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Premium video content for our Spaceflight Now Plus subscribers. Titan up close Scientists reveal stunning pictures of Saturn's moon Titan and other results during this news conference from July 3. (38min 17sec file) Play video Saturn ring pictures Cassini's stunning close-up images of the rings around Saturn, taken just after the craft entered orbit Thursday morning, are presented with expert narration by Carolyn Porco, the mission imaging team leader. (8min 39sec file) Play video Burn ignition! Mission control erupts in applause as communications from Cassini confirm the orbit insertion burn has begun. (60sec file) Play video Burn completed Signals from Cassini announce the conclusion of the Saturn orbit insertion burn, confirming the spacecraft has arrived at the ringed planet. (2min 15sec file) Play video Post-arrival briefing Mission officials hold a post-orbit insertion burn news conference at 1 a.m. EDT July 1 to discuss Cassini's successful arrival at Saturn. (25min 27sec file) Play video Wednesday's status briefing Cassini's health in the final hours before arrival at Saturn is presented in this status briefing from 12 p.m. EDT on June 30. (33min 09sec file) Play video International cooperation Officials from the U.S., European and Italian space agencies discuss the international cooperation in the Cassini mission and future exploration projects during this news conference from 2 p.m. EDT June 30. (19min 35sec file) Play video 'Ring-side' chat This informal "ring-side chat" from 5 p.m. EDT June 30 discusses the Cassini mission to Saturn and the future of space exploration. (49min 20sec file) Play video Tuesday's Cassini update Mission managers and scientists provide an update on the Cassini mission and preview the spacecraft's arrival at Saturn during this news conference from June 29. (51min 58sec file) Play video Become a subscriber More video
Sunday:
July 11, 2004
0033 GMT
Texas observatory finds its first extrasolar planet
McDonald Observatory astronomers have exploited the Hobby-Eberly Telescope's capabilities to rapidly find and confirm the giant telescope's first planet outside our solar system. The event serves as proof-of-concept that the telescope is on track to become a major player in the hunt for other worlds. FULL STORY
Saturday:
July 10, 2004
0450 GMT
Atmospheric observatory launch postponed
Troubles with a connector on the Delta 2 rocket's nose cone have forced officials to postpone Sunday morning's attempt to launch the Aura spacecraft from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. MISSION STATUS CENTER - updates! LAUNCH EVENTS TIMELINE GROUND TRACK MAP
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AURA SCIENTIST EXPLAINS WHAT MISSION AIMS TO DO QT VIDEO:
WATCH FRIDAY'S PRE-LAUNCH NEWS CONFERENCE QT VIDEO:
ANIMATION OF AURA STUDYING THE ATMOSPHERE QT VIDEO:
FLASHBACK TO THE AQUA LAUNCH IN 2002 QT SUBSCRIBE NOW
How to fail at being a star
Scientists have announced the discovery of a unique pair of newborn brown dwarfs in orbit around each other. Brown dwarfs are a relatively new class of objects discovered in the mid-1990s that are too small to ignite hydrogen fusion and shine as stars, yet too big to be considered planets. FULL STORY
Friday:
July 9, 2004
0324 GMT
Space probes track blast wave through solar system
A fleet of spacecraft dispersed throughout the solar system gave the best picture to date of the effects of blast waves from solar storms as they propagate through the solar system. FULL STORY
Precautionary tests delay Atlas launch four weeks
Launch of a classified U.S. national security satellite aboard Lockheed Martin's final Atlas 2AS rocket is being retargeted for July 27 after a four-week delay to double-check a vital control unit on the booster. MISSION STATUS CENTER
OTHER HEADLINES Additional stories today
Free Hubble home software now available -- For many years astronomical images from the world's telescopes were reserved for an elite of astronomers and technical people. Now anyone with a desktop computer running Adobe Photoshop software can try their hand at crafting astronomical images as beautiful as those from the Hubble Space Telescope. Personnel named to NASA's new Science Mission Directorate -- Alphonso V. Diaz, who will assume leadership of NASA's new Science Mission Directorate as its Associate Administrator on Aug. 1, has named Orlando Figueroa Deputy Associate Administrator for Programs and Alison L. McNally Deputy Associate Administrator for Management in the directorate.
Thursday:
July 8, 2004
0612 GMT
Ultraviolet pictures hint at origin of Saturn's rings
The best view ever of Saturn's rings in the ultraviolet indicates there is more ice toward the outer part of the rings, hinting at ring origin and evolution, say two University of Colorado at Boulder researchers involved in the Cassini mission. FULL STORY
Glimpse at early universe reveals surprise
A rare glimpse back in time into the universe's early evolution has revealed something startling: mature, fully formed galaxies where scientists expected to discover little more than infants. FULL STORY
Launch of NASA environmental craft delayed
This weekend's liftoff of NASA's Aura atmospheric research satellite has slipped from Saturday to Sunday so technicians can sort through records to determine if any suspect transistors are installed in the spacecraft. MISSION STATUS CENTER
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ANIMATION OF AURA STUDYING THE ATMOSPHERE QT VIDEO:
FLASHBACK TO THE AQUA LAUNCH IN 2002 QT SUBSCRIBE NOW
Wednesday:
July 7, 2004
0233 GMT
Chandra looks over a cosmic four-leaf clover
A careful analysis of observations by NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory of a rare quadruple quasar has uncovered evidence that possibly a single star in a foreground galaxy magnified X-rays coming from the quasar. This discovery gives astronomers a new and extremely precise probe of the gas flow around the supermassive black hole that powers the quasar. FULL STORY
NASA using shuttle carrier aircraft for fuel-tank test
A Boeing 747 aircraft normally used to ferry space shuttles across the country has been pressed into service to test fuel inerting system technology to make airliners safer. The FAA and NASA have been working on technology to prevent fuel tank fires since the TWA Flight 800 accident. FULL STORY
Mapping the galaxy, and watching our backyard
One of the European Space Agency's most ambitious current projects has the aim of compiling the most precise map of one thousand million stars in our galaxy. Gaia, a spacecraft which will carry two of the most sensitive cameras ever made, is due to be launched in 2010. FULL STORY
Tuesday:
July 6, 2004
0558 GMT
Investigators probe Sea Launch rocket anomaly
The Russian space company Energia and an independent board are investigating last week's early engine shutdown during a commercial Sea Launch rocket flight that left an Asian communications satellite 9,000 miles short of its planned orbit. FULL STORY
Is tranquil environment around Earth unusual?
Astronomers studying the Tau Ceti system have discovered that it contains ten times as much material in the form of asteroids and comets as our own solar system. Their discovery suggests that even though Tau Ceti is the nearest Sun-like star, any planets that may orbit it would not support life as we know it due to the inevitable large number of devastating collisions. FULL STORY
Monday:
July 5, 2004
0316 GMT
New view of Orion Nebula's stellar nursery
Orion the Hunter is perhaps the best-known constellation in the sky, well placed in the winter for observers in both the northern and southern hemispheres, and instantly recognizable. Just below Orion's belt, the hilt of his sword holds a great jewel in the sky, the beautiful Orion Nebula. FULL STORY
NASA creates first 3-D view of solar eruptions
NASA-funded scientists have created the first three-dimensional view of massive solar eruptions called Coronal Mass Ejections. The result is critical for a complete understanding of CMEs, which, when directed at Earth, may disrupt radio communications, satellites and power systems. FULL STORY
News Archive June 28-July 4: Cassini arrives at Saturn; First pictures from Saturn orbit show rich ring detail; Cassini close ups of Titan thrill, mystify scientists; Hubble studies generations of star formation; Sea Launch rocket fails to put satellite in correct orbit. June 21-27: SpaceShipOne rockets into history; Phoebe moon likely born in outer solar system; Delta rocket successfully launches one for The Gipper; Suit problem ends station spacewalk; Mars scientists marvel at mysterious rock formation; Camera to shoot first direct images of exoplanets. June 14-20: Stardust reveals surprising anatomy of a comet; Cassini maneuver sets stage for Saturn arrival; Phoebe's surface gives scientists clues to its origin; Sweeping changes needed for moon-Mars initiative; Spirit, showing signs of old age, reaches Columbia hills; Spitzer telescope reveals what Edwin Hubble missed. June 7-13: Cassini preview: 'Flagship mission of our time' nears its destination; Cassini makes close observations of Phoebe; Mars rover Opportunity enters stadium-sized crater; Space shuttle solid rocket motor test fired; Faintest survey of distant galaxies taken by Hubble. May 31-June 6: Rutan announces manned spaceflight plans; Mars rover Opportunity will drive into Endurance Crater; Great Observatories find black holes, hidden objects; Proof found for gamma-ray burst in Milky Way; Looking to catch stars in the act as planets form; Boeing to study Neptune missions for NASA. More news See our weekly archive of space news. 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 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 Columbia Report The official accident investigation report into the loss of the space shuttle Columbia and its crew of seven. Includes CD-ROM. 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. -
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An insider's view of how Apollo flight controllers operated and just what they faced when events were crucial. Choose your store: U.S. The ultimate Apollo 11 DVD This exceptional chronicle of the historic Apollo 11 lunar landing mission features new digital transfers of film and television coverage unmatched by any other. Choose your store: U.S. -
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Own a little piece of history with this official patch for the International Space Station's Expedition 11 crew. We'll ship yours today! Choose your store: U.S. Get e-mail updates
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). Columbia Report A reproduction of the official accident investigation report into the loss of the space shuttle Columbia and its crew of seven. Choose your store: U.S. -
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Worldwide Mars Panorama DISCOUNTED! This 360 degree image was taken by the Mars Pathfinder, which landed on the Red Planet in July 1997. The Sojourner Rover is visible in the image. Choose your store: U.S. Apollo 11 Mission Report Apollo 11 - The NASA Mission Reports Vol. 3 is the first comprehensive study of man's first mission to another world is revealed in all of its startling complexity. Includes DVD! Choose your store: U.S. -
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