NASA’s Mars 2020 Perseverance rover lifted off successfully on July 30 aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The rover will take about seven months to travel to Mars and will search for signs of life, explore the planet's geology, and much more.

WION Dispatch: NASA's Helicopter to fly to Mars, NASA Mars Rover 2020

NASA on Thursday launched the rover Perseverance to Mars from Cape Canaveral, Florida&nbsp;on board a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket.

Perseverance is set to reach Mars on February 18&nbsp;next year becoming the fifth rover to complete the voyage since 1997.

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The rocket has separated from the first stage and is being boosted to orbit by the Centaur second stage. <a href="https://twitter.com/NASAPersevere?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NASAPersevere</a> is now preparing for a second burn that will put it on a trajectory towards Mars. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CountdownToMars?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CountdownToMars</a> <a href="https://t.co/MBRqcxMTdw">pic.twitter.com/MBRqcxMTdw</a>
— NASA (@NASA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1288806326815133696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 30, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-nasas-ingenuity-helicopter-will-help-perseverance-rover-in-mars-317017#mars-helicopter-317006">See Pics:&nbsp;How NASA's Ingenuity helicopter will help Perseverance rover in Mars&nbsp;</a>

The mission will search for life on Mars. The rover will also have a state of the art mini helicopter named Ingenuity which will attempt to fly in Mars.

The mission of the helicopter is to find signs of ancient life forms in the red planet.

"We have a history of doing amazing things in the most challenging times, and this is this is no different," NASA chief Jim Bridenstine said.

NASA on Thursday launched the rover Perseverance to Mars from Cape Canaveral, Florida on board a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. Perseverance is set to reach Mars on February 18 next year becoming the fifth rover to complete the voyage since 1997.

NASA on Thursday launched the rover Perseverance to Mars from Cape Canaveral, Florida on board a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. Perseverance is set to reach Mars on February 18 next year becoming the fifth rover to complete the voyage since 1997. The rocket has separated from the first stage and is being boosted to orbit by the Centaur second stage. @NASAPersevere is now preparing for a second burn that will put it on a trajectory towards Mars. #CountdownToMars pic.twitter.com/MBRqcxMTdw — NASA (@NASA) July 30, 2020 × See Pics: How NASA's Ingenuity helicopter will help Perseverance rover in Mars The mission will search for life on Mars. The rover will also have a state of the art mini helicopter named Ingenuity which will attempt to fly in Mars. The mission of the helicopter is to find signs of ancient life forms in the red planet. "We have a history of doing amazing things in the most challenging times, and this is this is no different," NASA chief Jim Bridenstine said.

NASA's Perseverance rover with Ingenuity helicopter blasts off from Florida on way to Mars

NASA sends a helicopter along with the rover to Mars

How NASA's Ingenuity helicopter will help Perseverance rover in Mars

Two teenage schoolgirls Vaidehi Vekariya and Radhika Lakhani in India discovered an asteroid near Mars, a space education institute in India reported recently.

Young minds take lead in space missions | Indian teenagers discover asteroid near Mars

Astronaut Bob Behnken is back with another mesmerizing glimpse from the space. This time, the astronaut posted a picture of Hurricane Hanna.&nbsp;

The hurricane made its second landfall in Texas on Saturday afternoon, inflicting damage by heavy rain and strong wind.&nbsp;

Behnken captured the Category I storm from the space leaving the netizens in awe.&nbsp;

Bob Behnken took to Twitter and showed a view of Hurricane Hanna taken from the International Space Station (ISS) as it was passing over the Gulf of Mexico on Friday. Behnken clicked the photo that showed ‘observable structure’ of the hurricane.&nbsp;

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Snapped this photo of the storm in the Gulf of Mexico on Friday as it was starting to have observable structure from <a href="https://twitter.com/Space_Station?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Space_Station</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HurricaneHanna?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HurricaneHanna</a> <a href="https://t.co/KiamE0lmKk">pic.twitter.com/KiamE0lmKk</a>
— Bob Behnken (@AstroBehnken) <a href="https://twitter.com/AstroBehnken/status/1287443639774466048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
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“Snapped this photo of the storm in the Gulf of Mexico on Friday as it was starting to have observable structure from @Space_Station. #HurricaneHanna,” reads the caption.

Posted on July 26, the picture has received over 17,000 likes and a variety of comments.&nbsp;

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Great Picture. Looks like a crazy hurricane. Must be crazy to be able to view Earth like how you view the land from the plane all the time. Would it be out of order to request pics looking the other way?
— Kamal Aluri (@KamalAluri) <a href="https://twitter.com/KamalAluri/status/1287468564387991552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Can I come live with you guys up there. The Majority down here keep repeating the same information every day. I feel like in trapped in a damn rerun that's been playing for 1000s of years. <a href="https://t.co/C0P2cJQkAk">pic.twitter.com/C0P2cJQkAk</a>
— Mitchendo64 (@mitchendo64) <a href="https://twitter.com/mitchendo64/status/1287593537681285122?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 27, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Hey man, how do you get a signal up there 🤔
— Dhiraajsinh Parmar (@Capt_Dhiraaj) <a href="https://twitter.com/Capt_Dhiraaj/status/1287479710717341696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Beautiful absolutely beautiful
— Jacob Connor Bailey (@onelifebachelor) <a href="https://twitter.com/onelifebachelor/status/1287477231665774592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Earlier, Bob shared a picture of lightening from space, leaving the netizens awe-struck.&nbsp;

Astronaut Bob Behnken is back with another mesmerizing glimpse from the space. This time, the astronaut posted a picture of Hurricane Hanna. The hurricane made its second landfall in Texas on Saturday afternoon, inflicting damage by heavy rain and strong wind.

Astronaut Bob Behnken is back with another mesmerizing glimpse from the space. This time, the astronaut posted a picture of Hurricane Hanna. The hurricane made its second landfall in Texas on Saturday afternoon, inflicting damage by heavy rain and strong wind. Behnken captured the Category I storm from the space leaving the netizens in awe. Bob Behnken took to Twitter and showed a view of Hurricane Hanna taken from the International Space Station (ISS) as it was passing over the Gulf of Mexico on Friday. Behnken clicked the photo that showed ‘observable structure’ of the hurricane. Snapped this photo of the storm in the Gulf of Mexico on Friday as it was starting to have observable structure from @Space_Station. #HurricaneHanna pic.twitter.com/KiamE0lmKk — Bob Behnken (@AstroBehnken) July 26, 2020 × “Snapped this photo of the storm in the Gulf of Mexico on Friday as it was starting to have observable structure from @Space_Station. #HurricaneHanna,” reads the caption. Posted on July 26, the picture has received over 17,000 likes and a variety of comments. Great Picture. Looks like a crazy hurricane. Must be crazy to be able to view Earth like how you view the land from the plane all the time. Would it be out of order to request pics looking the other way? — Kamal Aluri (@KamalAluri) July 26, 2020 × Can I come live with you guys up there. The Majority down here keep repeating the same information every day. I feel like in trapped in a damn rerun that's been playing for 1000s of years. pic.twitter.com/C0P2cJQkAk — Mitchendo64 (@mitchendo64) July 27, 2020 × Hey man, how do you get a signal up there 🤔 — Dhiraajsinh Parmar (@Capt_Dhiraaj) July 26, 2020 × Beautiful absolutely beautiful — Jacob Connor Bailey (@onelifebachelor) July 26, 2020 × Earlier, Bob shared a picture of lightening from space, leaving the netizens awe-struck.

Astronaut shares picture of Hurricane Hanna from space leaving netizens in awe

A piece of Martian meteorite will go back to Mars with NASA's robot rover Perseverance. The ancient rock has been donated by the Natural History Museum in London and the rover carrying it will be propelled towards the red planet on a seven-month journey after its launch on Thursday.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/fungus-found-in-chernobyl-could-protect-humans-from-deadly-radiations-on-mars-316186" hreflang="en">Fungus found in Chernobyl could protect humans from deadly radiations on Mars</a>

According to space engineers, the rock will be used to calibrate detectors onboard the robot rover Perseverance after it lands and begins its search for signs of past life on the planet.

Professor Caroline Smith, the Natural History Museum’s principal curator of meteorites, said: “When you turn on instruments and begin to tune them up before using them for research, you calibrate them on materials that are going to be like the unknown substances you are about to study. So what better for studying rocks on Mars than a lump that originated there?”

Smith, who is also a part of the Mars 2020 science team, said that the scientists were confident that the rock they were returning was originated on the planet (Mars). “Tiny bubbles of gas trapped inside that meteorite have exactly the same composition as the atmosphere of Mars, so we know our rock came from there.”

According to the Natural History Museum in London, the Martian meteorite was created when an asteroid or comet hit the red planet about 600,000 to 700,000 years ago. The impact sprayed the debris into space. One of the pieces in the debris moved around the solar system, eventually crashing on to Earth.&nbsp;

The meteorite, now called the Sayh al Uhaymir 008 or SAU 008 was discovered in Oman in 1999 and have been in London's Natural History Museum since then.&nbsp;

The Perseverance rover has been fitted with a high-precision laser called Sherloc. This instrument will be used to decipher the chemical composition of rocks and determine if they might contain organic materials that indicate life once existed or still exists on Mars. This mission has included SAU 008 to ensure this is done with maximum accuracy.

“The piece of rock we are sending was specifically chosen because it is the right material in terms of chemistry, but also it is a very tough rock,” added Smith. “Some of the Martian meteorites we have are very fragile. This meteorite is as tough as old boots.”

A piece of Martian meteorite will go back to Mars with NASA's robot rover Perseverance. The ancient rock has been donated by the Natural History Museum in London and the rover carrying it will be propelled towards the red planet on a seven-month journey after its launch on Thursday.

A piece of Martian meteorite will go back to Mars with NASA's robot rover Perseverance. The ancient rock has been donated by the Natural History Museum in London and the rover carrying it will be propelled towards the red planet on a seven-month journey after its launch on Thursday. Also read: Fungus found in Chernobyl could protect humans from deadly radiations on Mars According to space engineers, the rock will be used to calibrate detectors onboard the robot rover Perseverance after it lands and begins its search for signs of past life on the planet. Professor Caroline Smith, the Natural History Museum’s principal curator of meteorites, said: “When you turn on instruments and begin to tune them up before using them for research, you calibrate them on materials that are going to be like the unknown substances you are about to study. So what better for studying rocks on Mars than a lump that originated there?” Smith, who is also a part of the Mars 2020 science team, said that the scientists were confident that the rock they were returning was originated on the planet (Mars). “Tiny bubbles of gas trapped inside that meteorite have exactly the same composition as the atmosphere of Mars, so we know our rock came from there.” According to the Natural History Museum in London, the Martian meteorite was created when an asteroid or comet hit the red planet about 600,000 to 700,000 years ago. The impact sprayed the debris into space. One of the pieces in the debris moved around the solar system, eventually crashing on to Earth. The meteorite, now called the Sayh al Uhaymir 008 or SAU 008 was discovered in Oman in 1999 and have been in London's Natural History Museum since then. The Perseverance rover has been fitted with a high-precision laser called Sherloc. This instrument will be used to decipher the chemical composition of rocks and determine if they might contain organic materials that indicate life once existed or still exists on Mars. This mission has included SAU 008 to ensure this is done with maximum accuracy. “The piece of rock we are sending was specifically chosen because it is the right material in terms of chemistry, but also it is a very tough rock,” added Smith. “Some of the Martian meteorites we have are very fragile. This meteorite is as tough as old boots.”

Martian rock to be sent back to Mars in NASA's rover mission after 700,000 years

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is gearing up to carry a cutting-edge 8.4-foot telescope high into the stratosphere aboard a balloon of the size of a football stadium.

Astrophysics Stratospheric Telescope for High Spectral Resolution Observations at Submillimeter-wavelengths (ASTHROS) is tentatively planned to launch in December 2023 from Antarctica. It is a part of the space agency's Scientific Balloon Program.

ASTHROS will be stationed at an altitude of about 130,000 feet,&nbsp;roughly four times higher than commercial airliners fly'' to observe&nbsp;far-infrared light, or light with wavelengths much longer than what is visible to the human eye.

The balloon will spend about three weeks above the icy southern continent and&nbsp;will study four main targets, including two star-forming regions in the Milky Way galaxy.

According to an article published in NASA's <a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=7712https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=7712">Jet Propulsion Laboratory</a> (JPL), the telescope will be placed in the outer atmosphere, that is&nbsp;stratosphere&nbsp;to observe light wavelengths that are "blocked" by Earth's atmosphere.

JPL engineer and ASTHROS manager Jose Siles said&nbsp;"Balloon missions like ASTHROS are higher-risk than space missions but yield high-rewards at modest cost".

"The mission will pave the way for future space missions by testing new technologies and providing training for the next generation of engineers and scientists," he&nbsp;added.

The finishing touches on the design for the observatory's payload, which includes its telescope,&nbsp;its science instrument, and such subsystems as the cooling and electronic systems, were put together by the mission team recently.

The mission will make the first detailed 3 dimensional&nbsp;maps of the speed, density, and motion of gas in these regions to see how the newborn giants influence their placental material.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is gearing up to carry a cutting-edge 8.4-foot telescope high into the stratosphere aboard a balloon of the size of a football stadium.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is gearing up to carry a cutting-edge 8.4-foot telescope high into the stratosphere aboard a balloon of the size of a football stadium. Astrophysics Stratospheric Telescope for High Spectral Resolution Observations at Submillimeter-wavelengths (ASTHROS) is tentatively planned to launch in December 2023 from Antarctica. It is a part of the space agency's Scientific Balloon Program. ASTHROS will be stationed at an altitude of about 130,000 feet, roughly four times higher than commercial airliners fly'' to observe far-infrared light, or light with wavelengths much longer than what is visible to the human eye. The balloon will spend about three weeks above the icy southern continent and will study four main targets, including two star-forming regions in the Milky Way galaxy. According to an article published in NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), the telescope will be placed in the outer atmosphere, that is stratosphere to observe light wavelengths that are "blocked" by Earth's atmosphere. JPL engineer and ASTHROS manager Jose Siles said "Balloon missions like ASTHROS are higher-risk than space missions but yield high-rewards at modest cost". "The mission will pave the way for future space missions by testing new technologies and providing training for the next generation of engineers and scientists," he added. The finishing touches on the design for the observatory's payload, which includes its telescope, its science instrument, and such subsystems as the cooling and electronic systems, were put together by the mission team recently. The mission will make the first detailed 3 dimensional maps of the speed, density, and motion of gas in these regions to see how the newborn giants influence their placental material.

NASA to send stadium-size balloon to study formation of stars

Two teenage girls from India have discovered an Earth-bound asteroid by poring through images from a University of Hawaii telescope, an Indian space education institute said on Monday.

The asteroid is presently near Mars and its orbit is expected to cross that of Earth in about one million years` time, said SPACE India, a private institute where the two 14-year-old girls received training.

"I look forward to... when we will get a chance to name the asteroid," said Vaidehi Vekariya, who added that she wants to become an astronaut when she is older.

The asteroid, currently called HLV2514, may be officially christened only after NASA confirms its orbit, a SPACE India spokeswoman said.

Radhika Lakhani, the other student, said she was working hard on her education. "I don`t even have a TV at home, so that I can concentrate on my studies."

Asteroids and comets pose a potential threat to Earth, and scientists discover thousands of them each year. In 2013, an asteroid heavier than the Eiffel Tower exploded over central Russia, leaving more than 1,000 people injured from its shockwave.

The two girls, who hail from Surat, discovered the object as part of an asteroid search campaign conducted by SPACE India along with the International Astronomical Search Collaboration (IASC), a NASA-affiliated citizen scientist group.

IASC Director J. Patrick Miller confirmed the discovery, according to an email from him to the girls seen by Reuters. 
The girls used specialised software to analyse the images snapped by the Pan-STARRS telescope in Hawaii, and made the discovery in June, SPACE India said.

The institute is among the few private space education initiatives in India, a country known for championing low-cost space technology that has spurred missions to the moon and Mars.

Two teenage girls from India have discovered an Earth-bound asteroid by poring through images from a University of Hawaii telescope, an Indian space education institute said on Monday.

Two teenage girls from India have discovered an Earth-bound asteroid by poring through images from a University of Hawaii telescope, an Indian space education institute said on Monday. The asteroid is presently near Mars and its orbit is expected to cross that of Earth in about one million years` time, said SPACE India, a private institute where the two 14-year-old girls received training. "I look forward to... when we will get a chance to name the asteroid," said Vaidehi Vekariya, who added that she wants to become an astronaut when she is older. The asteroid, currently called HLV2514, may be officially christened only after NASA confirms its orbit, a SPACE India spokeswoman said. Radhika Lakhani, the other student, said she was working hard on her education. "I don`t even have a TV at home, so that I can concentrate on my studies." Asteroids and comets pose a potential threat to Earth, and scientists discover thousands of them each year. In 2013, an asteroid heavier than the Eiffel Tower exploded over central Russia, leaving more than 1,000 people injured from its shockwave. The two girls, who hail from Surat, discovered the object as part of an asteroid search campaign conducted by SPACE India along with the International Astronomical Search Collaboration (IASC), a NASA-affiliated citizen scientist group. IASC Director J. Patrick Miller confirmed the discovery, according to an email from him to the girls seen by Reuters. The girls used specialised software to analyse the images snapped by the Pan-STARRS telescope in Hawaii, and made the discovery in June, SPACE India said. The institute is among the few private space education initiatives in India, a country known for championing low-cost space technology that has spurred missions to the moon and Mars.

School girls in India discover Earth-bound asteroid

July 23 in history: China's Communist Party, NASA's discovery and more

Lightning during thunderstorms leave might leave many of us in awe but imagine if it looks so attractive sitting on the earth, how beautiful will it look from space. NASA astronaut Bob Behnken who is currently stationed at the International Space Station has given us a fair idea of it.&nbsp;

The astronaut took to Twitter to share a clip showing portion of earth's atmosphere from outer space and shows flashes among the dark clouds.&nbsp;

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Lightning from above. The violet fringes are mesmerizing. <a href="https://t.co/eLCGMTbfTY">pic.twitter.com/eLCGMTbfTY</a>
— Bob Behnken (@AstroBehnken) <a href="https://twitter.com/AstroBehnken/status/1285717390198792195?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2020</a></blockquote>
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He captioned the video: “Lightning from above. The violet fringes are mesmerizing.” &nbsp;

This video got him nearly 120,000 views and a variety of reactions from the netizens. While many were left appreciating the view, some asked questions to the astronaut. Here are some of the best reactions:&nbsp;

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I've loved thunderstorms since I was a small child. I would watch from the window, and cry when they stopped! 
I've been lucky enough to see some amazing storms, including experiencing a ground strike less than a mile away (bit too close TBH!), but the view from space beats all!
— Just Steve (@tankslappa) <a href="https://twitter.com/tankslappa/status/1285725770921508867?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2020</a></blockquote>
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🤔 Why is it purple, though?
— Judy Schmidt (@SpaceGeck) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceGeck/status/1285720737681223681?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2020</a></blockquote>
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What area is this over?
— Gregg Palermo (@GreggPalermo) <a href="https://twitter.com/GreggPalermo/status/1285718676617007106?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2020</a></blockquote>
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So pretty and peaceful 🥺 I would love to go to space but I would back out because I would start freaking out from heights 🤣
— Katelyn Marshall (@Kate_Marshall00) <a href="https://twitter.com/Kate_Marshall00/status/1285718944519782402?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2020</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

Lightning during thunderstorms leave might leave many of us in awe but imagine if it looks so attractive sitting on the earth, how beautiful will it look from space.

Lightning during thunderstorms leave might leave many of us in awe but imagine if it looks so attractive sitting on the earth, how beautiful will it look from space. NASA astronaut Bob Behnken who is currently stationed at the International Space Station has given us a fair idea of it. The astronaut took to Twitter to share a clip showing portion of earth's atmosphere from outer space and shows flashes among the dark clouds. Lightning from above. The violet fringes are mesmerizing. pic.twitter.com/eLCGMTbfTY — Bob Behnken (@AstroBehnken) July 21, 2020 × He captioned the video: “Lightning from above. The violet fringes are mesmerizing.” This video got him nearly 120,000 views and a variety of reactions from the netizens. While many were left appreciating the view, some asked questions to the astronaut. Here are some of the best reactions: I've loved thunderstorms since I was a small child. I would watch from the window, and cry when they stopped! I've been lucky enough to see some amazing storms, including experiencing a ground strike less than a mile away (bit too close TBH!), but the view from space beats all! — Just Steve (@tankslappa) July 21, 2020 × 🤔 Why is it purple, though? — Judy Schmidt (@SpaceGeck) July 21, 2020 × What area is this over? — Gregg Palermo (@GreggPalermo) July 21, 2020 × So pretty and peaceful 🥺 I would love to go to space but I would back out because I would start freaking out from heights 🤣 — Katelyn Marshall (@Kate_Marshall00) July 21, 2020 ×

'Violet fringes': Astronaut shares a clip of lightning seen from space

In quest to beat US in space, China launches independent unmanned mission to Mars

The two US astronauts who reached the International Space Station (ISS) on board the first crewed US spacecraft in nearly a decade will leave for Earth on August 1, NASA's chief said Friday.

"Splashdown is targeted for Aug. 2. Weather will drive the actual date. Stay tuned," tweeted the US space agency's administrator Jim Bridenstine.

Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley took off from Florida aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule on May 30, becoming the first astronauts to hitch a ride to the ISS on board a commercial spaceship, which is under contract with NASA.

It was the first time a crewed spaceship was launched from the United States since 2011 when the space shuttle program was ended.

Between then and this mission, American astronauts traveled exclusively on Russian rockets.

Eventually, Dragon will regularly bring four astronauts to the ISS at a time, from NASA and partner space agencies in Canada, Japan, Europe and potentially Russia.

This will be the first time the SpaceX capsule will make the journey to Earth with astronauts, having successfully completed an uncrewed test run last year.

It will splash down in the Atlantic, like the Apollo capsules did in the 1960s and 1970s.

The two US astronauts who reached the International Space Station (ISS) on board the first crewed US spacecraft in nearly a decade will leave for Earth on August 1, NASA's chief said Friday.

The two US astronauts who reached the International Space Station (ISS) on board the first crewed US spacecraft in nearly a decade will leave for Earth on August 1, NASA's chief said Friday. "Splashdown is targeted for Aug. 2. Weather will drive the actual date. Stay tuned," tweeted the US space agency's administrator Jim Bridenstine. Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley took off from Florida aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule on May 30, becoming the first astronauts to hitch a ride to the ISS on board a commercial spaceship, which is under contract with NASA. It was the first time a crewed spaceship was launched from the United States since 2011 when the space shuttle program was ended. Between then and this mission, American astronauts traveled exclusively on Russian rockets. Eventually, Dragon will regularly bring four astronauts to the ISS at a time, from NASA and partner space agencies in Canada, Japan, Europe and potentially Russia. This will be the first time the SpaceX capsule will make the journey to Earth with astronauts, having successfully completed an uncrewed test run last year. It will splash down in the Atlantic, like the Apollo capsules did in the 1960s and 1970s.

Two US astronauts to come home on SpaceX ship on August 2

A huge asteroid believed to be more than one and half times the size of the London Eye is approaching Earth, space agency NASA has warned.

The famous UK landmark is 443 feet high, and the space rock is larger than the London Eye by as much as 50 per cent.

The space agency has given the asteroid the name Asteroid 2020ND, and have branded the asteroid "potentially hazardous".

The rock will make its closest approach to Earth on July 24, reports Birmingham Live.

NASA has warned it will come within just 0.034 astronomical units (AU) of our planet.

The space agency said: "Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs) are currently defined based on parameters that measure the asteroid’s potential to make threatening close approaches to the Earth.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/five-asteroids-head-towards-earth-one-the-size-of-stadium-303234">Also read |&nbsp;Five asteroids head towards Earth; one the size of stadium</a>

"Specifically, all asteroids with a minimum orbit intersection distance (MOID) of 0.05 AYU or less are considered PHAs."

An astronomical unit is equal to about 150 million kilometres or roughly the distance from the Earth to the Sun.

NASA said on its Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) website: "The scientific interest in comets and asteroids is due largely to their status as the relatively unchanged remnant debris from the solar system formation process some 4.6 billion years ago.

"The giant outer planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune) formed from an agglomeration of billions of comets and the left over bits and pieces from this formation process are the comets we see today.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/you-can-see-these-5-planets-in-the-night-skies-all-week-long-313427">IN PICS |&nbsp;You can see these 5 planets in the night skies all week long!</a>

"Likewise, today’s asteroids are the bits and pieces left over from the initial agglomeration of the inner planets that include Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars."

A huge asteroid believed to be more than one and half times the size of the London Eye is approaching Earth, space agency NASA has warned. The famous UK landmark is 443 feet high, and the space rock is larger than the London Eye by as much as 50 per cent.

A huge asteroid believed to be more than one and half times the size of the London Eye is approaching Earth, space agency NASA has warned. The famous UK landmark is 443 feet high, and the space rock is larger than the London Eye by as much as 50 per cent. The space agency has given the asteroid the name Asteroid 2020ND, and have branded the asteroid "potentially hazardous". The rock will make its closest approach to Earth on July 24, reports Birmingham Live. NASA has warned it will come within just 0.034 astronomical units (AU) of our planet. The space agency said: "Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs) are currently defined based on parameters that measure the asteroid’s potential to make threatening close approaches to the Earth. Also read | Five asteroids head towards Earth; one the size of stadium "Specifically, all asteroids with a minimum orbit intersection distance (MOID) of 0.05 AYU or less are considered PHAs." An astronomical unit is equal to about 150 million kilometres or roughly the distance from the Earth to the Sun. NASA said on its Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) website: "The scientific interest in comets and asteroids is due largely to their status as the relatively unchanged remnant debris from the solar system formation process some 4.6 billion years ago. "The giant outer planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune) formed from an agglomeration of billions of comets and the left over bits and pieces from this formation process are the comets we see today. IN PICS | You can see these 5 planets in the night skies all week long! "Likewise, today’s asteroids are the bits and pieces left over from the initial agglomeration of the inner planets that include Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars."

Asteroid bigger than London Eye approaching close to Earth, warns NASA

The first images from ESA/NASA's Solar Orbiter, a new Sun-observing mission, are now available to the public, including the closest pictures ever taken of the Sun.

Solar Orbiter is an international collaboration between the European Space Agency or ESA, and NASA, to study our closest star, the Sun. Launched on February 9, 2020 (EST), the spacecraft completed its first close pass of the Sun in mid-June.

"These unprecedented pictures of the Sun are the closest we have ever obtained," said Holly Gilbert, NASA project scientist for the mission at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SolarOrbiter?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SolarOrbiter</a> has made its first close pass by the Sun, studying our star and space with a comprehensive suite of instruments — and the data is already revealing previously unseen details. This is <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TheSunUpClose?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TheSunUpClose</a>. <a href="https://t.co/rVMjz45DoY">https://t.co/rVMjz45DoY</a> <a href="https://t.co/YLKBXRNQZb">pic.twitter.com/YLKBXRNQZb</a>
— NASA Sun &amp; Space (@NASASun) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASASun/status/1283739829268819968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 16, 2020</a></blockquote>
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"These amazing images will help scientists piece together the Sun''s atmospheric layers, which is important for understanding how it drives space weather near the Earth and throughout the solar system," added Gilbert.

"We didn't expect such great results so early. These images show that Solar Orbiter is off to an excellent start," said Daniel Muller, ESA's Solar Orbiter project scientist.

Getting to this point was no simple feat. The novel coronavirus forced mission control at the European Space Operations Center, or ESOC, in Darmstadt, Germany to close down completely for more than a week.

During commissioning, the period when each instrument is extensively tested, ESOC staff were reduced to a skeleton crew. All but essential personnel worked from home.

"The pandemic required us to perform critical operations remotely -- the first time we have ever done that," said Russell Howard, principal investigator for one of Solar Orbiter's imagers.

But the team adapted, even readying for an unexpected encounter with comet ATLAS''s ion and dust tails on June 1 and 6, respectively.

The spacecraft completed commissioning just in time for its first close solar pass on June 15. As it flew within 48 million miles of the Sun, all 10 instruments flicked on, and Solar Orbiter snapped the closest pictures of the Sun to date. (Other spacecraft have been closer, but none have carried Sun-facing imagers.)

Solar Orbiter carries six imaging instruments, each of which studies a different aspect of the Sun. Normally, the first images from a spacecraft confirm the instruments are working; scientists don't expect new discoveries from them. But the Extreme Ultraviolet Imager, or EUI, on Solar Orbiter returned data hinting at solar features never observed in such detail.

Principal investigator David Berghmans, an astrophysicist at the Royal Observatory of Belgium in Brussels, points out what he calls "campfires" dotting the Sun in EUI's images.

"The campfires we are talking about here are the little nephews of solar flares, at least a million, perhaps a billion times smaller. When looking at the new high-resolution EUI images, they are literally everywhere we look," Berghmans said.

It's not yet clear what these campfires are or how they correspond to solar brightenings observed by other spacecraft. But it's possible they are mini-explosions known as nanoflares -- tiny but ubiquitous sparks theorized to help heat the Sun's outer atmosphere, or corona, to its temperature 300 times hotter than the solar surface.

To know for sure, scientists need a more precise measurement of the campfires' temperature. Fortunately, the Spectral Imaging of the Coronal Environment, or SPICE instrument, also on Solar Orbiter, does just that.

"So we're eagerly awaiting our next data set. The hope is to detect nanoflares for sure and to quantify their role in coronal heating," said Frederic Auchere, principal investigator for SPICE operations at the Institute for Space Astrophysics in Orsay, France.

Other images from the spacecraft showcase additional promise for later in the mission when Solar Orbiter is closer to the Sun.

The Solar and Heliospheric Imager, or SoloHI, led by Russell Howard of the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, DC, revealed the so-called zodiacal light, light from the Sun reflecting off of interplanetary dust -- a light so faint that the bright face of the Sun normally obscures it. To see it, SoloHI had to reduce the Sun''s light to one trillionth of its original brightness.

"The images produced such a perfect zodiacal light pattern, so clean. That gives us a lot of confidence that we will be able to see solar wind structures when we get closer to the Sun," Howard said.

Images from the Polar and Helioseismic Imager, or PHI, showed it is also primed for later observations. PHI maps the Sun's magnetic field, with a special focus on its poles.

It will have its heyday later in the mission as Solar Orbiter gradually tilts its orbit to 24 degrees above the plane of the planets, giving it an unprecedented view of the Sun's poles.

"The magnetic structures we see at the visible surface show that PHI is receiving top-quality data," said Sami Solanki, PHI's principal investigator at the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research in Gottingen, Germany.

"We're prepared for great science as more of the Sun's poles comes into view," Solanki added.

Today's release highlights Solar Orbiter's imagers, but the mission's four in situ instruments also revealed initial results.

In situ instruments measure the space environment immediately surrounding the spacecraft. The Solar Wind Analyser, or SWA instrument, shared the first dedicated measurements of heavy ions (carbon, oxygen, silicon, iron, and others) in the solar wind from the inner heliosphere.

The first images from ESA/NASA's Solar Orbiter, a new Sun-observing mission, are now available to the public, including the closest pictures ever taken of the Sun.

The first images from ESA/NASA's Solar Orbiter, a new Sun-observing mission, are now available to the public, including the closest pictures ever taken of the Sun. Solar Orbiter is an international collaboration between the European Space Agency or ESA, and NASA, to study our closest star, the Sun. Launched on February 9, 2020 (EST), the spacecraft completed its first close pass of the Sun in mid-June. "These unprecedented pictures of the Sun are the closest we have ever obtained," said Holly Gilbert, NASA project scientist for the mission at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. #SolarOrbiter has made its first close pass by the Sun, studying our star and space with a comprehensive suite of instruments — and the data is already revealing previously unseen details. This is #TheSunUpClose. https://t.co/rVMjz45DoY pic.twitter.com/YLKBXRNQZb — NASA Sun & Space (@NASASun) July 16, 2020 × "These amazing images will help scientists piece together the Sun''s atmospheric layers, which is important for understanding how it drives space weather near the Earth and throughout the solar system," added Gilbert. "We didn't expect such great results so early. These images show that Solar Orbiter is off to an excellent start," said Daniel Muller, ESA's Solar Orbiter project scientist. Getting to this point was no simple feat. The novel coronavirus forced mission control at the European Space Operations Center, or ESOC, in Darmstadt, Germany to close down completely for more than a week. During commissioning, the period when each instrument is extensively tested, ESOC staff were reduced to a skeleton crew. All but essential personnel worked from home. "The pandemic required us to perform critical operations remotely -- the first time we have ever done that," said Russell Howard, principal investigator for one of Solar Orbiter's imagers. But the team adapted, even readying for an unexpected encounter with comet ATLAS''s ion and dust tails on June 1 and 6, respectively. The spacecraft completed commissioning just in time for its first close solar pass on June 15. As it flew within 48 million miles of the Sun, all 10 instruments flicked on, and Solar Orbiter snapped the closest pictures of the Sun to date. (Other spacecraft have been closer, but none have carried Sun-facing imagers.) Solar Orbiter carries six imaging instruments, each of which studies a different aspect of the Sun. Normally, the first images from a spacecraft confirm the instruments are working; scientists don't expect new discoveries from them. But the Extreme Ultraviolet Imager, or EUI, on Solar Orbiter returned data hinting at solar features never observed in such detail. Principal investigator David Berghmans, an astrophysicist at the Royal Observatory of Belgium in Brussels, points out what he calls "campfires" dotting the Sun in EUI's images. "The campfires we are talking about here are the little nephews of solar flares, at least a million, perhaps a billion times smaller. When looking at the new high-resolution EUI images, they are literally everywhere we look," Berghmans said. It's not yet clear what these campfires are or how they correspond to solar brightenings observed by other spacecraft. But it's possible they are mini-explosions known as nanoflares -- tiny but ubiquitous sparks theorized to help heat the Sun's outer atmosphere, or corona, to its temperature 300 times hotter than the solar surface. To know for sure, scientists need a more precise measurement of the campfires' temperature. Fortunately, the Spectral Imaging of the Coronal Environment, or SPICE instrument, also on Solar Orbiter, does just that. "So we're eagerly awaiting our next data set. The hope is to detect nanoflares for sure and to quantify their role in coronal heating," said Frederic Auchere, principal investigator for SPICE operations at the Institute for Space Astrophysics in Orsay, France. Other images from the spacecraft showcase additional promise for later in the mission when Solar Orbiter is closer to the Sun. The Solar and Heliospheric Imager, or SoloHI, led by Russell Howard of the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, DC, revealed the so-called zodiacal light, light from the Sun reflecting off of interplanetary dust -- a light so faint that the bright face of the Sun normally obscures it. To see it, SoloHI had to reduce the Sun''s light to one trillionth of its original brightness. "The images produced such a perfect zodiacal light pattern, so clean. That gives us a lot of confidence that we will be able to see solar wind structures when we get closer to the Sun," Howard said. Images from the Polar and Helioseismic Imager, or PHI, showed it is also primed for later observations. PHI maps the Sun's magnetic field, with a special focus on its poles. It will have its heyday later in the mission as Solar Orbiter gradually tilts its orbit to 24 degrees above the plane of the planets, giving it an unprecedented view of the Sun's poles. "The magnetic structures we see at the visible surface show that PHI is receiving top-quality data," said Sami Solanki, PHI's principal investigator at the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research in Gottingen, Germany. "We're prepared for great science as more of the Sun's poles comes into view," Solanki added. Today's release highlights Solar Orbiter's imagers, but the mission's four in situ instruments also revealed initial results. In situ instruments measure the space environment immediately surrounding the spacecraft. The Solar Wind Analyser, or SWA instrument, shared the first dedicated measurements of heavy ions (carbon, oxygen, silicon, iron, and others) in the solar wind from the inner heliosphere.

NASA's solar orbiter returns first data, captures closest pictures of sun

The United Arab Emirates has postponed the launch of its mission to Mars due to weather conditions at the launch site in Japan.

The UAE government communications office said that a new launch date in July will be announced soon.

The UAE's Hope Probe, the first interplanetary mission by an Arab country, was due to launch from Japan’s Tanegashima Space Center at 12:51am UAE time on Wednesday&nbsp;for a seven-month journey to the red planet. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-curiosity-rover-embarks-on-mars-road-trip-312520">Also Read: NASA's Curiosity rover embarks on Mars road trip</a>

While the mission objective is to provide a comprehensive image of the weather dynamics in Mars' atmosphere and pave the way for scientific breakthroughs, the probe is a foundation for a much bigger goal - building a human settlement on Mars within the next 100 years.

The oil-rich Gulf nation plan to establish a "science city" on Earth that will reproduce Mars' atmospheric conditions, with the goal of establishing a human colony on the Red Planet around 2117. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/us-china-and-uae-all-set-to-take-advantage-of-mars-current-position-312295">Also Read: US, China and UAE all set to take advantage of Mars' current position</a>

Only the United States, India, the former Soviet Union, and the European Space Agency have successfully sent missions to orbit the Red Planet, while China is preparing to launch its first Mars rover later this month.

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The United Arab Emirates has postponed the launch of its mission to Mars due to weather conditions at the launch site in Japan. The UAE government communications office said that a new launch date in July will be announced soon.

The United Arab Emirates has postponed the launch of its mission to Mars due to weather conditions at the launch site in Japan. The UAE government communications office said that a new launch date in July will be announced soon. The UAE's Hope Probe, the first interplanetary mission by an Arab country, was due to launch from Japan’s Tanegashima Space Center at 12:51am UAE time on Wednesday for a seven-month journey to the red planet. Also Read: NASA's Curiosity rover embarks on Mars road trip While the mission objective is to provide a comprehensive image of the weather dynamics in Mars' atmosphere and pave the way for scientific breakthroughs, the probe is a foundation for a much bigger goal - building a human settlement on Mars within the next 100 years. The oil-rich Gulf nation plan to establish a "science city" on Earth that will reproduce Mars' atmospheric conditions, with the goal of establishing a human colony on the Red Planet around 2117. Also Read: US, China and UAE all set to take advantage of Mars' current position Only the United States, India, the former Soviet Union, and the European Space Agency have successfully sent missions to orbit the Red Planet, while China is preparing to launch its first Mars rover later this month. (With inputs from agencies)

UAE Mars mission postponed due to weather conditions

NASA's Curiosity Mars rover has started a road trip that will continue across roughly a mile of terrain. By the end of the said trip, the rover will be able to ascend to the next section of the Martian mountain it's been exploring since 2014.

The rover will then search for conditions that may have supported ancient microbial life.

The rover's next stop is a part of Mount Sharp, located on the floor of Gale Crater, called the "sulfate-bearing unit." Sulfates, like gypsum and Epsom salts, usually form around water as it evaporates, and they are yet another clue to how the climate and prospects for life on the Red Planet changed nearly 3 billion years ago.

Rover planners, who are commanding Curiosity from home rather than their offices at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, expect to reach the area in early fall.

<img alt="Stitched together from 116 images, this view captured by NASA's Curiosity Mars rover shows the path it will take in the summer of 2020 as it drives toward the next region it will be investigating, the &quot;sulfate-bearing unit.&quot; (Courtesy: NASA)" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c031705f-76ef-43b7-99b7-7ec001148b14" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/nasa%20mars%202.jpg" />

Scientists had been investigating on the mountain's "clay-bearing unit" since early 2019, and are interested in the watery environment that formed this clay and whether it could have supported ancient microbes.

Scientists are also interested in a feature between the clay unit and the sulfate unit, nicknamed the "Greenheugh pediment."

Curiosity will celebrate its eighth anniversary of landing on August 6.&nbsp;

NASA plans to send a new rover this summer to search for habitable samples in Jezero Crater.

NASA's Curiosity Mars rover has started a road trip that will continue across roughly a mile of terrain. By the end of the said trip, the rover will be able to ascend to the next section of the Martian mountain it's been exploring since 2014.

NASA's Curiosity Mars rover has started a road trip that will continue across roughly a mile of terrain. By the end of the said trip, the rover will be able to ascend to the next section of the Martian mountain it's been exploring since 2014. The rover will then search for conditions that may have supported ancient microbial life. The rover's next stop is a part of Mount Sharp, located on the floor of Gale Crater, called the "sulfate-bearing unit." Sulfates, like gypsum and Epsom salts, usually form around water as it evaporates, and they are yet another clue to how the climate and prospects for life on the Red Planet changed nearly 3 billion years ago. Rover planners, who are commanding Curiosity from home rather than their offices at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, expect to reach the area in early fall. Scientists had been investigating on the mountain's "clay-bearing unit" since early 2019, and are interested in the watery environment that formed this clay and whether it could have supported ancient microbes. Scientists are also interested in a feature between the clay unit and the sulfate unit, nicknamed the "Greenheugh pediment." Curiosity will celebrate its eighth anniversary of landing on August 6. NASA plans to send a new rover this summer to search for habitable samples in Jezero Crater.

NASA's Curiosity rover embarks on Mars road trip

The oil-rich United Arab Emirates plans to join another elite club by sending a probe to Mars -- after having built a nuclear power programme and sent a man to space.

It will mark the 50th anniversary of its unification with "Hope", an unmanned spacecraft expected to reach its target in February after being launched on July 15 from Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre.

Only the United States, India, the former Soviet Union, and the European Space Agency have successfully sent missions to orbit the Red Planet, while China is preparing to launch its first Mars rover later this month.

The UAE is now pushing to join their ranks in what will be a first for the Arab world.

While the mission objective is to provide a comprehensive image of the weather dynamics in Mars' atmosphere and pave the way for scientific breakthroughs, the probe is a foundation for a much bigger goal -- building a human settlement on Mars within the next 100 years.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/launch-of-nasa-mars-rover-delayed-again-309993">Also read |&nbsp;Launch of NASA Mars rover delayed again</a>

Dubai has hired architects to imagine what a Martian city might look like and recreate it in its desert as "Science City", at a cost of around 500 million dirhams (135 million dollars).

Over the last few decades, UAE has become a hub for young Arabs aspiring to build professional careers and raise families in a safe environment, in a region too often blighted by war and political crises.

Last September, Hazza al-Mansouri became the first Emirati in space, part of a three-member crew that blasted off on a Soyuz rocket from Kazakhstan, returning home after an eight-day mission in which he became the first Arab to visit the International Space Station.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-eyes-july-20-25-launch-for-mars-rover-309957">Also read |&nbsp;China eyes July 20-25 launch for Mars rover</a>

The oil-rich United Arab Emirates plans to join another elite club by sending a probe to Mars -- after having built a nuclear power programme and sent a man to space.

The oil-rich United Arab Emirates plans to join another elite club by sending a probe to Mars -- after having built a nuclear power programme and sent a man to space. It will mark the 50th anniversary of its unification with "Hope", an unmanned spacecraft expected to reach its target in February after being launched on July 15 from Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre. Only the United States, India, the former Soviet Union, and the European Space Agency have successfully sent missions to orbit the Red Planet, while China is preparing to launch its first Mars rover later this month. The UAE is now pushing to join their ranks in what will be a first for the Arab world. While the mission objective is to provide a comprehensive image of the weather dynamics in Mars' atmosphere and pave the way for scientific breakthroughs, the probe is a foundation for a much bigger goal -- building a human settlement on Mars within the next 100 years. Also read | Launch of NASA Mars rover delayed again Dubai has hired architects to imagine what a Martian city might look like and recreate it in its desert as "Science City", at a cost of around 500 million dirhams (135 million dollars). Over the last few decades, UAE has become a hub for young Arabs aspiring to build professional careers and raise families in a safe environment, in a region too often blighted by war and political crises. Last September, Hazza al-Mansouri became the first Emirati in space, part of a three-member crew that blasted off on a Soyuz rocket from Kazakhstan, returning home after an eight-day mission in which he became the first Arab to visit the International Space Station. Also read | China eyes July 20-25 launch for Mars rover

UAE plans to send a probe to Mars - a first for the Arab world

NASA has chosen four US small businesses to develop a range of technologies for sustainable exploration of the Moon under the Artemis programme.

The said programme aims to land the first woman and next man on the lunar surface in 2024.

NASA's small business programme will award the companies with follow-on funds with an expected combined value of approximately $17 million, and will accelerate the development of lunar technologies relevant to Artemis.

The selected companies and technologies include Fibertek of Herndon, Virginia, which will advance optical communications technologies for small spacecraft around the Moon and beyond. The system could establish high bandwidth communications in the vicinity of the Moon to relay vast amounts of data from lunar landers to Earth.

Qualtech Systems of Rocky Hill, Connecticut, will mature autonomous systems capable of continuously monitoring and providing fault and health management for spacecraft such as Gateway, a future outpost around the Moon, whether there are astronauts aboard or not.

Another company selected by NASA is Pioneer Astronautics of Lakewood, Colorado, which will build and demonstrate hardware to produce oxygen and steel from lunar regolith, or soil.

Protoinnovations of Pittsburgh will advance traction control and improve the driving ability of robotic and crewed rovers in unknown and highly variable terrain on the Moon.

NASA has chosen four US small businesses to develop a range of technologies for sustainable exploration of the Moon under the Artemis programme. The said programme aims to land the first woman and next man on the lunar surface in 2024.

NASA has chosen four US small businesses to develop a range of technologies for sustainable exploration of the Moon under the Artemis programme. The said programme aims to land the first woman and next man on the lunar surface in 2024. NASA's small business programme will award the companies with follow-on funds with an expected combined value of approximately $17 million, and will accelerate the development of lunar technologies relevant to Artemis. The selected companies and technologies include Fibertek of Herndon, Virginia, which will advance optical communications technologies for small spacecraft around the Moon and beyond. The system could establish high bandwidth communications in the vicinity of the Moon to relay vast amounts of data from lunar landers to Earth. Qualtech Systems of Rocky Hill, Connecticut, will mature autonomous systems capable of continuously monitoring and providing fault and health management for spacecraft such as Gateway, a future outpost around the Moon, whether there are astronauts aboard or not. Another company selected by NASA is Pioneer Astronautics of Lakewood, Colorado, which will build and demonstrate hardware to produce oxygen and steel from lunar regolith, or soil. Protoinnovations of Pittsburgh will advance traction control and improve the driving ability of robotic and crewed rovers in unknown and highly variable terrain on the Moon.

NASA picks four US small businesses to build Artemis lunar tech

NASA has delayed the launch of its newest Mars rover yet again. The liftoff from Cape Canaveral has now been shifted to the end of July at the earliest.

If the Perseverance rover isn't on its way by mid-August, it will have to wait until 2022 when Earth and Mars are back in proper alignment, costing NASA close to $500 million for the delay alone.

NASA is trying to eke out more time in this summer's launch opportunity, now lasting until at least August 15.

The chance to fly to Mars comes up only every 26 months.&nbsp;

It is NASA's most ambitious Mars mission yet, totalling around $ 3 billion. Besides seeking signs of past microscopic Martian life, Perseverance will gather rocks and soil for eventual return to Earth.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-postpones-mars-rover-perseverance-launch-to-july-20-305395">Also read |&nbsp;NASA postpones Mars rover Perseverance launch to July 20</a>

Rocket maker United Launch Alliance needs extra time to deal with a liquid oxygen sensor line that showed questionable readings during a recent practice countdown, officials said Tuesday.

China, meanwhile, still is pressing ahead with launches this month of Mars spacecraft.&nbsp; 
Russia and the European Space Agency had to bow out, delaying their Mars rover until 2022 because of delayed spacecraft testing and travel limitations due to the coronavirus pandemic.

NASA has delayed the launch of its newest Mars rover yet again. The liftoff from Cape Canaveral has now been shifted to the end of July at the earliest. If the Perseverance rover isn't on its way by mid-August, it will have to wait until 2022 when Earth and Mars are back in proper alignment, costing NASA close to $500 million for the delay alone.

NASA has delayed the launch of its newest Mars rover yet again. The liftoff from Cape Canaveral has now been shifted to the end of July at the earliest. If the Perseverance rover isn't on its way by mid-August, it will have to wait until 2022 when Earth and Mars are back in proper alignment, costing NASA close to $500 million for the delay alone. NASA is trying to eke out more time in this summer's launch opportunity, now lasting until at least August 15. The chance to fly to Mars comes up only every 26 months. It is NASA's most ambitious Mars mission yet, totalling around $ 3 billion. Besides seeking signs of past microscopic Martian life, Perseverance will gather rocks and soil for eventual return to Earth. Also read | NASA postpones Mars rover Perseverance launch to July 20 Rocket maker United Launch Alliance needs extra time to deal with a liquid oxygen sensor line that showed questionable readings during a recent practice countdown, officials said Tuesday. China, meanwhile, still is pressing ahead with launches this month of Mars spacecraft. Russia and the European Space Agency had to bow out, delaying their Mars rover until 2022 because of delayed spacecraft testing and travel limitations due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Launch of NASA Mars rover delayed again

A fragrance that imitates the smell of space is all set to enter the market.

The fragrance was developed by Steve Pearce to help astronauts get used to the smell of space. Pearce is seeking crowdfunding to mass-produce the perfume - Eau de Space - and launch it in a wider market. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-wants-inventors-to-design-a-loo-for-the-moon-309465">Also Read:&nbsp;NASA wants inventors to design a loo for the moon</a>

NASA has been using the fragrance for over a decade now. Pearce, who is also the CEO of Omega Ingredients, credits inputs from astronauts for his invention which took&nbsp;4 years to develop. The extraterrestrial explorers have described the odour of space as the smell of seared steak, welding fumes, hot metal, rum, raspberries and a little like gunpowder too. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/nasa-finds-evidence-of-parallel-universe-where-time-runs-backward-299949">Also Read:&nbsp;NASA finds evidence of parallel universe where time runs backward</a>

Omega Ingredients is also planning to launch a fragrance that smells of lunar dust called 'Smell of the Moon'.
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-perfume-to-bring-the-smell-of-outer-space-to-earth-309762/embed" width="560" height="350" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" autoplay=1 allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
Last week, NASA launched a Lunar loo challenge, asking the public to send across designs for compact toilets that can function in microgravity and lunar gravity.

The design will be used for the Nasa's 'Artemis' programme to land the first woman and the next man on the moon in 2024.

&nbsp;

A fragrance that imitates the smell of space is all set to enter the market. The fragrance was developed by Steve Pearce to help astronauts get used to the smell of space.

A fragrance that imitates the smell of space is all set to enter the market. The fragrance was developed by Steve Pearce to help astronauts get used to the smell of space. Pearce is seeking crowdfunding to mass-produce the perfume - Eau de Space - and launch it in a wider market. Also Read: NASA wants inventors to design a loo for the moon NASA has been using the fragrance for over a decade now. Pearce, who is also the CEO of Omega Ingredients, credits inputs from astronauts for his invention which took 4 years to develop. The extraterrestrial explorers have described the odour of space as the smell of seared steak, welding fumes, hot metal, rum, raspberries and a little like gunpowder too. Also Read: NASA finds evidence of parallel universe where time runs backward Omega Ingredients is also planning to launch a fragrance that smells of lunar dust called 'Smell of the Moon'. Last week, NASA launched a Lunar loo challenge, asking the public to send across designs for compact toilets that can function in microgravity and lunar gravity. The design will be used for the Nasa's 'Artemis' programme to land the first woman and the next man on the moon in 2024.

Now, a perfume will bring the fragrance of outer space to earth

NASA is planning to return to the moon by 2024 and wants someone to design a new toilet that works in lunar gravity. WION's Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: NASA will pay you to design a toilet for Moon

A US astronaut lost a mirror attached to his spacesuit during a spacewalk after stepping out of the International Space Station (ISS) last week.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-wants-inventors-to-design-a-loo-for-the-moon-309465">Also Read:&nbsp;NASA wants inventors to design a loo for the Moon</a>

US astronaut Chris Cassidy had gone out of the space station to replace the batteries when he lost his mirror. Cassidy's colleague Bob Behnken had accompanied him when the incident occurred.&nbsp;Chris Cassidy said losing the mirror was "a real bummer".

Chris Cassidy had arrived on the ISS in April.

Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley had entered the International Space Station last month after a landmark 19-hour journey when they were welcomed by Chris Cassidy. Behnken is on the ISS in order to conduct checks and to ensure readiness.

Chris Cassidy and Bob Behnken had reportedly completed their spacewalk spanning over six hours last Friday. It was the first of four walks taken by the duo to replace the ageing batteries at&nbsp;the space station's solar power system.

Earlier, two Russian cosmonauts aboard the ISS had played a game of chess against a grandmaster on Earth. The cosmonauts Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner played in zero gravity against 30-year-old Russian Sergei Karyakin which ended in a draw after 15 minutes. The match&nbsp;was broadcast live for Earth dwellers.

The match was part of 50th anniversary of the first Space-Earth chess game played on June 9, 1970.

A US astronaut lost a mirror attached to his spacesuit during a spacewalk after stepping out of the International Space Station (ISS) last week. Also Read: NASA wants inventors to design a loo for the Moon US astronaut Chris Cassidy had gone out of the space station to replace the batteries when he lost his mirror.

A US astronaut lost a mirror attached to his spacesuit during a spacewalk after stepping out of the International Space Station (ISS) last week. Also Read: NASA wants inventors to design a loo for the Moon US astronaut Chris Cassidy had gone out of the space station to replace the batteries when he lost his mirror. Cassidy's colleague Bob Behnken had accompanied him when the incident occurred. Chris Cassidy said losing the mirror was "a real bummer". Chris Cassidy had arrived on the ISS in April. Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley had entered the International Space Station last month after a landmark 19-hour journey when they were welcomed by Chris Cassidy. Behnken is on the ISS in order to conduct checks and to ensure readiness. Chris Cassidy and Bob Behnken had reportedly completed their spacewalk spanning over six hours last Friday. It was the first of four walks taken by the duo to replace the ageing batteries at the space station's solar power system. Earlier, two Russian cosmonauts aboard the ISS had played a game of chess against a grandmaster on Earth. The cosmonauts Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner played in zero gravity against 30-year-old Russian Sergei Karyakin which ended in a draw after 15 minutes. The match was broadcast live for Earth dwellers. The match was part of 50th anniversary of the first Space-Earth chess game played on June 9, 1970.

'Real bummer': US astronaut at International Space Station loses mirror during spacewalk

NASA has launched a Lunar loo challenge, asking the public&nbsp;to send across designs for compact toilets that can function in microgravity and lunar gravity.

NASA is offering $35,000 as a cash reward to people for engineering the best' lunar loo' design - the winning design in the technical category will receive $20,000, $10,000 for second place and $5,000 for third. Submissions can be made until August 17.

The last time astronauts landed on the moon was in 1972 during the Apollo Missions when they wore diapers and used bags to poop. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-offering-35000-prize-money-for-best-lunar-loo-design-308710">Also Read:&nbsp;NASA offering $35,000 prize money for best 'lunar loo' design</a>

The design will be used for&nbsp;the Nasa's 'Artemis' programme to land the first woman and the next man on the moon in 2024.

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This mission's flight requires a female-friendly loo which should be able to support a crew of two astronauts for 14 days. They should be easy to clean and maintain and the turnaround time should be 5 minutes. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/nasa-finds-evidence-of-parallel-universe-where-time-runs-backward-299949">Also Read: NASA finds evidence of parallel universe where time runs backward</a>

Furthermore, there is a bonus point for designs that can capture vomit without requiring the crew member to put his or her head in the toilet.

Nasa’s Artemis-3 mission, which has a launch target of 2024, aims to land a man and a woman at the lunar south pole. It would be the first time astronauts have travelled to the lunar surface since 1972. “As we prepare for this extraordinary event, we can’t forget about the ordinary needs of our astronauts,” said Interbartolo.

&nbsp;

NASA has launched a Lunar loo challenge, asking the public to send across designs for compact toilets that can function in microgravity and lunar gravity. NASA is offering $35,000 as a cash reward to people for engineering the best' lunar loo' design - the winning design in the technical category will receive $20,000, $10,000 for second place and $5,000 for third.

NASA has launched a Lunar loo challenge, asking the public to send across designs for compact toilets that can function in microgravity and lunar gravity. NASA is offering $35,000 as a cash reward to people for engineering the best' lunar loo' design - the winning design in the technical category will receive $20,000, $10,000 for second place and $5,000 for third. Submissions can be made until August 17. The last time astronauts landed on the moon was in 1972 during the Apollo Missions when they wore diapers and used bags to poop. Also Read: NASA offering $35,000 prize money for best 'lunar loo' design The design will be used for the Nasa's 'Artemis' programme to land the first woman and the next man on the moon in 2024. This mission's flight requires a female-friendly loo which should be able to support a crew of two astronauts for 14 days. They should be easy to clean and maintain and the turnaround time should be 5 minutes. Also Read: NASA finds evidence of parallel universe where time runs backward Furthermore, there is a bonus point for designs that can capture vomit without requiring the crew member to put his or her head in the toilet. Nasa’s Artemis-3 mission, which has a launch target of 2024, aims to land a man and a woman at the lunar south pole. It would be the first time astronauts have travelled to the lunar surface since 1972. “As we prepare for this extraordinary event, we can’t forget about the ordinary needs of our astronauts,” said Interbartolo.

NASA wants inventors to design a loo for the moon

NASA has released a stunning 10-year time-lapse video of the Sun, bringing a decade of activity into a one-hour film.&nbsp;

NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) has been watching the Sun non-stop for over a full decade. While orbiting around the Earth, SDO has gathered 425 million high-resolution images of the Sun, NASA said in a statement while releasing the time-lapse footage.

According to NASA, the Sun's magnetic field goes through a cycle, called the solar cycle. Every 11 years or so, the Sun's magnetic field completely flips and its north and south poles switch places.&nbsp;

"Compiling one photo every hour, the movie condenses a decade of the Sun into 61 minutes," wrote NASA while sharing the video.&nbsp;

The custom music, titled “Solar Observer,” was composed by musician Lars Leonhard.

NASA also explained that the dark frames in the video are caused by Earth or the Moon eclipsing SDO as they pass between the spacecraft and the Sun. A longer blackout in 2016 was caused by a temporary issue with the AIA instrument that was successfully resolved after a week.

The time-lapse images are taken at the extreme ultraviolet wavelength of 17.1 nanometres to capture the outer atmosphere, which is an extreme ultraviolet wavelength that shows the Sun’s outermost atmospheric layer – the corona

Titled 'A Decade of Sun', the video was released on Wednesday.&nbsp;

NASA has released a stunning 10-year time-lapse video of the Sun, bringing a decade of activity into a one-hour film. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) has been watching the Sun non-stop for over a full decade.

NASA has released a stunning 10-year time-lapse video of the Sun, bringing a decade of activity into a one-hour film. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) has been watching the Sun non-stop for over a full decade. While orbiting around the Earth, SDO has gathered 425 million high-resolution images of the Sun, NASA said in a statement while releasing the time-lapse footage. According to NASA, the Sun's magnetic field goes through a cycle, called the solar cycle. Every 11 years or so, the Sun's magnetic field completely flips and its north and south poles switch places. "Compiling one photo every hour, the movie condenses a decade of the Sun into 61 minutes," wrote NASA while sharing the video. The custom music, titled “Solar Observer,” was composed by musician Lars Leonhard. NASA also explained that the dark frames in the video are caused by Earth or the Moon eclipsing SDO as they pass between the spacecraft and the Sun. A longer blackout in 2016 was caused by a temporary issue with the AIA instrument that was successfully resolved after a week. The time-lapse images are taken at the extreme ultraviolet wavelength of 17.1 nanometres to capture the outer atmosphere, which is an extreme ultraviolet wavelength that shows the Sun’s outermost atmospheric layer – the corona Titled 'A Decade of Sun', the video was released on Wednesday.

NASA releases stunning 10-year time-lapse of the Sun

Permitting the entry of private players in space projects appears to be the new way to ensure efficiency and optimum utilisation of resources

Space X's&nbsp;Falcon 9 is the first privately-built rocket by Elon Musk's Tesla.

It's&nbsp;historic launch took two NASA&nbsp;astronauts to the International Space Station from&nbsp;the&nbsp;Complex 39-A at Cape Canaveral in Florida.

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Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/spacex-astronauts-land-safely-at-international-space-station-for-nasa-302267">SpaceX astronauts land safely at International Space Station for NASA</a>

The launch last month marked a significant shift in space exploration. For the first time ever, NASA&nbsp;allowed a private player a glimpse beyond the Earth's orbit.

Indian Space Research Organisation has taken its first big step in a similar&nbsp;direction. The Indian government has set-up two bodies that will assist ISRO&nbsp;to facilitate private participation.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/private-players-welcome-in-indias-space-journey-but-isro-needs-an-organizational-revamp-to-focus-on-rd-301484">Private players welcome in India’s Space journey, but ISRO needs an organizational revamp to focus on R&amp;D</a>

ISRO's programs are hailed across the world for running on a shoe-string budget. The Mars mission is staggeringly cheap by western standards.

India is already the global launchpad for small and light satellites. Given the low-budget and limited workforce, routine work hampers advanced research into inter-planetary and human space flight missions.This the big frontier that ISRO&nbsp;needs to&nbsp;conquer.

They were involved earlier as well but in a different capacity.

ISRO&nbsp;has tie-ups with around 150 private firms which are&nbsp;exclusive suppliers to India's space programs.

Now, private players can start building and launching satellites as well. This is an extension of India's aim to become self-reliant.

The sphere of space exploration required special attention as ISRO&nbsp;is fully dependent on two launch vehicles in the PSLV&nbsp;and GSLV&nbsp;series which&nbsp;were conceptualised back in the 1970s and 1980s.

In the last 27 years, ISRO&nbsp;has not been able to develop more powerful propulsion engines. India still uses a French engine to launch its own satellites.

For a manned mission, ISRO&nbsp;needs to improve the payload capacity, which needs an engine that will thrust India to greater heights.

Therefore, the government has decided to open up India's space sector and giving it more time to carry out cutting-edge research.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-chinas-beidou-geo-tracker-satellite-will-take-on-us-owned-gps-307986">How China's Beidou geo-tracker satellite will take on US-owned GPS</a>

Leading space explorers such as US, China and the European space agency are encouraging private participation. But the US&nbsp;took the giant leap when it allowed its space agency NASA to collaborate with Elon Musk's Space X.

From Richard Branson to Jeff Bezos, billionaires are creating their own space companies.

A few days ago, China launched its final Beidou satellite. The deployment of china's global navigation system is complete. A network of 35 satellites&nbsp;will power China's own gps system.

Following the border conflict with China,&nbsp; ISRO's services are&nbsp;required to refine India's satellites for the military.

With this opening of the space sector, routine satellite launches can be left to private players.

Permitting the entry of private players in space projects appears to be the new way to ensure efficiency and optimum utilisation of resources Space X's Falcon 9 is the first privately-built rocket by Elon Musk's Tesla.

Permitting the entry of private players in space projects appears to be the new way to ensure efficiency and optimum utilisation of resources Space X's Falcon 9 is the first privately-built rocket by Elon Musk's Tesla. It's historic launch took two NASA astronauts to the International Space Station from the Complex 39-A at Cape Canaveral in Florida. × Also see: SpaceX astronauts land safely at International Space Station for NASA The launch last month marked a significant shift in space exploration. For the first time ever, NASA allowed a private player a glimpse beyond the Earth's orbit. Indian Space Research Organisation has taken its first big step in a similar direction. The Indian government has set-up two bodies that will assist ISRO to facilitate private participation. Also read: Private players welcome in India’s Space journey, but ISRO needs an organizational revamp to focus on R&D ISRO's programs are hailed across the world for running on a shoe-string budget. The Mars mission is staggeringly cheap by western standards. India is already the global launchpad for small and light satellites. Given the low-budget and limited workforce, routine work hampers advanced research into inter-planetary and human space flight missions.This the big frontier that ISRO needs to conquer. They were involved earlier as well but in a different capacity. ISRO has tie-ups with around 150 private firms which are exclusive suppliers to India's space programs. Now, private players can start building and launching satellites as well. This is an extension of India's aim to become self-reliant. The sphere of space exploration required special attention as ISRO is fully dependent on two launch vehicles in the PSLV and GSLV series which were conceptualised back in the 1970s and 1980s. In the last 27 years, ISRO has not been able to develop more powerful propulsion engines. India still uses a French engine to launch its own satellites. For a manned mission, ISRO needs to improve the payload capacity, which needs an engine that will thrust India to greater heights. Therefore, the government has decided to open up India's space sector and giving it more time to carry out cutting-edge research. Also see: How China's Beidou geo-tracker satellite will take on US-owned GPS Leading space explorers such as US, China and the European space agency are encouraging private participation. But the US took the giant leap when it allowed its space agency NASA to collaborate with Elon Musk's Space X. From Richard Branson to Jeff Bezos, billionaires are creating their own space companies. A few days ago, China launched its final Beidou satellite. The deployment of china's global navigation system is complete. A network of 35 satellites will power China's own gps system. Following the border conflict with China, ISRO's services are required to refine India's satellites for the military. With this opening of the space sector, routine satellite launches can be left to private players.

Permitting entry of private players in space projects is new way to ensure efficiency

NASA is offering $35,000 as a cash reward to people for engineering the best&nbsp;the best 'lunar loo' design.

Interbartolo, is project manager for the Lunar Loo Challenge, a&nbsp;NASA&nbsp;competition in partnership with HeroX launched on Thursday that hopes to attract new and innovative solutions to the problem of capturing and containing human waste in space.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/nasa-finds-evidence-of-parallel-universe-where-time-runs-backward-299949">NASA finds evidence of parallel universe where time runs backward</a>

Entrants stand to win a share of the $35,000&nbsp;prize money and contribute to toilet technology destined for Artemis, Nasa’s programme to land the first woman and the next man on the moon by 2024.

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&nbsp;Nasa’s Orion spacecraft, the first step in its Artemis mission to land the first woman and next man on the moon by 2024. Photograph:AFP

Space&nbsp;toilet technology has come some way from the grim Apollo years, when bags had to be taped to the astronaut’s buttocks in a setup that was not always as secure as might have been hoped. One mission transcript records an exchange between crew members: “Where did that come from?… There’s a turd floating through the air.”

The international space station (ISS) features a large, industrial-looking Russian-made toilet that uses suction technology to overcome the challenge of pooing and peeing in microgravity. NASA, however, is seeking something that would function equally well on the lunar surface, where gravity is about a sixth of that on Earth.

“We definitely don’t want folks to just say we know what the ISS toilet looks like, so we take off a bit of mass and make it more compact,” said Interbartolo. “We’re looking outside the box … We want to tap into those garage thinkers, the maker space community and see what the unknown unknowns out there are.”

Would-be innovators must meet Nasa’s technical specifications. Their designs have to be lighter than 15kg in Earth’s gravity, no larger than 0.12m3&nbsp;and no louder than the average bathroom fan, and the must be able to cater to all the toilet needs of its female and male users safely and securely.

“Additionally, toilet designs must be able to accommodate sick crew members dealing with vomiting and diarrhoea. Bonus points will be awarded to designs that can capture vomit without requiring the crew member to put his/her head in the toilet,” Nasa says. The elegance and design of the entries and their ability to afford some level of privacy in small flight modules will also be considered.

Nasa’s Artemis-3 mission, which has a launch target of 2024, aims to land a man and a woman at the lunar south pole. It would be the first time astronauts have travelled to the lunar surface since 1972. “As we prepare for this extraordinary event, we can’t forget about the ordinary needs of our astronauts,” said Interbartolo.

Submissions can be amde till August 17.

NASA is offering $35,000 as a cash reward to people for engineering the best the best 'lunar loo' design. Interbartolo, is project manager for the Lunar Loo Challenge, a NASA competition in partnership with HeroX launched on Thursday that hopes to attract new and innovative solutions to the problem of capturing and containing human waste in space.

NASA is offering $35,000 as a cash reward to people for engineering the best the best 'lunar loo' design. Interbartolo, is project manager for the Lunar Loo Challenge, a NASA competition in partnership with HeroX launched on Thursday that hopes to attract new and innovative solutions to the problem of capturing and containing human waste in space. Also read: NASA finds evidence of parallel universe where time runs backward Entrants stand to win a share of the $35,000 prize money and contribute to toilet technology destined for Artemis, Nasa’s programme to land the first woman and the next man on the moon by 2024. Nasa’s Orion spacecraft, the first step in its Artemis mission to land the first woman and next man on the moon by 2024. Photograph:AFP Space toilet technology has come some way from the grim Apollo years, when bags had to be taped to the astronaut’s buttocks in a setup that was not always as secure as might have been hoped. One mission transcript records an exchange between crew members: “Where did that come from?… There’s a turd floating through the air.” The international space station (ISS) features a large, industrial-looking Russian-made toilet that uses suction technology to overcome the challenge of pooing and peeing in microgravity. NASA, however, is seeking something that would function equally well on the lunar surface, where gravity is about a sixth of that on Earth. “We definitely don’t want folks to just say we know what the ISS toilet looks like, so we take off a bit of mass and make it more compact,” said Interbartolo. “We’re looking outside the box … We want to tap into those garage thinkers, the maker space community and see what the unknown unknowns out there are.” Would-be innovators must meet Nasa’s technical specifications. Their designs have to be lighter than 15kg in Earth’s gravity, no larger than 0.12m3 and no louder than the average bathroom fan, and the must be able to cater to all the toilet needs of its female and male users safely and securely. “Additionally, toilet designs must be able to accommodate sick crew members dealing with vomiting and diarrhoea. Bonus points will be awarded to designs that can capture vomit without requiring the crew member to put his/her head in the toilet,” Nasa says. The elegance and design of the entries and their ability to afford some level of privacy in small flight modules will also be considered. Nasa’s Artemis-3 mission, which has a launch target of 2024, aims to land a man and a woman at the lunar south pole. It would be the first time astronauts have travelled to the lunar surface since 1972. “As we prepare for this extraordinary event, we can’t forget about the ordinary needs of our astronauts,” said Interbartolo. Submissions can be amde till August 17.

NASA offering $35,000 prize money for best 'lunar loo' design

NASA has decided to rename its Washington headquarters after Mary Jackson, its first black female engineer. Mary Jackson's story was told in an American hit film "Hidden Figures."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rhode-island-to-change-official-name-over-links-to-colonial-slavery-governor-signs-executive-orders-308381" hreflang="en">Rhode Island to change official name over links to colonial slavery; Governor signs executive orders</a>

"Mary W. Jackson was part of a group of very important women who helped NASA succeed in getting American astronauts into space," NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine said in a statement.

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📍 Welcome to the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building 
 
Today, Administrator <a href="https://twitter.com/JimBridenstine?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JimBridenstine</a> announced that we’re naming our headquarters building in Washington, DC after our first African-American female engineer: <a href="https://t.co/znX2jXklRh">https://t.co/znX2jXklRh</a>
— NASA (@NASA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1275980031978856449?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
📍 Welcome to the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building 
 
Today, Administrator <a href="https://twitter.com/JimBridenstine?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JimBridenstine</a> announced that we’re naming our headquarters building in Washington, DC after our first African-American female engineer: <a href="https://t.co/znX2jXklRh">https://t.co/znX2jXklRh</a>
— NASA (@NASA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1275980031978856449?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
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"Mary never accepted the status quo, she helped break barriers and open opportunities for African Americans and women in the field of engineering and technology."

Jackson was recruited in 1951 by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, which in 1958 was succeeded by NASA. She began her career as a research mathematician and was later promoted to become the agency's first black female engineer.

<img alt="wkem" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0eafdd60-d987-472a-86a7-0a81145a4aaa" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%282%29_92.jpg" />

Jim Bridenstine announced that the new Mary W Jackson NASA headquarters building would be located on "Hidden Figures Way," which was renamed just last year.

"Hidden no more, we will continue to recognize the contributions of women, African Americans, and people of all backgrounds who have made NASA's successful history of exploration possible," Bridenstine said.

NASA's move comes weeks after protests in the US against systemic racism and racial inequality.

"NASA facilities across the country are named after people who dedicated their lives to push the frontiers of the aerospace industry," Bridenstine said.

"The nation is beginning to awaken to the greater need to honour the full diversity of people who helped pioneer our great nation."

(Inputs from AFP)

NASA has decided to rename its Washington headquarters after Mary Jackson, its first black female engineer. Mary Jackson's story was told in an American hit film "Hidden Figures.

NASA has decided to rename its Washington headquarters after Mary Jackson, its first black female engineer. Mary Jackson's story was told in an American hit film "Hidden Figures." Also read: Rhode Island to change official name over links to colonial slavery; Governor signs executive orders "Mary W. Jackson was part of a group of very important women who helped NASA succeed in getting American astronauts into space," NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine said in a statement. 📍 Welcome to the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building Today, Administrator @JimBridenstine announced that we’re naming our headquarters building in Washington, DC after our first African-American female engineer: https://t.co/znX2jXklRh — NASA (@NASA) June 25, 2020 📍 Welcome to the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building Today, Administrator @JimBridenstine announced that we’re naming our headquarters building in Washington, DC after our first African-American female engineer: https://t.co/znX2jXklRh — NASA (@NASA) June 25, 2020 × "Mary never accepted the status quo, she helped break barriers and open opportunities for African Americans and women in the field of engineering and technology." Jackson was recruited in 1951 by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, which in 1958 was succeeded by NASA. She began her career as a research mathematician and was later promoted to become the agency's first black female engineer. Jim Bridenstine announced that the new Mary W Jackson NASA headquarters building would be located on "Hidden Figures Way," which was renamed just last year. "Hidden no more, we will continue to recognize the contributions of women, African Americans, and people of all backgrounds who have made NASA's successful history of exploration possible," Bridenstine said. NASA's move comes weeks after protests in the US against systemic racism and racial inequality. "NASA facilities across the country are named after people who dedicated their lives to push the frontiers of the aerospace industry," Bridenstine said. "The nation is beginning to awaken to the greater need to honour the full diversity of people who helped pioneer our great nation." (Inputs from AFP)

NASA renames headquarters after Mary Jackson, the inspiration behind Oscar nominated film 'Hidden Figures'

Billionaire Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc said on Monday it has signed up with NASA to develop a program to promote private missions to the International Space Station, sending the shares of the company up more than 14 per cent.

As part of its agreement with the Johnson Space Center, the space tourism company will identify entities keen to buy private missions and develop training packages, as well as aid in transportation, on-orbit and ground resources. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-postpones-mars-rover-perseverance-launch-to-july-20-305395">Also Read: NASA postpones Mars rover Perseverance launch to July 20.&nbsp;</a>

NASA is leaning heavily on private companies built around shared visions for space exploration, as it gears up for a long-term presence on the moon and prepares for a manned mission to Mars.

The space launch system, which is set to debut next year, is NASA’s ride for transporting humans from the Earth to the moon by 2024. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-next-mars-rover-honours-healthcare-workers-battling-coronavirus-306846">Also Read: NASA's Next Mars rover honours healthcare workers battling coronavirus</a>

Shares of the company were up at $17.13 in premarket trading.

Billionaire Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc said on Monday it has signed up with NASA to develop a program to promote private missions to the International Space Station, sending the shares of the company up more than 14 per cent.

Billionaire Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc said on Monday it has signed up with NASA to develop a program to promote private missions to the International Space Station, sending the shares of the company up more than 14 per cent. As part of its agreement with the Johnson Space Center, the space tourism company will identify entities keen to buy private missions and develop training packages, as well as aid in transportation, on-orbit and ground resources. Also Read: NASA postpones Mars rover Perseverance launch to July 20. NASA is leaning heavily on private companies built around shared visions for space exploration, as it gears up for a long-term presence on the moon and prepares for a manned mission to Mars. The space launch system, which is set to debut next year, is NASA’s ride for transporting humans from the Earth to the moon by 2024. Also Read: NASA's Next Mars rover honours healthcare workers battling coronavirus Shares of the company were up at $17.13 in premarket trading.

Virgin Galactic, NASA to develop program for private missions to ISS

As a mark of respect all the healthcare workers fighting coronavirus battle around the world, NASA's Next Mars rover revealed a commemorative plate attached to the rover,&nbsp;called the COVID-19 Perseverance plate.

Deputy project manager Matt Wallace of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, said that medical workers have inspired them and he hopes that this Perseverance plate inspires them in return.

NASA's next Mars rover is scheduled to be launched on July 20, 2020. The launch is scheduled for 9.15 am ET with a two-hour window. If the rover isn’t launched by mid-August, it would need to wait until 2022 when Earth and Mars are back in proper alignment.&nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-postpones-mars-rover-perseverance-launch-to-july-20-305395">Also Read: NASA postpones Mars rover Perseverance launch to July 20</a>

In April, NASA developed high-pressure ventilator to fight COVID-19. &nbsp;The device called VITAL is intended to last three to four months and is specifically tailored for COVID-19 patients, according to NASA.

This high-pressure ventilator offers a simple, affordable option for treating critical patients while freeing up traditional ventilators for those with the most severe COVID-19 symptoms. Its flexible design means it also can be modified for use in field hospitals, the NASA statement read. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spacex-becomes-first-commercial-company-to-launch-nasa-astronauts-302454">Also Read: SpaceX becomes first commercial company to launch NASA astronauts</a>

Three Indian companies, apart from 18 other companies from other countries, have been selected by NASA to manufacture its indigenously developed ventilators.

(With inputs from agencies)

As a mark of respect all the healthcare workers fighting coronavirus battle around the world, NASA's Next Mars rover revealed a commemorative plate attached to the rover, called the COVID-19 Perseverance plate.

As a mark of respect all the healthcare workers fighting coronavirus battle around the world, NASA's Next Mars rover revealed a commemorative plate attached to the rover, called the COVID-19 Perseverance plate. Deputy project manager Matt Wallace of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, said that medical workers have inspired them and he hopes that this Perseverance plate inspires them in return. NASA's next Mars rover is scheduled to be launched on July 20, 2020. The launch is scheduled for 9.15 am ET with a two-hour window. If the rover isn’t launched by mid-August, it would need to wait until 2022 when Earth and Mars are back in proper alignment. Also Read: NASA postpones Mars rover Perseverance launch to July 20 In April, NASA developed high-pressure ventilator to fight COVID-19. The device called VITAL is intended to last three to four months and is specifically tailored for COVID-19 patients, according to NASA. This high-pressure ventilator offers a simple, affordable option for treating critical patients while freeing up traditional ventilators for those with the most severe COVID-19 symptoms. Its flexible design means it also can be modified for use in field hospitals, the NASA statement read. Also Read: SpaceX becomes first commercial company to launch NASA astronauts Three Indian companies, apart from 18 other companies from other countries, have been selected by NASA to manufacture its indigenously developed ventilators. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA's Next Mars rover honours healthcare workers battling coronavirus

NASA has postponed the launch of its Perseverance Mars rover to July 20 -- after the team decided it needed additional time to repair an issue with the ground system equipment.

"NASA and ULA are now targetting Monday, July 20, for launch of the Mars 2020 mission of the Perseverance Rover on an Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida," NASA officials said in an update on Thursday.

The launch is scheduled for 9.15 am ET with a two-hour window.

Perseverance Mars rover was earlier scheduled to lift off aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V 541 rocket on July 17. 
 
It's said the issue involved a faulty crane.

"Crane, now fixed. Rocket is fine," Tory Bruno, the CEO of United Launch Alliance tweeted in response to a question by a Twitter user about the cause of the delay.

Perseverance is part of a larger programme that includes missions to the Moon as a way to prepare for human exploration of the Red Planet.

The Perseverance rover, a robotic scientist weighing 1,025 kg, will search for signs of past microbial life on Mars and also collect samples for future return to Earth.

The rover is scheduled to land on Mars' Jezero Crater on February 18, 2021. 
&nbsp;

NASA has postponed the launch of its Perseverance Mars rover to July 20 -- after the team decided it needed additional time to repair an issue with the ground system equipment.

NASA has postponed the launch of its Perseverance Mars rover to July 20 -- after the team decided it needed additional time to repair an issue with the ground system equipment. "NASA and ULA are now targetting Monday, July 20, for launch of the Mars 2020 mission of the Perseverance Rover on an Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida," NASA officials said in an update on Thursday. The launch is scheduled for 9.15 am ET with a two-hour window. Perseverance Mars rover was earlier scheduled to lift off aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V 541 rocket on July 17. It's said the issue involved a faulty crane. "Crane, now fixed. Rocket is fine," Tory Bruno, the CEO of United Launch Alliance tweeted in response to a question by a Twitter user about the cause of the delay. Perseverance is part of a larger programme that includes missions to the Moon as a way to prepare for human exploration of the Red Planet. The Perseverance rover, a robotic scientist weighing 1,025 kg, will search for signs of past microbial life on Mars and also collect samples for future return to Earth. The rover is scheduled to land on Mars' Jezero Crater on February 18, 2021.

NASA postpones Mars rover Perseverance launch to July 20

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