Space – Lifeboat News: The Blog

Apr 7
2021

Muons: ‘Strong’ evidence found for a new force of nature

Physicists may have just made a major breakthrough in our understanding of the Universe.

Apr 7
2021

Renjiang Xie

Many have asked: Is that a rainbow on Mars? No. Rainbows aren’t possible here. Rainbows are created by light reflected off of round water droplets, but there isn’t enough water here to condense, and it’s too cold for liquid water in the atmosphere. This arc is a lens flare.

Apr 6
2021

Imagination Meets Innovation: AeroVironment’s 50 Years Leading the Way, Pt. 1

For 50 years, AeroVironment has advanced UAV development. Today, the company is a Technology Solutions Provider at the intersection of four future-defining technologies: robotics, sensors, analytics and connectivity. Its culture of experimentation and R&D dates back to its founder, Dr. Paul MacCready Jr., whose achievements earned him the nickname “the father of human-powered flight”. From deploying the world’s most popular sUAS to designing the helicopter that’s en route to fly in Mars’ thin atmosphere, AeroVironment’s collective accomplishments provide a case study of imagination, innovation and collaboration — one that has and will bring effective solutions to frontlines, farms and frontiers, yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Leading the Way: UAS Capabilities – Onward and Upward

From solar-powered aircraft to the first hand-launched small UAS (sUAS) for military reconnaissance, AeroVironment literally launched the era of small aerial vehicles for environmental, commercial and defense purposes. For 35 years, the company has made its UAVs smaller and simpler, yet with multiple and ever-more-innovative functionality.

Apr 6
2021

Mars Helicopter: How To Follow Online This Week As NASA’s $80 Million ‘Ingenuity’ Drone Attempts A Unique Flight

Are you ready for a little Ingenuity?

NASA will this week make its first attempt at powered, controlled flight of an aircraft on another planet.

A tiny helicopter called Ingenuity is currently on the Martian surface, having been deposited there by the Perseverance rover, which landed on in the Jezero Crater on February 18.

Apr 5
2021

Nova Imaginary Autonomous Space Hound Would Probably Shame Boston Dynamics’ Spot

Do not be afraid of what you see. Even though the robotics industry has been making huge progress lately, it hasn’t quite reached the level you see here.

Apr 5
2021

Spanish astrophysicists discover new region of Milky Way

Researchers detected the Cepheus spur, a bridge of massive blue stars, while creating the most accurate map of the galaxy to date.

Apr 5
2021

NASA’s Mars helicopter survived its first night alone on the red planet after the Perseverance rover set it free

NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter has separated from the Perseverance rover on Mars. It’s almost ready to pioneer a new form of space exploration.

Apr 5
2021

The Psyche Mission: Visiting a metal asteroid

On a metal mission to a dead planet.

Information about NASA’s Psyche mission, which will explore a unique metallic asteroid.

Apr 5
2021

Mars Helicopter Live Q&A: One Step Closer to First Flight

Tune in for this live Q&A with Ingenuity experts to get the latest updates on the Mars Helicopter, and next steps for this trailblazing technology demonstration.

Talent:
• MiMi Aung, Mars Helicopter Project Manager.
• Teddy Tzanetos, Ingenuity Deputy Operations Lead.

Apr 5
2021

Sneaky New Bacteria on the ISS Could Build a Future on Mars

NASA tracks the microbes that live on the space station, and sometimes it discovers new ones. Those hardy bugs may offer clues about surviving long missions.