U.S., Russian Satellites Collide, Go Boom

Staff / Truthdig Feb 12, 2009 It's getting crowded in space. A U.S. telecommunications satellite and a defunct Russian satellite smacked into each other in orbit over Siberia on Tuesday. According to NASA, no one was to blame for the unprecedented collision: "We don't have an air traffic controller in space." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Methane Hints at Life on Mars

Staff / Truthdig Jan 16, 2009 NASA scientists have discovered regularly replenished supplies of methane gas on the Red Planet. That raises two possibilities: The gas could be formed by geologic activity or, as anyone who has spent time around cows can tell you, it could be a sign of life. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Wanted: New Planet

Staff / Truthdig Oct 29, 2008 If first you don't succeed, get a new planet. A new World Wildlife Fund survey has found that, given the current rate of global consumption and taking into account the capacity of the Earth to regenerate its own resources, the human species will need an entirely new planet by mid-2030 to keep up with our demand for resources and waste disposal. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Water on Mars

Staff / Truthdig Aug 1, 2008 For the first time, NASA has captured and is analyzing a sample of actual Martian water, which was collected by the Phoenix lander. It will take some weeks to fully process the data and determine whether the Red Planet could ever have supported life, but it's a promising development for scientists and space nuts alike. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Virgin Galactic’s High-Flying Mother Ship Unveiled

Staff / Truthdig Jul 29, 2008 Sometime soon, thrill-seekers with the funds and the desire to plunk down $200K to experience four minutes of weightlessness more than 60 miles above the Earth will have the chance, thanks to Virgin CEO and astro-preneur Richard Branson. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Mission to Mars

Patrick Chappatte, The International Herald Tribune May 30, 2008 Dig deeper

Greetings From Mars

Staff / Truthdig May 26, 2008 For seven agonizing minutes, scientists at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory had no idea if the $420 million and countless hours invested in the Phoenix Mars Lander would amount to more than a black spot on the Red Planet. Ultimately the mobile laboratory was able to dodge the 50 percent failure rate for Mars landings and beam back a few snapshots to prove it arrived safely in the northern polar region. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

We May Not Be Alone, Says Vatican

Staff / Truthdig May 14, 2008 The pope's chief astronomer has written an article in the Vatican newspaper that argues that intelligent beings "created by God could exist in outer space." The article, "Aliens Are My Brother," is likely a move by the Vatican to strengthen its scientific credentials, bringing science and religion closer while maintaining papal control over the entire universe. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Pentagon Plans Satellite Shoot-Down

Staff / Truthdig Feb 16, 2008 Attention, China: The U.S. military will soon be staging a bit of sky theater in trying to shoot down an inoperative American intelligence satellite. So, what does this show of atmospheric pyrotechnics have to do with China? Read on. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Space Object Implicated in Widespread Illness

Staff / Truthdig Sep 19, 2007 Roughly 600 Peruvian townspeople are suffering a variety of ailments, from headaches to vomiting, after visiting the crash site of a mysterious fireball that fell from the heavens. Scientists are en route to analyze the object, which they believe is simply a meteorite. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Google Goes to the Moon

Staff / Truthdig Sep 14, 2007 If you can build an intelligent robot that can land safely on the moon and send back HD video by 2012, Google will give you $20 million. The search giant has partnered with the X Prize Foundation, which organizes contests around major technological breakthroughs, for its lunar challenge. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

The Galactic Booze Cruise

Staff / Truthdig Jul 27, 2007 An independent panel set up by NASA to evaluate health issues at the agency has made an unexpected discovery: In at least two instances, astronauts were allowed to fly after drinking heavily, despite concern by doctors and colleagues. It's not clear whether the flights involved spacecraft or training jets. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )