“We have since determined that while the capsule was dipping in and out of the atmosphere, as part of that planned skip entry, heat accumulated inside the heat shield outer layer, leading to gases forming and becoming trapped inside the heat shield,” said Pam Melroy, NASA’s deputy administrator. “This caused internal pressure to build up … Read more
This capability makes the arc jet test facility unique in the world, but it still can’t fully replicate the stresses a spacecraft’s heat shield undergoes during reentry. There are some things that are just unknowable until you fly, said Victor Glover, pilot of the Artemis II mission, in an interview with Ars earlier this year. … Read more
In 2013, there were 26 reported school shootings in the U.S. That figure rose to 82 a decade later. America has a school shooting problem, this much we can agree on. The cause of — and solution to — the issue, on the other hand, is where things start to fall apart. It has become … Read more
Scientists are pretty sure Europa has the water, perhaps twice as much as the water in all of Earth’s oceans. Jupiter’s strong gravity field constantly tugs on Europa as it orbits its parent planet every three-and-a-half days, squeezing and flexing the moon’s insides, and generating heat through tidal forces. These forces could drive hydrothermal vents … Read more
Enlarge / Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft sits atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket earlier than liftoff in June to start the Crew Flight Check. NASA is prepared for Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, stricken with thruster issues and helium leaks, to depart the Worldwide House Station as quickly as Friday, wrapping up a disappointing check flight … Read more
