'Happy Face' crater of Mars
Every day, the Mars Global Surveyor wide angle instruments obtain a global view of the planet to help monitor weather and seasonal patterns of frost deposition and removal. The two pictures here show Galle Crater, informally known as "Happy Face," as it appeared in early southern winter. FULL STORY
Lunar eclipse as seen out space station's window
NASA astronaut Ed Lu, the flight engineer and science officer living aboard the international space station, snapped this image Thursday near the time of a total lunar eclipse. FULL STORY
Chaos theory explains origin of new moons
The ability to understand how small bodies such as moons switch from orbiting the Sun to orbiting a planet has long remained one of the outstanding problems of planetary science. A paper published in Nature shows how this problem has been resolved using chaos theory, enabling scientists to predict where astronomers might search for new moons orbiting the giant planets. FULL STORY
NASA picks in-space propulsion innovations
NASA has selected 15 industry, government and academic organizations to pursue 22 innovative propulsion technology research proposals that could revolutionize exploration and scientific study of the solar system. FULL STORY
Friday:
May 16, 2003
0603 GMT
Brighter Neptune suggests a change of seasons
Springtime is blooming on Neptune! This might sound like an oxymoron because Neptune is the farthest and coldest of the major planets. But Hubble Space Telescope observations are revealing an increase in Neptune's brightness in the southern hemisphere, which is considered a harbinger of seasonal change, say astronomers. FULL STORY
Russian rocket to launch U.S. communications craft
Delayed three weeks to replace a faulty rocket component, a Russian Proton booster fitted with a Breeze M upper stage is set to launch a satellite on Monday that is destined to beam communications transmissions to users throughout North America. MISSION STATUS CENTER LAUNCH EVENTS TIMELINE GROUND TRACK MAP ORBIT INSERTION GRAPHIC
Thursday:
May 15, 2003
0812 GMT
NASA chief, CAIB chairman testify at Senate hearing
A Senate hearing held in Washington on Wednesday saw NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe and Columbia Accident Investigation Board chairman Hal Gehman answer questions about the shuttle tragedy, what could have been done to save the astronauts and the controversy over NASA's decision not to seek spy satellite images of Columbia. The entire hearing is presented here for Spaceflight Now Plus subscribers.
Video coverage for subscribers only: VIDEO: SENATORS MAKE OPENING STATEMENTS QT VIDEO: ADMINISTRATOR SEAN O'KEEFE OPENING STATEMENT QT VIDEO: CAIB CHAIRMAN HAL GEHMAN OPENING COMMENTS QT VIDEO: QUESTIONING OF O'KEEFE AND GEHMAN DURING HEARING QT SUBSCRIBE NOW
A new way to explore the surface of Mars
Students from North Carolina State University are helping NASA expand the exploration of the surface of Mars. The team of students and researchers has designed a wind-powered rover that can be blown, like tumbleweed, across the surface of the Red Planet collecting atmospheric and geological samples at multiple locations. FULL STORY
NASA finds soot has impact on global climate
A team of researchers, led by NASA and Columbia University scientists, found airborne, microscopic, black-carbon (soot) particles are even more plentiful around the world, and contribute more to climate change, than was previously assumed by the Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change. FULL STORY
Wednesday:
May 14, 2003
0632 GMT
First Greek satellite launch performed by Atlas 5 rocket
Tuesday's rocket launch from Cape Canaveral wasn't your every day satellite delivery mission. Sure, it had that unmistakable crackling roar and golden tail of fire. But the successful second flight of Lockheed Martin's Atlas 5 rocket began with a history-making accomplishment and ended with Greece achieving its first presence in space. FULL STORY MISSION STATUS CENTER ATLAS 5 VIDEO COLLECTION
Video coverage for subscribers only: VIDEO: TUESDAY'S ROLLOUT OF ATLAS 5 ROCKET TO THE PAD QT VIDEO: SHORT VERSION OF ATLAS 5 LAUNCH MOVIE QT VIDEO: LONGER VERSION OF ATLAS 5 LAUNCHING HELLAS SAT QT VIDEO: OUR LAUNCH FOOTAGE FROM THE CAPE PRESS SITE QT VIDEO: VAPOR CLOUD APPEARS IN THE SKY BEHIND ROCKET QT VIDEO: POST-LAUNCH SPEECHES DECLARE MISSION SUCCESS QT VIDEO: MONDAY'S ROLLOUT OF ATLAS 5 ROCKET TO THE PAD QT VIDEO: A PREVIEW OF THE ATLAS 5 LAUNCHING HELLAS SAT QT AUDIO: 54-MINUTE PRE-LAUNCH NEWS CONFERENCE QT SUBSCRIBE NOW
Clearest video yet of foam strike as tests get underway
The Columbia Accident Investigation Board Tuesday released the clearest video yet showing a tumbling piece of foam insulation slamming into the shuttle's left wing during launch Jan. 16. Investigators say the enhanced video, along with ongoing mathematical modeling, indicates the foam slammed into the wing at some 529 mph with a ton of force. FULL STORY
Tuesday:
May 13, 2003
0145 GMT
Atlas 5 rocket launch rescheduled for today
Delayed 24 hours to replace a faulty part on the rocket, the second flight of Lockheed Martin's Atlas 5 rocket has been reset for 5:57 p.m. EDT (2157 GMT) today from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The rocket will propel the Greek Hellas Sat communications spacecraft into orbit. MISSION STATUS CENTER - updates! PREVIEW STORY LAUNCH WEATHER FORECAST ATLAS 5 VIDEO COLLECTION
Video coverage for subscribers only: VIDEO: ROLLOUT OF ATLAS 5 ROCKET TO THE LAUNCH PAD QT VIDEO: A PREVIEW OF THE ATLAS 5 LAUNCHING HELLAS SAT QT AUDIO: 54-MINUTE PRE-LAUNCH NEWS CONFERENCE QT SUBSCRIBE NOW
Your name could make a 'Deep Impact' on a comet
People worldwide may celebrate July 4, 2005, as the day their names reach a comet. NASA is launching a campaign to send hundreds of thousands of names to comet Tempel 1. The names will be carried on board NASA's Deep Impact spacecraft, the first deep-space mission designed to really reach out and touch a comet. FULL STORY
Unique NASA satellite watches rainfall from space
Your local weather forecaster uses Doppler radar systems, covering U.S. regions, to estimate rainfall and flooding, but NASA research satellites can see rainfall worldwide. FULL STORY
Monday:
May 12, 2003
0200 GMT
Atlas 5 rocket to launch Greek satellite today
Looking to make it two successes in a row, Lockheed Martin's next-generation Atlas 5 rocket is ready to take its second flight. Liftoff is scheduled for 5:57 p.m. EDT (2157 GMT) today from Florida's Cape Canaveral carrying the commercial Hellas Sat communications spacecraft. MISSION STATUS CENTER - updates! PREVIEW STORY LAUNCH WEATHER FORECAST ATLAS 5 VIDEO COLLECTION
News Archive May 5-11: CAIB accepts, agrees with NASA failure scenario; Japan launches asteroid sample return mission; New shuttle program manager named; Deepest view of space yields young stars in halo; India launches second GSLV rocket. April 28-May 4: Columbia could not be saved, NASA study shows; Off-target Soyuz with outgoing station crew found after hours of searching; Satellite launched to trace the evolution of galaxies; BeppoSAX takes the plunge; Freewheeling galaxies collide in blaze of star birth; Hubble gyroscope fails. April 21-27: Space station caretaker crew blasts off on Soyuz; NASA, CAIB investigators compare notes on disaster; Dittemore to leave after accident probe complete; Glowing hot transiting exoplanet discovered; Spectacular photos unveil mysterious nebulae; Titan reveals a surface dominated by icy bedrock. More news See our weekly archive of space news. Apollo 12 tribute DVD set New!
Featuring the jovial crew of Pete Conrad, Dick Gordon and Alan Bean, the Apollo 12 mission was struck by lightning shortly after liftoff but proceeded on the second successful exploration voyage to the lunar surface. This three-disc DVD brings the mission to life with extraordinary detail. Choose your store: U.S. -
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Worldwide Fallen Heroes special patch This special 12-inch embroidered patch commemorates the U.S. astronauts who made the ultimate sacrifice, honoring the crews of Apollo 1, Challenger and Columbia. Choose your store: U.S. -
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Worldwide Women in Space Women of Space: Cool Careers on the Final Frontier is for girls, young women, and anyone else interested in learning about exciting careers in space exploration. Includes CD-ROM. Choose your store: U.S. -
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Worldwide Mars rover poster This new poster features some of the best pictures from NASA's amazing Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity. Choose your store: U.S. Apollo 11 special patch Special collectors' patch marking the 35th anniversary of the historic Apollo 11 moon landing is now available. Choose your store: U.S. -
U.K. Gemini 7 Gemini 7: The NASA Mission Reports covers this 14-day mission by Borman and Lovell as they demonstrated some of the more essential facts of space flight. Includes CD-ROM. Choose your store: U.S. -
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Worldwide Apollo patches The Apollo Patch Collection: Includes all 12 Apollo mission patches plus the Apollo Program Patch. Save over 20% off the Individual price. Choose your store: U.S. -
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Worldwide Apollo 9 DVD On the road to the moon, the mission of Apollo 9 stands as an important gateway in experience and procedures. This 2-DVD collection presents the crucial mission on the voyage to the moon. Choose your store: U.S. -
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Sign up for our NewsAlert service and have the latest news in astronomy and space e-mailed direct to your desktop (privacy note: your e-mail address will not be used for any other purpose). Gemini 7 Gemini 7: The NASA Mission Reports covers this 14-day mission by Borman and Lovell as they demonstrated some of the more essential facts of space flight. Includes CD-ROM. Choose your store: U.S. -
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Worldwide Apollo patches The Apollo Patch Collection: Includes all 12 Apollo mission patches plus the Apollo Program Patch. Save over 20% off the Individual price. Choose your store: U.S. -
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Worldwide Mars Rover mission patch A mission patch featuring NASA's Mars Exploration Rover is available from our online. Choose your store: U.S. -
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Worldwide Apollo 9 DVD On the road to the moon, the mission of Apollo 9 stands as an important gateway in experience and procedures. This 2-DVD collection presents the crucial mission on the voyage to the moon. Choose your store: U.S. -
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Worldwide Expedition 20 The official embroidered patch for the International Space Station Expedition 20 crew is now available from our stores. U.S. STORE WORLDWIDE STORE Current Shuttle Mission Patch The official embroidered patch for shuttle Atlantis' flight to deliver critical spare equipment to the space station. U.S. STORE WORLDWIDE STORE Ares Patch The Ares Project will develop two new rockets to launch astronauts back to the Moon under NASA's Vision for Exploration. The Ares 1 will employ a single space shuttle solid rocket booster to loft the Orion crew capsule. The gigantic Ares 5 will haul the equipment and cargo needed for such lunar voyages. This is the Ares emblem. U.S. STORE One Giant Leap
Hosted by Corbin Bernsen, this award winning documentary marks the 50th anniversary of the U.S. space agency and features exclusive interviews with veteran astronauts. U.S. STORE WORLDWIDE STORE Expedition 21 The official embroidered patch for the International Space Station Expedition 21 crew is now available from our stores. U.S. STORE WORLDWIDE STORE Contact us
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This special 12-inch embroidered patch commemorates the U.S. astronauts who made the ultimate sacrifice, honoring the crews of Apollo 1, Challenger and Columbia.
Women of Space: Cool Careers on the Final Frontier is for girls, young women, and anyone else interested in learning about exciting careers in space exploration. Includes CD-ROM.
This new poster features some of the best pictures from NASA's amazing Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity.
Special collectors' patch marking the 35th anniversary of the historic Apollo 11 moon landing is now available.
Gemini 7: The NASA Mission Reports covers this 14-day mission by Borman and Lovell as they demonstrated some of the more essential facts of space flight. Includes CD-ROM.
The Apollo Patch Collection: Includes all 12 Apollo mission patches plus the Apollo Program Patch. Save over 20% off the Individual price. 
A mission patch featuring NASA's Mars Exploration Rover is available from our online.
On the road to the moon, the mission of Apollo 9 stands as an important gateway in experience and procedures. This 2-DVD collection presents the crucial mission on the voyage to the moon.
The official embroidered patch for the International Space Station Expedition 20 crew is now available from our stores.
The official embroidered patch for shuttle Atlantis' flight to deliver critical spare equipment to the space station.
The Ares Project will develop two new rockets to launch astronauts back to the Moon under NASA's Vision for Exploration. The Ares 1 will employ a single space shuttle solid rocket booster to loft the Orion crew capsule. The gigantic Ares 5 will haul the equipment and cargo needed for such lunar voyages. This is the Ares emblem.
Hosted by Corbin Bernsen, this award winning documentary marks the 50th anniversary of the U.S. space agency and features exclusive interviews with veteran astronauts.
The official embroidered patch for the International Space Station Expedition 21 crew is now available from our stores.
