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Rocket Lab got a $397 million contract from the United States Space Force on Aug. 04, 2026. The company will build and launch advanced Flatellites to track airborne threats. Sir Peter Beck said, “Rocket Lab is honored to play a key role in the SB-AMTI program, which is critical.”
Researchers published a study on March 13, 2026, in Horticulture Research identifying the VvLYK4-2 receptor in grapevines. This discovery explains how plants detect chitosan to trigger immune responses. Scientists used genome editing to show that this specific receptor helps grapevines fight diseases, which could lead to more reliable crop protection.
Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology proposed a two-stage method to destroy large asteroids. They suggest using a metal projectile to create a crater, then triggering a nuclear explosion inside. Simulations showed this approach could break apart a 100-meter asteroid, offering a powerful alternative to traditional deflection.
Titan is the largest of Saturn's 274 confirmed moons and keeps tempting scientists to picture a human settlement. Its thick atmosphere and liquid seas look familiar, but the air lacks oxygen and the cold is deadly. While gravity is low, the harsh environment makes living there a difficult test case.
Astronomy on Tap Cork returns to the Franciscan Well Brewery this evening, Tuesday, August 4th, for a special Eclipse Edition. Leading astrophysicists will share tips on safely watching the August 12th solar eclipse. You can enjoy a pint while learning why this event is a big deal for all of Ireland.
NASA sent its NavCube3-mini navigation payload to Intuitive Machines on July 13. This tiny system will ride on the Altus-1 satellite to help Artemis missions navigate the Moon. By using GPS signals, the device helps astronauts and rovers find their way around the lunar South Pole for future space exploration.
Months in space quietly remodel an astronaut's body as bones thin and the heart shrinks. Fluid shifts upward, causing puffy faces and vision problems that can reshape the eyes. Even with two hours of daily exercise, many astronauts return with lasting changes that show space is hard on the body.
NASA astronaut Chris Williams returned to Earth on Sunday, July 26, after spending eight months on the International Space Station. He completed 3,856 orbits at 17,000 miles an hour. His father, Roger, said he grew "beyond every expectation." This mission serves as a reminder of the American spirit of adventure today.
China’s rare earth restrictions are hitting U.S. missile magnet production hard. Phoenix Tailings in New Hampshire got a $500 million Pentagon loan to build a new factory. Anthony Balladon said, “It will be a tall order and a challenge to replenish these stocks and scale up in the time frame.”
Four labs found that experimental differences can undermine AI catalyst predictions. Researchers at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory tested a rhodium-based catalyst to improve AI data quality. "Our findings are a reminder to exercise caution about what information we feed into a machine-learning model," said researcher Selin Bac about the study.
Moving a pet cat indoors is easier than many owners expect, according to new research from Adelaide University. Dr Julia Henning said, "Many people worry that keeping a cat indoors will be stressful for their cat, but our findings suggest that the transition was often easier than expected." It got better.
Investigation into fusion propulsion started in the 1960s as scientists explored ways to reach distant stars. These systems used magnetic or inertial confinement to heat plasma to extreme temperatures. While these drives showed promise for high speeds, reaching Proxima Centauri still takes many years due to the massive distances involved.