacey Young.
Music: Universal Production Music
