Read article: Searching for signs of past life on Mars with NASA’s Perseverance rover Telescopes and space missions Podcasts Searching for signs of past life on Mars with NASA’s Perseverance rover Exploring the scientific goals of one of the three missions to arrive at Mars this month
Read article: Balloon-borne telescopes could keep cool with less Vacuum and cryogenics Research update Balloon-borne telescopes could keep cool with less New cryogenic dewar is much lighter than existing models and could boost sensitivity of stratospheric observations
Read article: New fuel gauge for spacecraft could keep satellites active for longer Devices and structures Research update New fuel gauge for spacecraft could keep satellites active for longer More reliable measurements would help operators decide when to safely retire ageing craft
Read article: Arecibo Observatory will be decommissioned, says US National Science Foundation Telescopes and space missions News Arecibo Observatory will be decommissioned, says US National Science Foundation Astronomers and the public lament the loss of an iconic radio telescope
Read article: Optical receiver for space communications has ‘unprecedented’ sensitivity Optics and photonics Research update Optical receiver for space communications has ‘unprecedented’ sensitivity New technology could benefit space missions and LIDAR
Read article: Air-breathing rocket engines: the future of space flight Telescopes and space missions Feature Air-breathing rocket engines: the future of space flight UK firm Reaction Engines hopes to revolutionize space access with a new class of propulsion system for reusable vehicles, as Oliver Nailard explains
Read article: Martian buildings could be made of chitin-based material Biomaterials Research update Martian buildings could be made of chitin-based material Biological polymer could be farmed on the Red Planet
Read article: Astronomers plan huge neutrino observatory in the Pacific Ocean Telescopes and space missions News Astronomers plan huge neutrino observatory in the Pacific Ocean The Pacific Ocean Neutrino Experiment would be the world’s largest neutrino telescope once built by the end of the decade
Read article: Giant Magellan Telescope receives cash injection from the National Science Foundation Telescopes and space missions News Giant Magellan Telescope receives cash injection from the National Science Foundation US National Science Foundation has awarded $17.5m towards the construction of the huge 25.4 m telescope
Read article: NASA launches Mars Perseverance rover Telescopes and space missions News NASA launches Mars Perseverance rover Mission will explore the Martian geology and climate, look for signs of past microbial life as well as launch a small helicopter