Astronomy, Earth, Moon, Mars & Beyond and Mysteries

[Buzz]

Nuclear-powered transport – how far can it take us? – Physics World

Honor Powrie looks at the perils and plus-sides of nuclear-powered transport

physicsworld.com

 

[Reuven]

The TL;DR on Bible Codes: Bullshite.

 

[Simone411]

Mysterious never-before-seen egg-like structures found on Mars

The article also includes a video to watch:

MSN

Nasa’s Curiosity rover has been investigating the spider-web-like rock formations found on Mars – and found mysterious egg-like structures.

Newly issued images show giant zig-zagging ridges, known as ‘boxwork’, spread across the slopes of Mount Sharp inside Gale Crater.

Some of the close-up photographs reveal small, rounded spheroids scattered across the formations, features not previously seen on Mars.

Over the past eight months, Curiosity has been closely examining these interconnected rocky ridges, which stretch across an area up to 12 miles (20km) wide.

Scientists believe the structures formed billions of years ago, when groundwater flowed beneath the Martian surface, depositing minerals that later hardened into ridges as surrounding rock was eroded by wind.

From orbit, the formations resemble enormous spiderwebs etched into the landscape.

Although they were first identified by spacecraft in 2006, their remote location meant they remained largely unexplored until Curiosity arrived.

For about six months, the rover has been driving across the low ridges, which stand roughly three to six feet (one to two meters) tall, with sandy hollows in between.

 

[Reuven]

Nasa’s Curiosity rover has been investigating the spider-web-like rock formations found on Mars – and found mysterious egg-like structures.

Sooo, was David Bowie prophetic?

 

[Simone411]

Sooo, was David Bowie prophetic?

Your guess is as good as mine!

Kinetica-2, China’s Powerful Reusable Rocket Set to Rival SpaceX, Launching This March

CAS Space's Kinetica-2 rocket, set to launch in late March 2026, will carry a prototype cargo spacecraft to support China's Tiangong space station and pave the way for future satellite launches.

dailygalaxy.com

In late March 2026, CAS Space, a commercial offshoot of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, will be launching its new Kinetica-2 rocket. The mission, scheduled for lift-off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in China’s Gobi Desert, is an important milestone for both the company and the broader Chinese space industry. As reported by Space News, this inaugural launch will carry a prototype of the Qingzhou-1 cargo spacecraft, designed to support China’s Tiangong space station. This article explores the significance of the Kinetica-2’s development, its potential for the future, and the broader context of China’s rapidly evolving space ambitions.

The Rise of CAS Space and the Kinetica-2 Rocket

CAS Space, a spinoff of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has been making waves in the commercial space sector. With a commitment to reducing launch costs and increasing the frequency of space missions, CAS Space is positioning itself as a key player in China’s growing space ambitions.

According to Space News, the Kinetica-2, a 53-meter-long rocket, will use a reusable design aimed at cutting costs for future launches. Powered by three YF-102 engines, which use kerosene and liquid oxygen, the rocket will be capable of carrying up to 12,000 kilograms to low Earth orbit. Additionally, it will be able to transport up to 7,800 kilograms to a 500-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit, a feat that places it in competition with other international heavy-lift rockets.

This development comes as part of a wider effort to create reusable rockets within China’s space program. The design of Kinetica-2 allows it to be refurbished for multiple flights, reducing the need for new rockets and lowering the cost per launch. This reusability mirrors trends in the space industry, with companies like SpaceX already utilizing similar technologies to reduce the financial burden of frequent space missions.