#Orbit

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Ars Technica
4 months ago
OMG science

A commander's lament on the loss of a historic SpaceX rocket

The Falcon 9 rocket that launched NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken on SpaceX's first crew mission in 2020 launched and landed for the 19th and final time just before Christmas, then tipped over on its recovery ship during the trip back to Cape Canaveral, Florida.
english.elpais.com
4 months ago
Science

What's so special about our solar system's smallest planet?

Mercury is a planet with unique characteristics, including no seasons, fast orbit around the Sun, and slow rotation.
The planet has mythological significance in various cultures and stands out in the night sky. [ more ]
Ars Technica
5 months ago
Science

The US military's spaceplane is about to fly again-it needs a bigger rocket

A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket is set to launch with the US military's X-37B spaceplane onboard, heading into an unusual orbit.
The X-37B's flight will reach a higher altitude than previous missions and will take a flight path over Earth's polar regions. [ more ]
Futurism
5 months ago
Science

Scientists Study What Would Happen If a Rogue Star Crashed Through Our Solar System

If a rogue star were to enter the Solar System, it could disrupt the delicate balance of the planets' orbits.
Computer simulations suggest that there is a high chance none of the eight planets would be entirely lost if a rogue star approached.
The most probable destructive pathways for Earth would be a giant impact with another celestial body or colliding with the Sun. [ more ]
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