engineering
LightSail Test Mission Declared Success
Posted in Hardware on 10th Jun, 2015
by Alex Muller
The Planetary Societys LightSail test mission successfully completed its primary objective of deploying a solar sail in low-Earth orbit.
Virgin Galactic pilot recalls October's crash
Posted in Business on 4th Jun, 2015
by Alex Muller
Richard Branson is under pressure to prove his dream can still come true.
NASA Chief Wants to Cut Mars Travel Time in Half
Posted in Science on 3rd Jun, 2015
by Alex Muller
Getting astronauts to Mars will take all the expertise the US can muster, including advanced propulsion technologies such as solar electric engines and perhaps even nuclear rockets.
LightSail spacecraft is back in touch with Earth after rebooting itself
Posted in Software on 31st May, 2015
by Alex Muller
About a week after its launch on May 20th, LightSail lost the ability to send data to the crew because of a software glitch.
SABRE engine concept passes US Air Force feasibilty test
Posted in Hardware on 26th Apr, 2015
by Alex Muller
Reaction Engines' Skylon reusable spaceplane project has been given a boost, with analysis confirming the feasibility of the SABRE engine cycle concept that lies at its heart.