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Space Mission

All articles tagged with #space mission

NASA's DART Nudge Shifts Dimorphos' Orbit, Demonstrating Planetary Defense Feasibility
science27 days ago

NASA's DART Nudge Shifts Dimorphos' Orbit, Demonstrating Planetary Defense Feasibility

NASA's DART spacecraft slammed into the Didymos system’s moon Dimorphos in 2022, creating ejecta that boosted momentum and slowed the system’s orbit by about two inches per hour, shortening its solar orbit by roughly 0.15 seconds over 770 days. The result shows we can alter an asteroid’s path, but a much larger or multiple impacts would likely be needed to deflect a real threat; the event provides essential data for improving planetary defense as near-Earth objects remain a vulnerability.

NASA's ESCAPADE Probes to Delay Mars Mission by a Year
space-exploration3 months ago

NASA's ESCAPADE Probes to Delay Mars Mission by a Year

NASA's twin ESCAPADE probes were launched into a loiter orbit near Earth's Lagrange point 2 to analyze solar wind interactions with Mars' atmosphere. They will use Earth's gravity for a slingshot to Mars in late 2026, with a planned orbit insertion in 2027. The extra year in space adds some wear but is deemed manageable, serving as a template for future Mars missions and colonization efforts.

Investigation Fails to Identify Cause of MethaneSAT Failure
science-and-technology5 months ago

Investigation Fails to Identify Cause of MethaneSAT Failure

An investigation into the failure of the MethaneSAT satellite could not determine a single root cause, citing possible issues with its avionics or power systems, but limited data prevents a definitive conclusion. The mission faced technical problems since launch, and some experts suggest rushed development may have contributed to its failure.