Latest news with #Apollo17
Observer
2 days ago
- Science
- Observer
Omanis begin scientific journey to NASA
TEXAS: The Omani teams shortlisted for the NASA Space Apps Challenge 2024 have commenced their scientific visit to the United States with a tour of NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. The exchange programme is organised by the US Embassy in Oman in collaboration with the University of Technology and Applied Sciences. The visit began with the Omani team exploring Space Center Houston, one of the premier scientific destinations in the US. The team toured the Independence Plaza, home to a full-scale replica of the NASA space shuttle mounted atop the historic shuttle carrier aircraft and examined exhibition halls featuring original spacecraft, including the Apollo 17 command module. Dr Fatima al Harthy, team leader, stated that the visit to Johnson Space Center provided the team with a unique opportunity to engage with NASA's storied history and ambitious future. She emphasised that such experiences not only inspire participants but also foster a culture of scientific innovation among Omani youth. The team comprises distinguished students from several Omani educational institutions, including the University of Technology and Applied Sciences, the Military Technological College and the German University of Technology in Oman. This visit reflects a forward-looking vision to empower Omani youth by exposing them to global experiences in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. It also strengthens Oman's presence in international scientific forums, aligning with the nation's ongoing efforts to build a knowledge- and innovation-driven economy. — ONA
Time of India
3 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
Moon's volcanic history trapped in tiny glass beads: A valuable clue for NASA
Source: Astronauts have discovered tiny glass beads , called 'Moon beads,' in lunar soil brought back by the Apollo 17 mission . These beads are valuable to scientists to learn more about the Moon's past. The size of these beads is less than a millimeter, and they were formed 3.3 billion years ago, during volcanic eruptions of the moon. As the molten lava blasted into space, it cooled and solidified instantly, forming tiny glass beads that contain valuable information about the Moon's volcanic history. The orange ones, rich in titanium, provide clues about the Moon's magma and volcanic activity. Scientists are now focusing on the outside of these beads, where tiny minerals reveal clues about ancient volcanic activity. Know about the moon beads discovered The moon beads contain trapped gases that haven't escaped. Studies have found that these beads contain water, challenging the previous notion that the Moon is dry. The moon beads are composed of sphalerite, starting with high iron content at the base and becoming purer zinc towards the top, indicating that volcanic eruption clouds cooled and thinned as the beads travelled. The sparkle on the glass beads comes from tiny mounds of zinc sulfide, just billionths of an inch high. Similar beads have been found from other areas, which have coatings of sodium chloride, gallium, or fluorine, supporting the idea that the eruption clouds contained volatile metals. Despite being only a few hundred atoms thick, these films provide detailed information about pressure, temperature, and gas composition, and also explain why the beads sparkle against the lunar landscape. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Solicite sua Certidão. Envio para todo o Brasil. DocnoBr New instruments reveal insights about moon beads According to the journal published in Icarus ( , Ogliore's lab utilized a NanoSIMS instrument that strikes samples with ions and counts fragments one atom at a time. Microscopes and an atom probe tomography system at partner institutions helped scientists in providing a better picture. Today's advanced equipment can precisely analyse these thin coatings, mapping every element with high detail, unlike earlier Apollo studies that could only note the bead's colour and couldn't inspect coatings thinner than a red blood cell. What moon beads reveal about the lunar history Understanding how volatiles behaved in ancient lunar eruptions can help scientists better model the distribution of resources such as sulfur and zinc on the moon. The tiny mineral coatings provide valuable information about gas flow and volcanic activity, which can be used to calibrate the seismic and orbital data. This is particularly important for NASA's Artemis mission, which aims to land near pyroclastic plains similar to where the beads were found. The beads reveal that the Moon's volcanic past was more dynamic than previously thought, with eruptions ejecting material into space and preserving complex gas chemistry. By analysing the minerals on the bead surfaces, scientists can now study the rapid changes in gas pressure and composition that occurred during these eruptions, providing new insights into volcanic activity in a vacuum Study of the moon beads The study of these lunar glass beads sheds light on the Moon's volcanic past and provides insights into similar processes that might occur on the airless worlds, like Mercury or asteroids. By understanding these processes, scientists can better interpret samples from future missions to other celestial bodies. This broader perspective helps researchers compare the geological histories of different planets and refine their understanding of how planetary bodies interact with volatiles. Further research aims to analyse beads from different core samples to track changes in eruption styles and search for signs of extremely low-pressure eruptions. The Moon still holds many secrets, but continued advancements in technology and collaboration between scientists will help uncover its hidden history. Also read: Astronomers discover high-altitude clouds darkening skies in YSES-1 system
NDTV
4 days ago
- Science
- NDTV
Shiny Orange Glass Beads On Reveals Moon's Explosive Past
The Moon is covered with small and shiny glass fragments that range in colour from bright orange to yellow-green. The fascinating bead-like materials were discovered during the Apollo mission and were brought back to Earth along with other Moon samples to study their composition, structure, and formation processes. But scientists have now revealed the mystery behind them. The beads were formed some 3.3 to 3.6 billion years ago and provide insights into the Moon's volcanic history. Their analysis would help scientists understand the geological evolution of our natural satellite. "They're some of the most amazing extraterrestrial samples we have," quoted Ryan Ogliore, an associate professor of physics in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis. "The beads are tiny, pristine capsules of the lunar interior," Ogliore added. This orange glass is a type of volcanic glass found particularly in the Taurus-Littrow valley, where Apollo 17 landed, researchers revealed after studying small details. They used advanced technologies that were not available earlier, such as atom probe tomography, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. "We've had these samples for 50 years, but we now have the technology to fully understand them. Many of these instruments would have been unimaginable when the beads were first collected," Ogliore added. The findings of the study, led by Thomas Williams, Stephen Parman and Alberto Saal from Brown University, were published in Icarus. Each bead is less than 1mm across and contains elements like iron, magnesium and titanium. Scientists revealed that they were formed when magma was ejected during volcanic eruptions and rapidly cooled. "The very existence of these beads tells us the moon had explosive eruptions, something like the fire fountains you can see in Hawaii today," he said.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
SpaceX launches megarocket from South Texas, loses control during mid-mission
BOCA CHICA, Texas – SpaceX launched its ninth Starship flight test from South Texas on Tuesday evening but reported losing control of the rocket halfway through the test mission. The launch occurred under mostly clear skies and the spacecraft was able to reach orbital altitude - a stark contrast to previous missions this year, which ended in explosions over the southwest Atlantic. The Federal Aviation Administration gave the go-ahead for the Elon Musk-led company to proceed with the launch after determining that SpaceX had adequately addressed the causes of the March mishap, which had forced airplanes to scramble to avoid collisions with falling debris. SpaceX had previously attributed the failure of the March test to the loss of multiple Raptor engines, which caused the rocket to lose control less than 10 minutes into the flight. Spacex Given Federal Approval To Resume Starship Megarocket Test Launch After Spectacular Explosion Although Tuesday's test flight lasted approximately an hour, it did not achieve all of its mission goals. Less than 20 minutes into the mission, the Starship appeared unable to deploy dummy Starlink satellites and around 30 minutes in, fuel leaks were reported aboard the spacecraft. Shortly after, the rocket appeared to enter an uncontrolled spin and was expected to crash harmlessly into the Indian Ocean. Mission control had planned to observe the rocket's heat shield during its reentry phase, but due to the mid-flight issues, they were unsuccessful in completing all of Tuesday's planned milestones. Unlike several previous missions that caused debris to rain down over active flight zones, SpaceX said the rocket was on a trajectory to land in a designated area that had been alerted prior to the mission. Before the launch, the FAA said it was in contact with its counterparts in the United Kingdom, Bahamas, Mexico, Cuba and the Turks & Caicos Islands to monitor any long-range impacts from launches. As of Tuesday evening, it was unclear whether the agency would initiate another lengthy investigation into the latest mishap. ""Starship made it to the scheduled ship engine cutoff, so big improvement over last flight! Also, no significant loss of heat shield tiles during ascent. Leaks caused loss of main tank pressure during the coast and re-entry phase. Lot of good data to review," Musk stated after the failure. Spacex Starship Explosion Causes Scrambled Flights As Debris Rains Down Over Atlantic The Starship spacecraft is being developed with the long-term goal of carrying astronauts to the Moon and, potentially, Mars, but SpaceX has not publicly disclosed a timeline for when the rocket will be certified for human space travel. Several previous test flights have encountered challenges, leading to uncertainty about the objectives of Nasa's Artemis program. The Artemis program aims to return humans to the lunar surface by 2027, marking the first crewed Moon mission since Apollo 17 in December 1972. The first Artemis mission launched in November 2022 using a Boeing Space Launch System rocket and the Orion spacecraft. The next mission, Artemis II, is expected to be a crewed flight, but it also will not involve SpaceX's Starship, which likely will not be used until at least Artemis III. Depending on the outcome of any future investigation, the next Starship launch is unlikely to occur before article source: SpaceX launches megarocket from South Texas, loses control during mid-mission
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Opinion - What a commercial crewed moon mission could look like
Sometime in the near future, if all goes well, a billion or more video screens will show the image of a stainless-steel tower on the lunar surface, the Starship Human Landing System. Then, a close-up of the elevator will follow, bearing two space-suited astronauts from the crew compartment to the base of the lander. The two astronauts will discuss the landscape before them and the condition of the lander, especially the landing legs. Then will come the big moment. One of the astronauts will put boots on the lunar surface and will say something profound for the billions watching. For the first time since Apollo 17 in December 1972, humans from the planet Earth will walk on the moon. It will be the beginning of an era of lunar exploration. But, as a recent piece in Ars Technica suggests, it will be the end of an era of Apollo-style voyages of exploration. It will be the last mission of the heavy lift, uber-expensive Space Launch System and (at least in its current form) the Orion spacecraft, flying in lunar orbit as the scene we just presented takes place. The Artemis IV mission will be the first of what can best be called Lunar Commercial Orbital Transfer Services. Just as travel to and from low Earth orbit has gone commercial, so will voyages to and from the moon. According to Ars Technica, 'Under the [Lunar Commercial Orbital Transfer Services] model, NASA provides funding and guidance to private companies to develop their own spacecraft, rockets, and services, and then buys those at a 'market' rate.' The Lunar Commercial Orbital Transfer Services would be far more complex than the original commercial crew. 'Sources indicate NASA would go to industry and seek an 'end-to-end' solution for lunar missions. That is, an integrated plan to launch astronauts from Earth, land them on the Moon, and return them to Earth.' SpaceX is an obvious contender for a Lunar Commercial Orbital Transfer Services contract. In the scenario we have presented, the Starship Human Landing System will already have been proven. Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin, with its Blue Moon lunar lander under development and the heavy-lift New Glenn, would be another. Other companies will no doubt step forward. The advantage of going the commercial route is that it makes lunar exploration, especially the creation of a lunar base, sustainable. Commercial Orbital Transfer Services and Commercial Crew have reduced the cost of operating the International Space Station and promise to enable the creation of commercial space stations that are planned to replace the ISS. The same applies to the moon. Lunar Commercial Orbital Transfer Services will likely allow visits of private astronauts to the moon, just as Commercial Crew (like Jared Isaacman's Inspiration4 and Polaris Dawn flights) enabled private visits to low Earth orbit. The disadvantage of the commercial approach is entirely political. Progressive politicians such as Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) have occupied a lot of breath and bandwidth slamming tech billionaires such as Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos for spending money on space exploration. A few years ago, Sanders declared, 'I am concerned that NASA has become little more than an ATM machine to fuel a space race not between the U.S. and other countries, but between the two wealthiest men in America — Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos.' The senator went on to decry the very idea of mining asteroids for their vast mineral wealth. He suggested that commercializing space exploration would allow people like Musk and Bezos to hoard that wealth, displaying a misunderstanding of how free-market capitalism works. If Artemis III takes place in the waning days of the second Trump administration, the first commercial crewed lunar flight will likely take place in the early days of the next presidency. Considering that the Democrats are talking about running Sanders's protégé, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), for president in 2028, Lunar Commercial Orbital Transfer Services may become an issue in that election. Vice President JD Vance, or whoever the Republicans run in that year, had best be ready. Jared Isaacman, the moment he is sworn in as NASA administrator, should get the ball rolling for Lunar Commercial Orbital Transfer Services. The commercial lunar program is vital for the establishment of a lunar base, an immediate priority for NASA and its commercial and international partners. The process of commercializing travel to the moon and back could be a lengthy one. Commercial Crew took 10 years between the first proposals in 2011 and the first flight of the Crew Dragon in 2021. Lunar Commercial Orbital Transfer Services should not take that long, four or five years at most, if everything goes right. Thus, human civilization will extend across space to the surface of the moon. Mark R. Whittington, who writes frequently about space policy, has published a political study of space exploration entitled 'Why is It So Hard to Go Back to the Moon?' as well as 'The Moon, Mars and Beyond'and, most recently, 'Why is America Going Back to the Moon?' He blogs at Curmudgeons Corner. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
