Space and Astronomy – Page 25

This Mars Documentary Required Many Sols

“Good Night Oppy” chronicles the work and passion of the scientists who shepherded the Mars rover program.

By Brandon Yu

Boulder (Colo) France Global Positioning System International Bureau of Weights and Measures International Telecommunication Union National Institute of Standards and Technology Navigation Physics Space and Astronomy Telephones and Telecommunications Time Tucson (Ariz) Vatican Observatory Weights and Measures

It’s Official: The Leap Second Will Be Retired (a Decade from Now)

On Friday, an international vote was taken to ditch the leap second, a technical fudge that has caused headaches since its inception 50 years ago.

By Alanna Mitchell

Hawaii Mars (Planet) National Aeronautics and Space Administration Pacific Ocean Research Rocket Science and Propulsion Science and Technology Space and Astronomy United Launch Alliance

NASA Launched and Landed LOFTID, an Inflatable Flying Saucer Heat Shield

The LOFTID mission tested a novel approach to guiding spacecraft through the extreme heat of returning from orbit, which could be used to put people on Mars.

By Kenneth Chang

China Pacific Ocean Rocket Science and Propulsion Space and Astronomy Tiangong Space Program

China Lucks Out Again as Out-of-Control Rocket Booster Falls in the Pacific

For the fourth time, the country’s space program used a 23-ton launcher that made an uncontrolled re-entry back to Earth, prompting nervous sky-watching and airspace closures in Europe.

By Kenneth Chang

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