Russia's Roscosmos space agency has aborted the launch of three astronauts to the International Space Station
MOSCOW (AP) — Russia's Roscosmos space agency has aborted the launch of three astronauts to the International Space Station.
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Yahoo NewsA rare 'devil comet' will reach peak brightness this weekend. Here's how you can see it.
On Sunday, the rare devil comet will reach its closest point to the sun, creating an illuminating sky show. Here is how skygazers can watch it.
- Autoblog
Oak Ridge National Laboratory demonstrates 100-kW wireless charging from a parking space
Oak Ridge National Laboratory demonstrates 100-kW wireless charging with a 'polyphase' coil system, unlocking a potential 350 miles per hour of charging.
- TechCrunch
Boeing's Starliner set to fly astronauts for the first time on May 6
Boeing’s Starliner is a go for launch. Leaders from NASA and Boeing told reporters that the first crewed Starliner mission, which will see the capsule carry two astronauts to the International Space Station, is moving ahead toward its historic May 6 launch date. NASA and Boeing concluded that the capsule is ready for launch after completing a critical flight test review on Thursday.
- TechCrunch
NASA picks 3 teams to design the next generation of moon buggy
NASA has given three space companies the chance to design the next-generation moon buggy — but only one design will go to space. Intuitive Machines, Lunar Outpost, and Venturi Astrolab are developing rugged vehicles intended for astronauts to drive around on the lunar surface, from which NASA may choose as early as next year. The three teams will now enter into a 12-month “feasibility phase” that will culminate in a preliminary design review.
- TechCrunch
Varda Space's orbital drug factory success fuels $90M in new funding
Varda Space Industries has closed a massive tranche of funding just weeks after its first drug manufacturing capsule returned from orbit. The company’s $90 million Series B round marks an inflection point for the company, which is now gearing up to scale from the initial demonstration mission to a regular set of missions carrying customer payloads, Varda founder Delian Asparouhov told TechCrunch. El Segundo-based Varda was founded in 2021 by Asparouhov, who is also a partner at Founders Fund, and Will Bruey, a spacecraft engineer who cut his teeth at SpaceX.
- TechCrunch
Space startups are licking their lips after NASA converts $11B Mars mission into a free-for-all
NASA administrator Bill Nelson has pronounced the agency's $11 billion, 15-year mission to collect and return samples from Mars insufficient. "The bottom line is, an $11 billion budget is too expensive, and a 2040 return date is too far away," Nelson said at a press conference. In other words, clear the decks and start over — with commercial providers on board from the get-go.
- Yahoo News
Space industry hopes eclipse excitement will be rocket fuel for the $500 billion space economy
Those involved in the business of space are hoping all the hype surrounding this week’s total solar eclipse will entice more people to join the space workforce.
- Yahoo News
Total solar eclipse: Watch the moment of totality across the U.S.
Watch livestream video of the solar eclipse.
- Engadget
Physicist Peter Higgs, who predicted 'the God particle', has died at 94
Peter Higgs, the famous physicist who predicted the Higgs boson particle, has passed away at the age of 94. He won the Nobel Prize in 2013 for his research.
- TechCrunch
Internal pre-Starlink SpaceX financials show big spending on moonshot bets
Confidential financial statements from SpaceX for 2018 and 2019 capture an early glimpse at the degree to which the company is likely dependent on its Starlink business unit, and bringing the Starship rocket online, to become cash flow positive. While the comprehensive balance sheets are five years old, they provide an intimate look inside the operations of arguably one of the most important, and secretive, private companies in the U.S. And they help shed light on what the company spent money on, and how much, as SpaceX grew itself from an unprofitable $2 billion in revenue to, reportedly, $9 billion for 2023 with a projected $15 billion in 2024 and $3 billion in earnings, sources familiar told Bloomberg in November. 2018 and 2019 were pivotal years for the company: In February 2018, SpaceX launched its Falcon Heavy rocket for the first time; the following March, the company nailed a pivotal flight test of its crew Dragon capsule, but exploded that same capsule a month later during ground testing.
- Engadget
Microsoft may have finally made quantum computing useful
Microsoft and Quantinuum say they've developed the most error-free quantum computing system yet.
- TechCrunch
Sundar Pichai on the challenge of innovating in a huge company and what he's excited about this year
Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai took the stage on Wednesday at a Stanford event held by the university's business school, offering some small insights into what he thinks about running one of the world's most valuable tech companies. It was a notable appearance because Pichai's been having a bit of a rough go lately. Google is widely perceived to have gotten a late start on generative AI, trailing behind Microsoft-funded OpenAI.
- TechCrunch
Space diversity initiative builds steam with new leadership and K-12 focused National Space Day
A growing effort to attract more women and people of color into the space industry has shared some of its first results and a new occasion to rally around: National Space Day, May 3, when thousands of students will learn that not only can they do space stuff, but they really should start now. Space Workforce 2030 is a joint effort by the Space Foundation and Aerospace Corporation, amounting to basically a promise that they — and all their 29 company partners as of now — will transparently report the demographics of their workplaces, hiring and recruitment, and work together to identify ways to bring a more diverse crowd to the notoriously homogeneous space industry. The effort also now has an executive director in Melanie Stricklan, formerly of Slingshot Space (and the Air Force), who is now leading the organization full time.
- TechCrunch
TechCrunch Space: True Anomaly and Rocket Lab will make big moves on orbit (literally)
The Space Force has contracted out its next "responsive space" mission, and this one is a doozy. The two awardees, Rocket Lab and startup True Anomaly, will each build and launch spacecraft that will conduct rendezvous and proximity operations on orbit. In the Space Force's words: "The vendors will exercise a realistic threat response scenario in an on-orbit space domain awareness demonstration called Victus Haze."
- TechCrunch
Proxima Fusion raises $21M to build on its 'stellarator' approach to nuclear fusion
Venture capitalists' appetite for fusion startups has been up and down in the last few years. For instance, the Fusion Industry Association found that while nuclear fusion companies had attracted over $6 billion in investment in 2023, $1.4 billion more than in 2022, the 27% growth proved slower than in 2022, as investors battled external fears such as inflation. The field reached a significant milestone in 2022 when the Department of Energy’s National Ignition Facility managed to bring about a fusion reaction that produced more power than was required to spark a fuel pellet.
- Yahoo Finance
Sierra Space, valued at $5.3 billion, eyes IPO to 'accelerate the new space economy'
Sierra Space, one of the space industry’s most valuable private companies, plans to go public within the next 18 months, according to its CEO.
- Yahoo Sports
NFL Draft: Packers fan upset with team's 1st pick, and Lions fans hilariously rubbed it in
Not everyone was thrilled with their team's draft on Thursday night.
- Yahoo Sports
NFL to allow players to wear protective Guardian Caps in games beginning with 2024 season
The NFL will allow players to wear protective Guardian Caps during games beginning with the 2024 season. The caps were previously mandated for practices.
- Yahoo Sports
Michael Penix Jr. said Kirk Cousins called him after Falcons' surprising draft selection
Atlanta Falcons first-round draft pick Michael Penix Jr. said quarterback Kirk Cousins called him after he was picked No. 8 overall in one of the 2024 NFL Draft's more puzzling selections.
- Yahoo Sports
NBA playoffs: Tyrese Hailburton game-winner and potential Damian Lillard Achilles injury leaves Bucks in nightmare
Tyrese Haliburton hit a floater with 1.1 seconds left in overtime to give the Indiana Pacers a 121–118 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. The Pacers lead their first-round playoff series two games to one.