Curiosity Detects Large Methane Burst on Mars, NASA Orders Follow-Up Testing

By Paul Scott Anderson, on June 22nd, 2019

Self-portrait of Curiosity in Gale Crater on Mars. Photo Credit: NASA/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images

It seems that Mars is belching methane again. NASA’s Curiosity rover has detected a new burst of the gas, it was reported today in the New York Times.

The new detection of the gas – which can come from either biology […]

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NASA Eyes May 2018 for InSight Mars Lander Launch, Pending Instrument Redesign

By Emily Carney, on March 9th, 2016

NASA’s InSight mission to Mars is now being targeted for a May 2018 launch. Image has been cropped for publication. Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

In December, those following the Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport (InSight) mission, planned to launch on a trek to Mars this month aboard a ULA Atlas-V […]

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Impact Glass Discovered on Mars: How It Might Help In Search for Evidence of Past Life

By Paul Scott Anderson, on June 8th, 2015

Image from the Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM) instrument on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, showing deposits of impact glass (green) in Alga Crater. Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/JHUAPL/Univ. of Arizona

For the first time, impact glass has been detected on the surface of Mars; the discovery not only provides new information about the […]

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ExoMars' Partners Sign Agreement Moving Mission Forward

By Jason Rhian, on March 15th, 2013

ESA has signed an agreement this week with Roscosmos, which would see the two agencies work together to move forward with the development of the ExoMars mission. Image Credit: ESA

With the signing of a formal agreement regarding the European Space Agency’s (ESA) ExoMars mission, it appears that the two-part exploratory effort might […]

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The Search for Alien Life Part 1: Where are the Martians?

By David Darling, on January 10th, 2013

Mars shows plenty of evidence for flowing water on its surface, as in the case of these channels in Newton Crater. Does this mean that the Red Planet ever supported life? Photo Credit: NASA

On July 20, 1976, a 572-kilogram spacecraft, supported on three sturdy legs, touched down on the orange sands of […]

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Russia to Spend $70 Billion on Space Program in 2013–2020

By Ben Evans, on December 31st, 2012

Russia’s involvement with the International Space Station—as evidenced by this remarkable shot of Soyuz TMA-07M, flying high above the Sahara during rendezvous operations on 21 December—is expected to continue throughout the next decade. Photo Credit: NASA

Russia is expected to spend 2.1 trillion rubles—about $70 billion—on the development of its national space industry […]

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NASA's Getting Ready for an Exciting Decade on Mars

By Amy Teitel, on December 5th, 2012

Curiosity’s tracks on Mars. Something we might should see more of on a different part of the planet within the next ten years. Photo Credit: NASA/JPL

It seems Curiosity is doing great things both on Mars and on Earth. Just four months into a two-year primary mission, President Obama is seeking to capitalize […]

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Russia Filling Void Left by NASA on ExoMars Mission?

By Jason Rhian, on November 26th, 2012

The Russian Federal Space Agency, Roscosmos, has agreed to pick up where NASA left off in terms of the agreement that the U.S. space agency had with the European Space Agency’s ExoMars mission. Image Credit: ESA

Abandoned by NASA, the European Space Agency has begun working with the Russian Federal Space Agency, Roscosmos, […]

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White House Seeks Deep Cuts From NASA’s Planetary Science Program

By Jason Rhian, on February 10th, 2012
President Obama addressing NASA employees, journalists, and others involved in the spaceflight community at Kennedy Space Center. Despite campaign promises in support of America's space program, Obama and the White House have proposed a 20 percent cut to NASA's Planetary Science Program - a move that would surely put an end to the ExoMars mission being planned in joint partnership between NASA and the European Space Agency. Photo Credit: Jason Rhian

President Obama addressing NASA employees, journalists, and others involved in the spaceflight community at Kennedy Space Center. Despite campaign promises in support of America's space program, Obama and the White House have proposed a 20 percent cut to NASA's Planetary Science Program – a move that would surely put an end to the […]

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