Asteroid & Comet Missions

Latest about Asteroid & Comet Missions

a silver ring structure with dark asteroid material peppering its inner rim

'What is that material?': Potentially hazardous asteroid Bennu stumps scientists with its odd makeup

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

Scientists found signs of organic molecules in the first samples of potentially hazardous asteroid Bennu, as well as a 'head scratching' material that has yet to be identified.

Asteroid & Comet Missions
a small black capsule sits in brown desert scrubland, with a scrunched-up orange-and-white parachute on the ground nearby.

Crossed wires caused parachute problem during OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample delivery, NASA says

By Mike Wall published

Crossed wires likely prevented OSIRIS-REx's return capsule from deploying its drogue parachute during its descent through Earth's atmosphere on Sept. 24, NASA officials say.

Asteroid & Comet Missions
two grey rocks in space

Curious double moon discovered orbiting asteroid 'Dinky' now has a name

By Monisha Ravisetti published

Asteroid Dinkinesh, target No. 1 on Lucy's journey, turned out to be not one, but two (technically three) space rocks put together. Scientists finally gave its satellite a name.

Asteroid & Comet Missions
This illustration depicts asteroid Phaethon being heated by the Sun. The asteroid’s surface gets so hot that sodium inside Phaethon’s rock likely vaporizes and vents into space, causing it to brighten like a comet and form a tail.

Asteroid Phaethon's mysterious tail may finally have an explanation

By Conor Feehly published

Spectral analysis of the mystery asteroid Phaethon reveals its composition at last.

Asteroid & Comet Missions
Artist's illustration of Japan's DESTINY+ asteroid probe in space, with earth in the background.

Japan's mission to bizarre asteroid Phaethon delayed to 2025

By Andrew Jones published

Japan's DESTINY+ mission to 3200 Phaethon, the parent body of the famous Geminid meteor shower, will have to wait a bit longer to get off the ground.

Asteroid & Comet Missions
Astrophysicist and iconic rocker Brian May.

Queen guitar legend Brian May helps analyze NASA's OSIRIS-REx asteroid samples

By Robert Lea published

Music legend Brian May has spoken about his role in the historic NASA OSIRIS-REx mission, which in September returned a sample of the space rock Bennu to Earth.

Asteroid & Comet Missions
a large white rocket launches into a cloudy gray sky.

Relive SpaceX's Falcon Heavy launch of Psyche asteroid mission with these amazing photos

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX's powerful Falcon Heavy rocket launched NASA's Psyche asteroid mission on Friday (Oct. 13), providing space fans with lots of eye candy.

Asteroid & Comet Missions
a falcon heavy rocket with sooty side boosters stands at lc-39a for NASA's Psyche mission, Oct. 11, 2023.

Watch SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket launch NASA's Psyche asteroid mission today

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX's powerful Falcon Heavy rocket will launch NASA's Psyche asteroid mission today (Oct. 13), weather permitting, and you can watch it live.

Asteroid & Comet Missions
a white rocket stands on the launch pad next to its black launch tower, with a gray sky in the background.

SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket poised to launch Psyche metal asteroid mission (photos)

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX's powerful Falcon Heavy rocket is standing tall on the launch pad ahead of the planned Friday (Oct. 13) liftoff of NASA's Psyche metal asteroid mission.

Asteroid & Comet Missions
the payload fairings at the top of a rocket stand with cloudy skies behind

Bad weather delays SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch of NASA's Psyche asteroid mission to Oct. 13

By Josh Dinner published

Weather on Florida's Space Coast will delay the liftoff of NASA's Psyche mission by at least a day, the agency announced Wednesday evening (Oct. 11).

Asteroid & Comet Missions
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