by Jim Plaxco | Jan 2, 2019 | Space Exploration, Space Science
The new year opened with another first for the U.S. space program – the successful flyby by New Horizons of the Kuiper Belt Object (KBO) Ultima Thule. At the time of the flyby, New Horizons was some 6.5 billion kilometers from the Sun and 6.6 billion kilometers...
by National Space Society | Dec 31, 2018 | Asteroids, NASA, Space Exploration
By Trevor J. Mills OSIRIS-REx has just entered orbit around asteroid Bennu on New Year’s Eve, 2018. The Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) spacecraft is an asteroid sample return mission, similar to...
by National Space Society | Aug 30, 2018 | Asteroids, JAXA, Space Development, Space Exploration
Illustration by Akihiro Ikeshita (C) Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) By Trevor Mills What is Hayabusa2? Asteroid Explorer Hayabusa2 (“Peregrine Falcon” in Japanese) is a Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) spacecraft which is scheduled to return a...
by National Space Society | Jan 31, 2018 | Astronauts, International Space Station, NASA, Space Exploration, Space Science
The Twin Study propelled NASA into the genomics era of space travel. It was a ground-breaking study comparing what happened to astronaut Scott Kelly, in space, to his identical twin brother, Mark, who remained on Earth. The perfect nature versus nurture study was...
by National Space Society | Apr 5, 2017 | NASA, Space Exploration
The final chapter in a remarkable mission of exploration and discovery, Cassini’s Grand Finale, ending September 15, is in many ways like a brand new mission. Twenty-two times, NASA’s Cassini spacecraft will dive through the unexplored space between Saturn...
by National Space Society | Dec 8, 2016 | NSS Press Releases, Space Exploration
The National Space Society celebrates the life and contributions of the visionary champion of space exploration, Honorable Senator John Glenn, who passed away today. “John Glenn was an inspiration for the National Space Society and all those who believe...
by National Space Society | Jul 19, 2016 | NASA, NSS Press Releases, Space Exploration
The National Space Society congratulates Dr. Alan Stern on winning the NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal. This award is the highest honor that NASA can bestow. NSS has also awarded one of our highest honors to Dr. Stern, the NSS Wernher von Braun Award, which he...
by National Space Society | May 3, 2016 | Space Exploration
By NSS Member Bradley Williams It was a chilly December morning; I was 10 years old and sitting on the cold, hard floor of my elementary school library…too enthralled and focused on a 20-inch television screen to realize how uncomfortable I was. The TV was...
