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Space Plasmas :: Plasma
NPR Topics: Space
Europe Considers Joining Space-Faring Nations
Tue, 19 Aug 2008 10:35:00 -0400
Europe's space agency reached two milestones earlier this year. A European-built lab was installed at the International Space Station, and Europe launched a robotic cargo vehicle that successfully docked with the station. The European Space Agency is thinking about converting the vehicle so it could take astronauts into orbit.
Tensions With Russia May Hurt NASA Program
Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:18:00 -0400
The conflict with Russia over Georgia might affect NASA's ability to get astronauts to the international space station after the space shuttle gets retired in 2010. Congress must pass a special waiver by Sept. 30 so NASA can buy Soyuz capsule flights.
What Makes Our Solar System Special?
Fri, 08 Aug 2008 15:02:00 -0400
Researchers say that if the conditions had been slightly different for our solar system, planets could have careened into the sun or been expelled into deep space. Also: A volunteer astronomer spots a strange gaseous object some are calling a "cosmic ghost."
Phoenix Finds A Salt Compound On Mars
Fri, 08 Aug 2008 14:07:00 -0400
NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander has detected a salt found on Earth on the surface of Mars. The salt, called perchlorate, is used in fireworks and rocket fuel. The news follows the recent confirmation of the presence of water on the Red Planet.
Space Company Hopes To Cut Cost Of Launches
Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:44:00 -0400
A private company called SpaceX has failed three times to reach orbit with one of its rockets. But the company says it's learning from its failures and still hopes to radically decrease the cost of putting objects in space.
Mars Lander Finds Perchlorate On Mars
Tue, 05 Aug 2008 16:22:00 -0400
NASA's Phoenix spacecraft has detected the presence of perchlorate, a chemically reactive salt in the Martian soil. Though the finding could mean Mars is less friendly to potential life than previously believed, scientists are optimistic.
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