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Rocky-Planet-Like Atmospheres Are Possible on 3 TRAPPIST-1 Planets

An artist’s rendition of the TRAPPIST-1 system (not to scale). A new study shows that three of the planets in the habitable zone do not appear to possess hydrogen, which means their atmospheres could be similar to those of rocky planets, although that doesn’t guarantee they are habitable. The TRAPPIST-1 star system is home to […]

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No, Space X's Falcon Heavy Has Not Passed Mars Already

A long-exposure photo of the Falcon Heavy rocket’s first test launch on Feb. 6, 2018 shows the rocket’s curved trajectory as it lifts off from Kennedy Space Center and heads toward low-Earth orbit. “Exceeded Mars orbit and kept going to the asteroid belt,” SpaceX rock star CEO Elon Musk tweeted yesterday night (Feb. 6) after […]

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Buzz Aldrin Is Watching as SpaceX Launches Falcon Heavy from Apollo 11 Pad

It’s a beautiful day for a rocket launch from my favorite launchpad. #FalconHeavy pic.twitter.com/OXmkSmvyoB — Buzz Aldrin (@TheRealBuzz) February 6, 2018 CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Buzz Aldrin is in place to watch the Falcon Heavy rocket’s first test launch this afternoon (Feb. 6) from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where the rocket will take flight […]

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Space Gifts 2018: The Best Valentine's Day Gifts in the Universe

Give the gift of the entire solar system — including Pluto — with this gorgeous beaded bracelet. ($40 on Amazon) Why we love it: Made with assorted stones like pearl, hematite, and agate, these high-quality beads are beautiful and unique representations of all the planets (and one dwarf planet) in the solar system. And Saturn […]

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SpaceX's First Falcon Heavy Rocket to Launch 4th Electric Car to Leave Earth

A “Starman” in a red Roadster: SpaceX’s Tesla Roadster and spacesuited mannequin driver set to launch on the company’s first Falcon Heavy rocket. CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — SpaceX is poised to make history by launching the world’s fourth electric car into space. Years in the making, the commercial spaceflight company is preparing to launch its first […]

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President Trump Congratulates SpaceX on Falcon Heavy Rocket Success

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — When SpaceX launched its giant Falcon Heavy rocket Tuesday (Feb. 6), President Donald Trump was apparently watching. In a congratulatory Twitter post, Trump hailed SpaceX and its CEO Elon Musk for the successful Falcon Heavy test flight from here at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) as a pinnacle of American progress. […]

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SpaceX plans to launch its huge new Falcon Heavy rocket for the first time on Feb. 6, 2018, during a 3-hour window that opens up at 1:30 p.m. EST. It is the most powerful U.S. rocket since NASA

SpaceX's Falcon Heavy Rocket: By the Numbers

On Tuesday, the world may witness a rocket launch more powerful than any that’s been seen in nearly half a century. Space Exploration Technologies, a private spaceflight company better known as SpaceX, is sending its new Falcon Heavy rocket on its first test launch. The enormous vessel will ignite its formidable Merlin engines on Tuesday […]

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Two Space Rocks Will Fly Safely Past Earth This Week

Two space rocks will make close flybys past Earth this week, but they pose no threat to our planet’s safety. The two asteroids are called 2018 CB and 2018 CC, and they were both discovered Sunday (Feb. 4) through an automated telescope search called the Catalina Sky Survey , according to NASA’s Minor Planet Center. […]

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