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science/space

NASA's Failed Attempt to Rescue the Falling Swift Telescope Highlights Challenges of Satellite Servicing

The Swift Gamma Ray Burst Mission, a veteran NASA observatory launched in 2004, had outlived its expected operational lifetime but faced an unexpected crisis when it began drifting from its planned orbit. NASA mounted a rescue effort, but the mission ultimately fell apart, according to reports. The failed rescue attempt

Astronomers Detect Hidden Companion Star Orbiting Betelgeuse

Astronomers have announced the discovery of a hidden companion star orbiting Betelgeuse, the well-known red supergiant located in the constellation Orion. The finding, described by one researcher as prompting them to "jump from their chair" upon realization, represents a significant addition to our understanding of this iconic star

BepiColombo Spacecraft Prepares for Mercury Arrival After Eight-Year Journey

After eight years of interplanetary travel, the ESA/JAXA BepiColombo mission is set to begin its Mercury Arrival Phase. On September 3, 2026, the Mercury Transfer Module (MTM) will separate from BepiColombo's two science orbiters — the first major step in what ESA describes as one of the most

NASA Tests GPS-Free Navigation System Using Space Debris as Landmarks

NASA has completed a successful test of a navigation system that enables satellites to determine their position in space without depending on GPS signals. The system, called FALCON (Flight Algorithm for Satellite Localization using Cooperative Navigation), leverages other spacecraft and orbital debris as landmarks to calculate precise positioning. The test

Astronomers Warn Proposed Space Mirror Constellation Would Outshine the Full Moon

A new study is raising alarms about the potential night-sky impact of a proposed space mirror constellation. According to research, mirrors being planned by U.S. startup Reflect Orbital could appear up to 40 times brighter than the full moon, a level that astronomers say would be more disruptive than

Manhattan-Sized Ice Island Calves from Greenland's Petermann Glacier

A Manhattan-sized ice island has calved from Greenland's Petermann Glacier, marking a significant event in the ongoing transformation of the Arctic's ice cover. The iceberg separated from the glacier's floating ice tongue after years of fractures gradually weakened the ice structure. Scientists have been

NASA's Roman Space Telescope Prepares to Survey Thousands of Exoplanets

NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, formerly known as the Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST), is preparing for a mission that will survey thousands of exoplanets. The telescope's advanced Wide Field Instrument will enable astronomers to detect and characterize planets orbiting distant stars, contributing valuable