First-light images from NASA’s soil moisture satellite revealed
Professor of civil and environmental engineering Dara Entekhabi, science team leader of NASA's SMAP satellite, marvels at the project's first snapshot of Earth.
For the first time, spacecraft catch a solar shockwave in the act
Solar storm found to produce “ultrarelativistic, killer electrons” in 60 seconds.
3 Questions: Dara Entekhabi on NASA’s soil-moisture mission
MIT professor is lead scientist on three-year mission to study how soil, water, and carbon interact.
A twist on planetary origins
New study finds meteorites were byproducts of planetary formation, not building blocks.
Toward quantum chips
Packing single-photon detectors on an optical chip is a crucial step toward quantum-computational circuits.
3 Questions: Ben Weiss on the lunar dynamo
The moon’s molten, churning core likely once generated a dynamo.
Lunar Laser Communication System wins R&D Magazine Editor's Choice Award
System developed by Lincoln Laboratory and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center is named one of 2014's most influential technologies.
Plasma shield
Researchers find that Earth’s “plasmaspheric hiss” protects against a harmful radiation belt.
Pulling together the early solar system
New study finds that a strong magnetic field whipped the early solar system into shape.
3 Questions: Richard Binzel on NASA’s Asteroid Redirect Mission
Better options available in thousands of near-Earth asteroids, expert says.
AeroAstro turns 100
Nine astronaut alumni and Elon Musk join in celebrating department’s centennial.
Dava Newman nominated for NASA post
President Obama asks AeroAstro professor to take space agency’s No. 2 leadership spot.
Mars One (and done?)
MIT team independently assesses the technical feasibility of the proposed Mars One mission.
Researchers detect brightest pulsar ever recorded
The pulsar, about as large as the city of Boston, is 10 million times brighter than the sun.