NASA

WASHINGTON — Modifications to a large deployable antenna on a joint U.S.-Indian radar spacecraft will delay its launch, likely to the second half of the year. In a March 22 statement, NASA said a new launch date for the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission will be set at the end of April because of work to protect the spacecraft’s reflector, an antenna that is 12 meters across when fully deployed, from temperatures when in its stowed configuration. “Testing and analysis identified a potential for the reflector to experience higher-than-previously-anticipated temperatures in its stowed configuration in flight,” NASA said in the statement. To prevent those increased temperatures, a “special coating” will be applied to the antenna so that it reflects more sunlight....

Are you ready to add some “space” to your spring break in the Space City? We got you, explorer. Space Center Houston’s Moon 2 Mars Festival, presented by Wellby Financial, is back for year three. Beginning Wednesday, March 13 through Saturday, March 16, the festival celebrates the wonders of space with live music, cutting-edge space tech, immersive experiences, Texas barbecue and more. The festival ends on Saturday, March 16 with internationally renowned rock band The All-American Rejects hitting the stage at 7:30 p.m. But every day is loaded with musical artists and DJs representing the Lone Start State! Learn more about these artists and their set times at the festival! We’ve compiled this quick mission brief for you and your crew—so sit back, relax and enjoy this lineup of Te...

Have you heard the news? Astronaut applications are opening soon (March 2), and there’s never been a better time to apply then now. Here are a few signs that might mean you’re ready to take to the stars: 1. You Don’t Mind Having RoommatesWhen you’re an astronaut, you have to work and live with your crew mates for extended periods of time. It’s important to the mission and your safety that everyone can collaborate and work together.2. You LOVE SpaceIf the Milky Way, planets and space travel doesn’t excite you then this might not be the perfect job for you. But if you love galaxies, space station research and deep space exploration, then maybe you should take a look at our application.3. Adventure Doesn’t Scare YouBeing an astronaut means that you get to take part in adventures that most peo...

TAMPA, Fla. — The Airbus-built Eutelsat 36D geostationary communications satellite landed in Sanford, Florida, March 11 ahead of a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch slated from the nearby Kennedy Space Center at the end of the month. Eutelsat 36D had set off Saturday on an Airbus BelugaST (Super Transporter) from France where the satellite maker is based. It is the third time the manufacturer’s alternative to Ukrainian Antonov aircraft has flown a large satellite across the Atlantic since Airbus started offering an outsized freight transportation service two years ago. The roughly 5,000-kilogram satellite is due to travel by truck to its launch site.  French fleet operator Eutelsat ordered the satellite in 2021 to replace Eutelsat 36B before it runs out of fuel in 2026 at 36 degrees ...