Mars rocks homeward bound in 2033
Martian samples collected by the Perseverance rover are set to begin their journey to Earth in 2033. NASA has now completed the review phase of its plan, which will use the rover and two recovery helicopters to carry the collection to a Sample Retrieval Lander (due to launch in 2027), that will then send them to the Earth Return Orbiter (2028).
South Korea to the Moon
South Korea’s first lunar spacecraft began its journey on 4 August. The Korean Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter, or Danuri, will arrive in lunar orbit in December. It will orbit the Moon 12 times a day, imaging the surface and testing an ‘interplanetary internet’ for use on future missions.
No dark matter for dwarfs
The movements of dwarf galaxies in Earth’s second closest galaxy cluster indicate they lack dark matter. A new study of the Fornax Cluster led by the University of Bonn suggests that this could be more evidence of an alternate theory of gravity, called modified Newtonian dynamics (MOND).
Ceres’s radioactive heater
Dwarf planet Ceres has a radioactive heart that drives its geological activity, according to a recent set of computer simulations. When the Dawn spacecraft arrived in 2015, it found Ceres was unexpectedly active for such a small world, and it now appears radiation from elements such as uranium has warmed it over time.
Artemis III landing sites
When Artemis III lands in 2025, it will not only be the first time a woman has walked on the Moon but the first visit any human has made to the lunar south pole. On 19 August, NASA revealed its 13 preferred landing sites, all of which are close to the pole and geologically diverse.
Tiangong grows
At the end of July the Chinese Space station, Tiangong, received its first science module, Wentian. After successfully docking, a crew of three taikonauts crossed over on 25 July. The second lab, Mengtian, is due to arrive in October to complete the station.