Could space junk prevent future space exploration?

Could space junk prevent future space exploration?

By Laura Pirovano There’s too much junk in space and a real need to know where it is moving, to protect important spacecraft and satellites, writes Laura Pirovano. Space – vast and almost empty. This has always been our view and it has hardly changed even with...
How can we clean up space?

How can we clean up space?

By Gilbert Wong Space might be the final frontier, but, like all frontiers it’s strewn with junk. Luckily, Professor Guglielmo Aglietti, director of the Auckland Space Institute has a plan. Three giant monitors line the front of the Mission Operations Control Centre...
What is NASA’s new lander doing on Mars?

What is NASA’s new lander doing on Mars?

By Chris Benton On 26 November 2018, NASA’s lander InSight successfully touched down on Mars. But what is it doing there? With much fanfare from the press, following a six-month 483 million km journey to reach our neighbouring planet, on 26 November 2018...
Why are we sending worms into space?

Why are we sending worms into space?

By Christopher Gaffney & Bethan Phillips We are sending worms into space. But why? Space launches are some of the most spectacular and nerve wracking events you can witness. And when you are actually involved in one, you realise just how much can go wrong. We are...