NASAジェット推進研究所（JPL）のエンジニアは、音速を超えて回転しても破損しない大型ローターブレードの試験に成功した。木曜日に発表されたこの成果は、将来の火星探査ミッションにおいて揚力を30％向上させるものとなる。
試験は火星の希薄な大気を再現したチャンバー内で行われ、ローターの先端速度はマッハ1.08に達した。JPLとAeroVironmentのエンジニアは3枚翼と2枚翼の両方の設計を使用し、後者はSkyFallミッションで計画されている構成と一致している。チャンバー内部のファンが速度上昇に伴う向かい風を再現し、チームは隣接するコントロールルームから結果を観測した。
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Orion spacecraft from Artemis 2 mission has completed its final maneuver before atmospheric reentry, the most critical phase of the journey. Astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen face a 13-minute descent at over 40,000 km/h and temperatures above 2,500 degrees, with splashdown planned off San Diego.
NASA's X-59 research plane has completed a key test flight at Mach 1.4 and 55,000 feet. The milestone brings it closer to future community overflights as part of the Quesst mission.
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Researchers have developed minuscule devices that use light to control movement in multiple directions, advancing the potential for light-powered spacecraft. The metajets, made from silicon, were tested in a lab setting and showed promising results for steering large sails through space. This breakthrough could help overcome current limitations in directing such vessels over vast distances.
Chinese researchers have successfully tested a system capable of beaming energy to multiple moving targets at once, marking another step toward an orbiting power station.
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NASA's Psyche spacecraft is scheduled to pass within 2,800 miles of Mars on May 15 to gain a gravitational boost toward its target asteroid. The maneuver will increase the probe's speed while allowing tests of its scientific instruments.
NASA's Perseverance rover has traveled more than 26.2 miles on Mars, completing the equivalent of a marathon in five years. The milestone was reached on June 14 while the rover explored terrain west of Jezero Crater.
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NASA has received a full-scale prototype of Blue Origin's Mark 2 crew cabin and will soon begin astronaut training exercises. The development supports the agency's goal of returning humans to the lunar surface in 2028.