ISS

A View of Thunderheads Brewing from Space

These thunderheads are brewing over the midwestern United States, a region where thunderstorms can whip up pretty damn fast. Courtesy of NASA, this image is one of a series running on the Boston Globe's website to celebrate the work done by the International Space Station. Want to see what this kind of cloud looks like a little closer? More »

3:30 PM on Tue Jun 10 2008
By Annalee Newitz
3,661 views, 20 comments

Latest by n/a: Earth is a beautiful place. more »

space porn

The Ten Most Important Satellites Orbiting Earth Now

Today, a satellite was involved in your life. Whether you checked a weather report, watched SportsCenter or looked for your mom's house on Google Maps, you did something that would have been impossible without an automated spacecraft orbiting hundreds of miles above your head. But how many of these satellites do you know by name? Here are the top ten you need to know, because they make modern life possible. More »

8:00 AM on Mon May 19 2008
By Ed Grabianowski
102,043 views, 44 comments

space metals

Zero-G Metals Will Put a Flying Car In Every Garage

Get ready for the first gadgets to be stamped with the words, "Made In Space." The European Space Agency has plans to manufacture lightweight metal compounds under zero-gravity conditions on the International Space Station. The new materials could boost the efficiency of hydrogen engines and make aircraft faster, more powerful and less expensive to build. If we can achieve the proper thrust-to-weight ratio, jet-powered aircraft could become cheap enough that everyone can afford one. More »

8:00 AM on Mon May 12 2008
By Ed Grabianowski
1,717 views, 21 comments

international space station

European Space Agency Ready to Make Beer Runs to the International Space Station

The European Space Agency successfully completed a major test of the Jules Verne Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) on Monday, moving within 11 meters of the International Space Station. Tomorrow, in a final test, it will reach the ISS dock. The Jules Verne ATV, seen here from the ISS, is an amazing multi-purpose vehicle that will take over the cargo-ferrying duties of the Soviet Progress vessels and the American Space Shuttle, schlepping critical supplies to astronauts on-board the ISS. It's essentially a beta version of the kinds of vehicles that will bring beer and donuts to moon bases for hungry lunar tourists. More »

7:40 AM on Wed Apr 2 2008
By Ed Grabianowski
734 views, 9 comments

Latest by Adam_C: I agree with you on the naming of future ATVs, it would be cool then again, what is not cool about space exploration these days ? :) great times we live in ! Anecdotally, in a recent science live talk show here, more »

dextre

Canadian Robot Conquers Space

The looming 12-foot tall robot Dextre (pronounced "Dexter") just hitched a ride on the Space Shuttle Endeavour to be assembled on the International Space Station. When he's put together, the Canadian robot will be able to take on high-risk activities, like changing out components, that would otherwise require a spacewalk by the astronauts. Dextre's arms can extend out 11 feet, and each arm has seven joints, allowing him to position his gripper hands and built-in socket wrenches in all sorts of hard-to-reach spots. Click through for a diagram of Dextre, plus a video of Dextre dancing. More »

10:12 AM on Wed Mar 12 2008
By Charlie Jane Anders
1,456 views, 37 comments

Latest by n/a: I was very disappointed that the music video didnt have the thing dancing. Clearly, this thing can dance. Probably better then I can!Dance robot dance! more »

space saving in space

Tips on Organizing Your Room from the Zvezda Space Habitat

If you've ever lived in a dorm or a small apartment, you know how hard it can be to cram in all your computers, books, and general stuff while still staying organized. This problem has reached epic engineering proportions in the International Space Station's "living quarters" on the the Zvezda Module. Three people use the 43-foot cylinder for sleeping, eating, relaxing, cleaning up, going to the bathroom, exercising, doing science experiments, and using their computers. What can you learn about space saving from people in space? Turns out there are three basic rules of organization on Zvezda that are useful on Earth, too. More »

11:40 AM on Mon Jan 7 2008
By Annalee Newitz
14,092 views, 9 comments

Latest by Flamsmark: @aspiringexpatriate: Not at all. What better computer technology is there for human use? More sophisticated computer are basically made of *lots* of high-end consumer parts. Laptops are the epitome of compact and powerful computing. more »

extraterrestrial garbage

Suicidal Russian Space Junk Plunges Into Earth's Atmosphere

Sturdy, car-sized space freighter Progress 26 was launched off the International Space Station on Saturday, filled to the brim with trash — basically, all the crap (literally and figuratively) the crew had been accumulating for weeks. Progress 27, another uncrewed freighter, will be arriving with fresh food and supplies from Earth for the ISS cosmonauts. No word on what will happen to the poop-packed Progress 26 once it's been launched from the ISS, but probably it will meet the same fate as its predecessor Progress 23 last March, which was programmed to burn itself up in our atmosphere. Russian Trash Ship [Space.com]

7:30 AM on Mon Dec 24 2007
By Annalee Newitz
140 views, Comment

io9

A Taste of the Comic-Con Expo Floor

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