Space Missions : Discovery News

A Sublime Springtime for Martian Dunes: Big Pic

Posted Thu Feb 2, 2012 06:45 PM ET | 0

When northern spring warms subsurface ice on Mars, dry ice eruptions paint the red dunes black. Read more

NASA Considers 7-Day Mission to Europa

Posted by Irene Klotz Fri Dec 16, 2011 02:34 PM ET | 0

After six-year journey, probes would have a week to assess conditions for life on Jupiter's ocean-bearing moon. Read more

Russian Mars Probe 'Considered Lost'

Posted Sun Nov 13, 2011 03:45 AM ET | 0

It is expected that the Russian space agency will announce the failure of the Phobos-Grunt mission in the next few days. Read more

Moscow's Mars Volunteers To 'Land'

Posted Wed Nov 2, 2011 03:46 PM ET | 0

The six men, who have spent 520 days isolated in a capsule simulating a round-trip mission to Mars will open the hatch of their module that slammed shut on June 3, 2010. Read more

Mars 500 crew emerge from isolation after 520 day simulated mission to Mars.

Project Icarus: Exploring Exoplanet Biosignatures

Posted Mon Oct 24, 2011 01:29 PM ET | 0

Guest contributor Ian Crawford examines why the hunt for extraterrestrial life would be prioritized during an interstellar mission. Read more

China Starts Work on Its Own Space Hangout

Posted by Irene Klotz Mon Sep 26, 2011 09:49 AM ET | 0

Rebuffed from the U.S.-led space station, China is launching a module to practice docking at its own station planned for 2020. Read more

Man in Space: 3D Photos

Posted Tue Aug 2, 2011 02:47 PM ET | 0

Relive these historic space moments as though you were there -- in 3D! Read more

Space Shuttle to Slip into History : Photos

Posted Tue Jul 5, 2011 01:38 PM ET | 0

As the Shuttle Program draws to a close, take a look at how NASA's spaceship has shaped manned spaceflight history. Read more

Out of This World Space Memorials : Photos

Posted Fri May 27, 2011 05:06 PM ET | 0

On this Memorial Day weekend, we remember the men and women who lost their lives in the pursuit of space exploration. Memorials to their sacrifice can be found across the globe -- and in space. Read more

Ode to Mars Rover Spirit: Photos

Posted Fri May 27, 2011 01:00 PM ET | 0

In honor of the end of Spirit's journey, we take a look at the history of the plucky Mars rover whose mission was only supposed to last three months. Read more

Endeavour Blasts Off in Next-to-Last Shuttle Flight

Posted Mon May 16, 2011 09:05 AM ET | 0

The shuttle is delivering a potent physics experiment to probe the origins of the universe. Read more

Alan Shepard: America's First Spaceman: Photos

Posted Thu May 5, 2011 01:00 PM ET | 0

Three weeks after Russia's Yuri Gagarin became the first man in space, Shepard brought the United States to new heights. Read more

Conventional Propulsion to Support an Interstellar Probe

Posted Tue Apr 19, 2011 02:41 PM ET | 0

Guest contributor Andreas Tziolas discusses the propulsion techniques available today that could assist an interstellar mission. Read more

50 Years After Yuri Gagarin, Mars Beckons

Posted Tue Apr 12, 2011 11:17 AM ET | 0

Human space flight began with the April 12, 1961 launch of Yuri Gagarin. Could Mars be the next big destination? Read more

Space Exploration: At What Cost?

Posted by Mark Thompson Sat Apr 9, 2011 12:56 AM ET | 0

In these uncertain times, BBC astronomer Mark Thompson shares his opinion about the funding of space exploration in light of global tragedy. Read more