Astrobiology is an interdisciplinary scientific field that focuses on the study of life in the universe, including its origin, evolution, distribution, and future. This field not only examines the possibility of life existing elsewhere in the universe but also studies life on Earth to better understand the conditions and mechanisms that could potentially support life in other parts of the cosmos.
Read More What is Astrobiology?The race to conquer the final frontier has never been more competitive. With a plethora of countries and entities aspiring for celestial achievements, space exploration has become a strategic focus for governments and agencies worldwide. This article takes a look at the current landscape of space programs globally, as of 2023, by analyzing a dataset that includes 73 countries or entities. The analysis covers operational levels, capabilities, and agencies involved in these ambitious endeavors.
Read More Insights into the Global Landscape of Space Programs in 2023On Sept. 24, 2023, NASA’s OSIRIS-REx became the first U.S. mission to deliver a sample of an asteroid to Earth. This article provides answers to frequently asked questions about the mission.
Read More OSIRIS-REx: Frequently Asked QuestionsNASA’s OSIRIS-REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security – Regolith Explorer) is the first U.S. mission to collect a sample from an asteroid and return it to Earth. Launched on September 8, 2016, the spacecraft arrived at asteroid Bennu in December 2018 and collected a sample from its surface on October 20, 2020. The mission aims to deliver the largest asteroid sample ever received on Earth, estimated to hold about half a pound of Bennu’s material or 8.8 ounces +/- 3.6 ounces (250 grams +/- 101 grams).
Read More OSIRIS-REx: A Journey to Asteroid Bennu and BackThe asteroid belt, located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, consists of a large number of rocky and metallic bodies that vary in size from small boulders to objects that are hundreds of kilometers in diameter. While often portrayed as a densely packed region in popular culture, the asteroid belt is actually quite sparse, with vast distances separating individual asteroids. Nonetheless, this region presents significant opportunities for scientific research, mineral extraction, and commercial ventures. This article reviews the characteristics of the asteroid belt and discusses its growing importance in the realm of the space economy.
Read More The Asteroid Belt and Its Relevance to the Space Economy