The Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) mission has successfully executed the first of three orbital correction maneuvers to bring its spacecraft closer to asteroid Eros. The spacecraft will make a gradual pass within 4 miles of the asteroid's surface, gathering high-resolution images and data on the asteroid's structure.
Hernandez Engineering, Inc. will deliver management, personnel, equipment, and supplies for safety and mission assurance at NASA's Marshall Center. The contract value is up to $35.9 million, with a focus on reducing space launch costs and improving flight safety.
Astronomer Joseph Veverka's team observed a 'saturated' surface with tiny craters and abundant blocks of ejected debris on asteroid 433 Eros. The low gravity is puzzling, as most ejecta would be expected to escape into space.
The NEAR mission has provided definitive mass and density measurements of asteroid 433 Eros, confirming it is an undifferentiated, homogeneous structure. The asteroid's surface features spectacular images and movies showing ridges, pits, troughs, and grooves that provide fascinating clues about its history.
Cornell University has been selected by NASA to lead the science team for the next Mars mission, which will include a large roving vehicle carrying six scientific instruments. The rover's Pancam panoramic camera system will reveal terrain around the vehicle and help select rock targets for study.
The NEAR Shoemaker mission suggests asteroid Eros is a primordial relic from the solar system's formation, with an elemental composition similar to chondritic meteorites. Studying Eros could help scientists understand how rocky planets evolved.
The Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) spacecraft has captured the chemical composition of asteroid Eros, indicating it is a primitive relic from the solar system's emergence from a cloud of gas and dust. The data suggest that Eros has remained largely unchanged since its initial formation.
Astronomers have obtained radar images of a giant, dog bone-shaped asteroid called 216 Kleopatra, located in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. The asteroid is about 217 kilometers long and 94 kilometers wide, with a shape that resembles a distorted dumbbell or dog bone.
The NEAR spacecraft has obtained the first ever laser range returns from an asteroid and the first ever X-ray detection of an asteroid. High-resolution images show chains of craters, numerous boulders, and long ridges on the surface of asteroid Eros.
An asteroid impact would cause catastrophic destruction and an impact winter, but a subsequent 'ultraviolet spring' could be even more devastating due to ozone depletion and acid rain. This period of intense UV radiation could lead to widespread DNA damage, mutations, cancer, and plant death.
The Cornell University-led Comet Nucleus Tour mission aims to conduct close-proximity comet flybys, studying the comets' geology and composition. The spacecraft will be launched in July 2002 and explore Comets Encke, Schwassmann-Wachmann-3, and potentially others.
The Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) spacecraft has captured a striking image of an asteroid featuring a heart-shaped depression. The feature, located below a large ridge on the potato-shaped asteroid, is approximately 3 miles wide and was visible from 1,609 miles away.
The NEAR spacecraft is set to embark on a historic asteroid rendezvous with Eros, the largest near-Earth asteroid discovered so far. Using its instruments, scientists will study the asteroid's chemical and physical features, evolutionary history, and magnetic field to gain insights into asteroids' origins.
A new chemical probe has revealed the tiny movements of DNA's chemical base pairs, which last only a fraction of a second. This discovery may improve drug design and help doctors understand diseases caused by genetic mutations, such as cancer.
A Yale researcher has recalculated the number of near-Earth asteroids, estimating fewer than initially thought, with a smaller potential impact risk. The study found that only 500 to 1,000 such asteroids exist, each carrying a 0.5% chance of colliding with Earth in the next million years.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new probe that can detect the motion of molecules in polymers as they are being stretched. This breakthrough allows for a fundamental understanding of polymer behavior, which can improve material design and mechanical properties.
The Mars Pathfinder mission sent back 2.3 gigabits of new data, including over 17,000 images and 16 chemical analyses of rocks and soil. The mission provided key findings on Mars' geology, magnetic properties, atmosphere, and cartography.
An asteroid approximately 30-50 metres across has been discovered in an orbit close to Earth's, likely originating from the Moon. The object's unusual nearly circular orbit is unlike most comets and asteroids that cross the Earth's orbit.
Researchers developed a sensitive and accurate probe to measure cartilage damage, using ultrasound and load cell units. The probe can be used arthroscopically, allowing for precise assessment of cartilage thickness and mechanical strength before surgery.
A team of Cornell University mission engineers created a last-minute fix to send commands to the Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) spacecraft, allowing it to capture hundreds of new images of asteroid 433 Eros. The fix was completed in just 12 hours and was tested for errors before being sent to the craft.
The Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) spacecraft is preparing for a January 3, 1999, engine burn to rendezvous with asteroid 433 Eros. The spacecraft will increase its speed by 2,100 mph and enter orbit around Eros after catching up with the asteroid in mid-February 2000.
The NEAR mission will orbit and study asteroid Eros for a year, taking millions of measurements and images to determine its physical and geological properties. The spacecraft will face significant engineering challenges in maneuvering within 9 miles of the asteroid's surface.
A recent study found a link between an asteroid/comet impact and the disappearance of 35 mammal species and a flightless bird 3.3 million years ago in southeastern Argentina. The research suggests that the impact may have triggered a climate change, leading to regional extinctions.
Deep Space 1, a miniaturized space probe powered by solar-electric propulsion, will navigate through space and analyze charged particles and magnetic fields surrounding an asteroid and two comets. The mission, led by CU-Boulder Professor Fran Bagenal, tests innovative technologies and aims to explore the outer solar system.
Scientists can now examine a material's surface using specially constructed probes, identifying contaminants and component parts. The probes also measure thermal properties, conductivity, and topography to provide insights into material behavior.
The Stardust mission, launched in February, will be the first mission since Apollo to return samples of space material to Earth for analysis. The spacecraft will encounter Wild 2, a comet that alters course among the inner planets, and trap small particles from its coma.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a genetic algorithm that optimizes low-thrust trajectories for interplanetary missions, increasing payload capability and flexibility.
The Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) spacecraft successfully completed its Earth swingby, putting it on course for a historic encounter with asteroid 433 Eros. Scientists released the first images from the mission on January 26, providing valuable insights into the spacecraft's performance and trajectory.
The images taken by the Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) spacecraft reveal a cratered surface and porous composition of asteroid 253 Mathilde. Scientists were surprised to find large craters packed tightly on the relatively small surface, indicating that large objects can strike without destroying it.
The USMP-4 mission successfully delivered a haul of science and samples to help scientists investigate the era of International Space Station. The mission made significant contributions to materials science, solidification processes, and ultrasmall electronics, with results expected to have practical applications in industries like eye...
The Mars 2001 Lander mission aims to investigate the geological record of ancient Martian waterways and possible biology. Cornell's Athena rover will use its integrated scientific instruments to collect data on the planet's surface, including an imager, infrared spectrometer, and Alpha-Proton-X-Ray spectrometer.
The Comet Nucleus Tour mission, led by Cornell University, aims to study the composition of comet nuclei and assess their diversity. The mission will take images and comparative spectral maps of at least three comet nuclei, analyzing dust and gas flowing from them.
The CU instrument package will study Saturn's spectacular ring system, moons and atmospheric gases. It will analyze the atmosphere of Titan, a moon with conditions similar to early Earth.
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory's NEAR spacecraft has detected a major gamma-ray burst, validating its instrument as a true partner in the interplanetary network. The detection expands the network to locate gamma-ray sources with greater accuracy.
The Mars Global Surveyor mission will spend nearly two years collecting data as it maps Mars' surface and atmosphere. The spacecraft will use aerobraking to trim its path around the planet, allowing for a global portrait of Mars' topography, mineral composition, and interior.
Astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope have discovered a large crater on asteroid Vesta with an estimated diameter of 285 miles and 8 miles deep. The crater's impact debris is believed to be a source of special types of meteorites, including those found in Hawaii.
Researchers at the University of Kansas have improved near-field optical scanning microscopy to study individual biological molecules. The new cantilevered probe reduces force on samples, allowing for gentler interaction and high sensitivity.
Scientists from UCLA and the University of Washington found that a combination of factors, including asteroid impacts and sea level changes, contributed to the extinction of 70 percent of species. The impact of meteorites accounts for 50-75% of extinctions, while sea level drop caused 0-25%.
A new study suggests the Yucatan asteroid impact was particularly deadly to North America due to its oblique angle, spreading energy northwest. The severe extinction intensity was highest downrange of the impact in North America.
UC Berkeley's Center for Extreme Ultraviolet Astrophysics will take over day-to-day operations of the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE) observatory, fostering space science and technology innovation. The transfer aims to reduce costs and increase educational outreach through project-based learning experiences.