The Rocket Go Up Company

Intuitive Machines, a company sister to X-energy, has secured funding to advance its in-space nuclear technology . This development builds upon a previous $9. 5 million award from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). The company aims to overcome the limitations of solar power, which is currently the primary energy source for space missions. The harsh environments of space, such as the lunar night, pose significant challenges to solar power. Temperatures can drop to -129 degrees Celsius (-200 degrees Fahrenheit), making supplemental power systems necessary. These systems, including radioisotope thermoelectric generators or battery banks, add bulk, weight, and complexity to missions. Intuitive Machines is working on a Stirling-based power conversion system, which converts heat from a radioisotope source into electricity. The system has successfully completed a preliminary design review. With the new funding, the company will prepare the system for flight, marking a critical step...

Information column from Digital Trends: SpaceX has unveiled its ambitious plans for the Starship program, a crucial component in NASA's Artemis missions aimed at establishing a permanent human presence on the moon and beyond. In a detailed statement released on its website, the company responded to NASA's recent decision to reopen bids for the crewed Artemis III mission to the moon. This move by NASA was prompted by concerns over SpaceX's delayed development of its Starship rocket, which is slated to return astronauts to the moon in Artemis III, currently scheduled for 2027. The Starship, with its upper stage known as the Ship, is pivotal to NASA's Artemis program, according to SpaceX. The company asserts that the Starship will not only facilitate the Artemis missions but also pave the way for humanity's first steps on Mars. In an effort to retain its contract, SpaceX has proposed a simplified plan for the Artemis III mission, though details remain under wraps. ...

NASA's Artemis 3 mission, aimed at returning humans to the lunar surface, is facing a critical juncture. The agency is reassessing its lunar lander options due to significant delays plaguing SpaceX's Starship Human Landing System (HLS). Amidst this uncertainty, Blue Origin, led by Jeff Bezos, has emerged as a leading contender to provide a lander for the mission. Blue Origin's progress on its Blue Moon Mark 1 (MK1) and Blue Moon Mark 2 (MK2) landers was recently highlighted by Jacqueline Cortese, the company's Senior Director of Civil Space, at the American Astronautical Society's 2025 von Braun Space Exploration Symposium. According to Cortese, Blue Origin is poised to launch an MK1 demonstration mission before the end of the year. This cargo lander is designed to ferry up to 3 tons of payload to the lunar surface and serves as a stepping stone to the MK2 crew lander. The MK2 lander could potentially replace SpaceX's Starship HLS as the Artemis 3 lander if ...

On a day when the skies seemed to hold promise, SpaceX embarked on its Starlink 10-37 mission, launching a Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 40 in Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on October 29. The liftoff occurred at 12:35 p. m., marking the 90th launch of the year from Florida, and bringing the state closer to shattering last year's record of 93 launches. The trajectory of the rocket was northeast, with the ultimate goal of deploying 28 Starlink internet satellites into orbit. According to reports from Niners Wire, the launch was contingent upon favorable sea conditions, which, unfortunately, were forecasted to be rough. Despite the challenges posed by the weather, the 45th Weather Squadron predicted a low risk for launch conditions at the Cape, but a moderate risk for booster recovery conditions. As a result, the booster was scheduled to land on a SpaceX drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean, thereby avoiding any sonic booms that might have disturbed residents in Brevard Coun...

Beneath the Atlantic Ocean's surface, a hidden world of ancient destruction lies shrouded in darkness. Researchers from Heriot-Watt University have unearthed striking images of a 5-mile wide asteroid impact crater, concealed deep beneath the ocean floor. This Nadir Crater, measuring approximately 9 km in diameter, was formed around 66 million years ago when an asteroid collided with Earth, marking the end of the Cretaceous period. The timing of this event coincides with the Chicxulub impact in Mexico, a colossal crater linked to the extinction of the dinosaurs. Scientists have meticulously reconstructed the aftermath of the Nadir impact: the crater initially formed as a deep bowl, molten rock surged upward from below, a vast zone of fractured rock spread outward for thousands of square kilometers, and an enormous tsunami, towering over 800 meters high, swept across the Atlantic. The discovery was made by Dr. Uisdean Nicholson of Heriot-Watt University, who first identified the ...

The field of exoplanetary science has undergone significant transformations since the discovery of the first exoplanet 30 years ago. Thousands of these celestial bodies, orbiting stars beyond the Sun, have been unveiled, showcasing an astonishing diversity. They range from extreme lava planets with vaporized rock atmospheres to ocean worlds, with some potentially resembling Earth. The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), launched in 2021, has been instrumental in revolutionizing the understanding of exoplanetary atmospheres. By capturing unprecedented details of clouds and haze, scientists have gained new insights into the complex processes governing these distant worlds. Researchers are now studying the dynamics of winds and turbulence, which transport compounds on exoplanets, and observing chemical reactions that defy Earthly comparisons. As scientists continue to probe the atmospheres of these alien worlds, they are faced with a daunting challenge: interpreting the complex data g...

error code: 500 ← → Topic session: Astronomer Beatriz Villarroel, affiliated with the Nordic Institute for Theoretical Physics in Sweden, has recently published two peer-reviewed papers that have sparked curiosity and controversy regarding unidentified flying objects (UFOs). The papers, published in Scientific Reports (Villarroel et al., 2022) and the Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific (Villarroel et al., 2022), explore the possibility of artificial objects in space based on data collected from the Palomar Observatory in California between 1949 and 1958. The Palomar Observatory, located in San Diego County, California, is a renowned astronomical research facility that has been in operation since 1948. The observatory is home to the 200-inch Hale Telescope, one of the largest telescopes in the world, as well as the 1. 2-meter Palomar Schmidt telescope, later renamed the Samuel Oschin Telescope (Oschin, 1982). The Palomar Sky Survey, conducted from 1949 to 1958...

Amazon's plans for automation have sparked concerns among workers, as rumors suggest the company aims to replace 600,000 human employees with robots by 2033. This move is part of a broader effort to increase efficiency and reduce costs. According to a leaked report, Amazon's automation plan involves replacing a significant portion of its workforce with robots over the next eight years. The company's robotic workforce already plays a substantial role in its day-to-day operations, enhancing warehouse efficiency and safety. However, the prospect of widespread automation, coupled with the integration of AI technology, has raised concerns about the future of work and employment. As reported by The HR Digest, Amazon's automation plan is expected to result in the replacement of 600,000 workers with robots by 2033, automating 75% of its operations. This decision is driven by a desire for greater efficiency, with projections suggesting that it could save 30 cents on each ite...

In a groundbreaking discovery, astronomers have identified three Earth-size exoplanets orbiting a binary star system, defying previous theories on planetary formation. Utilizing NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), the scientists detected the planets, designated as TOI-2267, which revolve around twin stars in close proximity. This compact binary system challenges existing models that suggest such arrangements are hostile to complex planetary formations. The exoplanets, comparable in size to Earth, present a fascinating possibility - they may experience double sunsets, reminiscent of the iconic Tatooine landscape from the Star Wars universe. This phenomenon would occur as the two stars, in close orbit around each other, take turns setting behind the horizon. The discovery of TOI-2267 marks a significant milestone, as it is the first binary system known to host transiting planets around both of its stars. The system's unique configuration, characterized by grav...

In the arid expanse of the US desert, a mystifying spectacle has been unfolding, shrouded in secrecy. A YouTube investigator, Anders Otteson, has captured footage of an enigmatic, wing-shaped aircraft, eerily reminiscent of a UFO, undergoing testing at Lockheed Martin's Helendale facility. This clandestine site, nestled in a remote corner of the desert, is home to the infamous Skunk Works division, a hotbed of top-secret aerospace innovation. The grainy footage, shot from a safe distance, reveals a dark, wing-shaped object perched atop a white pillar, seemingly suspended in mid-air. As Otteson recounts, he spent hours camping on public land overlooking the facility, patiently waiting to capture this extraordinary sight. The Helendale radar-testing facility has long been a hub for classified projects, having played a pivotal role in the development of some of America's most revolutionary aircraft, including the U-2 spy plane and the SR-71 Blackbird. The Skunk Works division, ...

Astronomers have made a groundbreaking discovery, unveiling a super-Earth located a mere 20 light-years from Earth, situated in the habitable zone of its parent star. This remarkable find, known as Gliese 251 c, has sparked excitement among scientists and space enthusiasts alike. The discovery was made possible by the Habitable-Zone Planet Finder (HPF), a high-precision instrument attached to the Hobby-Eberly Telescope at the McDonald Observatory. The HPF is specifically designed to search for planets within the habitable zone, also referred to as the Goldilocks Zone, where conditions are suitable for liquid water to exist on a planet's surface. According to SYFY via Yahoo News, the Gliese 251 c signal was later confirmed using the NEID spectrometer at the Kitt Peak National Observatory. The results of this extraordinary find were published in The Astronomical Journal. Gliese 251 c orbits a cooler dwarf star, and its proximity to the star is much closer than Mercury's dista...

In a move that has stirred controversy, several National Guard units across six states have transferred their missions to the Space Force, marking a significant shift in the nation's military landscape. The 138th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron, stationed at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado, was among the units that made this transition earlier this month. This squadron, comprising approximately 100 personnel in May, had previously deployed to Niger during a coup in 2023, where its members utilized their civilian expertise to write code in the field, overcoming challenges on the battlefield. The transfer of missions, which took effect on October 1, encompasses electronic warfare, missile warning, satellite communications, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. These responsibilities have been absorbed by existing Space Force units, with the federal government shutdown having a minimal impact on the process. However, the transfer of facilities and equipment has...

Blue Origin's fate hangs precariously in the balance as the company prepares for the crucial November flight of its New Glenn launch vehicle. According to NextBigFuture. com, this upcoming flight will determine whether Blue Origin can achieve its ambitious goal of four flights in 2026 or even eight. The success of this mission hinges on the ability to cleanly fly and land the booster stage, a prerequisite for reusing the booster every six months. The stakes are high, with any flight problems triggering an FAA investigation that could delay the third launch by three to six months. The New Glenn launch vehicle is a complex machine, powered by seven BE-4 engines in its booster stage, each delivering approximately 550,000 pounds of sea-level thrust. The upper stage is equipped with two BE-3U engines, vacuum-optimized variants of the BE-3, producing 175,000 pounds of vacuum thrust. A critical aspect of the New Glenn program is the production rate of its engines. Any issues with landi...

Published by USA TODAY: NASA's technological innovations have permeated everyday ---, often in unexpected ways. The camera in a cellphone, for instance, owes its existence to research conducted at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in the early 1990s. A team at JPL developed sensors to enable smaller and more efficient cameras for spacecraft, which eventually found their way into smartphones and consumer digital cameras. Today, virtually every photo and video taken is made possible by technology that originated in the space program, according to Tom Cwik, NASA JPL Chief Technologist. Cellphone GPS software, initially developed by NASA to determine satellite orbits with centimeter-level accuracy, is now used in numerous phone location apps. NASA's influence extends to the cosmetics industry as well. A bacterium discovered by NASA JPL, used for sanitizing Mars-bound spacecraft, was licensed by a company to develop an ingredient that boosts SPF in sunscreen and anti-ag...

Background Document: SpaceX's Starship Program and Kennedy Launch Facility ### Introduction SpaceX, a private aerospace manufacturer and space transport services company founded by Elon Musk in 2002, has been making significant strides in the space industry with its ambitious Starship program. The program aims to develop a reusable spacecraft capable of taking both people and cargo to the Moon, Mars, and other destinations in the solar system. ### Starship Program Overview The Starship program has been rapidly advancing, with the gargantuan Starship rocket completing its 11th flight test earlier this month, marking the final launch for the second version of the vehicle (Digital Trends, 2024). The team is now preparing for the launch of the third version of the Starship, which will be more powerful, slightly taller, and feature design changes. According to a report by Digital Trends, a reliable source for tech and space news, the 12th launch of the Starship is expected to take p...

In a nod to his tireless contributions to the field of physics, a recently discovered asteroid has been named in honor of David Meisel, a longtime physics professor at SUNY Geneseo. The asteroid, previously known as (5965) 1990 SV15, now bears the designation (5965) Meisel. Meisel's legacy extends far beyond the realm of academia. His influence has had a profound impact on the scientific community, fostering environments that continue to flourish today. As Carl Hergenrother, executive director of the American Meteor Society, astutely observed, "His leadership built communities that continue to thrive today. His research left a lasting mark." The asteroid, a small but significant entity in the vast expanse of space, serves as a testament to Meisel's enduring impact. Colleagues and admirers alike have come together to celebrate this tribute, recognizing the profound effect Meisel has had on the world of physics. SUNY Geneseo physics professors Aaron Steinhauer and D...

Review by uml.edu: In a groundbreaking move, UMass Lowell and Space Centre Australia LLC have formalized a landmark agreement, establishing the AeroLabs Science Consortium. This international partnership aims to advance global airborne and low-Earth orbit research, fostering collaboration among universities and research institutions. The signing ceremony, held at UMass Lowell, marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of cutting-edge aerospace research and education. At the heart of this initiative is a dedicated C-130J-30 Super Hercules Research Aircraft, operated by Space Centre Australia LLC from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. Designated as SCA01, this aircraft will serve as a National-Class Airborne Science and Horizontal Launch Platform, supporting multidisciplinary missions in environmental monitoring, atmospheric science , and sub-orbital flight experimentation. James Palmer, president and chief executive officer of Space Centre Australia LLC, emphasized ...

First seen in BostonGlobe.com: In a groundbreaking discovery, astronomers have confirmed the existence of a tiny asteroid, dubbed 2025 PN7, which has been shadowing Earth and its moon for decades. This quasi-moon, also referred to as a moonlet or sister moon, has been traveling closely to our planet, keeping pace with Earth and appearing to orbit the sun in a similar trajectory and timeframe of about a year. According to John Gianforte, director of the University of New Hampshire Observatory, quasi-moons like PN7 are a group of celestial tag-alongs to Earth that are too small to pose a threat. "They're actually not orbiting the Earth, but they hang relatively close to us," Gianforte explained. "So it's kind of drifting in and out of our orbit. It's constantly shifting." PN7's orbit is influenced mostly by the sun's gravity, and it is not truly captured by Earth's gravity. Instead, it appears to have a synchronized dance with planet Earth ...

Article from PCMAG: Amazon's robotic ambitions cast a long shadow over its human workforce. The e-commerce giant is reportedly eyeing a significant reduction in human hires, with plans to employ approximately 600,000 fewer workers in the coming years. This move would be facilitated by an increased reliance on automation, as the company seeks to double its product shipments by 2033 without a corresponding surge in human labor. Currently, Amazon's workforce stands at over 1. 2 million, with more than 721,000 employees engaged in shipping and delivery operations. However, the company aims to maintain a stable human workforce, letting machines take over tasks currently performed by humans. According to internal documents and interviews cited by The New York Times, Amazon's automation team predicts that it can avoid hiring an additional 160,000 people in the US by 2027. Amazon has pushed back against these claims, with a spokesperson dismissing the reports as "incomplete...

As the celestial ballet continues to unfold, a rare and enigmatic visitor from the vast expanse of interstellar space is poised to make its closest approach to the sun. The object, designated 3I → ATLAS, has stirred considerable excitement among planetary scientists, who eagerly await the opportunity to study this interloper from another solar system . Darryl Seligman, a professor of physics and astronomy at Michigan State University, described the discovery as "hugely exciting," his enthusiasm underscored by the object's status as only the third interstellar comet ever discovered. The scarcity of such finds has piqued the interest of scientists, who see 3I → ATLAS as a unique chance to gain insight into the composition and characteristics of comets in other solar systems. Jason Wright, a professor of astronomy and astrophysics at Pennsylvania State University, noted that planetary scientists are "super excited to learn about what comets in other solar systems are...